Jake Anthony News

A twenty-year musical theatre tradition will be streamed live for the first time this year. New Musicals Inc. will host the 20th STAGES FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS from July 28th through July 30th in North Hollywood, and streamcast it across the globe.

With their critically acclaimed production of Stephen Karam's Speech & Debate running at the Trafalgar Studios, Defibrillator Artistic Director James Hillier today announces the full casting for their production of Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind.

Palos Verdes Performing Arts continues its 34th season with Dan Goggin's musical comedy sensation, 'Nunsense.' The production will run for 8 performances, January 20-29 at the Norris Theatre.

Palos Verdes Performing Arts continues its 34th season with Dan Goggin's musical comedy sensation, 'Nunsense.' The production will run for 8 performances, January 20-29 at the Norris Theatre.

Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, celebrates the holiday season with steamy retrotainment in a cozy speakeasy environment. Perfect for date night, holiday party or out-of-town guests, Uptown Underground is home to The Kiss Kiss Cabaret and Chicago Magic Lounge as well as other regular performers from burlesque to drag, cabaret to circus.

Dreamland, a new musical conceived, written, composed by 14-time Emmy Award winner John Francis Smith with daughter Asia Ray Smith, will have its first ever "off-book" staged performances at the NoHo Arts Center Friday, June 17 at 8:00 pm; and Saturday, June 18 at 2:00 and 8:00 pm.  The production is also produced by Smith.  Robert Arnold directs, with musical direction by Christian Regul and Jake Anthony (who also serves as vocal director).

 Rubicon Theatre Company is pleased to announce the complete cast of WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?, part of the second year of the annual Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Musical Concert Series. Celebrating the music of George and Ira Gershwin, one of the most significant and popular American songwriting teams of all time, WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE? is presented for three performances only, Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 3 at 2:00 p.m.

The Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Musical Concert Series at Rubicon Theatre Company continues in its second year with a weekend concert celebrating one of the most significant and popular American songwriting teams of all time, George and Ira Gershwin. WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE? will be presented for two nights only on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.

After a successful weekend of previews, Loft Ensemble is excited to open our newest world premiere this Saturday. The Aeroplane is a world premiere drama written and directed by Mitch Rosander that deals head on with the issues of addiction, recovery, and self-identity.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2015 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) is thrilled to announce the first show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with THE BAKER'S WIFE, book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), musical direction by Jake Anthony, choreography by Julie Hall, produced by Kimi Walker and directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel (110 in the Shade, Floyd Collins). THE BAKER'S WIFE opens tonight, September 18 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 25 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2015 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) is thrilled to announce the first show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with THE BAKER'S WIFE, book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), musical direction by Jake Anthony, choreography by Julie Hall, produced by Kimi Walker and directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel (110 in the Shade, Floyd Collins). THE BAKER'S WIFE will preview on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17 at 8pm and will open on Friday, September 18 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 25 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

The Album Project returns with its latest musical presentation, The Album Project: Rumours. The t re-imagining of Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album will debut on July 8th at King King Hollywood.

New Musicals Inc. announces the 2015 Summer Musical Theatre Boot Camp with courses for bookwriters, lyricists, and performers.

This February, the Tony Award winning musical Into the Woods, by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, leaps off the big screen and back onto the stage! Center Stage Opera presents a thrilling LIVE production of this wry tale of wishing gone awry, set in a magical new setting by director Dylan F. Thomas. This production will take place at The Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park as part of our 10th Season!

Your favorite po' country girl turned high-falutin' prostitute with a heart of gold is back in the brand new holiday show, Fancy! Hoe for the Holidays.

Charles Dickens' last novel, unfinished at the time of his death in 1870, supplied the story for the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood which won five Tony Awards when it first premiered in 1985. Although it won for Best Book and Best Score, I hardly find either completely satisfying. On the musical side, it's very much like operetta, with pretty singing, but with only one memorable song 'Don't Quit While You're Ahead'. As far as the book is concerned, it is a lengthy attempt to complete Dickens' story by allowing the audience to have its say...certainly a novel concept in 1985. Was he murdered? Was he in fact alive at the end? You decide! On the positive side, it is creative and very theatrical as a play within a play encouraging grande overplaying by the company of actors, and making it an assuredly fun entertainment. Despite mixed feelings about the play, I cannot but laud the current production at Actors Coop which is magnificently staged by director Stephen Van Dorn, wonderfully choreographed by Julie Hall and with an astounding ensemble... through October 26.

Actors Co-op announces its first show in its 2014-2015 season (and 23rd year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with an immersive and environmental production of the five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical 'Whodunit,' THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, choreography by Julie Hall, musical direction by Jake Anthony and directed by Stephen Van Dorn. THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD will begin previews tonight, September 17 and Thursday, September 18 at 8pm and will open on Friday, September 19 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 26 at the Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Actors Co-op announces its first show in its 2014-2015 season (and 23rd year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with an immersive and environmental production of the five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical 'Whodunit,' THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, choreography by Julie Hall, musical direction by Jake Anthony and directed by Stephen Van Dorn. THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD will begin previews on Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 18 at 8pm and will open on Friday, September 19 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 26 at the Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Fancy: Secrets From My Bootydoir, the riotous interactive cabaret experience featuring po' country girl turned high falutin' prostitute Fancy Jean Baker has been extended two more shows, tonight Saturday, July 12 & Saturday, July 19th at 8pm at Three Clubs in Hollywood.