Gil Kaan - Page 15

The national tour of A CHRISTMAS CAROL lands at the Ahmanson November 30, 2021. Winner of five Tony Awards, this perennial holiday classic stars Bradley Whitford, Kate Burton and Alex Newell, with a supporting cast which includes Chante Carmel, Dashiell Eaves, Brandon Gill, Evan Harrington, Chris Hoch, Sarah Hunt, Alex Nee, Sebastian Ortiz, Cade Robertson, Brett Ryback, Harry Thornton, Glory Yepassis-Zembrou and Grace Yoo. Had a lovely phoner with Glory on what led her to this, her debut Equity gig.

A popular fixture of the New York cabaret scene, Jim Caruso brings his JIM CARUSO’S CAST PARTY across the nation to Feinstein’s At Vitellos November 28th and 29th. An evening of “extreme open mic” provides a platform for new performers as well as surprise established guests. Jim took a few moments after completing his CAST PARTY in Nashville to give us some behind-the-scenes of his once-was “weird, show-biz adjacent gig,” now his most enjoyable passion CAST PARTY.

For the Record’s perennial holiday hit LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE returns to The Wallis for its third year with previews beginning November 27th.  Cast with incredible vocalists, songs from the Love Actually soundtrack are performed along with some original compositions onstage in front of the screened 2003 film. Got the chance to chat up one of For The Record’s mainstay performers Michael Thomas Grant, also known to TV audiences as Leif on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.

The Troubies’ Holidaze show SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO MOTOWN will open at the Garry Marshall Theatre November 23, 2021. Troubies’ artistic director Matt Walker directs the talented cast of veteran Troubies with some Noubies. A hilarious mainstay of many a Troubie production Rick Batalla took some time from his daily antics to fill me in on some behind-the-scenes of his history with the Troubadour Theater Company.

Tin Can Telephone Productions presents the second edition of their WELCOME TO MEADOWLARK FALLS interactive online experience THE VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS CONTEST. Ticket buyers will be mailed a package to guide them through the online holidays interactions. Purchase these ticket packages by December 3rd for guaranteed Christmas delivery. Got a chance to pose a few questions to Carley Herlihy who reprises her role of Jenny Snow in WELCOME TO MEADOWLARK FALLS: THE VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS CONTEST.

Upnext Productions’ of Jonathan Larson’s TICK, TICK… BOOM! will open November 21st at The Atlas Space at Thymele Arts. Clint Foley directs the cast of Isaac Robinson-Smith, Mandie Hittleman and Christopher Fishburne. Isaac opened up to me about his history with Upnext Productions and his thriving career.

The Pasadena Playhouse opens its 2021-2022 season on November 13, 2021 with HEAD OVER HEELS, co-directed and co-choreographed by Jenny Koons and Sam Pinkleton. For these live performances featuring the music of the iconic L.A.-based female rock band The Go-Go’s, the Pasadena Playhouse had been reconfigured to include a dance floor to complement the traditional reserved theatre seats. HEAD OVER HEELS‘s cast is diversely comprised of: Alaska 5000, Lea DeLaria, Yurel Echezarreta, Tiffany Mann, George Salazar, Freddie, Emily Skeggs and Shanice Williams. Got the chance to catch George before their first preview for some behind-the-scenes info.

The Geffen Playhouse west coast premieres Dominique Morisseau’s PARADISE BLUE November 18, 2021 (already in previews). Set in the jazz-filled Paradise Club in Detroit (circa 1949), Stori Ayers directs the talented cast of Tyla Abercrumbie, Wendell B. Franklin, Alani iLongwe, John Earl Jelks and Shayna Small. Had the chance to throw out a few queries to the multi-tasking Alani.

FunGuys Events’ holiday lights extravaganza MAGIC OF LIGHTS makes its Angel Stadium premiere November 19, 2021. In the safety of your own vehicle, audiences can drive through to view the two-million-lights-lit holiday displays including “Prehistoric Christmas,” “Big Foot Monster Trucks,” “Snow Flurry Tunnel,” “12 Days of Christmas,” “Toyland” and “Enchanting Tunnel of Lights.” Had to opportunity to discover some behind-the-scenes facts and history from MAGIC OF LIGHTS’ CEO and owner Ken Hudgens.

