Matt Owen

When people think of Liberty University, they tend to picture students majoring in your typical a?oeChristian-likea?? studies such as missionary or ministry work. What most people do not recognize Liberty for is their excellent Performing Arts Program.

Matt Owen, Jillian Gottlieb and Jim J. Bullock celebrate Christmas at Tuacahn Center for the Arts in the a?oesparkle-jollya?? production of Elf the Musical, which began performances on November 30th.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) brings everyone's favorite Elf to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in the new holiday classic Elf: The Musical November 30 - December 9.  Tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org, by calling (562) 856-1999, or at the Musical Theatre West box office.  Tickets start at $20.

Below, check out exclusive photos of Erika Henningsen and the cast of Mean Girls as they record their track, 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.'

The 5th Avenue Theatre is a vibrant hive of musical theater activity as the projects of NextFest: A Festival of New Musicals have started rehearsals this week. A three-week musical theater intensive development cycle, NextFest has played a role in the creation of musicals ranging from Persuasion by Harold Taw and Chris Jeffries (Taproot Theatre, 2017) to  Come From Away by Irene Carl Sankoff and David Hein (Broadway). Nationally recognized for its contribution to the contemporary musical theater cannon, The 5th Avenue Theatre is a celebrated incubator for new musicals. Each year, the nationally renowned theater company connects writers at all stages of development with some of the region's most brilliant performers, giving life to the words on the page and allowing book writers, composers and lyricists to see their work in action. This year's various works are brought to life by Alexandria Henderson, Justin Huertas, Matthew Kacergis, Shaunyce Omar, Brandon O'Neill, Timothy Piggee, Hannah Schuerman, Billie Wildrick and many more.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st. Watch Sarah Rose Davis (Linda Mason), Matt Owen (Ted Hanover), Eric Ankrim (Jim Hardy) and company perform 'Easter Parade' from the show below!

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st. Watch Sarah Rose Davis (Linda Mason), Matt Owen (Ted Hanover), Eric Ankrim (Jim Hardy) and company perform 'Easter Parade' from the show below!

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st! This holiday season, Lorna Luft, the beloved performer and daughter of film and television icon Judy Garland, will star as Louise in 5th Avenue's Holiday Inn. Luft joins a phenomenal cast of local and national talent, including Eric Ankrim, Sarah Rose A. Davis, Matt Owen and Taryn Darr for a dazzling winter treat that is perfect for the whole family. 5th Avenue favorite Richard Gray will play Danny Reed. Caden Brauch and Kristoffer Holtan, will alternate the role of Charlie Winslow.

I should start, Dear Readers, by saying that I've been spoiled where the stage musical of Holiday Inn is concerned. Spoiled by the filmed version of the recent Broadway incarnation which captured every single ounce of Broadway magic you'd want. So, while the current production of this wonderful Irving Berlin classic at the 5th Avenue is a lot of fun and looks quite like the Broadway (not surprising since the sets and costumes were based on the Broadway designs) it just didn't quite live up to that spark of the Broadway for a few key reasons that we'll get to in a bit.

This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st, and BroadwayWorld has highlights from the show below!

This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn kicked off rehearsals last week, and BroadwayWorld has footage of the talented cast performing in the recent read/sing rehearsal below!

This holiday season Lorna Luft, the beloved performer and daughter of film and television icon Judy Garland, will star as Louise in The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, which began rehearsals this week. Go behind the scenes with the cast and creative team in the video below!

This holiday season Lorna Luft, the beloved performer and daughter of film and television icon Judy Garland, will star as Louise in The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, which began rehearsals this week.

In the video below, watch the stars of The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn - Matt Owen, Sarah Rose Davis, Eric Ankrim and Taryn Darr - perform a medley of songs from the show at Spotlight Night earlier this month!

This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. Just announced, the cast will ffeature the talents of Seattle stars and 5th Avenue favorites Eric Ankrim (How to Succeed..., First Date, Paint Your Wagon) as Jim Hardy, Sarah Rose Davis (The Pajama Game, How to Succeed...) as Linda Mason, Matt Owen (ELF, Spamalot, A Room with a View) as Ted Hanover and Taryn Darr (The Pajama Game, A Chorus Line) as Lila Dixon. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the leads in costume below!

This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

Apartment Sessions has announced their first live concert-Apartment Sessions Season One: Live - on Sunday, August 27th, live-streamed for free from an apartment in Brooklyn.