Christian Lebano News

Remember the classic 1983 film in which little Ralphie Parker (Griffin Sanford) in a small town in Indiana in 1940 wants a BB gun and formulates an elaborate plan to get one from Santa Claus? 'You'll shoot your eye out!' everyone complains. The movie contains one of the funniest scenes on film where little Flick (Jude Gomez) gets his tongue frozen on the school flag pole. Now in a rare production of the adapted movie script by Philip Grecian, A Christmas Story is live onstage with a bevy of kids, 14 in fact, and a whole lot of quaint antics, meticulously directed by artistic director Christian Lebano, at SMP through December 31.

Thomas Gibbons' rarely seen exploration of responsibility in reporting black culture and sensibility Bee-Luther-Hatchee is receiving an engrossing production at Sierra Madre Playhouse with meticulous direction from Saundra McClain and a superb cast of five,

There are undoubtedly other productions worthy of merit in 2016 which I did not cover. This list is based only on what I saw and reviewed. (alphabetical listings; Equity, Equity-waiver & Non-Equity productions are mixed) (artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories) No set, costume, technical awards. I leave that to the bigger awards and to the expertise of those who really know those fields inside out.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic book Little House on the Prairie (1932) became famous as an hour-long TV drama in the 70s (1974-1983) starring Michael Landon and featuring Melissa Gilbert in her acting debut as Laura. The books, as well as the TV show, are forever popular. In fact, the TV show runs regularly on cable channel Insp Monday through Friday. Sierra Madre Playhouse and its artistic director Christian Lebano have chosen to bring back James DeVita's stage adaptation of the stories as its holiday presentation, first seen in 2014, A Little House Christmas, skillfully directed by Alison Eliel Kalmus and featuring a delightful cast of 10, is now onstage in its revival of a West Coast premiere, through December 23.

For many, Tennessee Williams' first play The Glass Menagerie remains his finest. Semi-autobiographical, the play takes place in St. Louis during the Depression and depicts the relationships between a restless alcoholic/shoe factory worker/wannabe writer, his overbearing mother and his psychologically deficient sister - all of which stems from Williams' actual background. Williams finds his voice in Tom. (Christian Durso)

Broadway had one of its greatest commercial hits and the longest running comedy-thriller with Ira Levin's Deathtrap in 1978, and it was later on film in 1982 with Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve. Like Sleuth  before it, Deathtrap makes a game out of murder with plot twists too numerable to mention, and adds just a small amount of comedy to make it all palatable. It's a play within a play, making it doubly intriguing to watch. Now on stage at Sierra Madre Playhouse, this new production of the classic is solid with fine direction from Christian Lebano and a resilient cast.

A Little House Christmas/based on the book Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder/'adapted for the stage by James DeVita/directed by Emily Chase/Sierra Madre Playhouse/through December 23Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic book Little House on the Prairie (1932) became famous as an hour-long TV drama in the 70s (1974-1983) starring Michael Landon and featuring Melissa Gilbert in her acting debut as Laura. The books, as well as the TV show, are forever popular. As part of their focus on America season, Sierra Madre Playhouse and its artistic director Christian Lebano have chosen James DeVita's stage adaptation of the stories as its holiday presentation A Little House Christmas beautifully directed by Emily Chase and featuring a superb cast of 10, now onstage in its West Coast premiere, through December 23.

Amy Herzog's Pulitzer-Prize nominated 4,000 Miles explores a most difficult relationship between a grandmother of 90 and her grandson some seventy years her junior. That gap in age is very wide like the distance of 4,000 miles from Seattle, Washington to New York City which Leo (Christian Prentice) covers by bicycle. Long journeys of any type involve struggles as well as rewards, and the play is a sweet optimistic look at how two very different people can change each other for the better. Now in its LA premiere 4,000 Miles is onstage at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in an endearing and richly detailed production directed lovingly by Christian Lebano and featuring a dynamite cast of four actors.

New artistic director of Sierra Madre Playhouse Christian Lebano is busy as director rehearsing 4000 Miles for its opening at Sierra Madre Playhouse September 26. Lebano talks about this play, this season at Sierra Madre and his role as artistic director, including his plans for the playhouse. What is your background at Sierra Madre Playhouse?

The shining moment in this 70-minute Civil War musical comes in the final scene when the entire cast executes Ameenah Kaplan's dramatic drum choreography with exciting precision. It's a thrilling conclusion to an otherwise plodding musical by Doug Cooney (book & lyrics) and Lee Ahlin (music).

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents the final production of its 2009-2010 season, the Los Angeles premiere of ROCK 'N' ROLL, written by Tom Stoppard and directed by Barbara Schofield.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents the final production of its 2009-2010 season, the Los Angeles premiere of ROCK 'N' ROLL, written by Tom Stoppard and directed by Barbara Schofield.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents the final production of its 2009-2010 season, the Los Angeles premiere of ROCK 'N' ROLL, written by Tom Stoppard and directed by Barbara Schofield.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents the final production of its 2009-2010 season, the Los Angeles premiere of ROCK 'N' ROLL, written by Tom Stoppard and directed by Barbara Schofield.

