Jeff Lorch News

Those of us old enough to remember the excitement of buying a new vinyl record album and devouring every song's liner notes shared on the back or inner sleeve will certainly understand the appeal of RITA WILSON'S LINER NOTES, which enjoyed its fourth tour at the Geffen's Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater in Westwood from January 10-13 as part of the Geffen Playhouse Spotlight Entertainment Series. The evening offered not only great entertainment but lots of insider information on what went into the creation of many favorite songs from the actual songwriters themselves.

TRIPTYCH THEATRE GROUP presents the West Coast premiere of STOCKHOLM, written by Bryony Lavery (Frozen), with choreography by Stephen Buescher and directed by Kim Rubinstein. STOCKHOLM will preview on Friday, January 11 at 8pm and open on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm will run through Monday, January 28 at The Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd. in West Los Angeles.

Both one-acts in this masterful and memorable double-billing, directed by Steven Robman, are reflective and confessional in nature, with each of the main characters portrayed by masterful actor Brian Dennehy sharing tales of their lives in an attempt to make sense of the way it has turned out for them, especially since the present does not seem to have lived up to the excitement of the past. Perhaps that universal truth is what united these two one acts, with O'Neill and Beckett asking audiences to take a look back at our own lives and realize that even when things seem hopeless and/or meaningless, memories of times past may be the thing to break your downward spiral.

Ammunition Theatre Company ventures into the wacky world of fractured fairy tales for its latest production, FAIRY TALE THEATRE 18 & OVER: THE MUSICAL. Written and narrated by Michael J. Feldman, with original songs by Jason Currie, the show consists of four sketch comedy skits performed in 90 minutes, no intermission, by a group of energetic actors with mostly stand-up and television backgrounds.

The second play in this year's Block Party is AMERYKA, written and directed by Critical Mass Performance Group Artistic Director Nancy Keystone, which continues through April 29, 2018 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Plan to arrive early so you can take advantage reading all the information posted in several areas of the lobby (as well as in the two main theater entrances) about Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko, a Polish freedom fighter who assisted Thomas Jefferson in the formation of our country, as his remarkable life and beliefs are central to the plot of this play.

The Critical Mass Performance Group production of "Ameryka," which Center Theatre Group is remounting at the Kirk Douglas Theatre as part of the second annual Block Party: Celebrating Los Angeles Theatre, will open Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m. Written and directed by Critical Mass Performance Group Artistic Director Nancy Keystone in collaboration with the company, "Ameryka" is currently in previews and will close April 29.

Boston Court Performing Arts Center announces the extension of their reimagined modern take of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. Due to audience demand, the production will now play through April 1, 2018. This radical re-envisioning of Streetcarfeatures a multicultural cast and modern setting, pushing on the play's present-day relevance.

What made the Hot List? A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Theatre @ Boston Court, ALLEGIANCE by East West Players at the Aratani Theatre downtown, A WALK IN THE WOODS at Actors Co-op, and JACKIE UNVEILED at The Wallis. Check out the latest buzz below and go see a show! Reviews by BWW Sr. Editor Ellen Dostal (LADCC).

IN & OF ITSELF, which has grossed $5 million to date in its eight months of playing to sold-out houses in the intimate 150-seat theater, will now play through Sunday, August 19, 2018 -extending what began as a ten-week engagement to seventy-two weeks and 560 performances upon its conclusion.

'Husbands and Wives,' Woody Allen's film--and now, Ensemble Theater Company's adaptation by Jonathan Fox--examines the slings and arrows of long-term pairing through the relationships of two middle-aged couples in crisis.

Rita Wilson is bringing her vocal and songwriting talents to the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse this September for the third time. This limited engagement Spotlight Entertainment Series performance features Wilson and guest songwriters performing and telling the stories behind their songs in a cabaret setting. Guests songwriters include Jeff Barry, Kristian Bush, Desmond Child and Billy Steinberg, among others.

Rita Wilson is bringing her vocal and songwriting talents to the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse this September for the third time. This limited engagement Spotlight Entertainment Series performance features Wilson and guest songwriters performing and telling the stories behind their songs in a cabaret setting. Guests songwriters include Jeff Barry, Kristian Bush, Desmond Child and Billy Steinberg, among others.

Director Guillermo Cienfuegos expertly guides his talented RHINOCEROS cast with tight, sturdy reins in a truly full-length play (three acts, spanning close to three hours) now at the Pacific Resident Theatre. Eugene Ionesco originally wrote RHINOCEROS in 1959 as his commentary on the state of the political atmosphere then. So, ironically funny (and sad) that various lines of dialogue throughout Ionesco's comedy resonate in its timely relevance today.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) announces the appointment of Kenneth T. Novice as its President. Novice will begin his position on May 1, 2017 with an immediate plan of action to continue the work that David Hyslop, DSM's Interim Managing Director, started last year of instilling stability and sustainability for the organization.

We are still laughing, days after seeing the West Coast premiere of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE at the Geffen Playhouse. The play with fantastic and ultra-flamboyant musical numbers will keep you laughing from beginning to end, centered on 'a wildly joyous story of empathy, of inclusivity, of community, of the potential for art to build bridges,' according to the Geffen's Artistic Director Randall Arney. Along with Mr. Arney, I send kudos to the six collaborators who have shepherded the play in its journey before arriving at the Geffen: playwright Matthew Lopez, director Mike Donahue, choreographer Paul McGill, cast member Matt McGrath, set designer Donyale Werle and sound designer Jill BC Du Boff so that L.A. audiences have a chance to celebrate the glory that stems from watching the best drag queen show since KINKY BOOTS.

Doobious Sources, LLC and Gravitas Ventures have announced the Cable VOD and Digital HD release of Clif Lord's DOOBIOUS SOURCES.

LLC and Gravitas Ventures have announced the Cable VOD and Digital HD release of Clif Lord's DOOBIOUS SOURCES.

Doobious Sources, LLC and Gravitas Ventures have announced the Cable VOD and Digital HD release of Clif Lord's DOOBIOUS SOURCES.

LLC and Gravitas Ventures have announced the Cable VOD and Digital HD release of Clif Lord's DOOBIOUS SOURCES.