Angelica Roque

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series of interviews with some of am the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the arts alive in the City of the Angels. And like all of us, how are they dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved? This Spotlight Series interview features Kristin Towers-Rowles, an Award-Winning Director, Triple-Threat Actress, and Granddaughter of Screen Legend Kathryn Grayson.

However, director Mattsson, who helmed the Morgan's sold-out hit production of Mary Poppins last season, certainly should have known about the theater's sound system problems and addressed them in advance of the opening. For as entertaining as this big rock musical should have been, unfortunately it suffers from the worst of all problems in staging such a musical extravaganza - a sound system which cannot handle the volume needed to successfully present such an undertaking. Consequently, even the music track was played too softly to achieve the necessary effect, with the singers often barely audible over it. Perhaps the biggest saving grace in the production is the entertaining choreography which fills the stage with clever, comical, and attention-grabbing costumes and wigs which honor the 'big' outrageous mid-80s fashion trends.

The Wedding Singer, the Broadway musical based on the hit Adam Sandler film, will be presented at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, opening tonight and running through August 3 as the final production of the 2018-19 Mainstage season. The musical is based on the New Line Cinema film written by Tim Herlihy. with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. directed by Kristie Mattsson, produced by Spencer Johnson, choreographed by Niko Montelibano, music direction by Daniel Koh, and stage managed by Ashley DeFrancesco.

The long awaited revival of Jason Robert Brownand Alfred Uhry's gripping Tony Award-winning murder mystery musical PARADE as presented in 2013 at Fullerton's Plummer Auditorium by 3-D Theatricals (3DT) of Los Angeles and Orange County, once again takes a bow at two Southern California main stage theatres. It began June 1 - 10 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and now continues June 15 - 24, 2018 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

Pride Films and Plays is delighted to present its first celebration of winter and holiday stories told by lesbian and genderqueer performers through music, movement, spoken word, and stand up. WINTER LEZFEST: A HOLIDAY CELEGAYTION is created and directed by Lexi Saunders and Amber Snyder, and will include exciting new talent as well as some of the talent which has made PFP's summer LezFest such a sold out smash for the last two years.

PFP is delighted to present two unique events to celebrate the holidays: WINTER MEMORIES: A HOLIDAY CABARET at Twisted Vine on December 7, and WINTER LEZFEST: A HOLIDAY CELEGAYTION at Mary's Attic on December 15.

Newcomers and Chicago favorites are cast in Goodman Theatre's 12th annual NEW STAGES, a festival of new plays designed to give playwrights an opportunity to experience their work with set, lighting, costume and sound elements and to implement audience response.

Newcomers and Chicago favorites are cast in Goodman Theatre's 12th annual NEW STAGES, a festival of new plays designed to give playwrights an opportunity to experience their work with set, lighting, costume and sound elements and to implement audience response.

terraNOVA Collective and The Playground Theater, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, present the world premiere of DON CHIPOTLE by Juan Francisco Villa (Empanada for a Dream), directed by Jo Cattell. A new Latino superhero is born in this epic coming-of-age adventure, told through theatre, puppetry, animation, music and a children's choir. DON CHIPOTLE will play through September 27, 2015 at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Press performances are tonight, August 29 at 7:30 pm and tomorrow, August 30 at 2 pm. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

terraNOVA Collective and The Playground Theater, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, are pleased to announce the world premiere of DON CHIPOTLE by Juan Francisco Villa (Empanada for a Dream), directed by Jo Cattell. A new Latino superhero is born in this epic coming-of-age adventure, told through theatre, puppetry, animation, music and a children's choir. DON CHIPOTLE will play August 25 - September 27, 2015 at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago.  Tickets are currently available at tix.com. For additional information, visit www.theadventuresofdonchipotle.com. The press performances are Saturday, August 29 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 30 at 2 pm. 

terraNOVA Collective and The Playground Theater, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, present the world premiere of DON CHIPOTLE by Juan Francisco Villa (Empanada for a Dream), directed by Jo Cattell. A new Latino superhero is born in this epic coming-of-age adventure, told through theatre, puppetry, animation, music and a children's choir. DON CHIPOTLE will play through September 27, 2015 at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Press performances are Saturday, August 29 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 30 at 2 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

terraNOVA Collective and The Playground Theater, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, are pleased to announce the world premiere of DON CHIPOTLE by Juan Francisco Villa (Empanada for a Dream), directed by Jo Cattell. A new Latino superhero is born in this epic coming-of-age adventure, told through theatre, puppetry, animation, music and a children's choir. DON CHIPOTLE will play tonight, August 25 - September 27, 2015 at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. 

terraNOVA Collective and The Playground Theater, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, are pleased to announce the world premiere of DON CHIPOTLE by Juan Francisco Villa (Empanada for a Dream), directed by Jo Cattell. A new Latino superhero is born in this epic coming-of-age adventure, told through theatre, puppetry, animation, music and a children's choir. DON CHIPOTLE will play August 25 - September 27, 2015 at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. 

Pride Films & Plays has announced the first event in our LezPlay Salon Series, WARMING UP, a hilarious evening of lesbian web series screenings hosted by local comedian Shannon Noll. Join us on Friday, June 19 at the Apollo Studio Theater. Tickets are $10 and are available at Ticketmaster.com.

terraNOVA Collective and The Playground Theater, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, are pleased to announce the world premiere of DON CHIPOTLE by Juan Francisco Villa (Empanada for a Dream), directed by Jo Cattell. A new Latino superhero is born in this epic coming-of-age adventure, told through theatre, puppetry, animation, music and a children's choir. DON CHIPOTLE will play August 25 - September 27, 2015 at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. The press performances are Saturday, August 29 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 30 at 2 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

Steppenwolf's GARAGE REP 2015, presented by Chicago storefront theater companies, is running in the Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted, now through April 26. Scroll down for a first look at Red Tape Theatre's The Walk Across America for Mother Earth by Taylor Mac, with music by Ellen Maddow!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 on February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the actors in rehearsal!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 today, February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. These innovative storefront companies will perform in rotating repertory under Steppenwolf's banner for ten weeks.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 on February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. These innovative storefront companies will perform in rotating repertory under Steppenwolf's banner for ten weeks.