Gordon Davidson News

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle announced the recipients of its 49th annual awards for distinguished achievement in theatre last night, Monday, March 19, 2018, at A Noise Within in Pasadena. Wenzel Jones presided over the festivities, and Christopher Raymond served as music director.

LA STAGE Alliance Executive Director Steven Leigh Morris will receive the Gordon Davidson Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Los Angeles Theatrical Community from the LA Drama Critics Circle. The 49th annual LADCC awards ceremony is set for Monday, March 19, at A Noise Within in Pasadena. Established by the LADCC in 2016, the Gordon Davidson Award is accompanied by an honorarium funded by Center Theatre Group. Morris will be the second recipient of the honor.

A chance meeting in an airport lounge leads to a Burmese odyssey and a search for a missing monk… and maybe love. Maria Gobetti directs the world premiere of Unemployed Elephants - A Love Story, a romantic comedy by Wendy Graf (No Word in Guyanese for Me, Please Don't Ask About Beckett). Performances begin on March 9 at The Victory Theatre Center in Burbank, where they continue through April 15. Three low-priced previews take place on March 1, 2 and 3.

A chance meeting in an airport lounge leads to a Burmese odyssey and a search for a missing monk… and maybe love. Maria Gobetti directs the world premiere of Unemployed Elephants - A Love Story, a romantic comedy by Wendy Graf (No Word in Guyanese for Me, Please Don't Ask About Beckett). Performances begin on March 9 at The Victory Theatre Center in Burbank, where they continue through April 15. Three low-priced previews take place on March 1, 2 and 3.

Last night, at Los Angeles's annual Ovation Awards ceremony, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation announced the establishment of The Gordon Davidson Award, a new honor to be bestowed annually by SDCF to recognize a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the regional theatre nationally. SDCF President Sheldon Epps and SDC President Pam MacKinnon jointly announced the new recognition. The first Davidson Award will be announced in the latter half of June 2018, at an event still in development.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre for the year 2017 (Dec. 1, 2016 Nov. 30, 2017).

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces that acclaimed Director Julie Taymor will be honored with the distinguished 2018 Mr. Abbott Award for outstanding artistry and creativity over the course of her career. The Award will be presented at the Foundation's annual gala event on April 2, 2018 in New York City, venue to be announced. Chairing the Mr. Abbott Award Committee are Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions, producer Nelle Nugent of The Foxboro Company (currently represented on Broadway with Taymor's production of M. BUTTERFLY), and SDCF Executive Board Members Rachel Chavkin and Michael Wilson. Honorary Co-Chairs include actress Helen Mirren and playwright David Henry Hwang. Proceeds from the gala benefit the early-career programs of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation.

T. Fellowship, in association with Columbia University School of the Arts, announces the next T. Fellow is Allison Bressi, the sixth fellow in the one year program designed to educate and empower new creative producers.

Interplay Jewish Theatre announces two staged readings of Please Don't Ask About Becket, by L.A. playwright Wendy Graf.  Performances are on Sunday, July 9, at 2 p.m.; and Monday, July 10, at 7 p.m. The readings are hosted by Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights.

Each year, the Tony Awards release a list of names of friends and colleagues in the Broadway community who have left us during the past year.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle announced the recipients of its 48th annual awards for distinguished achievement in theatre tonight, Monday, March 20, at the Colony Theatre in Burbank.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle is proud to announce a new special award to be presented at its upcoming awards ceremony on March 20: The Gordon Davidson Award for distinguished contribution to the Los Angeles theatrical community. The award is sponsored by the Center Theatre Group, where Gordon Davidson served as the founding Artistic Director from 1967 to 2005, and will be presented this year to Pro99.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre for the year 2016 (Dec. 1, 2015 - Nov. 30, 2016).

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDC Foundation), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces Robert Greenblatt, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning producer and Chairman of NBC Entertainment (The Wiz LIVE! and Hairpsray LIVE!), and John Stamos, star of stage and screen (Full House), as honorary co-chairs, and Neil Meron and Craig Zadan of Storyline Entertainment - Zadan/Meron Productions (Chicago, Hairpsray LIVE!) as co-chairs of the 2017 'Mr. Abbott' Award Gala honoring Kenny Leon.

A private memorial service for Gordon Davidson, a longtime friend of The Public Theater and former Artistic Director of the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles for 38 years, will be held at The Public on Sunday, February 12. The Public Theater will also dim the lights on Sunday at approximately 6:00 p.m. in honor of Davidson and his enormous contributions to the American Theater.

Jeanine Mason, Rose Portillo, Daniel Valdez and Jeremy Ray Valdez will join the previously announced Demian Bichir in the cast of Center Theatre Group's production of 'Zoot Suit' at the Mark Taper Forum, which begins previews January 31, opens February 12 and continues through March 12, 2017. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, 'Zoot Suit' is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino.

The Directors Lab West Steering Committee is pleased to announce the 18th annual Directors Lab West will be held Saturday, May 20 through Saturday, May 27, 2017. Applications are now being accepted at directorslabwest.com.

Actress/LA theatre inaugurator, Penny Fuller has embarked on a new leg of her career as a cabaret artiste. Ms. Fuller will be bringing her solo musical play 13 THINGS ABOUT ED CARPOLOTTI to the Broad Stage beginning January 11. I had the most delightful opportunity to chat with the vibrant, vivacious Ms. Fuller. She possesses a memory of an elephant, effortlessly listing off names of cast compatriots and retelling intriguing incidents of her theatre highlights.

This Monday, Center Theatre Group will hold a celebration in honor of its Founding Artistic Director, Gordon Davidson, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Ahmanson Theatre. The theatre will open at 7 p.m. An evening of stories, remembrances and performances, the celebration will be open to the public.

Jeanine Mason, Rose Portillo, Daniel Valdez and Jeremy Ray Valdez will join the previously announced Demian Bichir in the cast of Center Theatre Group's production of 'Zoot Suit' at the Mark Taper Forum, which begins previews January 31, opens February 12 and continues through March 12, 2017. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, 'Zoot Suit' is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino.