Ed Krieger News

There are plays that tell a story and there are plays that ponder ideas. Murray Mednick's latest world premiere MAYAKOVSKY AND STALIN is the latter, an intellectual dissection of two Russian revolutionaries who were as integral to Eastern European history as beets are to borscht. But in Mednick's drama it is their thoughts that are under the microscope, or what he imagines their thoughts to be, rather than their actions. For, as his Chorus (Max Faugno) reminds us, "We know next to nothing of the past."

ANNIE composer Charles Strouse and ANNIE lyricist (and director of the original 1977 Broadway production) Martin Charnin paid a visit backstage at Saturday night's performance of ANNIE at the Hollywood Bowl.  Check out photos from the special visit below!

Disney's Classic Film and subsequent Broadway Musical are not easy to recreate and to do justice to as well, both to the animated film version and the original stage production. Five Star Theatricals has opened this past weekend at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza/Kavli Theatre with a most lavish, charming and authentic version! I had the opportunity to speak with the Choreographer, Cheryl Baxter, of this delightful musical, and learned what it takes to be able to tackle this type of exciting but daunting project. I was not at all surprised to learn that it takes a careers'-worth of experience and dedication to be at this level.

Norm Foster has written over sixty plays which have been produced all over the world. Selections from this most-produced Canadian playwright have been included at Theatre 40 for many years, but this time the group is excited to present the U.S. Premiere of his appropriately titled new play SCREWBALL COMEDY which pays homage to this classic genre of entertainment. Emerging in the 1930s, screwball comedies were a wild new strain of fast-talking farces involving battles of the sexes and a world forever on the brink of chaos. The elements included a male and female who may be adversarial at first but are ultimately ideal for each other. Think of the classic films It Happened One Night, His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby and My Man Godfrey during which some farcical or slapstick action occurs, including snappy patter and crackling dialogue with bits of off-color humor thrown in, with the plot ultimately leading to the female gaining the upper hand in the relationship.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast/book by Linda Woolverton/music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice/originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions/directed by Yvette Lawrence/choreographed by Cheryl Baxter/musical director: Dan Redfeld/5-Star Theatricals at the Kavli Theatre of  Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza/through July 29 only Without question, 'Tale as old as time' fits the message of Beauty and the Beast, a story of true love, the most difficult to encounter. And once it's found, will it endure? Disney's adaptation of the fairy tale with its sweepingly imaginative spectacle won over even the hardest of hearts. The ani

For Laura, in Noel Coward's beautiful pre-World War II black & white film, Brief Encounter, it is an unexpected meeting at a train station that leads to a secret romance with a friendly stranger named Alec. In ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE, the stage play inspired by Coward's film, written and directed by Stephen Sachs, it is a moment in a modern day New York subway station that thrusts Emily (Deanne Bray) into a similar romantic conundrum with another stranger, Sam (Troy Kotsur).

Perhaps, as suggested by playwright Peter Lefcourt in his world premiere play THE DEATH AND LIFE OF MARY JO KOPECHNE, she had also been drinking and could not say no to a man of considerable power and influence, a man who could help advance her career, a man she also may have admired after the death of his brother Robert the previous year. Certainly, this dilemma has become particularly prominent in the #MeToo era in which we are now living where men of power are being taken to task for making unwanted sexual advances on those working for them who go along with it for career gain. What we do know is that Kennedy survived and she did not. But who was Mary Jo Kopechne?

An unforgettable love story inspired by one of the most romantic movies of all time. Stephen Sachs directs Deaf actors Deanne Bray (Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, Heroes) and Troy Kotsur (title role in Cyrano at the Fountain, Big River on Broadway) in Sachs' newest play, inspired by the screenplay for Noel Coward's Brief Encounter. The world premiere of Arrival & Departure will open on July 14 and continue through September 30 at the Fountain Theatre. The cast also features hearing actors Jessica Jade Andres, Adam Burch, Brian Robert Burns, Shon Fuller, Kyra Kotsur, Aurelia Myersand Stasha Surdyke.

There are few shows of this genre, i.e., cover bands, tributes to, impersonators and artists embodying a legendary character... or three or four... that have the triple-threat talent needed for these portrayals of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.

