It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Huntington Beach Sign in Huntington Beach, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Huntington Beach, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I had “Total Shoulder Replacement” just before. Thanksgiving and am so pleased and happy with”
“To let you know we are happy about Karina vega she went up”
“The caregivers they send are the best. Very professional and kind. Some walk in and”
“Phoung the administrator is easy to work and has made the process very easy for”
“Phuong the coordinator is amazing! She is so helpful, great with communication and has gone”
“We had caregivers come to our mother’s home frequently and they did an exceptional job.”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker”
“I had a very good experience with Phong and her workers. Mostly all of them were”
“The team at ABC Senior services has been a godsend for me and my family.”
“We have used Phuong and her caregivers for over a year. She and her team”
“ABC came in and really helped stabilize my mom’s living situation as her dementia worsened.”
“I had a great experience with Always Best Care. My husband needed 8 hours 7”
“Thank you for being there, and working around my hectic schedule…you made my time and”
“After being in the assisted-living for nearly 3 weeks due to it, horrible accident, I”
“An amazing company doing amazing things through home care. Phuong does an awesome job managing”
“Writing a review for service received is never an easy task especially where it involves”
“I appreciated the friendly & professional care Karla provided for me after my extended hospital”
“Oh my gosh, the VA came to my rescue in providing my husband with a”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management”
“Always Best Care provided reliable quality care to my family member in my home. They”
“After months of struggling with trying to find a reliable caregiver for a disabled loved”
“The first month of assistance with Best care was a little rough for my 89”
“I had “Total Shoulder Replacement” just before. Thanksgiving and am so pleased and happy with the Excellent level of service [Always Best Care] provided even with different Caregivers being assigned to help take care of me! Stella Song”
“To let you know we are happy about Karina vega she went up and beyond helping with her duties please if we need help again please send Karina she is very caring and helpful God Bless Doris Holmes”
“The caregivers they send are the best. Very professional and kind. Some walk in and see exactly what needs to be done and others take direction well. I am recovering my strength and their kind care is immensely appreciated.”
“Phoung the administrator is easy to work and has made the process very easy for me. After several months of service team coming into our home, I realize they’re becoming an extension of our family. We catch up on how each other‘s been and most importantly, I’m able to trust them caring for my 89-year-old mother. She was resistant to having help initially and now she’s ready and waiting at the door for them. I particularly love having different staff show up, primarily, we know them all and have the same group a lot, but the variety has helped us not get into a rut that every day we do the same thing with the same caregiver at the same time. All of them bring their own special personality to the job, but most importantly they are kind and gracious, and God sent for me and my family”
“Phuong the coordinator is amazing! She is so helpful, great with communication and has gone above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable and supported as we navigated the new journey of getting a caregiver. All caregivers that have come out have been lovely and so helpful!”
“We had caregivers come to our mother’s home frequently and they did an exceptional job. There was a team of workers which was nice so our Mother did not get too attached to any one caregiver. The personnel manager was phenomenal as she answered so many questions we had and was willing to make adjustments to schedules quickly. I appreciated the daily notes but would have liked to see the notes be a bit more detailed. I would and have recommended this service to others in need of in home health care providers for memory care or just aging family members.”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker . She has taken care of me for almost a year. She has helped me shower , dress me , do light house work , helped me walk and even helped me after my surgeries and recovery . I don’t know what I would’ve done without her . She is an amazing human with the biggest heart . ❤️”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker . She has taken care of me for almost a year. She has helped me shower , dress me , do light house work , helped me walk and even helped me after my surgeries and recovery . I don’t know what I would’ve done without her . She is an amazing human with the biggest heart . ❤️”
“I had a very good experience with Phong and her workers. Mostly all of them were so great and helpful in their own way. If I requested one,,as I did many a time, she would do her best to honor my request. I highly reccommend her and Best Care.”
“The team at ABC Senior services has been a godsend for me and my family. The caretakers and this company came highly recommended from a friend and now I understand why. This business has been very accommodating and understanding and has tremendous experience. Every individual has unique needs and this company does its best to harmonize with the customers needs. We worked with Karla,Ronny,Michelle and Betsy. Dementia and Alzheimer's are very cruel ailments and ABC came through for us to help take care of my father's needs and to take pressure off of my mother by helping with daily tasks.”
“We have used Phuong and her caregivers for over a year. She and her team are the best. Phuong knew what my mother needed even before we did, as she knows the business front and back. She also has a compassionate heart. The only reason we stopped was because my mother could never return home and needed to be placed in a home. My mother loved her home and was grateful she could live there with the help of Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“ABC came in and really helped stabilize my mom’s living situation as her dementia worsened. Phuong was adaptable and worked with us regarding scheduling, doctor appointments and any other needs we had with our in-home care. I would definitely recommend Phuong and her team with any home healthcare needs.”
“I had a great experience with Always Best Care. My husband needed 8 hours 7 days a week care so the caregivers became part of our family! Not every caregiver was a good fit but Phoung was flexible and worked to insure our days went as smoothly as possible. I have recommended Always Best Care to friends and they have been thrilled with the care the are receiving.”
