On Saturday, March 15, 2025, All Roads Theater Company premiered the musical One for My Baby at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, starring Broadway legends Lana Gordon and Luba Mason. For two hours, the cast captivated the audience with a classic musical experience featuring 24 Harold Arlen songs that shape the story of postwar 1947 and the vibrant characters of the Dreamland nightclub.
Scott Thompson, director, choreographer, and book writer, along with Fred Barton, conductor and arranger, crafted a production filled with iconic tunes such as Get Happy, Stormy Weather, The Man That Got Away, Blues In The Night, Come Rain or Come Shine, and the title song, One For My Baby. The packed 370-seat house gave the cast a standing ovation, celebrating a night of dynamic performances, striking choreography, and theatrical brilliance.
After the show, I spoke with Lana Gordon, who played the lead role of Panama Jones, and Scott Thompson, the show’s director.
Interview
Sheryl Aronson: I’m here at the premiere of One for My Baby with Lana Gordon and Scott Thompson. Congratulations on this spectacular production! How does it feel to bring this show to the stage?
Scott Thompson: One for My Baby has been 20 years in the making, so it was exciting for my writing partner, Fred Barton, and me to finally see it performed before a live audience. We had a workshop in New York years ago, but seeing it with a paying audience made the hard work worthwhile.
Sheryl Aronson: The production was a major undertaking, and the cast was incredible. Lana, how did you prepare for this role?
Lana Gordon: It took a few weeks to fully step into the character. Scott provided references to classic films that helped me get into the mindset of Panama Jones.
Scott Thompson: Let me brag about Lana for a moment. It’s not just that she’s brilliant in the role—she came thoroughly prepared. That level of professionalism allows an actor to elevate their performance.
Lana Gordon: Preparation is key. When you work with the director and musical director, you can take their notes and refine your performance. That way, I’m not thinking about my lines—I’m fully immersed in my character.
Scott Thompson: Lana is an incredible collaborator and a gifted actress.
Sheryl Aronson: How did performing in LA compare to opening night in New York?
Lana Gordon: New York audiences are supportive but also very critical. Here in LA, people came ready to enjoy the show. Their enthusiasm was rewarding, and as performers, we feed off that energy.
Scott Thompson: My mission with All Roads Theater Company is to make LA a true theater town. It’s tough in a city focused on film and TV, but the talent here is undeniable. I don’t think North Hollywood expected a production on this scale.
Sheryl Aronson: Lana, tell us about Panama Jones. She’s a strong, determined woman who pushes through every challenge.
Lana Gordon: All the women in this story are strong, but Panama fights through every obstacle. She never gives up, facing hardships with love, resilience, and courage. I connect with her deeply—she reinvents herself, and her story has layers that reveal the roots of her struggles.
Sheryl Aronson: Your vocal performance was outstanding, from the effortless scatting on That Old Black Magic to bringing the house down with One for My Baby.
Scott Thompson: Lana can sing. (We all laugh.) She brings Harold Arlen’s lyrics to life beautifully.
Lana Gordon: His music fits my voice perfectly.
Scott Thompson: I’ve been passionate about Arlen’s music for years. When I was 21, I directed a college revue of his songs called Get Happy. Broadway often revives Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, and Irving Berlin musicals, but Arlen’s work is rarely given that spotlight. He wrote classic film songs like Over the Rainbow, but his theater work has been overlooked.
Lana Gordon: His music is timeless jazz. Some of these songs I grew up hearing, while others—like Hit the Road to Dreamland and I Wonder What Became of Me—were new to me. It was a joy to bring them to life through Panama Jones.
Sheryl Aronson: Any final words for LA audiences?
Scott Thompson: Come to the El Portal Theater and experience One for My Baby! We’re running from Thursday, March 20, 2025, through Sunday, March 23, 2025. Support LA theater—it’s worth it.
Get your tickets at: https://elportaltheatre.com/oneformybaby.html
