Amy Perkins News

Write Out Loud - the San Diego theatre company devoted to performing short stories on-stage and out loud - presents Ladies' Night Out - an evening about the delights of being and knowing women - on Monday, April 25 at 7:00 pm at the Old Town Theatre.

Romy and Michele are bringing the '90s straight to the stage! As previously announced, the world premiere musical adaptation of the 1997 cult comedy film ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION has set a Summer 2017 debut at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. And now BroadwayWorld has gotten wind of the cast for a recent reading of the musical.

I haven't posted a story yet this year because I've been busy. For the past two weeks, I've been immersed in learning the flute part to the score of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which concludes a brief four-day, five-show run this afternoon at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. Spelling Bee is a great show for improv artists, and being in the pit for rehearsals and every show, I am able to see how the actors handle the show's free structure, which allows for improvisation. If you've seen the show, you know what I'm talking about. Spelling Bee is being staged by YA4Ever, the alumni group of Young Artists Ensemble. To help out on this show, writer/director Michael Fischer agreed to play the part of Vice Principal Douglas Panch, the contest's 'word pronouncer.' We talked to Michael after a particularly riotous Saturday matinee performance.

Intrepid Shakespeare Company closes its season with this winning production of the TONY Award and the Drama Desk Award winning musical for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

Cygnet Artistic Director Sean Murray will direct Spring Awakening, an eight-time Tony Award-winning musical with an electrifying rock score by Duncan Sheik. This intoxicating story of youth and sexuality is based on an 1895 play by Frank Wedekind and features a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. The production, featuring choreography by award-winning dance maker Michael Mizerany, runs March 6 through April 27 at the Old Town Theatre. Opening Night is March 15th.

Preparations are already underway for Cygnet's upcoming musical event, PARADE, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Alfred Uhry. Artistic Director Sean Murray, Musical Director Billy Thompson and Choreographer David Brannen are tackling each artistic angle of the true story of the trial of Leo Frank, while the Cygnet staff is hard at working putting together multiple exciting special events designed to aid audiences' reflections and explore the themes found in the play.

Preparations are already underway for Cygnet's upcoming musical event, PARADE, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Alfred Uhry. Artistic Director Sean Murray, Musical Director Billy Thompson and Choreographer David Brannen are tackling each artistic angle of the true story of the trial of Leo Frank, while the Cygnet staff is hard at working putting together multiple exciting special events designed to aid audiences' reflections and explore the themes found in the play.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) and The University of California, Irvine are once again announcing the culminating performances of a unique collaboration between a university training program and an Off-Broadway theatre: 4@15: FOUR NEW FIFTEEN-MINUTE MUSICALS on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at both 3 PM and 7:30 PM.