Kurt Andrew Hansen

The longest running musical in the world The Fantasticks is always at its best when produced and performed with simplicity. When I first saw it in New York in the 60s, it was performed in a cabaret space against a brick wall, with the suspension of a paper moon above. You can't get much simpler than that. In their revival Crown City Theatre keep it simple with minimal blocking from director Lisaun Whittingham and boasting a fine cast...

Members of the 'Pro99' movement of Actors' Equity Association have issued an open letter to AEA's newly elected president, Kate Shindle, in response to her victory and to her inaugural address as president of the national union for actors and stage managers. The open letter is signed by over 400 Equity members (listed below), including such notable names as Ed Asner, Francis Fisher, Sally Kirkland and Alfred Molina. The 'Pro99' movement formed in late 2014 in opposition to AEA's rollout of a new plan that will effectively force 'intimate theaters' in Los Angeles to pay Equity actors minimum wage, go 'non-union' or even close - despite an overwhelming vote against the plan by 66% of the Los Angeles membership on an advisory referendum. 'Pro99' members around the nation, who take their name from the current AEA '99 Seat Plan' that allows members to volunteer in smaller venues, oppose AEA's new promulgated plan. They are requesting that Equity leadership put a moratorium on the plan until local members' voices can be heard, and that the union work with its members to develop an alternative plan that will more realistically address the needs of the Los Angeles theater community.

Crown City Theatre Company's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM has extended through June 28th, 2015.

The now classic musical A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum is silliness personified from its zany characters and inane plot contrivances to its corny yet witty dialogue. It is clever farce set to music. Mistaken identities, zippity fast exits and entrances...it has no rhyme or reason but is terribly, terribly funny with belly laughs about every two seconds. Crown City Theatre's new revival rates an A+ with a devilishly good cast and delicious direction and choreography from Lisaun Whittingham. The production is about as good as it gets.

Ah, the art of making art! In an excellent adaptation of the 1999 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together, Chromolume Theatre steps up to bat with stellar direction from Cate Caplin and boasting a terrific cast through December 21 at their home the Attic Theatre in West LA.

Chromolume Theatre succeeds in putting together a strong cast of five vocally gifted singers to harmoniously perform the collection of Stephen Sondheim songs strung together in the revue Putting It Together.

American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim is known for his immense contributions to musical theatre for over 50 years. He is the winner of an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards (more than any other composer) including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and the Laurence Olivier Award. Sondheim fans are in for a treat this holiday season with two Sondheim shows playing within just a few miles of each other: Kentwood Players at the Westchester Playhouse is presenting 'Into the Woods' and Chromolume at the Attic Theatre is presenting 'Putting it Together' with both productions opening on November 14, 2014.

In opera and operetta, the storytelling is completely through music; there are few or no spoken words. Steven Cagan's world premiere Love Songs is a modern day operetta of sorts with a line or two of spoken dialogue here and there, but composed of 99% music. Now through July 28 at the Attic Theatre, Love Songs boasts a profoundly rich score, a wonderfully adept musical cast and superior direction from Kay Cole.

Chromolume Theatre has announced its next production, the world premiere of Love Songs, A Musical with book, music and lyrics by Steven Cagan, and directed by Kay Cole. Featuring orchestrations and arrangements by Doug Walter and music direction by Richard Berent. Opening is set for tonight, June 22 at 8pm. Love Songs will play a limited engagement through July 28 only.

Chromolume Theatre has announced its next production, Love Songs, with book, music and lyrics by Steven Cagan, and directed by Kay Cole. Featuring orchestrations and arrangements by Doug Walter and music direction byRichard Berent, there will be one preview performance on June 21, andopening is set for Saturday, June 22 at 8pm. Love Songs will play a limited engagement through July 28 only.

The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center on January 17, 2011 in Thousand Oaks, California.

Renowned director Derek Charles Livingston and musical director Richard Berent bring Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET to The Production Company's Chandler Studio Theatre in a re-imagining of sheer theatrical lightning beginning September 18th, 2009. This ?Sweeney' is up close and personal!

Renowned director Derek Charles Livingston and musical director Richard Berent bring Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET to The Production Company's Chandler Studio Theatre in a re-imagining of sheer theatrical lightning beginning September 18th, 2009. This ?Sweeney' is up close and personal!

Renowned director Derek Charles Livingston and musical director Richard Berent bring Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET to The Production Company's Chandler Studio Theatre in a re-imagining of sheer theatrical lightning beginning September 18th, 2009. This ?Sweeney' is up close and personal!

Road show returns to Baltimore's Hippordrome Theater for one more week.