Ashley Argota News

Two of L.A's. leading small theatres will showcase award-winning productions on Arts in Review, Friday, July 19 (2 to 2:30pm) on KPFK 90.7fm, Pacifica Radio for Southern California.

Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Panto announce that acclaimed TV and Broadway actor John O'Hurley ("Seinfeld," "Dancing with the Stars," Broadway's Chicago) is set to star as "Captain Hook" and Ashley Argota (Laguna Playhouse Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose) will star as "Tinker Bell" in Lythgoe Family Panto's upcoming PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATES' CHRISTMAS.

The 1996 Film The Spitfire Grill was a big winner at Sundance and other festivals. It is a drama about a small New England town called Gillead where one restaurant The Spitfire Grill has been up and running for 40 years. Since then a musical was created by Fred Alley and James Valq and little is changed. Characters and most of the plotline are the same as in the movie, with the addition of music, of course. The Spitfire Grill is a small restaurant business for a small community. Its owner Hannah Ferguson (Sarah Saviano) cooks three meals a day and runs the place by herself.  Bold and stubborn as a mule, Hannah keeps a dark secret about a close relation. It takes a stranger to Gillead to uncover the secret, to cause further complication and ... to gradually set things right. Now onstage at the Garry Marshall Theatre through August 11, The Spitfire Grill  is a winning production that will entertain you and simultaneously tug at your heart strings.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the off Broadway musical The Spitfire Grill, one of the most popular recent musicals with over 600 productions worldwide including in Germany, South Korea, Japan, Australia and London.

THE SPITFIRE GRILL begins its previews July 10, 2019 at the Garry Marshall Theatre under the direction of its artistic director Dimitri Toscas. This musical (by James Valcq and Fred Alley) takes place in the rural town of Gilead, Wisconsin during a simpler era. I had the opportunity to interview a stunning vocalist I have seen on various Los Angeles stages, Ashley Argota, who will be imbuing her powerful vocals to the role of Shelby Thorpe, a pivotal part of the Gilead community.

The Actors Fund in Los Angeles celebrated Broadway's Biggest Night at the 23rd Annual Tony Awards® Viewing Gala on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA. Hosted by Leslie Jordan, this year's star-studded gala honored Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award® winner Lily Tomlin with the Julie Harris Award for Artistic Achievement. BroadwayWorld's own Michael Sterling and Paul Preston of Digital Mind Productions were on hand for the festivities which included coverage of the evening's red-carpet arrivals, cocktail hour, gala dinner, live performances, silent auction, and the West Coast's exclusive live feed of the 2019 Tony Awards® broadcast from New York City. 

On Tuesday, June 18, at 8:30pm, singer and actor Garrett Clayton, star of Disney's Teen Beach Movie and Teen Beach 2 and Hairspray Live! on FOX is set to debut his new show It Takes Three with Ashley Argota and Desi Dennis-Dylan at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents.

Television, film and theatre triple-threat Garrett Clayton will debut his headlining cabaret show IT TAKES THREE at the Catalina Jazz Club June 18, 2019. Teaming up with his BFFs - fellow triple threats themselves - Ashley Argota and Desi Dennis-Dylan, Garrett plans to entertain and wow you with their harmonic vocals, jazz hands and lots of heart. Garrett managed to spare a little time for me on the phone Tony Awards weekend.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the off Broadway musical The Spitfire Grill, one of the most popular recent musicals with over 600 productions worldwide including in Germany, South Korea, Japan, Australia and London.

Feinstein's at the Nikko, San Francisco's premier nightclub for music and entertainment, celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month with an exciting lineup of out artists and allies from the worlds of Broadway, television and music. In addition, specialty Pride-themed cocktails and menu items will be available the entire month of June. Tickets for all performances are available now by calling 866-663-1063 or visiting www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com. Tickets prices subject to change without notice.

#1. The wit of Kate Pazakis (executive producer of the UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY OF... series) - writes some of the sharpest and laugh-inducing dialogue while name-dropping and parodying the 1999 cult classic, Heath Ledger/Julia Stiles-starrer 10 Things I Hate About You. (No need to have already seen the film. You'll enjoy the wall-to-wall talent acting out the UMPO stand-alone storyline.)

Triple threat Garrett Clayton will present a celebratory evening of cabaret, music, and dancing with his all-new show, It Takes Three, at Feinstein's at the Nikko on Friday, June 21 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, June 22 (8 p.m.). 

Lythgoe Family Panto and the Laguna Playhouse present a fun and enjoyable version of Beauty and the Beast for the holidays. The English tradition of Panto, meaning it is an interactive, audience-participating show, is written by Kris Lithgoe, Directed by Sheldon Epps, Choreographed by Mandy Moore, with Musical Direction by Keith Harrison. With that impressive roster, it is a sure-fire evening of silly humor, great production numbers, unexpected songs and a meaningful message perfect for the holiday season.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) expands across America this holiday season, including a multi-year deal at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning with their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ. It will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (NappyTabs), with book by Kris Lythgoe and Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor. Casting is by executive producer Becky Lythgoe. This will be the seventh holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in Pasadena, and their second in this larger venue.

The cheeky PG-rated fun of British Panto, courtesy of Lythgoe Family Productions, returns for more holiday silliness at Orange County's Laguna Playhouse, this time with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE, which continues through December 30, 2018 in Laguna Beach under the direction of Sheldon Epps. Fun, light-hearted, and a much-needed far-from-serious break from reality, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE is wonderful family treat the whole family can enjoy for the holiday season.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to present Ashley Argota ('True Jackson VP,' 'Lab Rats'), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ('Hairspray Live,' Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas), Andrews Barnicle (Twelve Angry Men,  Fallen Angels), Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE.  

Casting has been announced for The Fuse Project and Rockwell Table & Stage's 'Scissorhands' running this  holiday season at 8pm Friday and Saturday nights with a Sunday 12 noon brunch, at Rockwell November 29 thru January 5, 2019.

Casting has been announced for The Fuse Project and Rockwell Table & Stage's 'Scissorhands' running this  holiday season at 8pm Friday and Saturday nights with a Sunday 12 noon brunch, at Rockwell November 29 thru January 5, 2019.

The Fuse Project and Rockwell Table & Stage are proud to present a one of a kind musical parody of the whimsical Tim Burton film classic 'Edward Scissorhands' this holiday season running 8pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with a Sunday 12 noon brunch, at Rockwell December 6 thru January 5, 2019.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Laguna Playhouse favorite Andrew Barnicle (Twelve Angry Men, Fallen Angels) will join Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE.