Jason Niedle News

Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. Davies carries on and mimics the unmistakable raspy voice filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort to a tee, her stage presence making it easy to see what made Joplin a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock and beyond even to this day, so many years after her too-soon passing at the age of 27. After listening to Davies' sharing of Janis' life, it is easy to think the rock legend died from not only from drugs and alcohol but from her lonely co-dependent longing for a man to share her life, equaling her love of the spotlight and adoration received from a live audience, which she could never find. Davies' renditions of Joplin favorites, including “Summertime,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby,” and “Me and Bobby McGee” among others, ignite the stage and audiences alike with a passion no man in her life could ever match.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present the second show in its 98th season, Angela Ingersoll starring as Judy Garland in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of the critically acclaimed END OF THE RAINBOW, written by Peter Quilter, with musical direction by Jon Steinhagen and directed by Ovation Award winner Michael Matthews.  

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present the second show in its 98th season, Angela Ingersoll starring as Judy Garland in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of the critically acclaimed END OF THE RAINBOW, written by Peter Quilter, with musical direction by Jon Steinhagen and directed by Ovation Award winner Michael Matthews.  

Admirably directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds, La Mirada Theatre's NEWSIES aims to be an amiable hybrid between the popularly-received original show and a new iteration that feels fresh for us Fansies forever obsessed with the earlier Disney-backed production that played Broadway and went on tour for a few years. Filled with high-energy music and dancing and a lively, eager-to-please spirit embedded in its DNA, this brand-new Southern California regional theater production of NEWSIES---which continues performances at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through June 24---is a wonderfully caffeinated jolt of a stage show, highlighted by a remarkably talented and athletically-blessed ensemble that leaps and belts one show stopping number after another. What a treat for every Fansie!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT invite you to 'Seize the Day' as they present the fifth and final show of its 2017-2018 season (and the 40th anniversary of the iconic theatre) with Disney's NEWSIES, book by Harvey Fierstein, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, musical direction by Brent Crayon and directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds. NEWSIES will preview on Friday, June 1, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 2 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

So many productions are happening all over the city. Here's what made the Hot List: Bugaboo & the Silent One, The Hothouse, Cabaret, Pirates of Penzance, Shakespeare in Love, Disney's Aladdin. Go see a show!

Despite my well-earned affection for the Tony-winning 1998 Roundabout Theatre Company production of the classic Kander and Ebb Broadway classic CABARET, I still found myself vigorously entertained by McCoy Rigby Entertainment's flashy and buoyant new 2018 regional production of this theatrical staple, under the solid direction of Larry Carpenter and featuring spectacular musical performances from its lead cast. This deliciously bawdy but at times sneakily ominous musical continues performances at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through February 11, 2018.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present the third show of its 2017-2018 season (and the 40th anniversary of the iconic theatre) with CABARET, book by Joe Masteroff (based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood), music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb with musical direction by David O, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Larry Carpenter.

END OF THE RAINBOW runs through November 12 at La Mirada Theatre.

Peter Quilter's unfiltered, devastatingly intense play, END OF THE RAINBOW, recounts the final months leading up to the death of one of the world's most iconic, treasured stars, Judy Garland, in her lowest depths of despair as she attempts a 'comeback' on the London stage. Now back in Southern California in a thrilling new regional production at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through November 12, this 'play with music' under the excellent direction of Michael Matthews and featuring a powerful, breathtaking performance from Angela Ingersoll showcases a can't-look-away implosion of a beloved icon whose battles with her personal demons make her a relatable human being with real, tangible problems.

Because it is arguably one the most beloved and critically-acclaimed musicals of all time, WEST SIDE STORY is revisited often by regional theaters across the country (and, frankly, the world). So it is no surprise that yet another large regional theater in Southern California is reviving this nostalgia-baiting, reliably-entertaining, and thematically-resonant show, this time by the talented folks over at McCoy Rigby Entertainment at their home base at the La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts, where performances continue through May 14, 2017. The resulting show---while mostly and genuinely enjoyable---presented a few jarringly curious presentation choices that didn't quite sit well. Unfortunately, in its admirable quest to inject some 'new-ness' into the well-known retro musical, some of the slight staging reinventions did enough to really lessen the impact of certain scenes that have previously been significant highlights.

Powerful, poignant and timely as ever, LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT presented the fourth show of its 2016-2017 season, the most acclaimed musical of all time, WEST SIDE STORY, book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein with musical direction by Brent Crayon, choreography by John Todd and directed by Ovation award-winner Richard Israel.

Powerful, poignant and timely as ever, LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present the fourth show of its 2016-2017 season, the most acclaimed musical of all time, WEST SIDE STORY, book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein with musical direction by Brent Crayon, choreography by John Todd and directed by Ovation award-winner Richard Israel.

To be completely honest, my first exposure to the mostly sung-through, modern rock musical AMERICAN IDIOT (during its initial national tour stops in Southern California) was, at best, like seeing a really cool rock concert performed by some incredibly talented musical theater actors, surrounded by some top-notch high-tech visuals. To put it simply, my initial reaction hovered somewhere just slightly above the middle. Well, of course, that all changed for the better once I experienced the truly remarkable, brand-new, more intimately 'immersive' production now causing a stir at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through May 15, 2016. Part of the theater's creatively innovative OnStage Series, this revitalized and, dare I say, more compelling AMERICAN IDIOT is a brilliantly-staged re-working of the musical that feels much more alive, more relatable, and, most importantly, more sensical. Yes, THIS new, more intimate production successfully converted me into an AMERICAN IDIOT fan. And, man, it is absolutely first-rate.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS presents the fourth production in its innovative and award-winning ONSTAGE Series with the Tony award-winning rock musical, AMERICAN IDIOT, music by Green Day, lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, musical direction by David O, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. AMERICAN IDIOT previewed on Friday, April 29 (with a press opening on Saturday, April 30 at 8pm) and will run through Sunday, May 15 - ONSTAGE at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada. BroadwayWorld has an inside look at the production - check out photos below!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), present the second show of their 2015-2016 season, RENT, book, music & lyrics byJonathan Larson, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins).

So does FIRST DATE---the relatively new musical comedy now playing its Southern California regional premiere at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through October 11---merit an outing? Sure! If you're looking for a cute, charming little musical that's giddy and entertaining and features a pop-tastic score performed by a superb ensemble, then the answer is yes... you'll definitely want to swipe right on this match up.

The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment presents the Southern California Premiere Production of the Broadway Musical 'FIRST DATE' - directed by Nick DeGruccio and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. Check out photos from the show below!

Producers Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman and The Transfer Group have announced that CARRIE THE MUSICAL will return to Los Angeles at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, the first theatrical musical at that venue. 

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts presents the Los Angeles premiere of the all-new, reimagined, environmental and completely immersive theater production of the legendary musical CARRIE THE MUSICAL. Opening night was March 18. Let's see what the critics had to say...