Davis Gaines News

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF has announced that Broadway star Davis Gaines will be featured in its Fall 2014 production of LES MISERABLES. Best known for playing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera more than 2,000 times in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Gaines will join the Orlando Shakes cast as Police Inspector Javert. LES MISERABLES runs from tonight, September 10 - October 12, 2014 in the Margeson Theater.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF will present Les Miserables from September 10 - October 12, 2014 in the Margeson Theater. Featuring a talented mix of Broadway veterans and Orlando Shakes favorites, the production will be the largest musical in the Theater's history. Single tickets to Les Miserables ($15 - $55) are available now by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, visiting www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present the first production in its 2014-2015 season with the Tony Award-winning GOOD PEOPLE, written by David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Fuddy Meers) and directed by Jeff Maynard (Broadway Bound, Boeing-Boeing). GOOD PEOPLE will feature Katie MacNichol, Anne Gee Byrd, Gigi Bermingham, Wyatt Fenner, Sophina Brown and Martin Kildare.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF celebrates 26 seasons with its 2014-2015 Season Gala on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. The glittering celebration features mouth-watering food and wine tastings, first-rate entertainment, and fabulous silent and live auction items. Remaining tickets range from $150 - $200 per person, and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (407) 447-1700 ext. 1 or in person inside the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces partial casting for the seven productions in its 2014-2015 Signature Series. Following an extensive nationwide search, Artistic Director Jim Helsinger has handpicked a talented group of Broadway veterans and local favorites to bring the Theater's 26th Season to life.

The Laguna Playhouse is going to continue its Rock 'N Roll Summer by presenting the musical sounds of Motown in MOTORCITY MAGIC - A Musical Journey Through the Motown Years, directed by Michael Yorkell! MOTORCITY MAGIC will perform two weeks only - Wednesday, August 13 through Sunday, August 24 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 N. Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach.

Mary Poppins is set to fly over the rooftops of London and into the Ogunquit Playhouse tonight, July 30 to August 30! This family musical features the delightful songs from the cherished Disney film including 'A Spoonful of Sugar,' 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' and 'Step in Time.' Winner of 44 major theatre awards from around the globe, Mary Poppins has captivated audiences for generations with its enchanting story, unforgettable songs and dazzling dance numbers.

Mary Poppins is set to fly over the rooftops of London and into the Ogunquit Playhouse July 30 to August 30! This family musical features the delightful songs from the cherished Disney film including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Step in Time.” Winner of 44 major theatre awards from around the globe, Mary Poppins has captivated audiences for generations with its enchanting story, unforgettable songs and dazzling dance numbers.

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. With several weeks until the craziness begins, there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters . BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA below!

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF has announced partial casting for LES MISERABLES.

Sterling's Upstairs - housed at popular LA hot spot The Federal in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District - has not only been described by the Los Angeles Times as "LA's cabaret destination;" but was just cited by LA Weekly as one of Los Angeles's top five supper clubs, With an arsenal of similar accolades from LA based media, Sterling's Upstairs celebrates its eight-year anniversary this month with Broadway performers Maura Hanlon Smith (June 9), Sandy Bainum (June 22) and Bernard Dotson (June 29-June 30). Kritzerland Records' Nobody Does it Better... The songs of Dorothy Fields kicked off the month-long celebration on June 1st featuring Tara Browne, Cynthia Ferrer, Zachary Ford, Kim Huber, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman, Sarah Staitman, Robert Yacko and Special Guest... Broadway's Kerry O'Malley.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF has announced that Broadway star Davis Gaines will be featured in its Fall 2014 production of LES MISERABLES.

Stage and screen star Leslie Caron speaks about her long and illustrious career in an intimate conversation at The Laguna Playhouse. Ms. Caron will be hosted by her longtime friend and producer Vincent Curcio in a question-and-answer format similar to "Inside the Actors' Studio." The conversation will be followed by an opportunity to meet Ms. Caron and purchase her memoir, "Thank Heaven." Ms. Caron will be signing books in the lobby. As a special bonus in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 26th Academy Awards (March 25, 1954) in which Ms. Caron was honored as a Best Actress nominee for her performance in "Lili" (1953), The Playhouse will be showing a free screening of the film at 7 pm. Concessions will be available. The perfect gift for Mother's Day, and a one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear from this living legend!

THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE invites you to enjoy music, memories, midnight, mystery & murder in its 2014-2015 season of shows! The season starts out rockin' with BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY; followed by Linda Purl starring in Joan Didion's play about the triumph of the human spirit in THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING; then the holiday season will ring in the musical STRIKING TWELVE; followed by the songs of one the greatest musical writers of all time - HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN; plus enjoy the smash-hit, Off-Broadway musical whodunit MURDER FOR TWO; and a 'To Be Announced' production; add in two bonus options for our audiences and subscribers including the MAGIC OF MOTOWN and Emmy Award-winner Ed Asner starring as FDR for a year of engaging music, memories and more!

Artful Events announces the first SUMMER NIGHTS SERIES at The Abbey, featuring a wide array of offerings showcasing local talent and appealing to a broad spectrum of musical tastes. Davis Gaines kicks off the season with his show DOUBLE STANDARDS May 29 - June 1.

Laguna Playhouse will present the return of Rita Rudner who will be performing her award-winning solo comedy, AN EVENING WITH RITA RUDNER and her new dress, for two performances only, Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. "What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel," remarks Wood. "It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews on Saturday, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are delighted to bring back their favorite Sister in a return offering, SISTER'S EASTER CATECHISM: Will My Bunny Go To Heaven?, written and performed by Maripat Donovan (alternating with Nonie Newton-Breen) and directed by Mark Silvia. "Sister is back and as funny as ever. Our audiences are going to be Heaven-sent at this Easter delight," offers Wood. "Our audiences will be resurrected with laughter. What better way to begin the Spring than with an evening with Sister?," adds Wareham. SISTER'S EASTER CATECHISM will begin performances on Monday, April 7 and run through Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Despite an injury, good sport Davis Gaines---who plays the title role in Musical Theatre West's new production of Meredith Willson's ever-enduring Tony Award-winning musical THE MUSIC MAN---continues the 'show must go on' mantra and plows through, turning in a rousing performance that does not disappoint. Added bonus: the huge cast also helps play up this local regional revival's family-friendly cuteness factor. Remaining performances of this nearly 60-year-old musical theater staple continue through Sunday, March 2 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

What do the 1950s have in common with 1912? Ages of innocence, both. When Meredith Willson wrote his story with Franklin Lacey about a con artist bamboozling an Iowa town in 1912, which formed the substance of his musical The Music Man (1957), the effect became like that of N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker. People were jubilant, ecstatic and welcomed Professor Harold Hill, as they craved a good old-fashioned love story coated with ironic excitement. He was a charmer, and they saw way past his bad side. Now in a colorful new production at Musical Theatre West (MTW) in Long Beach, this company pulls out all the stops and presents a delightfully bigger-than-life show that would do Willson proud. With super direction from Jeff Maynard and a divine cast led by Davis Gaines, The Music Man offers a refreshing take on the way life should be, whether 1912, 1955 or 2014.