The Fountain Theatre has announced a second and final extension for the Los Angeles premiere of Opus by Michael Hollinger through September 26. Opus has been enjoying sold out houses and solid word-of-mouth since if first opened last June to rave reviews, but must make way for the opening of the U.S. premiere of Athol Fugard's newest play, The Train Driver, on October 16. Opus is a smart, funny and insightful portrait of the fictional Lazara String Quartet. As the foursome prepares for a high profile performance at the White House, tensions mount and personalities clash. When their brilliant, but unstable, violist disappears, the others must seek someone new to perform with them. Will the talented young woman they select fit into a group of men with a complex history? With only days left to prepare, the musicians must navigate the creative, yet often disharmonious, path of creating a masterpiece. Violist-turned playwright Michael Hollinger skillfully establishes how four very distinct personalities must, in the pursuit of artistic excellence, synthesize with one another to create one seamless sound. The Fountain Theatre production has received unanimous praise from reviewers including a 'Critic's Choice' in the Los Angeles Times, a 'GO!' in the LA Weekly, and 'Critic's Pick' in Back Stage. Reviewplays.com shouts 'Bravo!', StageSceneLA says 'Wow!', the Santa Monica Mirror raves 'pitch perfect,' BroadwayWorld cries 'Brilliant' and the Beverly Press calls Opus 'perfection.' On Sunday, September 12 at 4:30 pm, the Fountain presents Los Angeles-based string quartet Quartetto Fantastico for a live chamber music concert following the matinee performance of Opus (separate admission; discount available with Opus ticket stub). Quartetto Fantastico (Chris Woods and Paul Cartwright, violin; Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, viola; Peter Jacobson, cello) is known for the skill of its members in the art of improvisation on themes or 'quotations' from classical pieces, as well as from jazz, Indian ragas, hip hop, and world music. Opus is directed by Simon Levy and features Daniel Blinkoff, Jia Doughman, Gregory G. Giles, Christian Lebano and Cooper Thornton. Performances of Opus continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through September 26. Tickets are $25 on Thursdays and Fridays and $30 on Saturdays and Sundays. On Thursdays and Fridays only, students with ID are $18. and seniors over 62 are $23. Admission to the live concert with Quartetto Fantastico on September 12 at 4:30 pm is $30; a $10 discount is available with presentation of an Opus ticket stub. The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5.00. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call (323) 663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.

The Fountain Theatre has extended the Los Angeles premiere of Opus by Michael Hollinger through August 29th.

The Fountain Theatre has announced a second and final extension for the Los Angeles premiere of Opus by Michael Hollinger through September 26. Opus has been enjoying sold out houses and solid word-of-mouth since if first opened last June to rave reviews, but must make way for the opening of the U.S. premiere of Athol Fugard's newest play, The Train Driver, on October 16. Opus is a smart, funny and insightful portrait of the fictional Lazara String Quartet. As the foursome prepares for a high profile performance at the White House, tensions mount and personalities clash. When their brilliant, but unstable, violist disappears, the others must seek someone new to perform with them. Will the talented young woman they select fit into a group of men with a complex history? With only days left to prepare, the musicians must navigate the creative, yet often disharmonious, path of creating a masterpiece. Violist-turned playwright Michael Hollinger skillfully establishes how four very distinct personalities must, in the pursuit of artistic excellence, synthesize with one another to create one seamless sound. The Fountain Theatre production has received unanimous praise from reviewers including a 'Critic's Choice' in the Los Angeles Times, a 'GO!' in the LA Weekly, and 'Critic's Pick' in Back Stage. Reviewplays.com shouts 'Bravo!', StageSceneLA says 'Wow!', the Santa Monica Mirror raves 'pitch perfect,' BroadwayWorld cries 'Brilliant' and the Beverly Press calls Opus 'perfection.' On Sunday, September 12 at 4:30 pm, the Fountain presents Los Angeles-based string quartet Quartetto Fantastico for a live chamber music concert following the matinee performance of Opus (separate admission; discount available with Opus ticket stub). Quartetto Fantastico (Chris Woods and Paul Cartwright, violin; Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, viola; Peter Jacobson, cello) is known for the skill of its members in the art of improvisation on themes or 'quotations' from classical pieces, as well as from jazz, Indian ragas, hip hop, and world music. Opus is directed by Simon Levy and features Daniel Blinkoff, Jia Doughman, Gregory G. Giles, Christian Lebano and Cooper Thornton. Performances of Opus continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through September 26. Tickets are $25 on Thursdays and Fridays and $30 on Saturdays and Sundays. On Thursdays and Fridays only, students with ID are $18. and seniors over 62 are $23. Admission to the live concert with Quartetto Fantastico on September 12 at 4:30 pm is $30; a $10 discount is available with presentation of an Opus ticket stub. The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5.00. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call (323) 663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.