Don Grigware - Page 6

Don Grigware

  Don Grigware was a writer for BroadwayWorld through December 2019.                                                    

     Don Grigware is an Ovation nominated actor and journalist/writer whose contributions to theatre through the years have included 6 years as theatre editor of NoHoLA, a contributor to LA Stage Magazine and currently on his own website:
www.grigwaretalkstheatre.com
  
   Don hails from Holyoke, Massachusetts and holds two Masters Degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Education and Bilingual Studies. He is a teacher of foreign language and ESL.

   Don will soon be entering his eleventh year with BWW, currently serving as Senior Editor of the Los Angeles Page. He received a BWW Award for Excellence in 2014 as one of the top ten Regional Editors around the globe.

   Don is also an author/playwright and recently published Books I, II & III of his children's fable Two Worlds Together: Donnelly's Greatest Christmas. You may purchase copies of the two volumes at  amazon.com A trilogy of one-acts in a collection called Holiday Madness was recently revised and re-published, also on amazon.com. Both the story and plays are available on kindle as well as in paperback. 

There are still creative writing projects on the horizon, including publishing a collection of scary mini-plays - 10-15 minutes in length - and publishing a sequel to Two Worlds Together, entitled Donnelly Tackles Technology. There is also a play in mind about my mother and her card-playing friends called Old Maid? Hell!  Stay tuned for the rest of 2019, 2020 and beyond for more fun and games...and challenges!
 






BWW Interview: Clent Bowers Talks FOOD FOR ALL at Hollywood Fringe
BWW Interview: Clent Bowers Talks FOOD FOR ALL at Hollywood Fringe
June 26, 2019

Clent Bowers Presents is pleased to announce FOOD FOR ALL, a dramatic fantasy musical, written, performed and produced by Broadway sensational singer, actor Clent Bowers at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival, a solo piece, directed by Sherrie Lofton. There have been four performances so far of Food For All at the Stephanie Feury Theatre in Hollywood at 5636 Melrose Avenue, a half block east of Larchmont. FOOD FOR ALL was performed on Sunday, June 8 at 2:30 pm, Friday, June 14 at 7 pm, Wednesday, June 19 at 8:30 pm, and Saturday, June 22 at 12: 30 pm. The one performance remaining will be held Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 2 pm. Running time is 60 minutes. 

BWW Review: Sherlock Holmes Fans Will Flock to MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
BWW Review: Sherlock Holmes Fans Will Flock to MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
June 21, 2019

Mysterious Circumstancesby Michael Mitnickinspired by The New Yorker article 'Mysterious Circumstances, the Strange Death of a Sherlock Holmes Fanatic' by David Granndirected by Matt ShakmanGeffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theaterthrough July 14

BWW Interview: Ana Isabel O Talks New Book
BWW Interview: Ana Isabel O Talks New Book
June 21, 2019

Brilliant scientist and author Ana Isabel O is in the process of creating a novel, not a children's story like her other writing endeavors, but ... her own take on the drug issues in Columbia. In our conversation she talks in great detail about how deeply the issue affects her life and her purpose in writing the story.

BWW Interview: Popular LA Theatre Actress Tanna Frederick Launches TWO WAYS HOME
BWW Interview: Popular LA Theatre Actress Tanna Frederick Launches TWO WAYS HOME
June 14, 2019

It is a pleasure to announce the World Premiere of the feature film Two Ways Home at the Dances With Films 22 film festival as an Official Selection Supporting Mental Health Awareness on June 15th, 2019 at the Historic TCL Theatre in Hollywood, California Tanna Frederick (Defrost, Hollywood Dreams) stars alongside Tom Bower (Die Hard, Waltons) appears in her first produced narrative feature film Two Ways Home. A film from the heart, raising awareness about mental health in cooperation with aligned charities including www.NAMI.org andwww.BreakingTheChainsFoundation.org. Two Ways Home was directed by Ron Vignone, from an original screenplay by Richard Schinnow, independently produced and filmed in Iowa. 

BWW Interview: Director Patrick Burke Talks Puppetry in AVENUE Q
BWW Interview: Director Patrick Burke Talks Puppetry in AVENUE Q
June 11, 2019

Director Patrick Burke trained at?The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Onstage at the Group?Rep:?A Christmas Carol,?Inspecting Carol,?Sherlock's Last Case,?Hotel Paradiso, Awake and Sing,?Boeing Boeing,?Don't Dress For Dinner,?That Lovin' Feelin',?A Nice Family Christmas, Lost In Yonkers,?A Midsummer Night's Dream,?Romeo & Juliet, and Rumors.  When did you get interested in puppets and puppetry?

