Derek Manson

Interview: Playwright Elliot Shoenman of PAPER WALLS at Broadwater Main Stage
by Shari Barrett - Oct 16, 2025

Elliot Shoenman's newest play, Paper Walls is a story that reveals the enduring thread connecting the struggles of 20th-century immigrants seeking refuge and opportunity in America, with today’s vitriol debates around immigration policy. Our conversation explores the inspiration for it and how it relates to all America today.

Open Fist to Present World Premiere Adaptation of Kafka’s AMERIKA OR, THE MAN WHO DISAPPEARED
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 19, 2025

Dietrich Smith directs the world premiere of Amerika or, The Man Who Disappeared, for Open Fist Theatre Company at Open Fist. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!

Review: New Regional Production of Disney's FROZEN Debuts at La Mirada
by Michael Quintos - Jun 13, 2025

Touted as the first 'non-replica' regional production of this Disney stage musical mounted in Southern California, La Mirada Theatre's fresh iteration of FROZEN - THE MUSICAL still has plenty of Disney-esque magic to offer young and old audience members alike seeking to revisit the land of Arendelle. Enhanced significantly by an energetic ensemble cast led by a pair of compelling lead actresses, this entertaining new production is lively, colorful, and grand-sounding overall, making it stand as a respectable modern musical filled with likable characters, relatable emotions, and some genuine laughs. This new Los Angeles premiere production—directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges—continues performances through June 29 in the city of La Mirada.

Interview: Jenna Lea Rosen & Cailen Fu of DISNEY’S FROZEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
by Shari Barrett - Jun 4, 2025

The Los Angeles regional theatre premiere of Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical presented by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment opens June 6 through June 29 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The much-loved family musical stars Jenna Lea Rosen as Princess Elsa and Cailen Fu as Princess Anna, two of the most popular Disney princesses among fans of all ages. I decided to speak with them about their history performing the roles and their path to appearing in the current touring production.

Garrett Clayton and More Join the Cast of FROZEN at La Mirada Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 8, 2025

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts has revealed the full cast for the Los Angeles regional theatre premiere of  Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical. See who is starring and learn more!

Review: Musical Theatre West Ventures Back INTO THE WOODS in Long Beach
by Michael Quintos - Apr 3, 2025

For Musical Theatre West's new, winning large-scale production—now on stage at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through April 13, 2025—director Kari Hayter and a company of terrific performers have revived the musical in an expected, true-to-the-classic staging, bursting with the color and aura of a storybook fairy tale come-to-life. While, sure, nothing necessarily new is presented in MTW's vibe, this lively, genuinely spirited presentation reminds old and new fans exactly why the show—for many theatergoers—continues to be a beloved show decades after it first conjured itself on stage.

Review: South Coast Repertory Presents LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Michael Quintos - Oct 4, 2024

For SCR's impressive, must-see local revival, the show gets a hyper-hybrid treatment that combines nostalgic elements inspired by the original but infused with 21st-century sass and sensibilities. Alongside its visual splendor, the show also features a superb ensemble cast, resulting in a blissfully-raucous, infectiously smile-inducing production.

Video: Watch a Preview of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at South Coast Repertory
by Michael Major - Oct 4, 2024

Watch a first look at Little Shop of Horrors at South Coast Repertory! The new video montage features a look at various scenes and musical numbers from the production, set to the title song and 'Suddenly Seymour' sung by the cast. Watch the video of the new production now!

Photos: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at South Coast Repertory
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 28, 2024

South Coast Repertory opens its 2024-25 season with the musical creature feature Little Shop of Horrors, Directed by Jenn Thompson, the cult classic runs through Oct. 20 on the Segerstrom Stage. Check out photos here!

Video: 'Grow For Me' In Rehearsals For South Coast Rep's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Joshua Wright - Sep 18, 2024

Watch as Emerson Boatwright performs 'Grow for Me' in rehearsal for South Coast Rep's Little Shop of Horrors. Little Shop of Horrors, isDirected by Jenn Thompson and runs September 21st through October 19th, 2024 on the Segerstrom Stage.

South Coast Repertory Opens 2024-25 Season With LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 16, 2024

South Coast Repertory announced its 2024-25 season opener, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running from Sept. 21 to Oct. 19 on the Segerstrom Stage. Directed by Jenn Thompson, this marks the show's SCR debut.

South Coast Repertory Presents SNOW WHITE Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 26, 2022

South Coast Repertory gives a children's classic a modern twist with its Theatre for Young Audiences and Families production of Snow White. Adapted by Greg Banks and directed by H. Adam Harris, Snow White runs Nov. 4-20 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

BWW Review: Satirical Play TIGER STYLE! Mocks Stereotypes at South Coast Repertory
by Michael Quintos - Jun 1, 2022

Funny, outrageous, and surprisingly thought-provoking beneath all its biting sarcasm, Mike Lew's reverberating satire TIGER STYLE!---now on stage at OC's South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through June 5, 2022---shines a light on the merits of a controversial parenting style and whether it results in happy, well-rounded adults (um, likely not).