“Thank you for being there, and working around my hectic schedule…you made my time and my husbands time positive.”
“After being in the assisted-living for nearly 3 weeks due to it, horrible accident, I arrived home, not being able to do much. I was completely frustrated, then, Always Best Care of came to my rescue! The ladies that came out were extremely helpful, kind, considerate, and understanding. Each week, they would jump in and do things that were absolutely impossible for me to do. I’m very independent, but they helpe me to relax, take it easy and let them handle anything I needed. I am so very grateful for this wonderful service.”
“An amazing company doing amazing things through home care. Phuong does an awesome job managing the staff and clients to assure the experience on both ends exceeds their expectations. It's a great place to work and give back to your community.”
“Writing a review for service received is never an easy task especially where it involves service provided to a loved one. But where service received becomes an overwhelmingly pleasant experience, the task becomes an easier one. Such is the feeling I have as I look back at the almost three years of care my late husband received from the caregivers provided by the Veterans Administration through the Always Best Care Agency. Of special mention was a very nice lady by the name of Claudette LaCaille, a pre-school teacher by profession who was one of the caregivers that unselfishly cared for him. Not only did she patiently attend to his needs---she provided a genuine companionship to him and great comfort and understanding to me. It made this painful period of my life bearable and easier to accept and cope with. I am also very grateful to the agency’s owner, Nguyen Phuong, for granting my request to send caregivers who could come consistently on a regular schedule. It made him feel like familiar friends were visiting him on a regular basis. I highly recommend the Always Best Care Senior Services and wish their caregiving heroes and heroines the best of health and good fortune now and always.”
“I appreciated the friendly & professional care Karla provided for me after my extended hospital & rehab stay. Thank you for sending Karla for my care.”
“Oh my gosh, the VA came to my rescue in providing my husband with a caregiving service after 3 years of doing it myself. Alway Best Care of Fountain Valley is the company that was designated to us. Phuong does a spectacular job in finding the best people possible to fit into a caregiving roll. What impressed me most is the fact that when a caregiver cannot make the scheduled appointment, Phuong does not allow us to be without caregiving service, if she cannot find a replacement she steps up and performs the duties herself. She is most helpful in assisting with regular caregiving service and does not feel it below her to chip in with light housekeeping chores. BRAVO Ms Phuong, your company’s service is the best.”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management "flexibility in schedule" helped us all in our household and gave us more relief in taking our short breaks and not to worry about our fiend's care, safety and his assistance at home. Consistency of caregivers assigned made it easier for my friend’s personality and to myself to handle his care. Caregivers provided the standard of professionalism, punctuality and respect in all aspects of care to my friend and to all household members as well. Always Best Care patiently worked and delivered my request for my friend's care in matching his personality with caregivers. I was not also easy to deal with being the person in charge to my friend. Thank you Always Best Care with gratitude. Penny Byram Westminster”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management "flexibility in schedule" helped us all in our household and gave us more relief in taking our short breaks and not to worry about our fiend's care, safety and his assistance at home. Consistency of caregivers assigned made it easier for my friend's personality as well as to myself. Caregivers provided the standard of professionalism, punctuality and respect in all aspects of care to my friend and to all household members as well. Always Best Care patiently worked and delivered my request for my friend's care in matching his personality with caregivers. Thank you Always Best Care with gratitude.”
“Always Best Care provided reliable quality care to my family member in my home. They were professional, courteous and kind in their provision of personal care. Many thanks to their staff.”
“After months of struggling with trying to find a reliable caregiver for a disabled loved one, I reached out to Always Best Care. From our first phone conversation, Phuong was incredibly helpful, highly professional, informative, and kind. She assisted us with getting care for my family member at home and recently helped us with transitioning her into a senior board and care facility. Phuong understood our needs and made the process super smooth and stress free. She always responds to emails and phone calls promptly and is a true gem. I highly recommend Always Best Care and could not be more pleased with the outstanding level of service Phuong provided.”
“The first month of assistance with Best care was a little rough for my 89 y.o.father, with a different care giver each visit. However as time progressed, the caregivers became more regular and his very favorite became Lauren! He is loving his in-home-care with the kindness and concern each of the caregivers show him.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bluff Top Park in Huntington Beach, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Watertable or visit Newland House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Huntington Beach, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Huntington Beach, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Huntington Beach, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A video allegedly showing large waves in Huntington Beach has gone viral on social media, with some users claiming the waves were caused by a tsunami.A powerful earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, prompting tsunami warnings for coastal areas of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Alerts were also issued for El Salvador and Easter Island, Chile.Were tsunami waves spotted in Huntington Beach?A video allegedly showing large waves in Huntington Beach has gone viral on social media, with some users...
A powerful earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, prompting tsunami warnings for coastal areas of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Alerts were also issued for El Salvador and Easter Island, Chile.
A video allegedly showing large waves in Huntington Beach has gone viral on social media, with some users claiming the waves were caused by a tsunami.
However, the claim is false. No tsunami warning was issued for California or other US states following the Panama earthquake.
The footage shows real waves, but they were linked to high tides and ocean swells associated with Tropical Storm Rachel, not a tsunami. Nearby Newport Beach also experienced coastal flooding amid the rough surf and rising tides.
