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Ellen Dostal

Ellen Dostal

Ellen Dostal, currently on hiatus, is a lontime Senior Editor for BroadwayWorld/Los Angeles and a former member of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. She has covered the performing arts community, jazz, and classical music for KJazz 88.1 FM and K-Mozart 1260 AM and has a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Northern Iowa. Her theatre blog, Musicals in LA, is a popular resource for those seeking information about the Southern California musical theatre scene and her archived site Shakespeare in LA, was the go-to destination for actors, creatives and audience members with a love of Shakespeare. Ellen is also a theatre contributor for TheThreeTomatoes.com (The Insider’s Guide for women who aren’t kids). Her best advice is always, "Go see a show!", and when she's not at the theatre, you're likely to find her outdoors listening to the music of nature.






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES


LISTEN: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Roberto Williams
Discuss George Orwell's 1984
LISTEN: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Roberto Williams Discuss George Orwell's 1984
November 23, 2022

Roberto Williams stars as the 'Courage is Cowardice' Winston in George Orwell's 1984 at the Grand Annex, San Pedro. Enjoy!

LISTEN: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and A.J. Holmes Discuss YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
LISTEN: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and A.J. Holmes Discuss YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
September 29, 2022

A.J. Holmes stars as the hilariously eccentric Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Listen: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Jared Machado Discuss AMERICAN IDIOT
Listen: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Jared Machado Discuss AMERICAN IDIOT
August 3, 2022

Jared Machado discusses his portrayal of Johnny in the musical American Idiot at Chance Theater.

Listen: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Troy Whitaker Discuss BLOOD PIG
Listen: Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Troy Whitaker Discuss BLOOD PIG
June 29, 2022

Director Troy Whitaker discusses the play Blood Pig at the Actors Company @ LA Comedy Festival (Other Space Theater).

Listen: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Benjamin Perez Discuss IN THE HEIGHTS at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Listen: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Benjamin Perez Discuss IN THE HEIGHTS at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
June 8, 2022

Director Benjamin Perez (as Kevin Rosario - whether it's shoe polish or his daughter’s education, he knows the right investment) discusses the character he plays in IN THE HEIGHTS at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and J. Elijah Cho  Discuss MR. YUNIOSHI
LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and J. Elijah Cho Discuss MR. YUNIOSHI
December 4, 2021

MR. YUNIOSHI (Winner - Best Solo Performance Hollywood Fringe 2019) written, directed and performed by J. Elijah Cho, produced by Ari Stidham and David Stidham is a comedic solo performance piece that features an Asian actor playing Mickey Rooney as he attempts to create his infamously offensive character for 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.'

LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Troy Whitaker Discuss THE GAME'S AFOOT
LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Troy Whitaker Discuss THE GAME'S AFOOT
November 29, 2021

BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Troy Whitaker Discuss THE GAME'S AFOOT

LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and T.J. Dawson Discuss Directing MAMMA MIA!
LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and T.J. Dawson Discuss Directing MAMMA MIA!
November 9, 2021

Director T.J. Dawson discusses his directorial style used to create MAMMA MIA! at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus Discusses OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO with the Team at Theatre West
LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus Discusses OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO with the Team at Theatre West
October 11, 2021

Director Charlie Mount, George Tovar (as the amoral Jack Wilson), and Presciliana Esparolini (as the mysterious Maria Troncoso) discuss the characters they play in OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO at Theatre West

LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and John Snow Discuss MUSIC AT THE ODYSSEY
LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and John Snow Discuss MUSIC AT THE ODYSSEY
September 23, 2021

Listen in as BroadwayWorld Podcaster Ashton Marcus talks to John Snow about his unique series MUSIC AT THE ODYSSEY. Tickets are available now for upcoming performances on September 24, and October 17 and 22. Enjoy!

LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and TL Forsberg Discuss   THE BOOK THAT WON'T CLOSE
LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and TL Forsberg Discuss THE BOOK THAT WON'T CLOSE
August 24, 2021

Actress, TL Forsberg (Olivia in Switched At Birth) discusses the character she plays in THE BOOK THAT WON’T LOSE: CONFESSIONS OF A LOVE ADDICT at Broadwater Black Box. 

LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Willow Geer Discuss JULIUS CAESAR
LISTEN: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Willow Geer Discuss JULIUS CAESAR
August 23, 2021

Actress, Willow Geer discusses the character she plays in JULIUS CAESAR at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Enjoy!