BWW Review: YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at South Coast Rep
by Jonas Schwartz-Owen - Jul 21, 2021

Good grief! You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown Is Live But Sadly Not Alive. A combination of miscasting, poor direction, and a play that runs out of steam, this early production in the reemergence of live theater is a disappointment.

Photos/Video: First Look at YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at South Coast Repertory
by Stephi Wild - Jul 17, 2021

The whole “Peanuts” gang is here—Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and of course, that wishy-washy blockhead, Charlie Brown. He’s never pitched a winning baseball game and he can’t muster the courage to talk to the Little-Red Haired Girl. But all his best qualities—and those of his clever friends—get celebrated in this delightful musical filled with such gleeful tunes as 'My Blanket and Me,' 'Suppertime' and 'Happiness.'

Photo Coverage: LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE Press Night Celebration At The Wallis Annenberg
by Lily Lim - Dec 10, 2019

Casting has been announced for The Wallis and For The Record's production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of one of the most beloved holiday films of all time and the biggest, record-breaking hit in The Wallis' history, which is back by popular demand, now as a not-to-be-missed Los Angeles tradition with performances beginning the day before Thanksgiving (November 27) and running through the weekend following Christmas (December 29). Returning from the 2018 production are Rex Smith (RIAA Gold® recording artist), Carrie Manolakos (Broadway's Mamma Mia!, Wicked), Doug Kreeger (Broadway's Les Misérables), Tomasina Abate (For The Record's Scorsese: American Crime Requiem, Tarantino), Carson Higgins (international tour of Green Day's American Idiot) and the multi-dimensional Emily Lopez. New this year to the lineup of outstanding performers are Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In the Heights and The Little Mermaid on Broadway), Declan Bennett (Once, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Taboo in the West End, American Idiot and Rent on Broadway), Jon Robert Hall (Fox's Grease: Live, “Glee”), Chris Mann (NBC's “The Voice,” The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Tour), James Byous (Scorsese: American Crime Requiem, Netflix's 'Westside'), Ruby Lewis (Cirque du Soleil's Paramour, Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole), singer/songwriter/actress Aubrie Sellers (one of Rolling Stone's best country albums of the year), Gabriela Francesca Carrillo (American Mariachi, Netflix's Homecoming), Levi Smith (A Bronx Tale: The Musical, It's a Wonderful Life, Mary Poppins and The Music Man on Broadway), young singer/actress Nayah Damasen, John Battagliese and accomplished violinist Molly Rogers. 

Review: Neil Simon's MUSICAL FOOLS is a Monty Python Version of Fiddler on the Roof Performed by the Original Not Ready for Prime Time Players
by Shari Barrett - Nov 19, 2019

Open Fist's clever, hilarious World Premiere musical adaptation of Neil Simon's MUSICAL FOOLS is a hilarious musical adaptation of his play, Fools, with book and lyrics by Simon, and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West, a veteran comedy genius from Chicago's Second City, who has directed the laugh fest like a Monty Python version of Fiddler on the Roof performed by the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Off-the-wall hysterical choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton greatly enhances the comedy, with musical direction by Jan Roper often adding in the flavor of Eastern European Klezmer music.

NEIL SIMON'S MUSICAL FOOLS Comes to Open Fist Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Oct 5, 2019

Dumba?? dumbera?? dumbest? Open Fist Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Neil Simon's Musical Fools, an adaptation of the Simon play Fools, with book and lyrics by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West (deLEARious, The People Vs Friar Laurence). West also directs, with music direction by Jan Roper and choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton. Neil Simon's Musical Fools opens Oct. 12 at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through Nov. 17; pay-what-you-want previews begin Oct. 4.

World Premiere Of NEIL SIMON'S MUSICAL FOOLS Comes to Open Fist Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Sep 6, 2019

Dumb... dumber... dumbest? Open Fist Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Neil Simon's Musical Fools, an adaptation of the Simon play Fools, with book and lyrics by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West (deLEARious, The People Vs Friar Laurence). West also directs, with music direction by Jan Roper and choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton. Neil Simon's Musical Fools opens Oct. 12 at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through Nov. 17; pay-what-you-want previews begin Oct. 4.

Photo Coverage: FOR THE RECORD: THE BRAT PACK At Break Room 86
by Lily Lim - Mar 19, 2019

The award-winning "For The Record" series returns to Los Angeles with For the Record: The Brat Pack, where classic 80's movie soundtracks come to life in an immersive, theatrical rock n roll experience. Audiences will travel back in time when they enter Break Room 86 inside The LINE Hotel in the heart of Koreatown. For The Record and Breakroom 86 will take patrons on a totally excellent adventure where they are surrounded by classic video arcade games, high-school lockers, old-school vending machines, vintage band posters, retro furniture, boomboxes, and cassettes. The 360-degree new wave cabaret, features a hit setlist including 'Rebel Yell,' 'Try A Little Tenderness,' and 'Don't You Forget About Me,' from favorite 1980's teen flicks 'Sixteen Candles,' 'Fast Times At Ridgemont High,' 'The Breakfast Club,' 'St. Elmos Fire,' 'Pretty In Pink,' "Valley Girl," 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' 'Some Kind Of Wonderful' and 'Say Anything.' Be kind and rewind into the 80's teenage dream, beginning March 15 every Thursday - Sunday through June 9.