Bruce Kimmel News

Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) students have the unique opportunity to study with esteemed industry leaders, guest artists and teachers as part of the school's second-annual Master Artist Series.

For Kritzerland's 80th show - let's repeat that - for the 80th show and seventh anniversary of Kritzerland shows, the longest-running cabaret show of its kind in LA history, Kritzerland presents The Songs That Got Away VII, its super-duper, crazy mixed-up anniversary show.

For the 79th Kritzerland show, we present the magical music of Mancini - Henry Mancini, one of the most successful film composers and songwriters in history.  From Peter Gunn to Mr. Lucky, to Breakfast at Tiffany's, Charade, Days of Wine and Roses to Two for the Road, The Pink Panther and Hatari, and straight through to first the film of Victor/Victoria and then the stage version, Mancini Magic has been the music of people's lives. 

It is great to see an artist of Kay Cole's caliber perform her very first solo cabaret at a later stage of life. This woman has done TV, film, Broadway, national tours; she has directed both musicals and plays, choreographed...and now has released Souvenir, her very first solo CD and achieved a glorious cabaret debut at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Sunday July 16. The show also called Souvenir, which ran under an hour, was directed by Cole's long-time friend the wonderful Bruce Kimmel and musically directed by the fabulous John Boswell, who accompanied her on the piano throughout. Kay Cole has a lot to tell about her life and care

The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre presents Frederick Knott's 'Dial 'M' for Murder' directed by Bruce Kimmel, produced by Mannette Antill for the Group Rep.  In this mystery thriller play that inspired Hitchcock's suspense classic, a cunning man marries a wealthy woman for her money and plans to murder her to get her fortune. He devises a perfect murder, blackmails a criminal and arranges a brilliant alibi. To say more about a twisty and surprising thriller simply wouldn't be sporting, would it?   

Bruce Kimmel wrote, directed and starred in the cult movie hit, "The First Nudie Musical."  He also co-created the story for the hit film, "The Faculty," directed by Robert Rodriguez.  As an actor, Mr. Kimmel guest-starred on most of the long-running television shows of the 1970s.    Mr. Kimmel is a legendary Grammy-nominated producer of theatre music on CD, having produced over 180 albums. Most recently he has directed the shows L.A. Now and Then, Hit Song, The Musical, Welcome to My World, Li'l Abner, and Inside Out.  Mr. Kimmel is the author of seventeen books, many musicals, and is an award-winning songwriter. Bruce Kimmel serves as director on the Group Rep's upcoming production of Frederick Knott's mystery thriller Dial "M" for Murder which opens on the Main Stage, June 30th, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.  Written by Steve Peterson

The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre presents Frederick Knott's "Dial "M" for Murder" directed by Bruce Kimmel, produced by Mannette Antill for the Group Rep. 

HIT SONG! Announces completion of casting and preparation for start of rehearsals, and Industry Presentations on June 10 and 11 in Los Angeles, CA.

 Kritzerland announces a new concert event coming on Sunday, May 7, 2017 entitled "May Madness." This entertaining evening will take place at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in North Hollywood, California. The 77th Kritzerland show will feature fun and fancy-free "May Madness" offerings.  It's an anything goes show, culled from a whole potpourri of eclectic and unusual material.  Surprises are in store.

Actress/singer/dancer/director/choreographer KAY COLE is known for her award-winning work in the original Broadway production of A Chorus Line, which garnered the Tony, Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk, and Theatre World awards -among others. Other credits as director/choreographer include hundreds of plays and musicals in New York, LA and London. Visit her website for a complete list: www.kaycole.net She is currently directing Group rep's production of a new play by Brent Beerman A DULL PAIN TURNED SHARP that will open Friday April 21. She also has a CD called Souvenir just released by Kritzerland Records. We know you did the trailblazing A Chorus Line in 1976 for Michael Bennett. It opened new doors for you and many other artists and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. You have been a triple threa

Kritzerland has announced a new concert event coming on Sunday, April 2, 2017 entitled "The April Fools." This entertaining evening will take place at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in North Hollywood, California.

For the 75th Kritzerland show we are thrilled to present the amazing songs of the amazing Rupert Holmes.

