Gil Kaan - Page 14

Actor/playwright Steve Trzaska world premiere’s his CAMP GINGER for two Saturdays beginning February 26, 2022, at the Little Theater at the Actors Company. Directed by Joy Mamey, CAMP GINGER tells the semi-autobiographical experiences of Steve in summer for other red-headed kids. I had the chance to quiz Steve on his origins of CAMP GINGER.

Fountain Theatre will be premiering its four-part podcast NUMBERED DAYS on February 14th.  Two-time Emmy winner for Breaking Bad, Anna Gunn stars in this true account of playwright Corey Madden’s “numbered days” with her husband, composer Bruno Louchouarn. Corey Madden does double (or triple?) duty directing Anna as herself, as well as Tony Amendola, Jeanne Sakata and Jack Stehlin. This real-life love story is appropriately being released on Valentine’s Day.

Actors Co-op Theatre Company presents Scott McPherson’s multi-award-winning MARVIN’S ROOM opening February 18, 2022. Thomas James O'Leary directs a cast of Laura Esterman, Lee Guthrie, Mark Rosenthal and Jane MacIver. I had the chance to question Thomas on ROOM, his past directorial projects and his long run playing the titular Phantom.

A Los Angeles theatre community favorite Ryan O'Connor dons his directorial hat for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, opening at Greenway Court Theatre February 4th. I had the chance to question Ryan on A LITTLE behind-the-scenes of NIGHT MUSIC, his pandemic past times and his various ties with the L.A. theatre scene.

The Broad Stage presents Sacre by Circa Contemporary Circus for two performances February 4th and 5th.  Circa utilizes their ensemble of world-class acrobats for their unique interpretation of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.  I had the chance to ask Circa’s artistic director Yaron Lifschitz about a few behind-the-scenes details of Circa.

Playwright Mike Lew’s TEENAGE DICK will stream exclusively beginning February 3, 2022, at pasadenaplayhouse.org. Mike’s modernized take on Shakespeare’s RICHARD III, produced in association with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Huntington Theatre Company, was shot multi-camera during TEENAGE DICK‘s in-person run at Wooly Mammoth last fall. I got the chance to query Mike on his TEENAGE DICK, close collaborations and his sound advice for newbie writers.

Cinelounge Theatres and Cleopatra Records present a special screening of the 1963 fan-favorite Bye Bye Birdie, followed by an in-person Q&A with its star Ann-Margret February 14, 2022, at The Montalban. Those in attendance will also be treated to a sneak preview of a few songs from Ann-Margret’s upcoming release from Cleopatra Records, Born to Be Wild. I had a chance to chat with and re-interview (after twenty years) Ann-Margret on things Birdie, her USO stints, her latest CD, and, most important of all, how she defines sexy.

Theatre 40 world premieres John Strysik’s DEATH, WITH BENEFITS January 27, 2022. Jeff G. Rack directs this dark comedy cast of Susan Damante, Cheryl David, Kevin Dulude, Larry Eisenberg and Philip Sokoloff. I had the opportunity to interrogate John on the reasons behind his DEATH.

A familiar face on the screen, both big and small, writer/performer Danny Pudi will present his autobiographical film Running on Stellar’s streaming platform beginning January 22, 2022. Three South Asian-led arts organizations, Hypokrit Productions, East West Players, and EnActe Arts have collaborated on this exclusive presentation directed by HP Artistic Director Arpita Mukherjee. Had the chance to pepper Danny with a few spicy queries on what led up to his writing of Running.

We got a chance to chat with Melissa Jacques (who plays Jamie's mother Margaret) on her history with JAMIE, her first time working in Los Angeles and the decline of theatre etiquette.

A former street performer in New York City, Jim R. Moore turned his love of the eccentric performing arts into a photographic collection in his Don’t Miss This! A Decade of Eccentric Performing Arts due out February 1, 2022.  Got to chat with Jim on his photographic expertise and experience shooting his fellow eccentric performing artists.

The go-to director for many benefit one-nighters, Tony Spinosa will world premiere his own SINGING REVOLUTION: THE MUSICAL January 15, 2022 on the Broadwater Theatre Main Stage. Tony directs a cast of twenty triple-threat performers backed by a five-piece band as they perform his score and his lyrics (co-written by James Bearhart). Got to delve into the origins of SINGING REVOLUTION, as well as what has made Tony a much in-demand director/producer for hot-ticketed benefit shows for BC/EFA, TDF and The Actors Fund.

Cupcake Theater Company’s first full-length production post-pandemic, Tony Award-winning AVENUE Q will open January 8, 2022. Got to throw out some queries to director Brayden Hade on some behind-the-scene’s info, as well as his multi-career path to the many hats he currently wears working with Cupcake Theater.

Groundlings alum/Oscar winner Jim Rash will be guesting in The Groundlings’ January 6th edition of COOKIN’ WITH GAS. The actor/comedian/filmmaker took a moment from the set of Bros to answer a few of my Groundlings and Oscar queries.

CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE ‘90S MUSICAL returns to Los Angeles for a one-nighter, LIVE at and streaming from the Bourbon Room December 19, 2021. With the plot of the 1999 cult hit Cruel Intentions as their starting point, the cast of powerhouse singers will sing the characters played in the film by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillipe and others using songs that the characters would have sung in the movie, if it were a musical. These songsters include Brian Logan Dales, Israel Erron Ford, Frankie Grande, Jenn Harris, Emma Hunton, Janel Parrish, Constantine Rousouli and Carrie St. Louis.  

My El Capitan experience began in its lobby with a photo opp and a display of the costume of the main two pairs of lovers of West Side Story. As you enter the theatre auditorium, American Theater Organ Society’s Organist of the Year Rob Richards (bedecked in rhinestone shoes) wields his organ prowess on the El Capitan’s Wurlitzer pipe organ. Sounding like a fully synthesized band, Richards plays movie themes and songs familiar to most.

What is becoming a holiday tradition at the Garry Marshall Theatre, the latest edition of HOLIDAZE HARMONY world premieres livestream December 15th, newly titled HOLIDAZE HARMONY: A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS. Garry Marshall Theatre’s artistic director Joseph Leo Bwarie directs long-time friends Terron Brooks and Kamilah Marshall in channeling their stunning vocals in HOLIDAZE songs. Had the opportunity to catch Kamilah before her rehearsals with Shoshana Bean.

Feld Entertainment’s DISNEY ON ICE: DREAM BIG comes to Southern California at the Honda Center in Anaheim December 8th through 12th and at Staples Center in Los Angeles December 16th through 19th. Got a chance to ask Feld Entertainment’s CEO Kenneth Feld some behind-the-scenes questions on his worldwide-reaching, every-growing entertainment mammoth.

The national tour of THE BAND’S VISIT has landed in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre. The opening night audience gave the all-round talented cast a most deserved standing ovation. I had the pleasure of chatting with Joe Joseph (who’s silky vocals inhabit the character of Haled) the afternoon post-opening night.

The very in-demand cabaret artist Sharon McNight will bring her strong vocals and hysterically outrageous irreverence to Feinstein’s At Vitello’s December 9th in SHARON McNIGHT: BETWEEN HOLIDAZE, with musical direction from John Boswell.