BWW Review: Excellent HENRY IV PARTS 1 AND 2 Gets Three More Performances at Archway
BWW Review: Excellent HENRY IV PARTS 1 AND 2 Gets Three More Performances at Archway
June 11, 2019

Archway Theatre Company has devoted itself to presenting  great Shakespeare for several years. That said, they will do almost anything to make their productions work better, including switching venues in order to get just the right atmosphere. Their current production of Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 is a humongous challenge for any American company. Archway has moved to the Tarzana Community Cultural Center in Tarzana because the space allows them the opportunity to present the work outside, as Shakespeare was originally performed. and... because other locales would not allow swordfighting...how can you do Henry proper justice without swordplay?

BWW Interview: HOBOKEN Director Fritz Brekeller Debuts at Hollywood Fringe
BWW Interview: HOBOKEN Director Fritz Brekeller Debuts at Hollywood Fringe
June 7, 2019

Hoboken is about to open at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Director Fritz Brekelller took time from a busy schedule to talk with us about the show. Fritz Brekeller has worked extensively in the soap opera world, winning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, most recently this past May, as part of the directing team at CBS's The Young and the Restless. THEATER: He received a 2016 NY Innovative Theater award for Outstanding Direction of Scott C. Sickles' Composure at the Workshop Theater. Among his many other theater credits, includes two past collaborations with playwright Laura Rohrman: My Life as You and The Elevator: Secret Thoughts. He also conceived the musical revue Foxy Ladies Love/Boogie 70's Explosion, which played to sold-out crowds at the legendary Duplex in Greenwich Village. TV: ABC's All My Children. FILM: What Would Bear Do? and the short, Through the Morning. WEB: season 4 of the indie soap, Empire and the pilot for the off-off Broadway spoof, Off-Off Kilter.

KRITZERLAND Offers a Delectable Brunch Matinee
KRITZERLAND Offers a Delectable Brunch Matinee
June 3, 2019

On Sunday June 2, Kritzerland celebrated its 99th performance with a special brunch matinee at Feinstein's Upstairs at Vitello's, entitled June Is Brunching Out All Over. It was supposed to be a tribute to Harry Warren, but as host Bruce Kimmel explained, it's often better to throw in a few other songs from different composers...so the show was a mix...and delightful with musical director Richard Allen at the keys and a bevy of exceedingly talented singers including special guest Bill Hayes...Kim Huber, Kelley Dorney, Jenna Lea Rosen, Robert Yacko, Damon Kirsche and Bruce Kimmel himself perfoming a lovely solo number 'Hushabye Mountain' by the Sherman Brothers for the film 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.

BWW Review: AVENUE Q Barrels Into Group Rep
BWW Review: AVENUE Q Barrels Into Group Rep
June 1, 2019

This, my fourth viewing of the smash Tony Award winning musical superhit Avenue Q, was a treat in many ways.. This little show, like a Sesame Street for adults, plays out like life - only bigger - with off-the-wall grotesquely funny situations, hilarious one-liners and tantalizing music, each and every tune a winner. The show leaves you craving more, but unfortunately you only have through July 7 to see the Group Rep's delicious production in North Hollywood. It's one thing to see this show on the huge Ahmanson or Pantages stages and quite another to see it on the smaller more intimate stage at Group Rep. This close-up intimacy enhances the enjoyment of the show one hundred fold.

BWW Interview: Dagmar Stansova Brings LOOSE UNDERWEAR to the Hollywood Fringe
BWW Interview: Dagmar Stansova Brings LOOSE UNDERWEAR to the Hollywood Fringe
June 1, 2019

Writer/actress Dagmar Stanec is about to present her solo play Loose Underwear at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. In our conversation she talks about her show with the utmost honesty and depth. Dagmar Stansova is an award winning writer and critically acclaimed actor, has performed in leading roles off-Broadway, at LaMama and The Public Theatre and in Los Angeles at the Odyssey and West Coast Ensemble. Her television credits include “One Life to Live” and HBO's “The Image” with Albert Finney.

BWW Interview: Jessie Knowles Brings JESSIE'S MESSY MIND to Fringe
BWW Interview: Jessie Knowles Brings JESSIE'S MESSY MIND to Fringe
June 1, 2019

At a talkback after a show at her school, the presenter asked the audience if anyone had experienced a time when something they considered a flaw turned out to be an asset. Jessie Knowles raised her hand and boldly told the audience that her bipolar and schizophrenia actually heightened her creativity and spiritual insight. The room went silent and Jessie noticed that afterward people either treated her differently or avoided her altogether. She realized the lack of understanding people had about mental health…and that she could do something about it.

BWW Interview: Grace Jasmine Talks THE MASHER To Be Produced at the Hollywood Fringe Festival
BWW Interview: Grace Jasmine Talks THE MASHER To Be Produced at the Hollywood Fringe Festival
May 30, 2019

Grace Jasmine writes in a variety of genres. With 47 nonfiction books in print, she decided to return to her first love, writing for theater. She sat down to talk with us about her work The Masher about to open as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. I love your logo. It looks so eerie, like the child from Les Mis turned inside out. I love bizarre tales. How did you get started writing in this style? Is this your first play for the Fringe Festival?