Listen: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Jackie Nicole Discuss A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Listen: BWW Podcaster Ashton Marcus and Jackie Nicole Discuss A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
August 10, 2021

Actress, Jackie Nicole discusses the character she play in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Enjoy!

BWW Review: BOLLYWOOD KITCHEN is Much More Than a Cooking Show
BWW Review: BOLLYWOOD KITCHEN is Much More Than a Cooking Show
January 24, 2021

Even before the performance began, I was hooked. I couldn’t stop smelling the spices. Two of the three ticket levels for Geffen Playhouse’s world premiere of BOLLYWOOD KITCHEN include a Bollywood Box sent to your home. This beautifully designed box – easily a keepsake in and of itself –  contains recipe cards, a shopping list, specialty ingredients, and jars of the most aromatic spices you can imagine, that you’ll use in Sri Rao’s recipes. Ground cloves, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, the whole experience begins long before you start cooking. It’s a perfect example of how food conjures memories just by the way it smells.

BWW Review: BREATHE Takes Philicia Saunders on a Life-Changing Journey
BWW Review: BREATHE Takes Philicia Saunders on a Life-Changing Journey
December 20, 2020

Like most solo productions, Philicia Saunders’ BREATHE comes from her own experiences. Unique to her telling however is the method by which she relates that story. Necessitated by a global pandemic that has forced audiences to view theatrical productions from behind a computer screen, Saunders has employed a variety of media to raise engagement with her personal tale.

BWW Review: THE FUTURE at Geffen Playhouse Weaves Illusion and Storytelling into a Virtual Crowd-Pleaser
BWW Review: THE FUTURE at Geffen Playhouse Weaves Illusion and Storytelling into a Virtual Crowd-Pleaser
December 13, 2020

THE FUTURE at The Geffen is a smart new production, once again written by Helder Guimarães and directed by Frank Marshall, that highlights Guimarães’ ability to weave illusion and storytelling into a satisfying theatrical crowd-pleaser. With the indisputable skill of a master illusionist and the understated style of an artist who takes his desire to bring wonder into the world seriously, Guimarães handily draws us in, even from behind a screen in the comfort of our own homes.

Jill Marie Burke and Brent Crayon Reunite to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Jason Robert Brown's SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
Jill Marie Burke and Brent Crayon Reunite to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Jason Robert Brown's SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
December 9, 2020

Two industry veterans have teamed up to honor the 25th Anniversary of Jason Robert Brown’s SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD featuring one of musical theatre’s most inspiring finales, Hear My Song. Performer Jill Marie Burke and music director Brent Crayon enlisted the support of director Alan Bailey, and together they assembled Broadway performers, regional theatre standouts and high school musical students, to record a music video honoring the work of Jason Robert Brown and benefiting the Educational Theatre Foundation. 

BWW Feature: THE HOT LIST IS BACK!
BWW Feature: THE HOT LIST IS BACK!
August 10, 2020

The Hot List is back and better than ever! Whether youa??re staying at home or venturing out for a socially distanced experience, you wona??t have to look far to find that art and entertainment lives on. Check out these great options today: Boston Court Pasadenaa??s AT HOME WITH AMANDA MCBROOM and the beginning of their exciting new Book Club, Idris Goodwina??s BARS AND MEASURES; Rooftop Movies at the Montalbán featuring LA LA LAND, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, and BLACKKKLANSMAN; South Coast Repertorya??s Online Community Fiesta, MASA; a screening of Ephraim Asilia??s THE DIASPORA SUITE at REDCAT; and a special Talk-back with Mitch Albom and the cast of The Group Repa??s TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.

BWW Review: The Blank Theatre's Living Room Series Takes NATHAN C. JONES: A LOVE STORY? Online
BWW Review: The Blank Theatre's Living Room Series Takes NATHAN C. JONES: A LOVE STORY? Online
May 30, 2020

On the surface, NATHAN C. JONES appears to be an unassuming little show about a young man and his new romance. But, as the audience is drawn further and further into the story, it becomes clear that the writers are exploring much deeper questions about loneliness, the desire to be loved, and what happens when reality sits on shifting sands.

BWW Feature: Reinventing Summer Shakespeare, Los Angeles Style
BWW Feature: Reinventing Summer Shakespeare, Los Angeles Style
May 20, 2020

It's summer in L.A. and the theaters are closed. What's a Shakespeare lover to do? Well, artists continue to create in whatever way they can as they brainstorm plans for 2020 and beyond. We've heard from some of your favorite companies and here's the latest on cancellations and some of the inventive solutions meant to help you get your Bard on this season. Go see a showa??.online!



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