Shari Barrett - Page 38

Migenes' performance was like taking a step back to the 1930s, watching the remarkable Lotte Lenya performing her husband's songs during the time he collaborated with Bertolt Brecht to create atonal melodies meant to shock audiences into realizing the masses were, like today, being controlled by the wealthy, upper 1% of society. "Lotte Lenya herself came backstage after I performed Mahagonny and gave me a rose," Migenes says. "That is one of my most precious memories." No doubt the two women were connected to their souls, given how Migenes interpreted her songs.

I had never heard of the romantic comedy PERFECT TIMING by Kristi Kane before enjoying it so much at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills - and with good reason as this is only the second production of the play. This wild and often bordering on farce production is perfectly marvelous and brilliantly cast, directed with great style and panache by Bruce Gray who took over the reins just two weeks prior to opening. Add in the perfectly glamorous and homespun costumes by Michele Young and you have a perfect production that will keep you laughing throughout its quick two hour run time.

John Patrick Shanley has won many accolades throughout his career as a poet and playwright. The author of more than 23 plays, including 80 productions in North America, Shanley won the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for his play “Doubt” and an Oscar for his screenplay, “Moonstruck.” But his identity as an Irish-American did not truly happen until 1993 when he traveled back to his family's farm in Ireland at the request of his ailing father who asked to be taken home. The trip back spoke to his poetic heart, and led to his romantic play OUTSIDE MULLINGAR.

Ever since I was dazzled by Creating Arts Studios production 'Thenardiers Inn' which well-deservedly went on to win the 2015 Hollywood Fringe award for best cabaret and variety show, I wait with anticipation for their next totally immersive theater experience, knowing it will be like no other. It was true for their 'The Experiment Cabaret' and I was not disappointed when I walked into the world famous Sayers Club in Hollywood, transformed into the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas during the reign of the Rat Pack in their current celebratory piece entitled 'A NIGHT AT THE SANDS' - A Vegas Musical Cocktail With an L.A. Twist.

What is it about human nature that makes us so curious about what goes on with other people? For instance, just how often have you wondered what is going on next door or have put your ear to the wall hoping to hear whatever it is you think might be going on other the other side? Human nature's NEED TO KNOW is being examined in the World Premiere of a play by that name, written by Jonathan Caren now onstage at Rogue Machine.

Here's your first look at the musical murder mystery 'SOMETHING'S AFOOT' that spoofs detective stories, most particularly Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None (a.k.a. Ten Little Indians). The play involves a group of standard British mystery characters (the Cockney servants, the brash retired military man, the imperious dowager, the snoopy spinster, the ne'er-do-well nephew, the ingenue couple) who are invited to the lake estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. When the wealthy lord is found dead, it's a comical race against the clock and some outrageous booby traps to find out whodunit.

Rivers and Sanders make a great team, bouncing bawdy one-liners off each other with fluid ease throughout the first act. There is lots of slapstick humor, ranging from the famous "walk this way" physical gag to several modern references that kept the audience entertained and laughing. There are moments of true hilarity in the production, especially the tango seduction dance performed by Sanders and Markus Cummings. That scene alone is worth the price of admission!

WOMEN w/o WALLS is based on the myth of Charon the ferryman on the River Styx, inspired by Dante's Inferno and Sartre's No Exit. It is an exploration of the fine line between life and death, decision and non-decision, and the intense human experience of connection. While there is no doubt from the moment you meet the four characters that they are on a trip to their final destination, each must find a way to fulfill her destiny before the train reaches its destination.

Theatre Palisades presents the first Los Angeles production of "The Game's Afoot or Holmes For The Holidays" by Ken Ludwig, opening Today, November 6, 2015 and running until Sunday, December 13, 2015 at the Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Directed by Gene Franklin Smith, "The Game's Afoot" is the winner of the Mystery Writers of America's 2012 Edgar Award for Best Play. Nona Hale and Pat Perkins produce for Theatre Palisades by permission from Samuel French. Featured in the cast (in alphabetical order) are Gail Bernardi, Matthew Godfrey, Nicole Knudsen, James Lujan, John Mawson, Maria Pavone, Maggie Peach, and Andi Wagner.

WIESENTHAL tells the powerful true story of Simon Wiesenthal, often called the "Jewish James Bond," a Holocaust survivor who, after cheating death at the hands of Hitler's S.S., spent his life bringing to justice the most notorious war criminals in human history. This provocative solo performance, written and performed by Tom Dugan and directed by Jenny Sullivan, is an uplifting and highly entertaining one-man show that unfolds like a gripping spy thriller, telling how Wiesenthal devoted his life to bringing more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals to justice after WW II.

