Larry Raben News

'Cabaret,' the 1966 Broadway hit that made Joel Grey a star, is alive and well at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport. With a shocking book by Joe Masteroff and a tuneful score by 'Chicago's' John Kander and the late Fred Ebb, 'Cabaret' was alarming when it first premiered and gained momentum in recent years with three major revivals on Broadway. The Gateway's effervescent cast, lead by upcoming Broadway star Josh Canfield, makes this 'Cabaret' an old chum to revisit.

John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff's Tony-winning masterpiece, Cabaret, opens at The Gateway on August 3, (Previews begin August 1) featuring unforgettable songs like "Maybe This Time," "Two Ladies," "Don't Tell Mama," and the title song, "Cabaret." Ticket prices range from $59-$89 per show with Previews starting at $49. Student discounts and group rates are available.  For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website TheGateway.org, tickets on-line or through the box office at 631-286-1133.

On the very day that the newsboy strike began on July 18, 1899, Moonlight Stage Productions will open its second show of its summer season, DISNEY'S NEWSIES. The San Diego Regional Premiere production will run July 18 - August  4 at the Moonlight Amphitheatre.

At the end of its third decade on the cusp of celebrating its 40th anniversary, Moonlight Stage Productions today announced its 2019 season. For its 39th summer, Moonlight will offer three new musicals to its stage, and one treasured revival.

Once in a while, you come across a stage show that, on paper, may not have had the buzz that other high-profile shows may have had initially, but then you see it … and it just completely surprises you in the best possible way. That pretty much sums up my recent experience with the oh-so delightful NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, Musical Theatre West's buoyant and sublime new regional production of the 10-time Tony Award-nominated 2012 musical comedy now on stage at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach, CA through April 22. An irresistibly silly and infectiously tuneful stage show that will have you smiling from start to finish, this roaring 20's throwback with modern sensibilities provides lots of zany antics, lots of witty one-liners, and lots of spectacular song-and-dance showstoppers that will have you wondering---where has this show been all my life?

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature LOVE NEVER DIES, FINDING NEVERLAND, FUN HOME, and More!

The Gershwins' Nice Work If You Can Get It is such a smooth entertainment and a joy to watch where and whenever it plays...if the director and cast are top notch and up to a myriad of challenges. You cannot pull off farcical material unless actors are atuned to split timing and can sing and dance up a storm. You must have triple threat performers. No problem at MTW, whose 'S'Wonderful' production keeps the audience consistently applauding for more. Dependably resourceful director Larry Raben, splendid choreographer Peggy Hickey and a stellar ensemble create real 'Fascinating Rhythm' through April 22.   

What do you get when you mix a cocktail of 21 Gershwin gems, madcap comedy, and show-stopping dance numbers?  It's Musical Theatre West's (MTW) production of Broadway's 10-Time Tony nominated musical Nice Work If You Can Get It, coming to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center April 6-22. 

Laguna Playhouse is proud to announce a very special event, the Coyote Stageworks, Founding Artistic Director Chuck Yates, production of Bets Malone starring as Mae West in DIRTY BLONDE, written by Claudia Shear and directed James W. Gruessing, Jr.. DIRTY BLONDE will perform six performances only, Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29 at Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Coyote Stageworks is an unusual and wonderful inclusion in the desert's theatre scene; unusual because it only produces two shows per year, but wonderful because both of those shows continually turn out to be excellent. Their current production, Dirty Blonde, adds another jewel to their crown.

Coyote StageWorks, the Coachella Valleybased award-winning Actors' Equity professional theater company will kick off its 2018 theatrical season with a production of Dirty Blonde, a popular three-character comedy about the legendary Mae West, starring Steve Gunderson, Bets Malone, and Larry Raben, and directed by James Gruessing. The production will run February 2 11, 2018 with nine performances at the Annenberg Theater in the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Hundreds of San Diego families who can enjoy the family-friendly and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum and with other special needs, along with local San Diego support organizations. Globe spokespersons will include Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Timothy J. Shields, and the Globe's advisor for these performances, UCSD professor Lisa Porter.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS runs at the Old Globe Theatre through December 24. It has a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, and music by Mel Marvin.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The Old Globe has some great ideas to simplify your holiday shopping this year! Might we suggest tickets for the family to our 20th annual production of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, a San Diego multigenerational family tradition, which runs now through December 24. Or for the hard-to-please culture aficionado in the group, gift an assortment of theatre experiences with season tickets or a gift certificate to share great theatre year-round. The Old Globe subscription packages a mix of four or six shows from our exciting upcoming season offer world-class theatre at substantial savings, along with the peace of mind that comes with knowing seats are reserved plus additional privileges and benefits!

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS runs at the Old Globe Theatre through December 24, adn the critics are weighing in!

Welk Resort Theatre, located in Escondido at the historic Welk Resort, will open A CHRISTMAS CAROL on Friday, November 17th. The production is led by director, Larry Raben. Choreography is by Karl Warden with Musical Direction by Justin Gray. A CHRISTMAS CAROL runs through December 31st. After this production, the Welk Theatre will temporarily close for an extensive lobby remodeling project - and will reopen with live musical theatre performances as soon as the fall of 2018.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is that lovable anti-hero that has become a San Diego tradition and as this Old Globe production enters its 20th year it's clear that this production is as much a tradition as a Yule Log or a peppermint candy.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS runs at the Old Globe Theatre through December 24. See the cast in these production photos!

The Old Globe presents its 20th annual production of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, running now through December 24 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night was last night, November 9, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!