Jules Aaron News

The prospect of a new stage musical about the Righteous Brothers is an enticing idea, and with the premiere of That Lovin' Feelin', James A. Zimmerman's new production about the lives and careers of Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley, we ventured into the Valley to take in a performance. The show is being staged through January 24 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood. As with all of our 'road trips,' there is a local Ventura County angle, in this case, Brenden MacDonald, a graduate of California Lutheran University's drama program who also attended Moorpark College, where he studied under John Loprieno. MacDonald fares well in his Group Rep Theatre debut but the production suffers from obvious miscasting and an overall unsatisfactory book, which fails to effectively portray the lives and tumultuous partnership of Hatfield and Medley.

Award-winning veteran director Jules Aaron has been putting his directorial stamp on musicals and plays for several decades.  Mr. Aaron takes time out of his busy schedule to talk with us about his current project, the west coast premiere of The Group Rep's production of THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' running December 11 through January 24, 2016 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, which already has some SOLD OUT performance dates.  He also gives us a glimpse into his background and the encouragement he received along the way.

The Group Rep Co-Artistic Directors Larry Eisenberg and Chris Winfield have announced the company's exciting 42nd Season and the opening of a new performance space on the second floor of the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, CA. 

Written by James Reach, adapted from the 1955 teleplay by Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame, PATTERNS, takes an insightful look at corporate politics, examining just how much it takes for an individual to crack in order to succeed financially. Directed with great skill and insight into human foibles and behavior by Jules Aaron (one of Los Angeles' most honored directors, the recipient of over thirty awards for his work, directing over 250 stage and television productions), with a brilliant cast and design team at Theatre 40, the play depicts the emotional wreckage that corporate culture can inflict on individuals to bring them into the fold.

One faces an undeniably horrendous situation that will only get worse before it gets better...and the clincher?... it is fueled by love. That's the trap created by Frawley Becker in his play Tiger by the Tail now playing at Group rep in Noho through April 19. The tender theme is made sweeter by smooth direction and a terribly appealing cast. For those who are not afraid to follow their feelings of romance and take the plunge into the realm of the unknown, Tiger by the Tail is most worthwhile.

The Group Rep presents the west coast premiere of Frawley Becker's searing drama 'Tiger by the Tail' directed by Jules Aaron, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Frawley Becker. The play runs today, March 6th through April 19th, Todays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre located at the edge of the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood, CA.

The Group Rep presents the west coast premiere of Frawley Becker's searing drama 'Tiger by the Tail' directed by Jules Aaron, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Frawley Becker. The play runs March 6th through April 19th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre located at the edge of the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood, CA.

BLONDE POISON is based on the true story of Stella Goldschlag (1922-1994), a young woman who had exquisite beauty with the blue eyes, blonde hair and bone structure that marked her as a young Aryan goddess. But she was not an Aryan - she was a Jew who survived the Holocaust by becoming a Greifer, an informant for the Gestapo. She had been nicknamed "Blonde Poison" by the Gestapo for her efficiency in catching Jews to be subsequently slaughtered.

Two Muses Theatre opens its fourth season with the new musical, At the Bistro Garden. Book by Deborah Pearl. Music and lyrics by David Kole. Directed by Jules Aaron, with musical direction by Daniel Bachelis and choreography by Allyson Smith. The writer, composer and stage director have all come to Michigan from L.A. to polish up the show and work with the Michigan cast on its Midwest premiere with performances tonight, September 26 through October 19. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Two Muses Theatre opens its fourth season with the new musical, 'At the Bistro Garden.' Book by Deborah Pearl. Music and lyrics by David Kole. Directed by Jules Aaron, with musical direction by Daniel Bachelis and choreography by Allyson Smith. The writer, composer and stage director have all come to Michigan from L.A. to polish up the show and work with the Michigan cast on its Midwest premiere with performances today, September 26 through October 19.

Two Muses Theatre will open their fourth season with the premiere of a brand new musical: At the Bistro Garden.

"You aren't inventing the wheel, but you are putting in the spokes. And you hope that wheel will carry the show!" observes Los Angeles-based theatrical director Jules Aaron, currently in Metro Detroit to helm Two Muses Theatre's Midwest premiere of the new musical, At the Bistro Garden. The show, which runs from September 26 through October 19 promises to surprise and delight Michigan audiences.

The Two Muses Theatre will be opening its fourth season with the new musical 'At the Bistro Garden.'

Two Muses Theatre will open their fourth season with the premiere of a brand new musical: At the Bistro Garden.

The setting is Paris in the 18th Century with THE GAMESTER performed in rhymed couplets. But don't let the timeframe, language or fabulous costumes fool you. This story of true love, schemes, casual lusts, machinations, treachery and too many casinos feels as modern as today. After all, haven't we created whole cities and casinos galore aimed to pull in gamblers night and day? And don't we have Gamblers Anonymous for those who simply cannot stay away?

Two Muses Theatre, a non-profit, professional theatre based in West Bloomfield, Michigan, will produce five shows in their fourth season.

The Ghost of Gershwin/A New Old-Fashioned Musical/book by Doug Haverty/music by Wayland Pickard/lyrics by Wayland Pickard & Laura Manning/directed by Jules Aaron/Group rep at Lonny Chapman Theatre, NoHo/through June 22

The Group Rep is proud to announce their 41st Season of six exciting and very different plays.

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical 'The Ghost of Gershwin,' with music by Wayland Pickard, book by Doug Haverty, lyrics by Laura Manning, directed by Jules Aaron, choreographed by Michele Bernath, and produced by Richard Alan Woody. The play runs today, May 9 through June 22, 2014, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.