Michael Sweeney News

1996's mega hit British farce Cash on Delivery is an exceedingly hilarious romp through an unemployed man's out-of-control experiences with social security fraud. Written by Michael Cooney, son of well-known British actor/playwright Ray Cooney, the play builds an affecting series of misunderstandings, mistaken identities and all-out silliness that prevail when Eric Swan (Jim Mahoney) attempts to fraudulently kill off the people - out of guilt - whose government checks he has been collecting illegally. Now onstage at the El Portal, Ray Cooney has directed evenly and with dynamite pacing, guaranteeing fool-proof laughter with a terrific cast, through December 20 only.

World renown British actor/playwright Ray Cooney will be performing the zany farce Cash on Delivery, written by his son Michael Cooney, on the mainstage of the El Portal in Noho December 3-20.  Cooney performed Out of Order at the El Portal in 2001, and was a tremendous hit. In our conversation Cooney, who was bestowed the honor of OBE (Order of the British Empire) by the Queen, and wife Linda talk about the play, and among other topics, theatre and its importance in our world right now. Linda is a landscape painter and former actress, and her work will be exhibited in the El Portal lobby during the run of the play and on to January 1, 2016.

El Portal Theatre proudly presents Cash On Delivery directed by Ray Cooney, written by Michael Cooney, December 3 - December 20, 2015, at the historic El Portal Theatre Mainstage in the NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, CA. 15 performances only!

L.A. Theatre Works celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2014-15 with a season of ten radio-theater productions, each recorded by a star-studded cast in front of a live audience for future radio broadcast, distribution on CD, digital download and online streaming. All performances take place at the 300-seat, acoustically vibrant James Bridges Theater located on the campus of UCLA in West Los Angeles. In addition, the company heads out on its 10th annual national tour.

On Monday, October 28, 2013, Sing for Hope celebrated its 7th annual gala in New York City in a multi-level Chelsea loft space punctuated by brilliantly colored Sing for Hope Pianos and vivid art photographs. Nearly 400 guests gathered to support Sing for Hope's arts outreach programs that democratize the arts and ignite the spark of creative innovation in all people. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced last night, June 14, the winners of the 40th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards in a sold-out, grand gala for over 1,100 attendees at the Westin Bonaventure, in downtown Los Angeles. Scroll down for the full list of winners and photos from the ceremony!

The winners of the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards for 2012 were announced tonight during the 65th Annual DGA Awards Dinner at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles. Lena Dunham won the DGA's Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for Girls.

The winners of the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards for 2012 were announced tonight during the 65th Annual DGA Awards Dinner at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles. Ben Affleck won the DGA's Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for Argo.

Directors Guild of America President Taylor Hackford today announced the DGA's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television and Commercials for the year 2012.