J. Elaine Marcos News

Following eight exciting editions at the E Spot Lounge, (mostly)musicals takes a detour downtown for their first show in the beautiful, intimate Bar Fedora at Au Lac! "We are so excited to be doing a holiday show again, our last was in 2014.

The largest cast of Broadway performers ever assembled in Los Angeles, with over 55 Broadway shows combined, will take the stage at the El Portal Theatre for Broadway to the Rescue's 3rd benefit concert for two spectacular nights on December 1 & 2, 2016 at 7PM. The Big Fat Christmas Show promises to be the must-attend event of the holiday season. 

The largest cast of Broadway performers ever assembled in Los Angeles, with over 55 Broadway shows combined, will take the stage at the El Portal Theatre for Broadway to the Rescue's 3rd benefit concert for two spectacular nights on December 1 & 2, 2016 at 7PM. The Big Fat Christmas Show promises to be the must-attend event of the holiday season. 

The world premiere stage adaptation features some of Broadway and television's best creative talent, two extremely strong leads, and an infectiously energetic ensemble cast.

The Broadway Artists Connection (BAC) presents Broadway Artists & Friends Open Mic & Mingle hosted by eight time Broadway Veteran & comedian J. Elaine Marcos on Monday, October 10th at 7pm (doors open at 6pm). The evening will be kicked off by a stellar line up of Broadway pros (listed below) followed by selected artists at the legendary Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St.

On Friday, July 29, the cast of the 2016 Hollywood Bowl production of A CHORUS LINE met members of the original 1975 Broadway cast backstage. Below, check out a photo featuring cast members of the Hollywood Bowl production of A CHORUS LINE side by side with the original Broadway cast members who created their roles!

Engaging, well-paced, aurally pleasing, and exceedingly entertaining from start to finish, the Hollywood Bowl's A CHORUS LINE is an exceptional presentation of this iconic show which celebrates those hard-working, ultra-talented, under-paid men and women who willingly choose a volatile career in which they sing and dance their hearts out in the background of a musical. It is set in the far out mid-70's, hence, the show is a retro-tastic trip down memory lane as it showcases a day of auditions for eight chorus member positions in a brand new musical opening on Broadway. For this Bowl version of A CHORUS LINE, producers enlisted TV host/actor Mario Lopez and then filling the rest of the large 17-member cast with a diverse group of proven triple-threat stage professionals. The resulting show is, hands down, one of the most well-performed musical productions that I have seen at the Bowl. From the execution of director/choreographer Baayork Lee's Michael Bennett-inspired choreography to the incredible singing performances of Kleban and Hamlisch's memorable classic songs, this is a production of A CHORUS LINE that can stand proudly side-by-side with any acclaimed full production of the musical, regional or otherwise.

The cast includes Mario Lopez as Zach, Sarah Bowden as Cassie Ferguson, Krysta Rodriguez as Diana Morales, and Courtney Lopez as Kristine Ulrich. A Chorus Line also stars Sabrina Bryan as Valerie Clark, Robert Fairchild as Mike Costa, Spencer Liff as Larry, and Ross Lynch as Mark Anthony. In addition,Mara Davi as Maggie Winslow, J. Elaine Marcos as Connie Wong, Jason Tam as Paul San Marco, and Leigh Zimmerman as Sheila Bryant round out the principal cast.

The LA Phil's Hollywood Bowl production of A Chorus Line opening July 29 -31 for three performances has been in full tilt rehearsals since last week and BroadwayWorld's own Michael Sterling was there to talk to the stars and get a sneak peek at what audiences can expect on the legendary Hollywood Bowl's massive stage.

