Barry Pearl News

Although the Lythgoe family is best known for producing reality television shows like 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'American Idol,' live theater is in their blood. 'It's more part of my DNA,' says Kris Lythgoe. 'I really grew up surrounded by the tradition and frankly know nothing else.' Lythgoe says that tradition included spending his summers in the orchestra pit watching his mother direct, his winters in the editing suite with his TV dad, Nigel Lythgoe, and his Christmas holidays watching panto productions written and directed by both his parents. 'In Britain, the first introduction to theater is through panto for any child,' he says. 'So, whether or not my parents were in the business, the first introduction to theater and the breaking down of walls is what we call panto for kids.'

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Laguna Playhouse favorite Andrew Barnicle (Twelve Angry Men, Fallen Angels) will join Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) are set to star in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE. Written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Sheldon Epps, choreography by Mandy Moore, musical direction by Keith Harrison and musical supervisor Michael Orland, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE will begin performances on Wednesday, December 5 and run through December 30, 2018 with a press opening on Friday, December 7 at 7:00pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.Casting is led by LFP Producer Becky Lythgoe, and the full cast will be announced at a later date.  

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce the cast for its special holiday production in partnership with Lythgoe Family Productions, Aladdin and His Winter Wish. A new addition to the theatre's upcoming 2018-19 season, Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Broadway star Jason Gotay and the Bold and the Beautiful's Nia Sioux will run Nov. 29-Dec. 2 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

Paul Thomas Panico Jr and PANIC! PRODUCTIONS are proud to bring the madcap holiday comedy, 'INSPECTINGCAROL' written by Daniel Sullivan, to the Hillcrest Center For The Arts. With a star-filled cast featuring Barry Pearl. Directed by Kirsten Chandler.  The talented and stellar cast will perform the hysterical Christmas favorite in September.  Open for a limited engagement, running September 7 through 23, 2018.

Paul Thomas Panico Jr and PANIC! PRODUCTIONS are proud to bring the madcap holiday comedy, "INSPECTING CAROL" written by Daniel Sullivan, to the Hillcrest Center For The Arts. With a star-filled cast featuring Barry Pearl. Directed by Kirsten Chandler.  The talented and stellar cast will perform the hysterical Christmas favorite in September. 

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce its special holiday production in partnership with Lythgoe Family Productions, Aladdin and His Winter Wish. A new addition to the theatre's upcoming 2018-19 season, Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring the Bold and the Beautiful's Nia Sioux will run Nov. 29-Dec. 2 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

Get your holiday cheer on with this hilarious, madcap comedy! Behind the scenes of a struggling theatre's annual slapdash production of a Christmas Carol, rehearsals are at a standstill. Tim is no longer Tiny, Scrooge wants to do the play in Spanish (Feliz Navidad), and their funding is on hold pending an inspection. This laugh out loud spoof makes for a night at the theatre that is anything but show business as usual.

On August 27th, the Debbie Reynolds Main stage at the historic El Portal Theater will host the 12th annual LA's Next Great Stage Star(R), following a six week competition.  Creator, Michael Sterling, along with his Co-Executive Producer and Co-Sponsor, Barbara Van Orden, are proud to offer this annual opportunity to talented individuals seeking to spotlight their abilities. Presented by Princess Cruises LA's Next Great Stage Star(R) is the only competition of its kind in the Western United States.

PANIC! PRODUCTIONS are thrilled to announce their entire Cast for the madcap holiday comedy, "INSPECTING CAROL" written by Daniel Sullivan. In addition to the headliner, Barry Pearl, Panic! Productions and director Kirsten Chandler confirmed a talented and stellar cast to perform the hysterical Christmas favorite in September.

Barry Pearl, hot off the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the acclaimed musical film GREASE, has signed on to star in the PANIC! PRODUCTIONS holiday hit, "INSPECTING CAROL"-

The thespian spirits of the many theatrical greats that have graced the boards of at the historic El Portal Theater, including the main stage's namesake Debbie Reynolds, could be felt as the annual 6 week long production of LA's Next Great Stage Star launched last night (Monday, July 23rd) to standing ovations for the lucky few talented individuals selected from a long a grueling audition process.

More than 40 years after its creation, Dan Goggin and Robert Lorick's musical, Johnny Manhattan, had its world premiere in Goggin's home state, Michigan. Featuring a book and lyrics by Lorick, music by Goggin, and directed and choreographed by Mark Martino, Johnny Manhattan played a successful engagement at the Meadow Brook Theater (Rochester Hills, MI) in September 2017. Performance rights for the new musical are now available through Samuel French, the world's premier theatrical publishing and licensing company.

Broadway Kids Jam has released their latest jam session cover video, 'We Go Together', from the hit movie and Broadway musical, Grease. The jam session features Carly Gendell (School of Rock the Musical, Annie), Joshua Turchin (The Pill, TrevorLIVE LA, A Christmas Story the Musical), Mckayla Twiggs (Anastasia, Once the Musical, Les Miserables), Paul Luke Bonenfant (School of Rock the Musical, Dynasty), Shaina Turchin, Hudson Loverro (A Bronx Tale, Ragtime / Ellis Island), Molly Richardson (Matilda the Musical National Tour), with Justin Ramos (Rehearsal Pianist For On Your Feet!, Motown the Musical Tour) as Musical Director. See the Broadway Kids Jam of 'We Go Together' from Grease here: https://youtu.be/pRxM9voiYEM

The silly, family-friendly fun of those British-borne Pantos are back for a third holiday season in row at Orange County's Laguna Playhouse, this time with a story wrapped around the infamous tale of a smart-aleck street urchin (Jason Gotay) who discovers a magic lamp hiding a genie that grants wishes. Filled with slapstick humor, cleverly repurposed pop songs, and a seemingly endless parade of dad jokes, Lythgoe Family Panto's amusing new production ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH continues its playfully droll run through December 31. Campy and whimsical in the most G-rated way possible, this playfully safe yet still irresistibly entertaining musical comedy is all just silly, mirthful fun designed to keep kids enthralled and their parents snickering.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) announce that Kira Kosarin (3-time Kid's Choice Award-nominee of Nickelodeon's hit show The Thundermans ), Jason Gotay (World Premiere of Stephen Schwartz's The Prince Of Egypt, title role of Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark), Barry Pearl ( Grease ) and Josh Adamson (Big Fish, Taboo) star in Lythgoe Family Panto's ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH. Check out a first look at the production here!

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) have announced final casting for Lythgoe Family Panto's ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH.

Jukebox musical featuring Elvis Presley catalog is refreshing, funny, and has some of the most energetic, stellar choreography of the year.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) have announced final casting for Lythgoe Family Panto's ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH.

Studio C Performing Arts is proud to present All Shook UP for a special limited engagement at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley from October 27 November 5, 2017. Performances are at 8 pm Thursday through Saturday, 2 pm on Sunday and at 2 & 8 pm on Saturday, November 4th. Tickets for the family friendly musical ALL SHOOK UP are $25 for Adults, $22 for Students and Seniors 60 & Above, and $18 for Children 12 & Under and can be ordered online at www.simi-arts.org or by calling (805) 583-7900.