It's the 74th Kritzerland show and the annual all young performers show - one of the yearly favorites to do. Those who've been to the shows know that one of the things that makes them unique (until everyone else started doing it) is the use of young performers in shows. Kritzerland likes to nurture and be supportive of tomorrow's future musical theater performers, in fact, they feel it is their duty to do so. So, this is the performers' night to shine. But if you think you're going to hear a bunch of kid songs, you won't be. The night is a challenge to the young folks and there will be no pandering to their age - they are given wonderful musical theatre material from the classics to the new, featuring songs from shows they may one day get to do - so, you'll be hearing amazing songs from such classics as Funny Girl, The Music Man, Bells Are Ringing, A Little Night Music, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, as well as less well known musicals like Minnie's Boys, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance, Baby, right up to the Broadway smash, Waitress. Being a Kritzerland show, there will also be a few surprises. So join this incredible cast of young folks and catch these young people before they're on Broadway. Kritzerland is produced and hosted by Bruce Kimmel and co-produced by Doug Haverty. 

In 1975, A Chorus Line took Broadway by storm and ran a then astonishing fifteen years, at that time the longest running musical in history.  Featured in that original brilliant company was a diminutive powerhouse named Kay Cole as Maggie.  In the song “At The Ballet,” composer Marvin Hamlisch wrote her one of the greatest money notes in history and when Kay hit it it was like the heavens opened – it was a great Broadway voice of incredible purity and power, but also subtlety and nuance.  

The Group Rep is entering its 43rd year of continuous operation and proudly announces its newest Season containing an exciting collection of original and classic theatrical offerings.  These will explore the reasons people do the things they do and offer the audience a portal into the motives that drive a fascinating array of complicated human beings.

Hard to believe, but Kritzerland turned 6 on Sunday September 4 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Bruce Kimmel and his record company Kritzerland began their series of concerts at the Gardenia for the first year, then moved to Vitello's with Michael Sterling and onto the Federal four years ago. Kimmel and Kritzerland are joined at the hip; it's his brainchild ... and he brings all of his ingenious theatricality and cleverness to each show. This anniversary show was over.the.moon great with terribly eclectic, funny numbers and some absolutely wonderful talent. On board were steadies Sharon McNight, Nick Santa Maria, Ilene Graff and hubbie Ben Lanzarone, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman and special appearance by composer Richard M. Sherman. Newcomers Marc Ginsburg, Reagan Pasternak and little Hayley Shukiar joined 'Guy Haines' for a heartfelt and laugh-filled concert. Wonderful Richard Allen served as musical director and accompanist for most of the songs throughout the 90-minute set.

On Sunday July 31 Michael Sterling celebrated 10 years of his cabaret supper club now called Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal with a mega-delightful show headlining the music of his mentor Rosemary Clooney called Everything's Coming Up Rosie. On the bill were two exuberantly talented singers Kerry O'Malley and Mary Callanan. Backed by virtuoso musical director Richard Allen at the piano and his superb trio of musicians that included Ed Smith on drums and Randy Landas on bass, the two gals sent out glorious vibes in the 90-minute set.

What a lovely surprise! I know that Bruce Kimmel is quite the clever gentleman and would not expect anything less than superlative work from his camp, but stepping down to the college campus level to review is not something that I particularly savor. These actors, with the exception of Robert Yacko and April Audia, are students, not yet professional performers as such. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed, not by the singing, but at least by the acting and overall drive and energy of the performers who delivered a mightily informative, nostalgic and fun show. It's called L.A. Now and Then, and it's a revue with songs and monologues that take a glance back at Los Angeles through the years and compare past with present cultural values. Kimmel as director maintains a great pace throughout: no lags; the show moves!

Conceived and Directed by Grammy nominated Producer, Director, Writer, and Composer Bruce Kimmel, L.A. NOW AND THEN, is a new musical revue about the city that was and the city that is. Proudly presented by Kimmel's alma mater, The Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy and Kritzerland Entertainment, the production will be presented May 13 - 22, 2016 at the Caminito Theatre on the campus of Los Angeles City College (LACC). BroadwayWorld has an inside look at the show's opening night; scroll down for photos!

Conceived and Directed by Grammy nominated Producer, Director, Writer, and Composer Bruce Kimmel, L.A. NOW AND THEN, is a new musical revue about the city that was and the city that is.