Cooper Howell News

While nearly every Broadway show receives a developmental workshop in New York or Los Angeles, the creative team for one show with Broadway aspirations has selected an unusual city for this step in the development process.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT opened the first show of its 2016-2017 season, the Los Angeles premiere production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell, musical direction by Dennis Castellano, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Glenn Casale.  THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is running through Sunday, October 9, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.   BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the opening night celebration below!

Following the success of August's ROAD TRIP, (mostly)musicals will return to the E Spot Lounge on Monday, September 19 with UP FOR DEBATE, the company's 19th entry in a series of themed cabarets. 'It's nearly time for the big election in November, but we wanted to put together a party people could really get behind!' explains producer Amy Francis Schott.

On Monday, June 27, A LITTLE NEW MUSIC debuted in its new venue, the historic Catalina Jazz Club, showcasing the best of new musical theatre songwriting with an incredible cast of Broadway and LA talent. Comedian, actress, and writer Chris Farah ('Superstore,' 'Modern Family,' 'Chelsea Lately,' solo show/cult character FANCY!) hosted the evening alongside the ALNM band (Will Yanez, Eliana Athayde, and Alex Stickels) and resident musical director Bryan Blaskie.

A Little New Music (ALNM), now at the renowned Catalina Bar & Grill, invites Los Angeles to discover something new to love about musical theater. The Monday, June 27th concert marks ALNM's twelfth collaboration with emerging musical theater creators and performers from near and far.

Unquestionably one of musical theater's most beloved, iconic classics, WEST SIDE STORY---the stirring Broadway musical that features a book by theater titan Arthur Laurents, music by the incomparable Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by living legend Stephen Sondheim---remains a still-resonant masterpiece of song, dance and story that explores themes still quite relevant even in modern times. For Musical Theatre West in Long Beach's latest regional revival, the show is presented in a rather nostalgic iteration that closely harkens back to the mood and feel of the original 1957 stage production (plus hints of its Academy Award-winning 1961 film adaptation). Nothing beats going to back to the power and intentions of the Jerome Robbins-helmed original, which this production successfully honors and emulates. In essence, this WEST SIDE STORY is a satisfying trip down memory lane, reaching back far enough to allow the original material to shine and reverberate.

Ask musical actors/actresses what is their favorite Broadway musical of all time and they most often concur, West Side Story. Why? It has phenomenal music by Leonard Bernstein, with concise poetic lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a tight and gripping book by Arthur Laurents, and brilliant choreography established in 1957 by Jerome Robbins. It is one of the most powerful love stories ever, next to Romeo and Juliet. With all these elements complementing one another, from the first downbeat of the orchestra and the appearance of the Jets creeping in one by one on a half-lit stage, the show pulls you in and doesn't let go of you for its two and a half hours ... and its message and images of love linger long after the curtain falls.

A LITTLE NEW MUSIC brought the house down on December 8th at Rockwell Table and Stage in LA with a landmark 10th showcase of fresh and exciting musical theater material. Special guest host John Tartaglia (Broadway's AVENUE Q and SHREK THE MUSICAL), brought his sparkling humor to this dynamic evening celebrating the next generation of musical theater artists. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

A LITTLE NEW MUSIC is proud to present a landmark 10th showcase of fresh and original musical theater material with special guest host, John Tartaglia (AVENUE Q, SHREK THE MUSICAL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), who brings his sparkling humor to this dynamic evening celebrating the next generation of musical theater artists.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), announce the second show of their 2015-2016 season, RENT, book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Larson, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins).

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), announce the second show of their 2015-2016 season, RENT, book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Larson, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins).  RENT will preview on Friday, October 23, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 24) and run through Sunday, November 15, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

After a nationwide search for new short musicals created by young writers, the six final shows have been selected for SHOWSEARCH, produced by The Festival of New American Musicals in residence at University of California, Irvine.

After a nationwide search for new short musicals created by young writers, the six final shows have been selected for SHOWSEARCH, produced by The Festival of New American Musicals in residence at University of California, Irvine.

After a nationwide search for new short musicals created by young writers, the six final shows have been selected for SHOWSEARCH, produced by The Festival of New American Musicals in residence at University of California, Irvine.

Utah Repertory Theater Company is gearing up to present the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT from September 20 to October 6 at downtown Salt Lake City's The Project. Musical director Rick Rea spoke with BroadwayWorld about the personal and universal impact of the groundbreaking show and its iconic music.

To propel continued growth and increase its level of professionalism, Utah Repertory Theater Company announces the addition of Kymberly Mellen to its board of advisers as Executive Producer: Artistic Adviser/Casting.

Local actor William Cooper Howell is currently performing the role of Che in EVITA (music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice) at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City. He was happy to answer questions from BroadwayWorld about his involvement in the production, as well as other theatre experiences.

Plan-B Theatre Company will present five short plays by five Utah playwrights in SLAM tonight, May 4, 2013 at 8pm at the Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner, 138 W 300 S, SLC.

Plan-B Theatre Company will present five short plays by five Utah playwrights in SLAM on May 4, 2013 at 8pm at the Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner, 138 W 300 S, SLC.