THE UNAMERICANS
About the Program | Program Repertoire|Digital Program| Pop-Up Exhibit | About the Artists | Our Sponsors
The incredible story of Hollywood’s first Golden Age and the invention of the art of film scoring
Behind some of our country's most loved music, there is a story of resilience and courage that sings to us all.
In the late 1940s, fears of communism led to the targeting and censorship of Americans everywhere. For the composers, musicians, screenwriters, actors, and other artists who landed on the Hollywood Blacklist, the questions of what it means to be American and how we preserve freedom of expression are at the very heart of their work.
They were branded unpatriotic and UnAmerican, and blacklisted from the communities to which they belonged and from creating the movies and music for which they had long been celebrated. As we reflect on this dark chapter of our history years later, we can clearly see the daring sacrifice these targeted artists made in the name of their art and true American ideals.
In this performance, MUSE/IQUE celebrates the music and stories of the “UnAmerican” artists who never gave up on their principles. Artistic & Music Director Rachael Worby leads us on a powerful examination of the human cost of censorship and the importance of artistic expression in building empathy and opening our hearts.
The UnAmericans
Program Repertoire
"I Love Lucy" Theme - Eliot Daniel, arr. Rob Schaer
MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Everything’s Coming Up Roses - Jule Styne & Stephen Sondheim, arr. Rob Schaer
LaVance Colley, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Taking a Chance on Love - Vernon Duke, John La Touche & Ted Fetter, arr. Alan Steinberger
Angie Fisher, Alan Steinberger, Michael Abraham, Jamey Tate, Michael Valerio
Summertime - George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward, Ira Gershwin, arr. Michael Valerio
LaVance Colley, Alan Steinberger, Michael Abraham, Jamey Tate, Michael Valerio
Brother Can You Spare a Dime - Jay Gorney & E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, arr. Jamey Tate
LaVance Colley, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Stardust / Begin the Beguine - Hoagy Carmichael / Cole Porter, arr. Tom Ranier
Tom Ranier, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues - Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler, arr. Jamey Tate
Angie Fisher, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Mack the Knife - Kurt Weill & Bertolt Brecht, arr. Jamey Tate
LaVance Colley, Angie Fisher, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
If I Had a Hammer - Pete Seeger & Lee Hays, arr. David Saul Lee
DC6 Singers Collective, Alan Steinberger, Michael Abraham, Jamey Tate, Michael Valerio
Theme from High Noon - Dmitri Tiomkin, arr. Michael Abraham
Michael Abraham, Kirsten Edkins
Spartacus Love Theme - Alex North, orch. Kevin Kaska
MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Balm in Gilead - Traditional Spiritual, arr. Michael Valerio
LaVance Colley, Angie Fisher, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Welcome to the Dream Factory
Program
MUSE/IQUE MUSE/IQUE’s Pop-Up Exhibit, Seeing Red: Women in the Focus of Hollywood’s Blacklist
Pop-Up Exhibit
Long before the era of the Hollywood Blacklist, women in Hollywood already worked in an industry where their reputations, voices, and faces were heavily monitored by the studio system. However, when the House on Un-American Activities Committee arrived in Hollywood for its first hearing, women faced an additional layer of scrutiny that could abruptly end their careers. This exhibit focuses on a select group of actresses from film and television who, despite the risks, bravely navigated their careers while speaking out and finding themselves in the crosshairs of the blacklist.
Check out this exhibit on-site at the show!
The UnAmericans
Featured Artists
LAVANCE COLLEY, VOCALS
LaVance Colley has fused the presence, range, and fervor of a Gospel singer with the versatility of Jazz, and the heart of R&B to develop a style all his own. As an accomplished vocalist, his credits include working with legends like Beyoncé, John Legend, Shawn Mendes, Pharrell Williams, Diana Ross, and Lizzo. He is also widely recognized as the lead vocalist and Emcee on tour with Postmodern Jukebox. His live performances and studio sessions are highly sought after by many artists in the industry. @lavancecolley on social platforms.
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ANGIE FISHER, VOCALS
Angie Fisher (vocals) is a GRAMMY-nominated artist, first captured attention with her 2014 hit "I.R.S." Beginning her career at age 14 with All God’s Children choir, she became a sought-after session and background vocalist. Fisher has since graced shows like "Good Morning America," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," and the Grammys. She has worked with top artists including Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey. Known for her powerful voice and work ethic, Fisher continues to enchant audiences worldwide.
@angiesingss on social platforms.
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DC6 SINGERS COLLECTIVE, VOCALS
DC6 Singers Collective (vocals) are a Los Angeles-based ensemble with roots in a cappella, gospel, doo wop, and R&B, but they fuse styles to transcend boundaries. They have collaborated with global music legends such as CeCe Winans, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Michael Bolton, and institutions like the San Francisco Symphony and LA Opera Orchestra. They frequently collaborate with longtime partners like MUSE/IQUE and local arts organizations that amplify the city’s rich cultural tapestry. @dc6singers on social platforms.
This special group works closely with MUSE/IQUE to develop and produce arrangements, advise on repertoire, and help bring the music to life.
Principal Arranger and Special Advisor to the Music Director Michael Valerio resident arrangers Rob Schaer, Alan Steinberger, and Jamey Tate. Additional arrangements by Michael Abraham, Kevin Kaska, David Saul Lee, and Tom Ranier.
MUSE/IQUE orchestra
Led by Artistic & Music Director Rachael Worby
Violin I
Alyssa Park (concertmaster), Ashoka Thiagarajan
Violin II
Ina Veli, Mina Hong
Viola
Shawn Mann, Jonah Sirota
Cello
Mia Barcia-Colombo, Ginger Murphy
Woodwinds
Damon Zick, Kirsten Edkins
Trumpet
Rob Schaer, Sarah Bauza
Trombone
Nick Daley
Percussion
Sidney Hopson
Keyboard/B3
Alan Steinberger
Guitar
Michael Abraham
Bass
Michael Valerio
Drums
Jamey Tate
Brady Steel, Orchestra Manager. Caroline Boyce, Librarian.
This season is presented by LeeAnn and Ron Havner / JCS Family Foundation.
Additional Sponsors:
Anonymous (2), Avery and Andrew Barth, Michael Casey, Ellen and Harvey Knell, The Jerry and Terri Kohl Family Foundation, Ambassador Robert Kohorst and Shelley Allen, Debbie and Rick Powell, and Alyce de Roulet Williamson.
MUSE/IQUE is proud to partner with The Huntington for our June 10 & 11 performances of The UnAmericans.
MUSE/IQUE is proud to partner with Skirball Cultural Center for our June 15 performance of The UnAmericans.
Proudly sponsored by Classical California KUSC
Classical California KUSC is the #1 classical music radio station in the nation. KUSC and Muse/ique share a mission to broaden musical perspectives and expand access to transformative music experiences. Listen to KUSC on the radio at 91.5 FM in Los Angeles and Orange County, online at kusc.org, and our free smartphone apps on Apple and Android. And check out our streams online and on our website including our exclusive video game music stream called Arcade, a move music stream and more.
Proudly partnering with Holocaust Museum LA
Holocaust Museum LA continues its mission to commemorate those who perished, honor those who survived, educate about the Holocaust and inspire a more dignified and humane world.
Presented with support from Ellen and Harvey Knell.