There'll be a whole lotta shakin' going on as Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to present the first show in its 98thseason, the Tony nominated Broadway musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, produced by Gershwin Entertainment, book by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux, musical direction by Jon Rossi and directed by Tim Seib. Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, 'What a way to start our 98thseason with a musical inspired by the electrifying true story of four legends in the same recording studio on one magical night.' Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, 'With our friends from Gershwin Entertainment, our subscribers and audiences are going to rock the night away with this amazing cast, amazing songs and we hope we can keep the roof from blowing off the Playhouse with this spectacular summertime musical event!'

5-STAR THEATRICALS will soon host Broadway's original "Belle" Susan Egan as she reprises her iconic performance once again (for one last time!) in its final show of its 2017-2018 season, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the final show in its 97th season, the critically acclaimed, Pulitzer and Tony award winner for Best Play, CLYBOURNE PARK, written by Bruce Norris and directed by Matt August. Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, 'What a privilege to close this extraordinary season with one of the most important plays of the past decade.' Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham. 'Under the direction of Matt August and with our exceptional cast, our subscribers and audiences are in for an unforgettable evening of thrilling and thought provoking theatre.' CLYBOURNE PARK will begin previews on Wednesday, June 6; will open on Sunday, June 10 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, June 24, 2018 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

For a man who has made his career in casts of operas over the years, FLYING SOLO is carried entirely on Gunn's shoulders and voice and it a highly enjoyable journey with vocals that soar. For ticket information and show times go to www.sdrep.org

In our town full of struggling actors and others from all aspects of show business, it's no wonder so many solo shows about the Industry make their way into local theaters. And any of us who have endured that backstage moment when overwhelming fear makes us forget every single line we were about to speak, or when a spotlight hits your face and makes you freeze will certainly understand many of the familiar moments shared by Steven Shaw in LOST & FOUND: A GUILT TRIP THROUGH SHOW BUSINESS, returning to Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills after a sold out run in January 2017.

MR. PIM PASSES BY debuted on the stage in 1919, written by A.A. Milne (1882-1956) Although he will be known forever for his children's literature as the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, Milne also wrote numerous plays and screenplays, books of poetry, and seven novels. This comedy for grown-ups tells a tale of mistaken identity and the lives it affects after a mysterious stranger pops up at a Woodbury, Connecticut home. It's never explained why Mr. Pim is in the neighborhood, although it's very apparent he does not live in the area nor is he visiting anyone else who does. And as the story builds, you might decide he is a character much like Clarence the Angel in "It's a Wonderful Life," there to simply make sure that love rules the day.

As the final show of Season 42, San Diego Repertory Theatre presents The Hershey Felder Production of Nathan Gunn - Flying Solo, written and directed by Hershey Felder.  The show runs May 23-June 10, 2018, with the press opening on Friday, May 25 at 8pm on the Lyceum Stage in Horton Plaza.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame/book by Peter Parnell/lyrics by Stephen Schwartz/music by Alan Menken/directed by Misti B. Wills/choreographed by Michelle Elkin/musical director: Dan Redfeld/5-Star Theatricals (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre), Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks/through April 29 ONLY Victor Hugo's monumental romantic/gothic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, published in 1831, centers in, around and on top of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. The musical of the same name written by Peter Parnell, Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken, a regional revival at 5 Star Theatricals in Thousand Oaks, presents the cathedral interior and exterior with the belltower and bells dominating the scene. This touring set represents the entire world of bellringer Quasimodo (Will North), who lives like a prisoner, confined within its walls.

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2017-2018 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell (based on the Victor Hugo Novel and songs from the Disney film), musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Michelle Elkin and directed by Misti B. Wills. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME opens on Friday, April 20, 2017 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.  

One of America's most accomplished and in-demand Baritones today, Nathan Gunn has one of those deeply lush singing voices that can pierce your heart just as it can effortlessly command the room's attention. He does exactly both with his impressive world premiere one-man show FLYING SOLO which continues its remaining performances at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA through April 22. Written and directed by frequent musical biographer Hershey Felder---and inspired by Gunn's own real life story thus far---this leisurely paced yet still quite riveting autobiographical musical is a stunner both with its touching, relatable narrative and Gunn's entertaining, charismatic performing style.

Although the details of your own personal experience will be different, almost everyone can identify with Lois Robbins' humorous story of her sexual awakening. An early starter, Robbins began at the age of 3 when she realized that rubbing up against the hard edges of furniture would provide a feeling she couldn't get enough of. When she discovered the vibrating washing machine and dryer, suffice it to say, it changed her life for good.