Stewart Copeland brings his touring show STEWART COPELAND: POLICE DERANGED FOR ORCHESTRA to The Soraya November 4, 2021. The much-lauded drummer (hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine as “one of the greatest drummers of all time”), now also composer; Stewart performs his compositions of his dearrangements of songs he’d played while in the very popular band The Police.

Playwright/performer J. Elijah Cho’s award-winning MR. YUNIOSHI comes to the Santa Monica Playhouse November 11th and 14th as part of CRAZY WOKE ASIANS’ KUNG POW FESTIVAL and as a guest production December 5th, 12th and 19th. The titular character was the supporting character in the otherwise classic 1961 film Breakfast At Tiffany’s starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Mr. Yunioshi was beyond stereotypically portrayed by Mickey Rooney.   

The Echo Theater Company’s world premiere production of POOR CLARE will finally open in October (now already in previews), 19 months after the originally scheduled March 2020 opening was shuttered by the pandemic. Playwright Chiara Atik spins the medieval story of St. Francis Assisi into a modern tale seen through the eyes of his sister Clare Assisi.  Echo associate artistic director Alana Dietze directs the POOR CLARE cast of Kari Lee Cartwright, Martica De Cardenas, Tony DeCarlo, Ann Noble, Michael Sturgis and Donna Zadeh, with Jordan Hull as the titular Clare.

Campus Cabaret’s artistic director and co-founder David W. Callander thought long and hard in considering Terrence McNally’s A PERFECT GANESH as their first production post-pandemic (opening October 29th at The Pico). David had the opportunity to see the very first production of A PERFECT GANESH back in 1993 at the Manhattan Theatre Club. “It's a play that stayed with me for many, many years.

Tommy Faragher, a long-time denizen of the entertainment industry, will next be onstage playing live for JOHN LLOYD YOUNG: SOLID GOLD at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s October 22nd and 23rd. Had the chance to delve into Tommy’s storied resume as a producer, composer, songwriter, arranger, and musician.

Broadway favorite Kristin Chenoweth returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts with an evening of songs October 23, 2021. Kristen will be performing heartfelt tributes to some of her female friends and heroines with tunes from her most recent album For The Girls.

Open Fist Theatre Company returns to live, in-person performances at Atwater Village Theatre with a concurrent run of two plays by Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor – the west coast premiere of THE SOLDIER DREAMS and the shorter NEVER SWIM ALONE. THE SOLDIER DREAMS opens October 23rd, with NEVER SWIM ALONE running concurrently October 30th through November 21st. Had the chance to pick Daniel's brain, a true Renaissance man who’s an actor, playwright, theatre director and film director.

The Los Angeles stop of the national tour of HAMILTON has already landed at the Pantages Theater mesmerizing audiences with their mastery of speeding-singing raps and intricate precision choreography. Joanna A. Jones stars as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, the wife of Alexander Hamilton. Had the chance to talk with Joanna about her HAMILTON history and the various other shows she’s graced the stage on.

Puzzle Master/Magician David Kwong has returned to the Geffen Playhouse with his live show THE ENIGMATIST, already playing has been extended through November 14, 2021. David charms his audience with a variety of mind-boggling puzzles, incredible sight of hand and unbelievable acts of mental telepathy. His virtual show last year INSIDE THE BOX’s six-week run sold out in minutes. Had a chance to flash a few questions to David again after his opening weekend.

The national tour of MY FAIR LADY opens October 7th in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre, running through October 31st. Bartlett Sher directs this timeless story of Professor Henry Higgins’ experiment to transform the social standings of Eliza Doolittle, a lowly flower girl, to one fitting comfortably in high society. MY FAIR LADY, brimming with familiar musical standards, stars Laird Mackintosh as Professor Higgins and Shereen Ahmed as Eliza Doolittle. Had the chance to catch Laird during his offstage time before his evening performance.

Tony and Grammy Award winner Lena Hall will return to the Bourbon Room October 11th with her latest cabaret act SONGS FROM THE NIGHTCAR. A steadily working actress, Lena will include some of her Snowpiercer covers combined with her own originals. Had the chance to throw out a few queries to the very game Lena.