South Coast Repertory News

The epic story of King Henry V's battle with the French during the Hundred Years' War comes alive for the first time at the Folger Theatre, in William Shakespeare's historical drama Henry V. The production, directed by Robert Richmond (Othello and Henry VIII at the Folger), stars Zach Appelman (War Horse on Broadway) in his Folger Theatre debut as Henry V, and will run from tonight, January 22 - March 3, 2013.

A total of 35 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus this month to participate in the first-ever Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing more than twenty new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

Los Angeles' premier cabaret room, The Catalina Jazz Club, hosts cabaret artist Karen Gedissman for a special performance on Sunday, January 27th at 7pm.

Welcome to middle age... proceed with caution! Diane Cary, Jane Kaczmarek and Sharon Sharth star as three successful women who challenge themselves to find love and personal fulfillment in the middle years of life. Steven Robman directs the ensemble cast, which also includes Gregory Harrison, James Lancaster and Joel Polis, in the world premiere of The Snake Can by Kathryn Graf (Hermetically Sealed). Performances run tonight, January 19 through February 24, presented by Indie Chi Productions at the Odyssey Theatre in West Los Angeles.

In Stephen Adly Guirgis' wickedly funny, intensely riveting 2011 dark urban comedy THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT -- now enjoying a superb, profanity-laced new production at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through January 27 -- the idea of personal growth is explored mostly through the (cuss) words and actions of recovering addict Jackie, a volatile yet vulnerable NewYorican ex-con in desperate need to change himself and his wretched lot in life. Unfortunately, though, in this brilliant play, his optimistic trajectory is pretty much hindered by inescapable behavioral and environmental circumstances.

Los Angeles' premier cabaret room, The Catalina Jazz Club, hosts cabaret artist Karen Gedissman for a special performance on Sunday, January 27th at 7pm.

Religion and science collide in playwright Catherine Trieschmann's How the World Began, a visceral examination of the way in which we navigate interpersonal relationships involving seemingly irreconcilable beliefs - and just how hard it is to truly listen to one another in an increasingly polarized world. How the World Began runs in the Stiemke Studio from January 16 - February 24, and opens tonight, January 18.

Angelinos looking for a unique and satisfying "family-friendly-experience" in American music, featuring some of the best talent in the Los Angeles musical theatre world, are in for a real treat! This revised production of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN will open at Theatre Banshee, Burbank, tonight, January 18th thru February 10th, 2013.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films Old Vic Productions and NETworks Presentations, LLC bring the multi-award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical to Segerstrom Center for the Arts from April 16 - 28, 2013. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim around the world and was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

BLACK SWAN State Theatre Company presents The Motherf**ker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis, tonight, 17 January - 3 February 2013.

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced its calendar of events for February 2013. Details below!

A delightful midwinter night's dream, ALMOST, MAINE by John Cariani will play TheaterWorks in downtown Hartford. The sweet and poignant comedy runs January 25 - March 3, 2013, directed by Amy Saltz.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents Itamar Moses' new comedy, 'Completeness,' Feb. 1-17. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at the Playhouse ticket office. 'Completeness' is a Director's Discovery.

A total of 35 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus this month to participate in the first-ever Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing more than twenty new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

After a successful three month run at Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica, Smoke and Mirrors - a heartfelt comedy-drama with mind-bending magic that has been named 'Critics Choice' in the Los Angeles Times - opens January 26 at The Road Theatre Company in North Hollywood.

The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration makes its way to Segerstrom Center for the Arts today, January 13 in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The all- star ensemble will perform classic jazz and original compositions by critically acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning artists: bassist and musical director Christian McBride, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, saxophonist Chris Potter, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, pianist Benny Green and drummer Lewis Nash.

Women's Project, the 35-year-old non-profit theater dedicated to producing plays written and directed by women, will present its 2012-2013 season of new plays featuring women theater artists at a new home, New York City Center Stage II, 131 West 55th Street, tonight, January 11 to May 19, Julie Crosby, Producing Artistic Director announced.

Religion and science collide in playwright Catherine Trieschmann's How the World Began, a visceral examination of the way in which we navigate interpersonal relationships involving seemingly irreconcilable beliefs - and just how hard it is to truly listen to one another in an increasingly polarized world. How the World Began runs in the Stiemke Studio from January 16 - February 24, and opens on Friday, January 18.

San Jose Rep welcomes a cast of undeniable talent to the stage for the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Next to Normal, directed by David Ira Goldstein and co-produced with the Arizona Theatre Company.

'Deceit' is a suspenseful and compelling play by Richard Ploetz that reveals how far some people are willing to take their lies to protect the fragile nature of 'being normal.' Theater for the New City will present the piece, directed by Andreas Robertz, tonight, January 10 to 27 in its Cino Theater.