Like many others during 1964-1966, I made sure to be home when "The Addams Family" TV show was broadcast. Carolyn Jones and John Astin were like no parents I knew and their family certainly lived the sort of off-kilter life totally different than any other family I had ever known. But it was their unwavering support of each other and their entire family that drew me to the series, so when I heard the glitzy-gloomy musical based on the characters was being brought to the stage by 3-D Theatricals, I excitedly made plans to see it and can happily report it was a spectacular and highly creative extravaganza with an awesomely talented cast.

It would not be the Halloween Season in L.A. without WICKED LIT, presented by Unbound Productions Executive Director Jonathan Josephson, Artistic Director Paul Millet, and Producing Artistic Director Jeff G. Rack. The company's 7th annual immersive theatre event takes place inside and on the grounds at Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery in Altadena, California, running from October 2-November 14, 2015. The mission of Unbound Production is to re-imagine timeless stories for new audiences by creating immersive, theatrical adaptations of literature. And, I think, to put the fright back into Halloween!

HOPSCOTCH is a new mobile opera performed in limos on three different routes (Red, Yellow or Green) at various points in and near downtown Los Angeles, presented by the Industry, directed by the amazing Yuval Sharon and his incredible production team comprised of composers, singers, musicians, sound engineers, technical wizards, and an extensive support system, all of whom have created a theatrical experience that defies description and will blow your mind.

THE DOCK BRIEF runs 70 minutes without an intermission, focusing on an unsuccessful barrister who has been waiting for years to make a grandstand defense. He is overjoyed when he gets assigned to defend an innocuous little man appropriately named Fowle who is accused of murdering his ever-merry and constantly laughing wife who could not deal with his lack of humor. Finally, the barrister feels he will have his chance to shine, even though his client admits he committed the crime. But why didn't he just decide to leave her instead? Morgenhall is committed to finding out and putting together a defense that will make his career.

What if Satan was alive and decided to write his memoirs about GOD, THE EARLY YEARS? Just what would he have to tell us from his rather off-center point of view? And what would you like to ask him if you could? Emily O'Meara and Renegade Theatre are giving you a chance to do just that during the World Premiere presentation of 'GOD: THE EARLY YEARS' - Satan's Tell-All Memoir. Written and Directed by six time Emmy nominee Saul Ilson, the two-person comedy sketch stars Vince DonVito as TV interviewer Barry Literati and Dan Woren as Satan. It was great being in the first audience to see the show, laughing at such irreverent and politically incorrect humor - without a speck of guilt.

Jonas Sills, Director/Producer of the show, played one the leads, Russian chess player Anatoly Sills is a fabulous singer and his stage presence outshined most of the other performers. His aim was 'to bring this production back to its roots with a simple, but carefully planned fully staged production that aims to focus on the beauty of the music and the images chess, the game, can invoke.' Besides Sills, the other terrific singer/performer in the show was Bob Cory as Molokov, the Russian player's coach and confidant. His physical presence and complete understanding of what it takes to bring a character to life onstage, was a highlight of the show.

Truly inspirational stories allow you to believe anything is possible if you trust in your own judgment, dreams, and will to succeed. Award-winning stage star Kristin Towers-Rowles shares her remarkable life story doing just that in her critically acclaimed cabaret show, A Lovely Lineage, directed by Cate Caplin with musical direction by Katie Clarke. Her latest performance on Sunday, October 18 in the Monroe Forum at the El Portal allowed her to share her remarkable tale of survival as she pursued her dreams no matter what roadblocks were thrown in her way.

Here's your first look at the musical murder mystery "SOMETHING'S AFOOT" that spoofs detective stories, most particularly Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None (a.k.a. Ten Little Indians). The play involves a group of standard British mystery characters (the Cockney servants, the brash retired military man, the imperious dowager, the snoopy spinster, the ne'er-do-well nephew, the ingenue couple) who are invited to the lake estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. When the wealthy lord is found dead, it's a comical race against the clock and some outrageous booby traps to find out whodunit.

Like many from my generation, our love of screen icon Marilyn Monroe made her a star and continues to keep the flame of her incredibly hot sexual appeal alive. And while I have seen several performers take on the role. The amazing Sunny Thompson fully embodies the heart and soul, not just the heat and breathy voice we associate with the woman who encapsulated what a woman was supposed to look like long before the Kardasians were even born. Sunny Thompson truly embodies her look and voice, and seemingly channels the tortured, playful soul of Hollywood's greatest star.

Cirque du Soleil has brought its newest touring show, KURIOS - Cabinet des Curiosites under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top to Southern California, beginning October 15 in Costa Mesa at the OC Fair & Event Center, followed in Los Angeles by Cirque du Soleil's first visit to Dodger Stadium beginning December 10, 2015. And while I have seen several other Cirque presentations before, nothing compares to the phenomenal acrobatics and dazzling artistic presentation which will engulf you in a world of awe and wonder.