Steve Coombs

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, presents FRANK GALATI'S adaptation of JOHN STEINBECK'S iconic THE GRAPES OF WRATH, opening Saturday, February 23 and closing Saturday, May 11, 2013 (previews begin Saturday, February 16), which brilliantly distills the quintessential American novel to its core while preserving its essence as perhaps the greatest American travel tale ever written. Directed by Michael Michetti, this timely work, filled with heartbreak and strength, features Steinbeck's words almost exclusively as well as deeply evocative music that includes period hymns, Dust Bowl songs and original music by Michael Smith written for the play's original 1988 Steppenwolf Theatre Company production, hailed by the London Daily Mail as "shatteringly perfect." The Chicago Sun-Times praised Frank Galati's adaptation as "utterly faithful to its source - that it is not only uncompromising, but devoid of sentimentality, and that it is flawless in the way it sweeps us into the lives of the characters, and their time, without a wasted word or motion." The run includes a 'Pay What You Can" date on Thursday, February 21.

Upon seeing The Heiress, based on Henry James' novel Washington Square, one is transported to a distant world. If middle-class values existed, they were certainly not recognized by the inhabitants of 1850 Washington Square, where members of the elitist branch of society insisted on being surrounded by only wealth and privilege. When poor Morris Townsend (Steve Coombs) asks for the hand in marriage of plain, rich Catherine Sloper (Heather Tom), he is branded a fortune hunter and shunned by her uncontrollably cruel father Dr. Austin Sloper (Richard Chamberlain). Now in a most stunning revival at the Pasadena Playhouse under the elaborate direction of Damaso Rodriguez, a stellar cast deliver the goods and bring fresh meaning to The Heiress.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director) announces the full cast and creative team for THE HEIRESS at The Pasadena Playhouse. The production will star Richard Chamberlain in the role of "Dr. Austin Sloper," Heather Tom as his daughter "Catherine Sloper" and Julia Duffy as Dr. Sloper's sister "Lavinia Penniman." THE HEIRESS by Ruth and Augustus Goetz (suggested by the Henry James novel Washington Square), will be directed by Damaso Rodriguez and performs April 24 - May 20, 2012.

Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA extends House of the Rising Son by Tom Jacobson through June 12. Tennessee Williams meets Anne Rice in a subversive, Southern gothic romance. Populated with ghosts and parasites, Jacobson's play mixes the supernatural with science to illuminate hot button issues of gay marriage and equality in a whole new way. It's at once a ghost story, a love story, and a family story.

Playwright Tom Jacobson has always been fascinated by travel through time and the effect of exotic places on erotic behavior, exhibited in such fine detail in Bunbury and Ouroboros. Now in House of the Rising Son at the Atwater Village Theatre, science and art collide within the lives of three generations, as two gay men explore the destiny of homosexuality in present day Los Angeles and New Orleans. Tinged with touches of gothic mystery and science fiction, it's a complex atmosphere that leaves one perplexed, intrigued and hopelessly enticed.

House of the Rising Son - Tennessee Williams meets Anne Rice in a subversive, Southern Gothic romance. Populated with ghosts and parasites, Jacobson's play mixes the supernatural with science to illuminate hot button issues of gay marriage and equality in a whole new way. It's at once a ghost story, a love story, and a family story. A world premiere.

What do the first race riot in Los Angeles and gay life in steamy New Orleans have in common? Each is the subject of a new play by Tom Jacobson, one of Los Angeles' most acclaimed and prolific playwrights. Circle X Theatre Co. presents Jacobson's The Chinese Massacre (Annotated), directed by Jeff Liu, opening April 22, and Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA presents House of the Rising Son, directed by Michael Michetti, opening April 23, both at the new Atwater Village Theatre where the two companies offer a joint season in 2011.

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed repertory theatre company, concludes its 18th Season with Jean Anouilh's The Rehearsal, which opens Saturday, April 18 and closes Sunday, May 24, 2009 (previews begin Saturday, April 11). One of the celebrated French playwright's most critically acclaimed plays, it is directed by ANW Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, and the cast includes Steve Coombs (Villebosse), Susan Angelo (Countess), Robertson Dean (The Count), Jill Hill (Hortensia), Mitchell Edmonds (Damiens), ANW Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director Geoff Elliott (Hero), Lenne Klingaman (Lucille) and Chris Roessner (Footman).

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed repertory theatre company, concludes its 18th Season with Jean Anouilh's The Rehearsal, which opens Saturday, April 18 and closes Sunday, May 24, 2009 (previews begin Saturday, April 11). One of the celebrated French playwright's most critically acclaimed plays, it is directed by ANW Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, and the cast includes Steve Coombs (Villebosse), Susan Angelo (Countess), Robertson Dean (The Count), Jill Hill (Hortensia), Mitchell Edmonds (Damiens), ANW Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director Geoff Elliott (Hero), Lenne Klingaman (Lucille) and Chris Roessner (Footman).

The Falcon Theatre presents the world premiere comedy Surviving Sex, the fourth production in its 2008-2009 'Bringin' the FUNNY' All-Comedy subscription season. Written by acclaimed comedy writer David Landsberg (author of last year's hit play An Act of Love at the Falcon Theatre), Surviving Sex stars an ensemble cast led by Jeff Marlow, a veteran of the Falcon stage (Where's Poppa?, Sheldon & Mrs. Levine) and directed by Susan Morgenstern (director of last year's Falcon comedy, Leap).

The Falcon Theatre presents the world premiere comedy Surviving Sex, the fourth production in its 2008-2009 'Bringin' the FUNNY' All-Comedy subscription season. Written by acclaimed comedy writer David Landsberg (author of last year's hit play An Act of Love at the Falcon Theatre), Surviving Sex stars an ensemble cast led by Jeff Marlow, a veteran of the Falcon stage (Where's Poppa?, Sheldon & Mrs. Levine) and directed by Susan Morgenstern (director of last year's Falcon comedy, Leap).