Adam Flemming News

A question that’s often posed is, “What constitutes good art?” For me, it’s a piece that stretches my knowledge while dispelling assumptions. It’s something that might make me uncomfortable, even if I’m not sure why. It’s a work that evokes such strong emotions that I am left thinking about it for days. Ragtime is good art. Broadway at Music Circus has outdone itself with this powerful production about social justice, feminism, and tenacity. Based on the novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, Ragtime opened on Broadway in 1998 and won four Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

Today, South Coast Repertory Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei announced the 13 creative dream teams for the 2019-20 season, the first programmed by Ivers. The roughly 100 individuals are among the theatre industry's finest, most creative and versatile talents.

An inspired choice of a show, the Hollywood Bowl has decided to present an effervescently buoyant new production of the Tony Award-winning 1986 musical INTO THE WOODS, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's much beloved twisted take on traditional fairy tale stories mashed together with witty charm, tongue-tying lyrics, and gallows humor. Directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, this enjoyable, sublime production is exquisite and thoroughly delightful from start to finish---much of which can be attributed to its top-notch, musical theater-trained cast that includes Tony Winners Sutton Foster and Patina Miller giving exceptional acting and singing performances alongside theater favorites Cheyenne Jackson, Skylar Astin, Sierra Boggess, Hailey Kilgore, and Stranger Things breakout star Gaten Matarazzo. The show continues with two additional evening performances July 27-28, 2019.

The nominees for the 29th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were announced this week.

It is no small feat to create a believable portrait of a great artist that pays equal homage to their creative genius and their ordinary hopes, struggles, and failures. Playwright Jim McGrath does exactly this for Ernest Hemingway in PAMPLONA. Under Robert Falls' direction, renowned actor Stacy Keach returns to the role he was meant to play in spring of 2017, before a mild heart attack prevented the Goodman's world premiere production from opening. It was worth the wait.

Stage and screen veteran Stacy Keach is Ernest Hemingway in Pamplona by Jim McGrath, directed by Robert Falls-now appearing in the Owen Theatre through August 19. Originally scheduled for spring 2017, Pamplona appeared for 11 preview performances, but never opened: Goodman Theatre canceled the run after Keach suffered a mild heart attack and doctors ordered recuperation. 

The reviews are in for East West Player's production of ALLEGIANCE, starring original Broadway cast member, George Takei! ALLEGIANCE opened on February 21st and will continue to run through April 1st.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature The Lion King, Finding Neverland, The Crucible, and more!

Focusing on one of the most devastatingly controversial periods in history after Pearl Harbor in the early 1940s, Allegiance portrays Japanese Americans, loyal to the US, who were forced out of their homes and relocated to centers akin to concentration camps. Treated like animals with little food, water or medications, somehow through the grace of strong will many of them toughed it out. Currently on stage at JACCC in its Los Angeles premiere, Allegiance has a fairly sturdy book and some fine uplifting music, but is not without its flaws.

East West Players (EWP) and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) are pleased to announce that for the Los Angeles premiere of the Broadway musical Allegiance, stage and screen star George Takei will be joined by Broadway cast members Elena Wang as Kei Kimura, Greg Watanabe as Mike Masaoka, Scott Watanabe as Tatsuo Kimura, and Janelle Dote as Hanako.

STAGE RAW is pleased to announce the FIRST ANNUAL STAGE RAW LOS ANGELES THEATER AWARDS, championing the best work of 2014 in L.A.'s now embattled theaters of up to 99-seats. (STAGE RAW is using the same jury that was assembled through 2014 for the now dearly departed LA WEEKLY Theater Awards.) Check out the full list of nominees below!

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, True Love Productions and The Theatre @ Boston Court have announced that the New York Premiere of Everything You Touch, written by Sheila Callaghan and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, will begin previews tonight, January 28 at 8pm at the Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce Street. The official opening night is set for Thursday, February 12 at 7pm. Everything You Touch is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 29, 2015.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, True Love Productions and The Theatre @ Boston Court have announced that the New York Premiere of Everything You Touch, written by Sheila Callaghan and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, will begin previews Wednesday, January 28 at 8pm at the Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce Street. The official opening night is set for Thursday, February 12 at 7pm. Everything You Touch is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 29, 2015.

A magical new musical opens the Pacific Conservatory Theatre's 51st Season - the world premiere production of Renegade Animation's Christmas Is Here Again. This frolicsome adventure for the entire family is a new stage musical by Brad Carroll and Jeremy Mann based on the film of the same name written and directed by Robert Zappia. Christmas is Here Again plays in the Marian Theatre today, November 13 - December 24, 2014.

The 2014 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Award winners were announced at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse on November 2 at 7:00 PM.

Actor Sal Viscuso never turns down a challenge, which may explain his long career on stage, film and television, where many audience members will recall him from diverse roles. Most recently, he's seen on 'SCANDAL' with director of A STEADY RAIN, Jeff Perry. BWW Minneapolis learned a bit more about him in this interview.

A magical new musical opens the Pacific Conservatory Theatre's 51st Season - the world premiere production of Renegade Animation's Christmas Is Here Again. This frolicsome adventure for the entire family is a new stage musical by Brad Carroll and Jeremy Mann based on the film of the same name written and directed by Robert Zappia. Christmas is Here Again plays in the Marian Theatre November 13 - December 24, 2014.

Nominees for the 2014 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced on the evening of Monday, September 22 at Native Voices at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. The nominations were revealed by past Ovation Award recipients Gigi Bermingham, Brighid Fleming, Parmer Fuller, Jennifer Haley, Brian Kite, Glynn Turman, and John Zalewski, along with LA STAGE Alliance Chief Executive Officer Terence McFarland.

Nominees for the 2014 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced on the evening of Monday, September 22 at Native Voices at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. The nominations were revealed by past Ovation Award recipients Gigi Bermingham, Brighid Fleming, Parmer Fuller, Jennifer Haley, Brian Kite, Glynn Turman, and John Zalewski, along with LA STAGE Alliance Chief Executive Officer Terence McFarland.