What our schoolbooks lack in historical accuracy, art can sometimes pick up the slack by being a reliable, more enthusiastic source to fill in those gaps. This becomes abundantly clear immediately upon experiencing the haunting yet beautifully-dramatized world premiere play LITTLE BLACK SHADOWS, Kemp Powers' captivating new drama under the astute direction of May Adrales, that is now continuing its final set of performances at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through April 29. Visually striking and richly layered, the play piques the audience's curiosity with its riveting storytelling while educating them on a side of American slavery that most probably didn't know too much about before.
Playwright Kemp Powers knew he'd found something incredible in the personal recollections of former slaves documented by a federal writers project during the Great Depression. Discovering the different voices and views in those first-person histories inspired him to learn more and write Little Black Shadows, which has its world premiere at South Coast Repertory, April 8-29, on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Directed by May Adrales, the show is part of the Pacific Playwrights Festival. Tickets are available now at www.scr.org.
Tonight, April 24, A Little New Music returns to the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood to present their 14th evening of artists performing new and unheard musical theatre pieces in a classic cabaret setting, with hosts Barrett Foa, (B'way: AVENUE Q, SPELLING BEE, TV: 'NCIS:LA') and ALNM founding producer, Christopher Maikish.
On Monday, April 24 at 8:30pm, A Little New Music will feature an eclectic array of artists performing original music theatre pieces in a classic cabaret-like setting at the historic Catalina Jazz Club.
On Monday, April 24 at 8:30pm, A Little New Music will feature an eclectic array of artists performing original music theatre pieces in a classic cabaret-like setting at the historic Catalina Jazz Club.
On Sunday, February 19 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2017 Presented by Princess Cruises came to an uber exciting conclusion at the Colony Theatre. After a very entertaining 90-minute program in which the 18 contestants gave 150% to their uptempo songs from Broadway shows, thirteen contestants were eliminated and the top five finalists selected during the first intermission. It was then decided, like the last two years from the consensus of the judges, to add a sixth contestant. Then each of the six proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of 18 judges made the final decision during the second intermission. Musical director par excellence Richard Berent accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.
Coeurage Theatre Company, LA's Pay What You Want Company, has announced the extension and re-opening of Urinetown: The Musical. With music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, book by Kotis, musical direction by Gregory Nabours, and directed by Kari Hayter, the extended run will begin on Friday, January 6 at 8pm and continue through February 25 at the Historic Lankershim Arts Center.
Coeurage Theatre Company are known around town as the rebels, the 'pay what you want' company. Their motto? 'Nobody should have to pay high prices to see good theatre'. Nice reminder in these depression era times where our government is wracked by the entree of a despicably inept political leader and the majority of our middle-class struggle to make ends meet. The locale of this satirical musical comedy Urinetown, which had its Broadway run in 2001 with 10 Tony nominations, is a typical small city in a futuristic time where a drought has caused a water shortage and its citizens no longer have private amenities. They must urinate in public places and pay a fee to do so. The greedy Urine Good Company controls the enterprise, and if people pee in the bushes, they are arrested and thrown into Urinetown. Now in a striking production by the Coeurage Theatre Company at the Historic Lankershim Arts Center, the rarely revived Urinetown strikes s chord in our troubled times, as audiences laugh away problems that, when it comes right down to it, may not be that unimaginable.
Coeurage Theatre Company, LA's Pay What You Want Company, has announced the final production of its seventh season, three-time Tony Award-winner Urinetown: The Musical. With music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, book by Kotis, musical direction by Gregory Nabours, and directed by Kari Hayter, there will be one preview performance on November 4 at 8pm and opening is set for Saturday, November 5 at 8pm. Urinetown: The Musical will play through December 3 at the Historic Lankershim Arts Center.
