Amber Liekhus

Review: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at A Noise Within
by Evan Henerson - Sep 5, 2026

Director Gregg T. Daniel conducts a muscular cast  delivering a production that is as fulfilling as it is shattering.

COME FROM AWAY to Take Flight at A Noise Within
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2026

A Noise Within will present COME FROM AWAY, the musical based on the true story of Newfoundland residents who welcomed thousands of stranded travelers after 9/11.

Photos: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at A Noise Within
by Joshua Wright - Aug 25, 2026

Amber Liekhus and Jamar Gilbert lead August Wilson's drama about a volatile 1927 Chicago recording session, directed by Gregg T. Daniel as part of A Noise Within's Wilson cycle.

Interview: Actors Amber Liekhus and Jamar Gilbert of MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at A Noise Within
by Shari Barrett - Aug 19, 2026

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom stars A Noise Within resident artist Amber Liekhus in the title role, with ANW newcomer Jamar Gilbert taking on the role of Levee. I decided to speak with the two actors about their experience bringing the two iconic roles to the stage and why they believe the play teaches important lessons about Power, Music, Survival, and Legacy.

MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM to be Presented at A Noise Within
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 14, 2026

Continuing its long-term commitment to the work of August Wilson, A Noise Within will present Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the seventh of the 10 plays in Wilson's landmark American Century Cycle to be produced by the company.

Morgan Fairchild Leads Staged Reading Of MARILYN, MOM AND ME at Annenberg Theatre This Weekend
by David Green - Feb 27, 2026

On February 28 and March 1, 2026, Morgan Fairchild will be featured in a staged reading of Marilyn, Mom & Me, Luke Yankee’s new play about his mother, Eileen Heckart, and her intense friendship with Marilyn Monroe during the shooting of the 1956 film, Bus Stop. All proceeds from the event will support ongoing programs and student outreach at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Review: Family-Friendly Holiday Magic Abounds in A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Shari Barrett - Dec 3, 2025

With its stirring original music, vivid storytelling and exuberant cast, A Christmas Carol at A Noise Within continues to capture the timeless magic of Dickens’ classic - and the enduring hope that kindness can redeem us all.

A Noise Within to Celebrate 13 years of A CHRISTMAS CAROL This Holiday Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2025

A Noise Within’s special brand of holiday magic is set to return for another joy-filled season. The company’s musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol will once again light up the stage. Learn more!

Photos: A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE Opens This Weekend At A Noise Within
by A.A. Cristi - May 8, 2025

Step into 1960s Dublin, where an amateur theater group and its passionate leader attempt to bring Oscar Wilde’s Salome to life against all odds. “A Man of No Importance,” Check out the photos, below.

A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE to be Presented at A Noise Within
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2025

A Noise Within will present A Man of No Importance, an evocative, intimate musical gem from the Tony Award-winning team behind Ragtime. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: Musical Theatre West Presents Spirited AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'
by Michael Quintos - Oct 23, 2024

Structured as a non-stop song-and-dance revue without any dialogue, the Fats Waller tribute musical relies on its spunky live band and its crazy-good, five-person cast to sing a songbook filled with (mostly) joyful and (some) sorrowful jazz tunes. The show continues through Nov. 3, 2024 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, CA.

Musical Theatre West To Present AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 10, 2024

Musical Theatre West will have Long Beach swingin’ and finger snappin’ this fall with Ain’t Misbehavin’ The Fats Waller Musical Show, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center for select nights October 18th - November 3rd.

Review: THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH at A Noise Within
by Amanda Callas - Sep 23, 2024

The Skin of Our Teeth is an astonishing production of the classic play at A Noise Within through September 29th.  It is insatiably alive with sharp-fanged wit, whimsical thoughtfulness, and improbable wonder.  The Skin of Our Teeth is audaciously satirical, but also earnest its incandescent meditation on the eternal human cycle of apocalypse and overindulgence.

Photos: A Noise Within Presents Thornton Wilder's THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 13, 2024

A Noise Within opened its 2024-25 “True Grit” season last weekend with “The Skin of Our Teeth,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning, time-bending comic romp by Thornton Wilder that’s a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity. See photos from the production.

Interview: Ann Noble's Always Multitasking By THE SKIN OF HER TEETH
by Gil Kaan - Sep 6, 2024

Next up for A Noise Within, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Skin of Our Teeth opening September 7, 2024 (with previews already started.) ANW’s co-artistic directors Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott co-direct the cast led by Frederick Stuart, Trisha Miller, Mildred Marie Langford, Christian Henley and Ann Noble with support from Kasey Mahaffy, Cassandra Marie Murphy, Anthony Adu, Stella Bullock, Julia Chavez, Jacob Cherry, Yannick Haynes, Amber Liekhus, Veronica McFarlane, David A. Rangel, Landon M. Robinson, Micah Schneider and Maya Sta. Ana. Ann found time between her multi-tasking to answer a few of my queries.

THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH to be Presented at A Noise Within in September
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 23, 2024

Launching the 2024-25 “True Grit” season at A Noise Within,co-artistic directors Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott co-direct The Skin of Our Teeth. Learn how to purchase tickets.

JELLY'S LAST JAM Enters Final Two Weeks of Performances at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 13, 2024

Pasadena Playhouse's production of the Tony Award-winning musical JELLY'S LAST JAM, directed by Kent Gash will close this month. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: Celebrities on the Red Carpet at Opening Night of JELLY'S LAST JAM at Pasadena Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jun 4, 2024

Pasadena Playhouse is now presenting a new production of the Tony Award winning musical Jelly’s Last Jam, featuring a book by George C. Wolfe, music by Jelly Roll Morton, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead with musical adaptation and additional music composed by Luther Henderson. Check out photos from the opening night red carpet here!

Photos/Video: First Look at Pasadena Playhouse's JELLY'S LAST JAM
by Joshua Wright - Jun 3, 2024

Get a first look at Pasadena Playhouse's new production of the Tony Award winning musical Jelly’s Last Jam, now on stage through through June 23, 2024. The production features a book by George C. Wolfe, music by Jelly Roll Morton, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead with musical adaptation and additional music composed by Luther Henderson. 

Interview: John Clarence Stewart's the Jelly in JELLY'S LAST JAM
by Gil Kaan - May 27, 2024

Next up at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Tony Award-winning Jelly’s Last Jam opening June 2, 2024 (with previews starting May 29th). Kent Gash directs the cast led by John Clarence Stewart as Jelly Roll Morton, Cress Williams, Jasmine Amy Rogers; Wilkie Ferguson III, Karole Foreman, Eric B. Anthony, Doran Butler, Chante Carmel, Cyd Charisse Glover-Hill, Summer Nicole Greer, Janaya Jones, Grasan Kingsberry, Amber Liekhus, Davon Rashawn, Joe Aaron Reid, Naomi C. Walley and Hannah Yosef. I had the chance to chat with John Clarence while he was navigating Los Angeles traffic.