Derek Manson

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.

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).

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.

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.'

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This holiday season, the team behind Los Angeles' beloved 'For The Record series returned to The Wallis with a sold-out concert celebration of the soundtrack to one of the most entertaining holiday movies of all time, Love Actually.

LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT, directed by Anderson Davis with musical supervision by Jesse Vargas and produced by Shane School & Siobhan O'Neill, is coming to the Sorting Room at The Wallis this weekend, December 16-18, 2017.

The Gary Plays - Extended through June 10: Fans of seminal playwright and Padua Hills Playwrights Festival founder Murray Mednick are in for a treat: Open Fist Theatre Company presents Mednick's entire "The Gary Plays" series in one epic production. Originated by Padua Playwrights and developed in workshops over a two-year period by Open Fist, "The Gary Plays" chronicles the odyssey of unemployed actor Gary Bean in the years following the random murder of his son. An everyman/anti-hero, Gary has been hailed by KCRW as "a sort of L.A. Leopold Bloom." Audiences can choose to follow his journey over the course of three evenings - or view all six plays on a single Sunday.

Fans of seminal playwright and Padua Hills Playwrights Festival founder Murray Mednick are in for a treat: Open Fist Theatre Company presents Mednick's entire 'The Gary Plays' series in one epic production beginning May 4 at Atwater Village Theatre. Longtime Mednick collaborator Guy Zimmerman directs. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Fans of seminal playwright and Padua Hills Playwrights Festival founder Murray Mednick are in for a treat: Open Fist Theatre Company presents Mednick's entire 'The Gary Plays' series in one epic production beginning May 4 at Atwater Village Theatre. Longtime Mednick collaborator Guy Zimmerman directs.

THE MALIBU PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present a world premiere play, LIFE EXPECTANCY: A COMEDY IN THREE TRIMESTERS, written by Catherine Butterfield and directed by Ron West. LIFE EXPECTANCY: A COMEDY IN THREE TRIMESTERS will preview on Thursday, October 6 & Friday, October 7 and will open on Saturday, October 8 and run through Sunday, October 23 at the Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, in Malibu.

"War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength."  Greenway Arts Alliance Presents: George Orwell's 1984, directed by Kate Jopson as the first production of their novel to stage program Greenway Reads. 300 Fairfax High School students are reading the novel and will attend matinee's of the theatrical production. The adaptation by Alan Lyddiard creates an interactive and engaging experience for audience members. Jopson said, "We're trying to create an immersive experience. The elements of the play and its themes are all around us in the real world. We try to emphasize that and as soon as you arrive at the theater there's not anywhere you're not in the set of 1984, even in the lobby and bathrooms."  

THE MALIBU PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present a world premiere play, LIFE EXPECTANCY: A COMEDY IN THREE TRIMESTERS, written by Catherine Butterfield and directed by Ron West. LIFE EXPECTANCY: A COMEDY IN THREE TRIMESTERS will preview on Thursday, October 6 & Friday, October 7 and will open on Saturday, October 8 and run through Sunday, October 23 at the Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, in Malibu.  

Catherine Butterfield, author of the plays JOINED AT THE HEAD, THE SLEEPER, LIFE IN THE TREES and BROWNSTONE, among others, premieres her latest comedy, LIFE EXPECTANCY, at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, beginning today, June 10. Second City alum Ron West helms the play.

Catherine Butterfield, author of the plays JOINED AT THE HEAD, THE SLEEPER, LIFE IN THE TREES and BROWNSTONE, among others, will premiere her latest comedy, LIFE EXPECTANCY, at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Second City alum Ron West will helm the play.