Julian Johnson

NBCUniversal has selected comedy writers Kim Tran, Shawn Parikh­, and Hakim ‘Kimo’ Hill along with drama writers Cristina Boada, Julian Johnson, Hussain Pirani, Sujana Gowni, and Eric Anthony Glover for its 2020-21 Writers on the Verge class.

Now in its fifth year, Playhouse Pride provides an opportunity for LGBTQIA community members and allies to gather together and enjoy a performance. This year's event takes place with a performance of TINY HOUSES. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Safe and Supported, a non-profit that works to prevent and end LGBTQIA youth homelessness in Hamilton County.

Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy will stage Robert Louis Stevensons' classic adventure, Treasure Island on May 17th and May 18th at 5PM and May 19th at 11AM. All three performances will be at the Historic Bangor Opera House, 131 Main Street, Bangor.  

Through the Anacostia Musical Theatre Lab, interviews with residents of Anacostia were conducted to highlight the vital stories of this neighborhood in transition. The Lab aims to reflect the voices of the community and provide opportunities for undeserved populations to use music as a means of storytelling, healing and hope. The project will commence with a workshop performance today, June 29 at 8PM, Doors 7:30PM in the Anacostia Arts Center Blackbox at 1231 Good Hope Road SE, Washington, DC. A talk-back/community conversation hosted by local spoken word and visual artist Harvey Fitz will follow.

Through the Anacostia Musical Theatre Lab, interviews with residents of Anacostia were conducted to highlight the vital stories of this neighborhood in transition. The Lab aims to reflect the voices of the community and provide opportunities for undeserved populations to use music as a means of storytelling, healing and hope. The project will commence with a workshop performance on Friday, June 29 at 8PM, Doors 7:30PM in the Anacostia Arts Center Blackbox at 1231 Good Hope Road SE, Washington, DC. A talk-back/community conversation hosted by local spoken word and visual artist Harvey Fitz will follow.

Now in its fourth year, Playhouse Pride provides an opportunity for LGBTQIA community members and allies to gather together and enjoy live theatre along with hors d'oeuvres, open bar and an after party. In partnership with ArtsWave Pride, this year's event takes place with a performance of MURDER FOR TWO, a  zany, musical comedy whodunit that The New York Times called "Ingenious… a snazzy, vaudevillian double act."

One of the first - if not the first jukebox musicals, The Buddy Holly Story is short on plot and high on the unique rock and roll music of Buddy Holly. This is my second time seeing the show - I first saw it on its American tour in 1999. The music I grew up with in the 50s is so appealing, that I sing along to every tune and move and groove in my seat from start to finish. If you are of that nature - and it seemed that many in the audience on opening weekend fit the bill - then you will have a really good time at Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre through February 22. Remember, it's enjoyable fare with no need to think, just set your mind to the relax mode!

On Sunday March 9, Spirit of Ireland lit up Morgan Auditorium at the University of La Verne with Michael Ryan and seven other electric musicians onstage, as well as lovely singer Cassie Murphy and three award-winning Irish dancers including Caterina Coyne from Riverdance. Part of a monthly program from the University's music department entitled Sundays at the Morgan, the evening was introduced by the interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Felicia Beardsley and turned out to be a real pre-St. Patrick's Day treat for the packed house.