To any A CHORUS LINE aficionado, the mere mention of Baayork Lee will conjure up vivid memories of the original Connie Wong - the youthful-looking, 4'10' Asian-American, perky dynamo who repeatedly evaded revealing her biological age to Zach, the interviewing choreographer. Now in 2016, Baayork will be choreographing and directing her most recent production of A CHORUS LINE at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

The Hollywood Bowl's production of A Chorus Line, which plays July 29-31, will feature all-star cast, including Mario Lopez as Zach, Krysta Rodriguez as Diana Morales, Robert Fairchild as Mike Costa, Spencer Liff as Larry, Mara Davi as Maggie Winslow, J. Elaine Marcos as Connie Wong, and Jason Tam as Paul San Marco. Perhaps a lesser-known cast member is Cassie herself- Sarah Bowden.

New casting has been announced for the Hollywood Bowl's production of A Chorus Line, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical.  The additional cast members announced are Mario Lopez as Zach, Sarah Bowden as Cassie Ferguson, Krysta Rodriguez as Diana Morales, and Courtney Lopez as Kristine Ulrich.

This Thursday, June 9th at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, an elite cast of Broadway veterans will take to the stage for a one-night only benefit concert performing numbers from the award-winning Broadway shows that put them on the map. 100% of the proceeds from this stellar night of song and dance will benefit the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission. Panera Bread has graciously come on board to sponsor the evening.  Currently in rehearsals, the cast of over 50 Broadway performers, ensemble singers, and dancers is prepping for what is sure to be a thrilling night of theatre in Los Angeles.

Casting for the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of A Chorus Line, which won the Tony® Award for Best Musical, has been announced: Sabrina Bryan as Valerie Clark, Robert Fairchild as Mike Costa, Spencer Liff as Larry, Ross Lynch as Mark Anthony, in addition to Mara Davi as Maggie Winslow, Denis Lambert as Gregory Gardner, J. Elaine Marcos as Connie Wong, Jason Tam as Paul San Marco, and Leigh Zimmerman as Sheila Bryant. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Just days before New York City gathers to honor Broadway at the 70th Annual Tony Awards, the best and brightest Broadway performers are being assembled to celebrate and give back right here in Los Angeles.

After a two-month absence, (mostly)musicals returned to the E Spot Lounge on Monday, April 25, with IT'S ABOUT TIME, the company's 17th entry in their series of themed cabarets. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

It's nearly time! After a two month absence, (mostly)musicals will return to the E Spot Lounge on Monday, April 25 with IT'S ABOUT TIME, the company's 17th entry in their series of themed cabarets. Scroll down for a peek at the company's rehearsal time!

Though that comedy device of rewritten song lyrics is (unfortunately) not utilized for the film's musical stage adaptation, still, much of the spirit and basic plot architecture of the original movie remains in SISTER ACT - THE MUSICAL, which features all-original songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, as well as a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (with additional material contributed later by playwright Douglas Carter Beane). Currently, Musical Theatre West's admirable regional production of this Tony-nominated Broadway musical comedy is finishing out its final weekend of performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through April 24. Goofy and full of cutesy charm MTW's regional production definitely brings in the (joyful) noise and the funk to Long Beach. So what makes the show enjoyable? Well... for lack of a better phrase... it's all about the nuns.

Sister Act the Musical started out in 2006 at the Pasadena Playhouse, premiered in London's West End in 2009 and then underwent serious revisions before coming to Broadway in 2011. I remember liking the first mounting in 2006 with many reservations. Since I loved the 1992 film so much, I didn't feel that the stage version was particularly faithful...no pun intended. Well, with all the 2011 changes, MTW's revival of the Broadway version is tops, a joyful, tuneful, splashy romp that never lets down, with a tremendous cast, stellar direction from Michael Matthews and soulful choreography from Daniel Smith. Douglas Carter Beane, who penned the screenplay To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the Tony nominated play The Little Dog Laughed, added new book material for the national tour, included here, and this contributes substantially to molding a sleek and unforgettable show.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents Sister Act, Broadway's feel-good musical comedy at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center April 8-24.  Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg hit film, written by Joseph Howard, the five-time Tony nominated Broadway sensation features an award winning creative team with original score and music by composer Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Tangled), book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Cheers), additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed ).  The reinvented musical adaptation is filled with heavenly music with a disco beat, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!  Tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.  Tickets start at $20.