Jason Brewer News

Oliver!/book. lyrics and music by Lionel Bart/ based on Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist//directed by James A. Rocco/choreographed by Hector Guerrero/musical director: Ryan O'Connell/MTW (Musical Theatre West)/The Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach/through February 24 Oliver! is a devilishly fine musical by Lionel Bart who wrote the book, music and lyrics without collaboration. It's an uplifting story of an abused orphan who learns how to survive in 19th century London with the help of acquaintances from both sides of the track. Currently onstage via MTW at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach, the musical boasts a superb cast headed by Davis Gaines as Fagin and 15 delightful and talented child actors.

Consider yourself at home at Musical Theatre West's (MTW) production of Lionel Bart's Tony Award-winning musical Oliver! at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center February 8-24. Tickets are on sale now at www.musical.org, by calling (562) 856-1999, or at the MTW Box Office. Tickets start at $20.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the extension of its summer musical ... Big Fish. Originally scheduled to close on July 29th, Chance Theater will be adding the following performances: Friday, August 3 at 8pm; Saturday, August 4 at 3pm & 8pm; Sunday, August 5 at 3pm. All performances will be at Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

An endearing musical with an even more endearing story, BIG FISH is a winsome stage production that is currently making its Orange County regional debut at Anaheim's Chance Theater through July 29, 2018 helmed by its own resident executive artistic director Oanh Nguyen. Filled with hard-to-believe, imaginative tales that skew more wonderful rather than odd, this cute, warm hug of a musical is based on the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace that also inspired a 2003 big-screen adaptation directed by Tim Burton. For Chance Theater's scaled-down, small space iteration, Nguyen has fashioned a relatively appealing production that is generous with heart and admirable in spirit.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the fourth show in its 20th Anniversary Season ... Big Fish. Written by John August with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, directed by Oanh Nguyen, choreographed by Kelly Todd, and musically directed by Robyn Manion, Big Fish will preview from June 29 through July 6; regular performances will begin July 7 and continue through July 29 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the fourth show in its 20th Anniversary Season ... Big Fish. Written by John August with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, directed by Oanh Nguyen, choreographed by Kelly Todd, and musically directed by Robyn Manion, Big Fish will preview from June 29 through July 6; regular performances will begin July 7 and continue through July 29 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the fourth show in its 20th Anniversary Season ... Big Fish. Written by John August with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, directed by Oanh Nguyen, choreographed by Kelly Todd, and musically directed by Robyn Manion, Big Fish will preview from June 29 through July 6; regular performances will begin July 7 and continue through July 29 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the fourth show in its 20th Anniversary Season ... Big Fish. Written by John August with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, directed by Oanh Nguyen, choreographed by Kelly Todd, and musically directed by Robyn Manion, Big Fish will preview from June 29 through July 6; regular performances will begin July 7 and continue through July 29 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Phantom Projects Theatre Group will present the Southern California Premiere of Bud, Not Buddy, a heartwarming play for the entire family set in Michigan during the Great Depression. Based on the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel, the story follows the adventures of Bud, a young boy whose search for his father sets him off on journey that leads him to a new, deeper, understanding of 'family.' Directed by Timothy P. Thorn, Bud, Not Buddy performs at 10am, 12:30pm and 7pm, one day only: February 22, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is pleased to announce the return holiday engagement of The Secret Garden - The Musical. Written by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon and once again directed by KC Wilkerson and Casey Long, The Secret Garden will preview from November 24 through December 1; regular performances will begin December 2 and continue through December 23 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is pleased to announce the return holiday engagement of The Secret Garden - The Musical. Written by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon and once again directed by KC Wilkerson and Casey Long, The Secret Garden will preview from November 24 through December 1; regular performances will begin December 2 and continue through December 23 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is pleased to announce the return holiday engagement of The Secret Garden - The Musical. Written by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon and once again directed by KC Wilkerson and Casey Long, The Secret Garden will preview from November 24 through December 1; regular performances will begin December 2 and continue through December 23 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

As part of its mission to use theatre as a discussion starter among teen audiences, La Mirada-based Phantom Projects Theatre Group will stage a new production of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird on February 18 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.