BWW Interview: Terri Weiss Presents MONKEY MIND As Part of Hollywood Fringe Festival
BWW Interview: Terri Weiss Presents MONKEY MIND As Part of Hollywood Fringe Festival
May 29, 2019

Monkey Mind is a family rock musical about a bright, precocious teen driven to thoughts of suicide because of an over active mind. This lesson of life becomes an uplifting and fun experience. Monkey Mind opens June 8th for the Hollywood Fringe Festival at The McCadden Place Theatre at 1157 N. McCadden Place in Hollywood. WriterTerri Weiss sat down recently to discuss the show. 

BWW Interview: Brooke deRosa Offers GUNFIGHT Musical As Part of Upcoming Fringe Festival
BWW Interview: Brooke deRosa Offers GUNFIGHT Musical As Part of Upcoming Fringe Festival
May 29, 2019

Trial Run Productions presents the world premiere of Gunfight at the Not-So-OK Saloon a new musical comedy by Brooke deRosa. Gunfight at the Not-So-OK Saloon is a Gilbert and Sullivan-styled musical comedy set in the Old Wild West with a modern spin. The show opens as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival on Saturday June 8th at the McCadden Place Theatre, 1157 N. McCadden Place in Hollywood., Brooke deRosa sat down to talk about the show and here's what she said.

BWW Interview: Will Holbrook Does Two Plays This Summer
BWW Interview: Will Holbrook Does Two Plays This Summer
May 28, 2019

Actor Will Holbrook made a big splash as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet when he first arrived in Los Angeles in 2016 at the Archway Theatre Co. The grandson of Hal Holbrook, Will is ambitious with two plays scheduled to perform this summer and the presentation of his new production company dedicated to film. In our conversation, Will talks with candor and enthusiasm about his plans for this summer and beyond.

BWW Review:  A Riveting BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW at the Odyssey
BWW Review: A Riveting BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW at the Odyssey
May 28, 2019

Death is never an easy topic to deal with, read about or view on film or stage. Playwright Bekah Brunstetter has crafted a play entitled Be a Good Little Widow about Melody (Adrienne Visnic) and her new husband Craig (Sterling Knight) who dies suddenly in an airplane crash. How does Melody, totally inexperienced about life and love, cope? Currently onstage at the Odyssey, Widow is a dark comedy that is simultaneously enjoyable and life-affirming entertainment.

BWW Review: Dianne Wiest Brings On the Sun in Beckett's HAPPY DAYS
BWW Review: Dianne Wiest Brings On the Sun in Beckett's HAPPY DAYS
May 23, 2019

Theatre of the Absurd is offbeat and terribly entertaining, but you must have the right actors and skilled direction. Fine director James Bundy has dynamic actress Dianne Wiest in the role of Winnie in Samuel Beckett's Happy Days. With her consistently optimistic outlook crashing up against a cloudy world, laughs are guaranteed. Currently onstage at the MTF through June 30, the play will have audiences mesmerized by the dandy work of Miss Wiest and her partner Michael Rudko playing her husband Willie.

BWW Review: Deidrie Henry Creates a Memorable LADY DAY
BWW Review: Deidrie Henry Creates a Memorable LADY DAY
May 20, 2019

Just a warning to those who think that Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill is a musical revue of Billie Holiday's greatest hits. Lanie Robertson's work is a very heavy play with music featuring brilliant Deidrie Henry front and center baring her soul in one of Holiday's last performances in 1959 before her death. Incredible musicians Abdul Hamid Royal as musical director and as Jimmy Powers at the ivories and James Leary on bass add immense flavor to the evening, currently onstage under the outstanding direction of Gregg T. Daniel, at the Garry Marshall Theatre through June 2 only.

BWW Interview: Erin Stegeman Talks Musical Mondays at the Whitefire
BWW Interview: Erin Stegeman Talks Musical Mondays at the Whitefire
May 16, 2019

Erin Stegeman is thrilled to be back as Cersei for the encore LA run of Shame of Thrones: The Musical, a role she originated Off Broadway. In real life, she's married to Khal Drogo, has a spanking new son, and is (barely) functioning between matcha lattes. Erin is known for the cult hit musical feature she created and starred in,Once Upon a Time: The Rock Opera, and the award-winning Hulu anthology, "Fun Size Horror" (writer/director/actor). She has a comedy feature in development with Panther Films and is working on producing the music for her third show, a rock opera about Beethoven, debuting Off Broadway this fall.

BWW Interview: Actress Sandy Bainum and Director Brandon Baer Talk BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW
BWW Interview: Actress Sandy Bainum and Director Brandon Baer Talk BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW
May 15, 2019

Be a Good Little Widow starts previews as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre May 18. Actress Sandy Bainum, who has delighted audiences for several years in both musicals and plays in Los Angeles and her friend, director Brandon Baer recently sat down to talk about the play and what makes it tick as a dark comedy.



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