Don Grigware - Page 10

A Christmas Carol/by Charles Dickens/adapted by Jefferson Mays, Susan Lyons, Michael Arden/directed by Michael Arden/Geffen Playhoous/Gil Cates Theater/through December 16 Another version of A Christmas Carol you moan? Well, take my word for it, you have never seen a produciton of the Dickensian classic quite like the one currently onstage at the Geffen Playhouse mainstage Gil Cates Theater. Adapted by the brilliant actor playing every role Jefferson Mays, Susan Lyons and brilliant director Michael Arden, A Christmas Carol becomes the perfect transition from Halloween, Dia de los Muertos

She Loves Mebook by Joe Masteroffmusic by Jerry Bocklyrics by Sheldon Harnickbased on a play Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlodirected & choreographed by Cate CaplinActors Co-opDavid Schall Theatrethrough December 16 Classic plays and musicals usually hold up well if the book and music are strong and relevant. She Loves Me has its corny moments and is dated, but is so bent on love and the romantic side of life, we buy into its premise and come away entertained. Currently onstage at Actors Co-op through December 16, She Loves Me receives flawless direction from Cate Caplin and may boast a deliciously inviting ensemble of players.

The Addams Family, whose Broadway run was clouded with negative reviews and less than powerful performances from its two  talented stars Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, is receiving a handsome revival at Candlelight Pavilion.. Director Chuck Ketter puts the kooky Addams Family through their diliriously divergent moves through November 24.

Cate Caplin has produced, directed and choreographed over 200 productions and her work has been seen on television, in films, music videos, commercials and in theatrical venues world wide from the Paris Opera House to the Broadway Stage. She is a 34 times Regional and International Theatrical Ballroom Dance Champion, is a published writer and has been the recipient of a Garland Award, a Women In Theatre Red Carpet Award, multiple LA Stage Alliance Ovation, Eddon and Scenie Awards and was honored to receive an Award of Excellence from the LA Film Commission for her work as a Writer, Director, Choreographer and Producer. 

Steve Martin's and Edie Brickell's Bright Star played Broadway in 2016. The show fared somewhat well, but did not seem to be an overall critics' choice. On the minus side, it is an all too familiar story about a backwoods pregnant girl and parental abuse in the 1920s, with far-fetched resolutions and a sweet, but for many, saccharine ending. In spite of this, I was delighted with the bluegrass music by Martin and Brickell.

gatha Christie's classic Murder on the Orient Express was a hit movie in 1974 with an all star cast headed by Albert Finney as detective Hercule Poirot. Now adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, in its West Coast premiere, Murder... bows at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts directed with taut precision by Sheldon Epps and featuring a stellar ensemble. It plays through November 11 only.

Have you ever told a lie or fabricated a story that made you feel important and needed in the lives of others? And one that brought happiness to those other people creating a better sense of community? Such is the premise for Dear Evan Hansen, the winner of six 2016 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Currently at the Ahmanson through November 25, Dear Evan Hansen is a big box office hit. Splendidly directed by Michael Greif, the cast of eight turn in indelibly gripping performances. Based on an incident that music composer Benj Pasek experienced in high sch

Playwright Ken Ludwig has gained tremendous popularity over the last few decades. His hysterical Lend Me a Tenor is performed all over the world and translated into a multitude of languages.His stage adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express is about to open October 20 at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center in its West Coast premiere. Ludwig took time out of a super busy schedule to talk about the play and other highlights of his career.

To Dad With Love: A Tribute to Buddy Ebsenwritten & performed by Kiki EbsenTheatre West12, 13, 14 ONLYCLOSED A one person show in honor of a parent is from experience full of  vengeful loathing or in reverse complete adulation. My father raped and abused me as a girl; I cannot bear the torment any longer...or   My father led an exemplary life; it is not easy to live up to his high standards. Many fall in the middle...my dad did have his flaws but persevered with stamina and an unforgettably joyous spirit. The latter is the case with Buddy Ebsen. His daughter Kiki Ebsen looks back fondly and peppers her fascinating anecdotes  with the music of her father's era, as well as a myriad of photos and film clips from his checkered film career and more successful TV shows. To Dad with Love, A Tribute to Buddy Ebsen played Theatre West this past weekend to packed enthusiastic houses.

On Saturday October 13 there will be a special tribute concert to the music of Henry Mancini at the Soraya at Cal State Northridge. Monica Mancini, the icon's daughter, took time from her busy schedule to tell us about the event.

