Nicole Parker News

MCC Theater's annual Miscast gala, one of the most exciting and unique theater events in town, was held earlier this week at the Hammerstein Ballroom. At the event, Broadway's hottest stars performed songs from roles in which they would never be cast. SMASH and stage star Jeremy Jordan performed FROZEN's female anthem, 'Let It Go' and knocked it out of the park. Watch the full performance below!

MCC Theater's annual Miscast gala, one of the most exciting and unique theater events in town, was held earlier this week at the Hammerstein Ballroom. At the event, Broadway's hottest stars performed songs from roles in which they would never be cast. Jeremy Jordan, who sang 'Let Me Be Your Star' at last year's event returned to sing Frozen's female anthem, 'Let It Go.' Check out his full performance below!

MCC Theater's annual Miscast gala, one of the most exciting and unique theater events in town, was held last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom. At the event, Broadway's hottest stars performed songs from roles in which they would never be cast. This year's event was hosted by award-winning actress Allison Janney. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet below!

After more than three years in Los Feliz, the live musicimmersive concert experience "For The Record" will move to a larger home in West Hollywood, DBA (www.dbahollywood.com). Beginning March 27, the hit series will make their debut in this new, next level performance space that is hosting the most vital and relevant live music, DJ's, performance art, spoken word and theatrical events. "For The Record: Tarantino" at DBA will offer audiences an elevated and completely reimagined production of the show that inspired the series as a whole. The show will run every Thursday - Sunday at 8:00 p.m with tickets ranging from $35 - $55, and can be purchased at DBAHollywood.com. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night- check below for photos of the event!

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2013. The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony took place Monday, March 17 at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, and was hosted by Nicole Parker.

MCC THEATER has announced that the annual Miscast 2014 gala has added Billy Porter, Jeremy Jordan, Megan Hilty, and Raul Esparza as performers, joining the previously announced Zosia Mamet, Christian Borle, Anika Noni Rose, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Steven Pasquale, Jesse L. Martin, Sasha Allen, Keala Settle, and Nicole Parker. Phil Reno will serve as Musical Director. Additional performers will be announced at a later date. Miscast 2014 will be held Monday, March 31, 2014 at The Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street). The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and gala dinner followed by the Miscast performances. Gala and show-only tickets are now on sale at www.mcctheater.org.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced that Nicole Parker, nominee for Lead Performance in Funny Girl, will host its 45th Annual Awards ceremony (replacing the previously announced James Roday). Joining performers Constance Jewell Lopez (nominee for Lead Performance in Dreamgirls), Beth Malone, and Lowe Taylor will be Shannon Warne and Kim Huber. Gordon Clapp and Richard Schiff will also perform an excerpt from the LA Theatre Works production of Glengarry Glen Ross.

MCC THEATER as announced the preliminary lineup of performers for the annual Miscast 2014 gala, which will feature one-night-only performances from stars of stage and screen including Zosia Mamet, Christian Borle, Anika Noni Rose, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Steven Pasquale, Jesse L. Martin, Sasha Allen, Keala Settle, and Nicole Parker. Phil Reno will serve as Musical Director. Additional performers will be announced at a later date. Miscast 2014 will be held Monday, March 31, 2014 at The Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street). The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and gala dinner followed by the Miscast performances. Show-only tickets are now on sale at www.mcctheater.org.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its 2013 nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre. The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 17, 2014 at The Colony Theatre, located at 555 N. Third Street in Burbank.

'This broadcast and webcast event was the perfect way to spread the word about Andres' Inaugural Season to an even broader audience and build upon the momentum generated from our Centennial Season,' said Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO Mark C. Hanson. 'It symbolizes our commitment to innovation, community partnerships, and becoming more relevant to even more Houstonians. We're grateful to Houston Public Media for collaborating on this important and exciting announcement.'

For the Record: Baz Luhrmann in Concert is the brainchild of Christopher Lloyd Bratten (musical director) and Shane Scheel (producer) who have previously produced concerts incorporating the music from the films of the Coen Brothers and also John Hughes and Quentin Tarantino, among others. The Luhrmann show is on its third extension - now through January - and it is easy to see why. The entire Rockwell Table and Stage is converted into a grande theatrical experience like no other, with playing areas for the 9 singers/actors in the round...complete 360 degree surround, including playing areas at and around the bar. Elevated stages are used, so there is little or no problem seeing the performers except if you are seated directly behind a pillar, offering partial obstruction.

Voting is now underway for Los Angeles! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

The Best in LA Theatre for 2013

In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild. Check out the photos below!

In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick presented A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18, 2013. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild. Check out photos from the concert below!

A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event, will take place tonight, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild.

Get transported back to the roaring 20's as Rockwell: Table & Stage (www.rockwell-la.com) is transformed into the world of Gatsby for a one-night-only New Year's Eve extravaganza. Your evening begins with a three-course prix fixe dinner created by chefs Wayne Elias and Martin Gonzalez, followed by a performance of Rockwell's acclaimed For the Record: Baz Luhrmann, where powerhouse performers from music, stage and screen fill the space around you with iconic music and moments from Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Strictly Ballroom and The Great Gatsby. After the show, the entire Rockwell: Table & Stage space will be magically transformed into a Gatsby era after-party featuring a live band, along with a decadent buffet and complimentary glass of champagne for the New Year's Eve champagne toast at midnight. For those who'd prefer to skip dinner and the show and go straight to flappering into the night, there's a VIP Party Only option. You will have access to a second-floor VIP salon decked in Gatsby decor, featuring a full buffet, champagne toast, balloon drop and a live band from 9:00pm until the whole party ends at 2:00am.

Ah, yes. 2013 was indeed an outstanding year for theater in Southern California. Even better: Orange County---my home base---boasted some of the best shows, period---marking an exciting theater renaissance in brilliance and artistry that I hope continues to grow here inside L.A.'s next door neighbor. With that said, here is my Top 10 Stage Shows of 2013 from Orange County and adjacent locales nearby, followed by my picks for the year's best performances.

Voting is now underway for Los Angeles! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Los Angeles! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.