Celebrities dressed in Western attire walked the red carpet last Saturday as Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura presented the American Premiere of the stage play THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Attendees included musician Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, Poco and Buffalo Springfield and his beautiful wife Michaela; Golden Globe nominated actor Ted Neeley with his wife Leeyan and daughter Tessa; and Emmy Award-winning actor Joe Spano with his daughters Liana and Meili. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!
John Ford's 1962 film, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, is one of motion picture's all-time classic westerns. So when I heard that a play version was making its American premiere at the Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, I got more than just a little excited. Envisioning the tensions seen on the screen in epic portrayals by Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, and Lee Marvin promised to be riveting theater. Unfortunately, the play version was taken not from the screenplay by James Warner Bellah and Willis Goldbeck (it was unavailable) but an adaptation by British playwright Joshua Compton from Dorothy M. Johnson's original short story, and although the Rubicon has created a fabulous setting, marvelous performances from all of the actors, and an atmospheric, on-stage musical tableau by Trevor Wheetman, the result is simply not as compelling as the movie.
Rubicon Theatre Company's 2015-2016 season continues with the American premiere of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Adapted from the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson that also inspired the legendary John Ford 1962 film, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE is a classic tale of love, honor, ambition and revenge set against the backdrop of the American West.
Rubicon Theatre Company's 2015-2016 season continues with the American premiere of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Adapted from the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson that also inspired the legendary John Ford 1962 film, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE is a classic tale of love, honor, ambition and revenge set against the backdrop of the American West.
BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, features a book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances began October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at opening night on the red carpet below!
BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, features a book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances began October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!
BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, features a book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances began October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena). BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek at rehearsals and more below!
BroadwayWorld has just learned that Matt Magnusson will be taking over the role of 'Scorpio' opposite Alison Luff in BREAKING THROUGH at The Pasadena Playhouse this fall. Magnusson replaces Constantine Maroulis, who has left the company due to personal matters.
The Pasadena Playhouse presents BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio, directed by Sheldon Epps and begins rehearsals this week. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015. Below, Alison Luff talks about her role, the show and more during the photo shoot for BREAKING THROUGH!
The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) announced today full casting for BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio, directed by Sheldon Epps and begins rehearsals this week. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).
The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) announced today that, Alison Luff (Broadway: Matilda the Musical, Scandalous, GHOST the Musical, Mamma Mia!), and Constantine Maroulis (Broadway: Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde, The Wedding Singer, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), will lead the cast of BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).
California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2015 season with Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Nilo Cruz's powerfully-penned adaptation of Life Is a Dream, Pedro Calderon de la Barca's epic tale of love, power, and destiny, Life Is a Dream. Directed by Magic Theatre's Artistic Director Loretta Greco in her Cal Shakes debut, Life Is a Dream plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from July 8 through August 2.
In the first play of a trilogy marking Magic's historic co-commission with Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Luis Alfaro (Oedipus el Rey, Bruja), returns to Magic Theatre to tell the sweeping story of a multi-generational Latino family's California odyssey. This Golden State -- Part One: Delano begins tonight, May 20th at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.
In the first play of a trilogy marking Magic's historic co-commission with Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Luis Alfaro (Oedipus el Rey, Bruja), returns to Magic Theatre to tell the sweeping story of a multi-generational Latino family's California odyssey. This Golden State -- Part One: Delano begins May 20th at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.
Magic Theatre will welcome the return of renowned playwright John Kolvenbach (Goldfish, Mrs. Whitney), for the rolling world premiere of Sister Play which he will also direct. Sister Play begins March 24th at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.
After playing to sold-out audiences in New York, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), in a co-production with the Guthrie Theater, is thrilled to present the West Coast premiere of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (now through March 15, 2015). Press night forMr. Burns, a post electric play is tonight, February 25, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!
After playing to sold-out audiences in New York, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), in a co-production with the Guthrie Theater, is thrilled to present the West Coast premiere of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (now through March 15, 2015). Press night forMr. Burns, a post electric play is Wednesday, February 25, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
After playing to sold-out audiences in New York, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), in a coproduction with the Guthrie Theater, is thrilled to present the West Coast premiere of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (tonight, February 18-March 15, 2015).