Legacy in the Key of Bing can only mean the affable, buoyant Bing Crosby who swooned millions of people on the radio with only his voice. D. Scott Eads has been a fan of Crosby since his childhood, growing up in West Virginia, and with his clean good looks and smooth vocal instrument is the ideal choice to replicate the icon's music. On Sunday September 30, Eads brought his lovely show to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal with a sold out house well in advance of the performance. Backed  by a four piece band with expert musical director Rich Eames at the piano, and with special guest stars Laura Dickinson and Will Collyer, the show took off from the top and hit the ground running.

Jerry Herman's second great triumph following the success of Hello Dolly! was Mame in 1966 and a triumphant Broadway debut for Tony winning Angela Lansbury. Based on Patrick Dennis' memoir of his wildly eccentric aunt, the story lent itself beautifully to Herman's upbeat score. It is rarely revived, and thanks to the Musical Theatre Guild, who do fully staged readings of old or lesser known musicals, we got a lovely presentation on Sunday September 23 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.

Bonnie & Clyde/book by Ivan Menchell/music by Frank Wildhorn; lyrics by Don Black/directed by Victor Hernandez/music director: Ryan O'Connell/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through October 14 When people read that the violent story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow was musicalized in 2009, they cringe at the thought of it making a decent musical. But it is, and much more than just decent. It's really quite wonderful in every way.

In 1948 Alfred Hitchcock directed the film Rope based on Patrick Hamilton's 1929 play. Its setting was switched from London to New York, and at least for me, the psychological crime story played out in a very talky, uninteresting manner. The stage play, by the way, is rarely produced. Currently onstage at Actors Co-op, Rope is a fun, delightful romp through a game of murder that perks attention from the moment it starts, and thanks to brilliant director Ken Sawyer and his outstanding cast, it's a riveting and enjoyable evening in the theatre, far, far ahead of that Hitchcok movie. I hate the word p

Director Ken Sawyer is an award-winning director for his productions of Deathtrap and Hit the Wall a few years ago at the LGBTQ Center. He is getting ready to open The Rope at Actors Co-op this Friday September 21. Sawyer took time from the busy tech week to discuss the play that became one of Alfred Hitchcock's curious films.  How does The Rope in play form differ from Hitchcock's movie? Hitchcock's movie took place in the 40s in New York City. The play originally was set

Mark Kemble is an award-winning writer/director from Providence, Rhode Island. He has written and directed over twenty stage productions in Providence, Los Angeles and New York. He is about to open Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Lenane at studio/stage in East Hollywood.

FIRE IN A DARK HOUSE opens tonight at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks and runs every Thursday. Co-Creators Mona Z. Smith and Traci Mariano chat with us about the play and their collaboration. Written by Steve Peterson You live on opposite coasts and have worked together before.  How did you meet and how did this partnership come to be?

D.L. Coburn's Pulitzer Prize winning The Gin Game with its focus on two elderly people in a run down nursing facility circa 1977 is rarely if ever revived in Los Angeles. Why? I'm not sure. It requires great actors, but LA does have them. Maybe it's the theme. Too depressing? No excuse! The play is a brilliant, thought-provoking work of art. On the surface it's exceedingly funny but underneath, a seriously disquieting potboiler for seniors. Loneliness, and insufficient finances for decent old age care create a bleak outlook. Currently onstage at the Sierra Madre Playhouse through October 6, real life husband and wife Alan Blumenfeld and Katherine James beautifully play Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey under the meticulous direction of Christian Lebano.

A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Bert Emmett has taught, acted in, produced, written, and directed plays for over 35 years. Bert's favorite acting roles in L.A. include Col. Armadillo in The Armadillo Necktie (Last Straw Award), Karl Lindner is A Raisin in the Sun (A Noise Within), Kanute in Don't Hug Me I'm Pregnant (Eddon Award).  Other LA shows include Sherlock Through the Looking Glass, Lombardi,  Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Sherlock's Last Case (Scenies Award), and Cobb.  Film: 'The Forsaken," 'Alien Hunter," 'Outside Ozona," and "Our Next Caller" (with Eric Roberts). Member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA.  This is Bert's directorial debut at The Group Rep.  When did you get interested in directing?

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has been in our repertoire of must reads and must sees since high school. We know the storyline of the star- crossed lovers, which formed the basis for the musical West Side Story. The play treats of hatred between the Montagues and the Capulets. Because of the senseless family feuding, lives are lost and somehow love has gone astray. I enjoy seeing Shakespeare done in the traditional mode with 16th century sets and costumes, but am totally open to reimagined productions, as long as the poetry is in tact and the time period to which the story is assigned makes sense and shows the theme and message with clarity and intelligence..Group rep's current production directed quite nicely by Shira Dubrovner takes the audience to Berlin in the 1930s when Hitler took control and slaughtered or banished Jews from Germany.