Don Grigware - Page 20

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.

Director Shira Dubrovner serves as the Artistic Director of the Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre and the Festival Director of the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival. As a past member of the Group Repertory Theatre she is excited to be back and thankful to Larry Eisenberg and Chris Winfield for giving her the opportunity to direct R&J. Some of her favorite past directing projects include Broken Glass starring Robert Picardo, GRT productions; Sylvia, Nuts, Veronica's Room and And Then There Were None. What was the genesis of the change-up of ROMEO AND JULIET?

On Monday, August 27 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2018 Presented by Princess Cruises came to a thrilling conclusion on the Debbie Reynolds Mainstage of the El Portal Theatre in NoHo. After a very entertaining 90-minute program in which the 10 contestants gave 150% to their monologues and songs from Broadway shows, eight contestants were eliminated and the top two finalists were selected. It was then decided,  from the consensus of the judges, to add a third runnerup. Then each of the three proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of judges made the final decision. Musical director par excellence Jennifer Lin accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.

The jukebox musical is currently the rage with Tony nominated Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway and On Your Feet! on a sell-out national tour. Des McAnuff directed and conceived Summer and Sergio Trujillo choreographed both shows. The two men join forces once more with the tour of Ain't Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations currently onstage at the Ahmanson Theatre through Septembret 30. Ain't Too Proud will remin

Broadway veteran actresssinger Desi Oakley is essaying the role of Jenna in Waitress on tour, currently at the Hollywood Pantages through August 26. Oakley took time from her busy performance schedule to discuss the show and what it means to her.

Disney's The Little Mermaid/book by Doug Wright/music by Alan Menken/lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater/directed by John LaLonde/choreographed by Chelsea Morgan Stock/musical director: Julie Lamoureux/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through September 1 Disney's The Little Mermaid is an entertaining treat ... it's aglow and scintillating for kids of all ages. Young kids laugh and hiss at Ursula and her mad pranks; older ones love Ariel's romantic reverie with the Prince. All the color and splendor of the ocean is onstage without water, and that has a lot to say about the creative team who strive to make us believe where we are. As technical aspects of the show are working smoothly, and splend

Disney's Beauty and the Beast/book by Linda Woolverton/music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice/originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions/directed by Yvette Lawrence/choreographed by Cheryl Baxter/musical director: Dan Redfeld/5-Star Theatricals at the Kavli Theatre of  Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza/through July 29 only Without question, 'Tale as old as time' fits the message of Beauty and the Beast, a story of true love, the most difficult to encounter. And once it's found, will it endure? Disney's adaptation of the fairy tale with its sweepingly imaginative spectacle won over even the hardest of hearts. The ani

Famous Indian journalistplaywright Aruna Harjani has written a new comedy West Bollywood that will play at the Matrix Theatre for 4 performances only beginning July 27. Due to its controversial subject matter about two gay men, one American and one Indian - who become a couple, the play has been banned in many countries. In our conversation Harjani talks about the highlights of her illustrious career and tells of her excitement at finding what she feels is the perfect place to produce West Bollywood.

Famous Indian journalist/playwright Aruna Harjani has written a new comedy West Bollywood that will play at the Matrix Theatre for 4 performances only beginning July 27. Due to its controversial subject matter about two gay men, one American and one Indian - who become a couple, the play has been banned in many countries. In our conversation Harjani talks about the highlights of her illustrious career and tells of her excitement at finding what she feels is the perfect place to produce West Bollywood.

Actordirectorwriter Michael Arden needs no introduction. He was nominated for a second Tony this past season for directing the Tony winner for Best Revival of a Musical Once On This Island and is the first Artist.In.Residence at the Wallis Annenberg Theatre here in Los Angeles where he has directed Spring Awakening among many other productions. In our conversation he talks about directing Annie at the Hollywood Bowl, set to open next week Friday July 27. He also explores why the classic Award-winning show is still a popular revival.

Called a Jukebox Musical, On Your Feet! is so much more. It is the true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. At 17 in 1970s Miami, Gloria Fajardo met record producer and musician extraordinaire Emilio and they fell in love at first sight. Estefan recognized Gloria's supreme singing artistry and chose her as the female vocalist in his all male Latino boy group that later grew into the Miami Sound Machine. This story, via Emilio and Gloria's music, tells a  rich nd passionate story of how two unknown Cubans made it to the top, but not without tragedy and sorrow. Currently onstage at the Hollywood Pantages through July 29 only, this national touring production consists of a dynamic ensemble under the outstanding direction of Jerry Mitchell.