Nick Sarando

Last Sunday, we ventured into Los Angeles to see two Ventura County theater alumni in a production of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Next to Normal, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that is being staged at the Pico Playhouse. Michelle Lane and Harrison Meloeny were both in Cabrillo Music Theatre's 2015 production of Mary Poppins and have reunited to appear in this highly acclaimed production.

Bipolar disease most often occurs in women creating abnormal behavior patterns, and usually treated with drugs. In the Pulitzer Prize winning Next to Normal, the problem is presented via a wife and mother, Diana (Michelle Lane). Her behavior shows extreme mental instability, and the effects on her husband Dan (Nick Sarando) and teen daughter Natalie (Isa Briones) cause a serious rift in their ongoing relationships. Eventually a heartfelt loss from the past unravels that is at the core of the woman's suffering. Structured in a most unusual way, Next to Normal is akin to a rock opera, but it is not completely sung; there is intermittent dialogue. The most emotional moments, though, come through song, so the music by Tom Kitt and book by Brian Yorkey flow together smoothly, and with the three tiered open set and loosely structured staging, what occurs is an unparalleled musical drama. Now in the intimate space of the Pico Playhouse, the complex drama unfolds crystal clear with fine direction from Thomas James O'Leary and a marvelously skilled ensemble, all of whom sing and act their socks off.

After a 3 month absence, (mostly)musicals made a long-awaited return to the E Spot Lounge on Monday, August 15 with ROAD TRIP, the company's 18th entry in a series of themed cabarets. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the event below!

Occasionally we venture out of the sanctity of Ventura County to see how some of our locally raised theatricians are faring in their acting careers. Today we visit with Harrison Meloeny and Michelle Lane, two performers familiar to Cabrillo Music Theatre audiences (both were in Mary Poppins last year) about a fabulous opportunity to appear in the Pico Playhouse's new production of the Tony Award-winning smash, Next to Normal, in which Michelle will play Diana and Harrison will play Gabe. The show opens August 19 and plays through September 25.

Following six weeks of fierce competition among 20 of California's finest young musical theatre performers, LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011 celebrated Judy Mora's outstanding victory at the 5th annual competition's glittering Finale on Sunday, February 6, presented by Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in greater Los Angeles. Runners up included San Francisco's Michael David (2nd place); Matthew McFarland (3rd place); Emily Goglia (4th place); and Reba Buhr (5th place). Broadway World's Dean Butler was there to capture the three and a half hour event ... off and on stage - which also included a Special Guest Star performance by musical theatre, television star and pop composer/singer Blake McIver Ewing.

LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011 rings in the New Year at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in Los Angeles. The fifth anniversary presentation of this distinguished musical theatre talent competition shines the spotlight on an unprecedented twenty (20) young contestants beginning Sunday, January 6.

The Attic Theatre's production of Side By Side By Sondheim will end its run on May 2nd. The production was originally set to close April 18th.

The Attic Theatre's SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM will end its run on April 18th. The five-person cast includes Jenny Ashman, Jennifer Blake, Morgan Duke, Nick Sarando and Joe Donohoe.

Due to popular demand, the Attic Theatre's production of Side By Side By Sondheim has been extended to May 2nd. The production was originally set to close April 18th.

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming production of the Attic Theatre's SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM. The five-person cast will include Jenny Ashman, Jennifer Blake, Morgan Duke, Nick Sarando and Joe Donohoe. The show begins performances March 12th.

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming production of the Attic Theatre's SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM. The five-person cast will include Jenny Ashman, Jennifer Blake, Morgan Duke, Nick Sarando and Joe Donohoe. The show begins performances March 12th.