Stephen Gifford News

Certainly, those of us who have been (or currently are) school teachers, administrators, and counselors will recognize the clashes and motivations expressed in Burdick’s exploration of the challenges of pursuing a profession meant for those who deeply care about the welfare of students, even in the face of overwhelming odds. And caring parents and students will no doubt identify with trying to make the best out of what can only be described as a bad situation seemingly out of their control. In other words, this is a play everyone should see and thank your teachers in your hearts and minds afterwards.

Christopher Sepulveda & 3Gems Productions are presenting a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre, the world premiere of ACCOMMODATION, written by Greg Burdick and directed by Brandon Baer & Garrett Baer. ACCOMMODATION opens tonight, Sunday, June 18 at 5pm and performs through Sunday, July 9 at 2pm at the Odyssey Theatre. Check out photos here!

JoBeth Williams (“Poltergeist,” “The Big Chill”) and Peter Strauss (“Rich Man, Poor Man,” “The Jericho Mile”) star in the romantic Love Among the Ruins, written by James G. Hirsch and Robert A. Papazian, from a film script by James Costigan. Love Among the Ruins is a Papazian Hirsch presentation  and is directed by Michael Arabian.

WWhat seems like a deceptively simple premise develops several intriguing layers in Alessandro Camon’s SCINTILLA, enjoying its world premiere at the Road Theatre. Equal parts domestic drama and a harrowing investigation into the results of climate change, SCINTILLA is as impactful as it is unrelenting.

Celebration Theatre, in association with the Los Angeles LGBT Center, will present a brand new look at the William Finn musical, A NEW BRAIN,  music and lyrics by William Finn.

Every time I enter Skylight Theatre, I am completely blown away by the radical transformations designers are able to handle in the space. Stephen Gifford has crafted worlds which elevate the text of the play, the performances of the two actors, and the perception of the evening as a whole.

Despite outdated, cringe-inducing tropes, McCoy Rigby Entertainment's new production of this ubiquitous rock-and-roll stage musical---now on stage at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through February 12---manages to still entertain thanks mostly to the superb musical numbers energetically performed by its talented cast.

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY has announced the second show of its 2022-2023 Season, the world premiere of SCINTILLA, written by Alessandro Camon and directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky.

Comedienne Rita Rudner will star in the upcoming World Premiere of STAGED, written by Martin Bergman & Rita Rudner and directed by Martin Bergman at Laguna Playhouse. See how to purchase tickets!

Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys, LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT has announced the cast for their upcoming “electrifying” musical GREASE, with book, music & lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, musical direction by Ryan O’Connell, choreography by Christopher M. Albrecht and directed by Kari Hayter.  

Ensemble Theatre Company will present the second show of its 2022-23 Season, an all-new take on the holiday favorite, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, written by Charles Dickens, adapted by Patrick Barlow (The 39 Steps) and directed by Jamie Torcellini. 

 AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ is a fun musical visit to the age of the Harlem Renaissance and a tribute to the music of Fats Waller. By the end of the show, the joint is definitely jumpin'.

Get a FIRST LOOK at one of the most popular musical revues of all time, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ The Fats Waller Musical Show, running September 23 – October 8, 2022 at The California Center for the Arts, Escondido!  Check out photos here!

Laguna Playhouse has announced that JoBeth Williams (“Poltergeist,” “The Big Chill”) and Peter Strauss (“Rich Man, Poor Man,” “The Jericho Mile”) are set to star in the upcoming World Premiere production, based on the 1975 ABC Theatre Presentation that starred Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier, of LOVE AMONG THE RUINS.

Taffeta’s dialog is often an attack on the audience rather than a composition about Lincoln.  A passive character study with a blow-horn built in so that you don’t doze off into your own fantasy about who she is and what SHE represents.

Acclaimed Black Filipinx playwright and Kilroys List honoree Roger Q. Mason will star as Taffeta in the World Premiere of their much-anticipated play Lavender Men with Skylight Theatre Company and Playwrights’ Arena in Los Angeles, August 6-September 4.

Antaeus Theatre Company returns to in-person performance with a new production of Hamlet, directed by Shakespearean expert Elizabeth Swain and featuring long-time company member Ramón de Ocampo in the title role. Performances begin May 20 and continue through June 20 at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale. Low-priced previews begin May 15.

This critically acclaimed musical won four Tony Awards in 2010 including Best Musical and Best Original Score, four Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Music, and four Outer Critic Circle Awards including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Score.

Celebration Theatre is back. After a years-long hiatus of mainstage performances, the company is on a new road to creative change. Interim Artistic Director Ann James (she/they) made a successful case for the theater’s first offering of the season: “At the center of Celebration shifting to a new era in its forty-year lifespan is the bold decision to produce a show that is sure to be a sell out in Los Angeles.”

Celebration Theatre is back. After a years-long hiatus of mainstage performances, the company is on a new road to creative change. Interim Artistic Director Ann James (she/they) made a successful case for the theater's first offering of the season: 'At the center of Celebration shifting to a new era in its forty-year lifespan is the bold decision to produce a show that is sure to be a sell out in Los Angeles.'