James McHale News

On Saturday, February 7, Chance Theater's Board of Directors, staff and resident artists held a special event to honor their major capital campaign donors and give them a literal standing ovation. The guest of honor at the event was community leader, Bette Aitken, whose husband Wylie surprised her last year with a $250,000 gift to the Chance to name the theater's new home after her.

Chance Theater has announced its sixth and final production for its 2014 Season - an original musical celebration for the holidays, A Celtic Holiday with Craic in the Stone. Written by resident artists Jocelyn A. Brown, David McCormick, James McHale, Jennifer Ruckman and Bill Strongin, along with Aimee Gomez, Karen O'Hanlon and Scott B. Well. A Celtic Holiday with Craic in the Stone will preview on Tue, December 9. The press performance is on December 10. Regular performances begin tonight, December 11 and continue through December 23 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center.

The appeal of trading in the hustle and bustle of a 21st Century lifestyle for a 1955 throwback downgrade is the focus of Jordan Harrison's wonderfully intriguing play MAPLE & VINE, now having its Los Angeles/Orange County premiere production at the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills through October 19. Directed by Mark Ramont, the dark dramedy traces the story of an interracial married couple and the drastic steps they take on to not only escape their respective present-day ruts but to further ignite their hopeful pursuit of happiness.

Chance Theater will present the fourth show of its 16th Anniversary Season - the clever and sharply drawn fantasy, Maple and Vine. Written by Jordan Harrison, with direction by Mark Ramont. Maple and Vine previews through tonight, September 25, with regular performances beginning tomorrow, September 26 and continuing through October 19 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chance Theater will present the fourth show of its 16th Anniversary Season - the clever and sharply drawn fantasy, Maple and Vine. Written by Jordan Harrison, with direction by Mark Ramont. Maple and Vine will preview from September 19 through 25, with regular performances beginning September 26 and continuing through October 19 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center. The company recently held a design preview party for the show, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

Chance Theater has announced its sixth and final production for its 2014 Season - an original musical celebration for the holidays, A Celtic Holiday with Craic in the Stone. Written by resident artists Jocelyn A. Brown, David McCormick, James McHale, Jennifer Ruckman and Bill Strongin, along with Aimee Gomez, Karen O'Hanlon and Scott B. Well. A Celtic Holiday with Craic in the Stone will preview on Tue, December 9. The press performance is on December 10. Regular performances begin December 11 and continue through December 23 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center.

Chance Theater presents the fifth show of its 15th Anniversary Season - a family-friendly holiday offering The Secret Garden - The Musical with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Marsha Norman, music by Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, and directed by Casey Long and KC Wilkerson. The Secret Garden - The Musical opened on November 30 and continues through December 29 at Chance Theater. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chance Theater presents the fifth show of its 15th Anniversary Season - a family-friendly holiday offering The Secret Garden - The Musical with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Marsha Norman, music by Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, and directed by Casey Long and KC Wilkerson. The Secret Garden - The Musical will preview on November 29 and 30, open November 30 and continue through December 29 at Chance Theater.

Chance Theater presents the third show of its 15th Anniversary Season - the hilarious and irreverent emo rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson by Alex Timbers, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and directed by Kari Hayter. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson opens tonight, July 12 and continues through August 4 at Chance Theater.

Chance Theater presents the third show of its 15th Anniversary Season - the hilarious and irreverent emo rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson by Alex Timbers, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and directed by Kari Hayter. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson began previews on July 5, and opens July 12, continuing through August 4 at Chance Theater. Check out a first look below!

Chance Theater presents the third show of its 15th Anniversary Season - the hilarious and irreverent emo rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson by Alex Timbers, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and directed by Kari Hayter. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson begins previews on July 5, opens July 12 and continues through August 4 at Chance Theater.

Chance Theater presents the second show of its 2013 season with the Orange County Premiere of THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER by Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber, playing in repertory with the award-winning masterwork, THE LARAMIE PROJECT, by Moises Kaufman and members of Tectonic Theater Project, both directed by Chance Theater's Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen. THE LARAMIE PROJECT will preview tonight, April 18 & Saturday, April 20 at 8pm and will open on Tuesday, April 23 at 8pm.

Chance Theater presents the second show of its 2013 season with the Orange County Premiere of THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER by Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber, playing in repertory with the award-winning masterwork, THE LARAMIE PROJECT, by Moises Kaufman and members of Tectonic Theater Project, both directed by Chance Theater's Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen. THE LARAMIE PROJECT will preview on Thursday, April 18 & Saturday, April 20 at 8pm and will open on Tuesday, April 23 at 8pm. THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER will preview on Friday, April 19 at 8pm & Sunday, April 21 at 7pm and will open on Wednesday, April 24 at 8pm and both shows will continue playing in repertory through Sunday, May 19 at Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave. in Anaheim Hills.

The Norris Center for the Performing Arts will present the classic comedy, "Arsenic and Old Lace," April 27 - May 13. A smash hit when it was first produced on Broadway in 1941. Joseph Kesselring's wickedly funny, madcap masterpiece about a wildly eccentric family is one of the most popular American stage plays of all time. A film adaptation, directed by the legendary Frank Capra, and starring Cary Grant, became an international box office success.