Powerful waves battered Southern California's coast on Friday, damaging homes and flooding streets as residents braced for further destruction from Tropical Storm Rachel.
The storm, moving across the Pacific, was expected to make a rare landfall near the California-Mexico border early Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). It could bring strong winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding.
High tides and powerful waves hit several coastal communities, including Long Beach, where large sections of the boardwalk collapsed. Several homes also suffered serious structural damage.
The NWS warned that Long Beach, Malibu and other coastal areas could face damaging seawater flooding over the weekend. Morning high tides were expected to exceed seven feet (2.1 meters).
Also Read: When does Hurricane Isaias make landfall today? Latest updates as Florida faces power outages and extreme wind warnings
Earlier this week, local officials distributed sandbags to residents in areas vulnerable to flooding.
Although Rachel had weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm, it continued to pose a threat to coastal communities. The risk of flooding was expected to peak around Sunday morning, Carol Ciliberti, an NWS meteorologist in Southern California, told AFP.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for all of San Diego County, which borders Mexico. According to the report, this marked only the second time a tropical storm watch had been issued for California.
“The Phantom of the Opera” is having a bit of a resurgence as the famous musical celebrates its 40th anniversary.Original stars Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman recently reunited during a special curtain call at a show in London, and the show also came to the Segerstrom Center in August.Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts and its dedicated group of high school students are now launching their own take on the tragic love story.The show, directed by Tim Nelson, opens Friday in the Huntington Be...
“The Phantom of the Opera” is having a bit of a resurgence as the famous musical celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Original stars Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman recently reunited during a special curtain call at a show in London, and the show also came to the Segerstrom Center in August.
Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts and its dedicated group of high school students are now launching their own take on the tragic love story.
The show, directed by Tim Nelson, opens Friday in the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s historic auditorium, and will run for two weekends. The HBAPA version of “Phantom,” which runs for two hours plus intermission, promises something for everyone in terms of tone.
“Even despite the big tone of an operatic musical like this, there’s a lot of heart in it,” said HBAPA senior Addison Shay, who is double-cast as female protagonist Christine Daaé along with Madisson Harkey. “There’s a lot of lovely moments between Christine and Raoul, even with the Phantom. Even though they have a complex relationship, you see that kindness between them to resolve the big conflict the whole show is about.
“While there’s a lot of chaos and confusion for a lot of the show, there’s a lot of sweet and kind moments that kind of make you look at your own life differently. I know that’s what it has made me do, so I just hope when an audience comes to see it, they’ll have that same reaction.”
Antonio Lopez plays the Phantom, with Cole Johnson as Raoul. Carlotta is also double-cast, with Bella Tafua and Riley Moser sharing the role.
Tafua said she drew inspiration from her titular role in “Hello, Dolly!” last spring to play Carlotta, who she called “the biggest diva you’ll ever meet.”
“If you think in terms of hierarchy, she’s like the lion of the opera house,” said Tafua, an HBAPA senior. “This is her domain, and everyone else is just background characters to her. She’s mean, and funny.”
Lopez has long been a fan of the musical — he came with family to see the last HBAPA production of it in 2019 — and called it the biggest production of his career so far.
“I think in some ways, the comedic aspects kind of make the dramatic tone of the show hit harder,” he said. “I think that’s a good balance that we’ve been able to establish and find throughout rehearsals.”
The massive production required four weeks of build instead of just the usual one, production stage manager and HBAPA senior Kylie Schnaas said.
“It’s been really interesting,” Schnaas said. “A lot of people are coming in already knowing the musical, so our goal is just to make it as accurate as possible but also make it fit our theater itself. Obviously, our theater isn’t like Segerstrom or the Pantages. We have to make it more designed to move around our space, use our audio to make our theater more enjoyable. Like, having sounds go around the room instead of just at the audience, or having lights move from one place outside of the stage instead of just on stage, so the audience feels more immersed in the musical itself.”
That level of complexity also hits other aspects of the production.
Kylie Aviles, one of the lead hair and makeup designers, said the wig count is up to 37. Miku Rogaski, a lead costume designer, said the show has about 230 costumes total for 74 people — about a third of which are rented.
“It’s just been a lot of altering,” Rogaski said. “I think the difficult thing for us is that rental-wise, we’re not allowed to use a lot of machine stitching. A lot of it has been done by hand. Me personally, I’ve done like 20 alterations in two days just to try to charge through. It’s been kind of non-stop … but I think it’s going to look really good on stage.”
Nelson, the show’s director, agrees. It should sound really good, too, with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s well-known score.
Nelson said that one special touch is that Christine’s nightgown from the original production 40 years ago will be in the HBAPA show.
“We have our own spin on it, but we’re pretty traditionalists here, especially where ‘Phantom’ is concerned,” he said. “It’s one of those shows that you don’t want to steer too far away from the expectations of the audience. What you do want to do is get the casting right; that was the tough part. We just ended up with some really spectacular lead characters.”
Tickets for “The Phantom of the Opera” run from $18.50 to $28.50 with fees and can be purchased online at .
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