Jeremy Pivnick News

Love! Rivalry! Politics! Pacific Lyric Association presents Luisa Fernanda, the last of the great Spanish zarzuelas by Federico Moreno Torroba. Four fully-staged performances of the complete libretto by Federico Romero and Guillermo Fernandez Shaw will take place at the 1000-seat Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood, February 19-21. Traveling from Spain to conduct the orchestra is the son of the composer, Federico Moreno-Torroba Larregla. Performances will be in Spanish with English supertitles. A zarzuela (pronounced zar zway' la) is a Spanish musical that blends the brilliance of Broadway with the passion of opera. The art form had its inception near Madrid in the 1640s. Legend says the name originates from a pavilion overgrown with blackberry bushes (zarzas) in a remote section of the city's El Prado Park, where actors gathered to present plays and entertain King Philip IV. Influenced over the centuries by Italian and French musical styles, but retaining a distinct personality, zarzuelas flourished as a popular entertainment in the 1920s and '30s. 'Unlike opera, zarzuelas are a form of populist entertainment,' explains Pacific Lyric Association artistic director, Madrid-born Carlos Oliva. 'The role of the story and dialogue is equally important to that of the singing and music - it's an early form of musical theater. It is paramount that the performers be strong actors as well as singers.'

The Marvelous Wonderettes has announced that Misty Cotton, who played the role of Missy back in the Laguna Playhouse production of the show will join the show Off-Broadway (replacing Farah Alvin) on March 6.

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks, presents Divorice! The Musical at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.) The producers announced the full casting of this world premiere featuring music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists). Multi award-winning director Rick Sparks (They Shoot Horses, Don?t They?) will direct and musical stage this comedy about one couple?s hellish journey to un-tie the knot. Divorice! The Musical features musical direction and arrangements by Ovation Award-winner David O (Ubu Roi and Jason Robert Brown?s 13). Preview performances begin February 5, 2009 with the official press opening on February 14, 2009.

Passion, piety, and the enticement of power sparks a once in a lifetime historic event. Based on the enduring account of a young scholar's rise to the papacy, and brought to life by the original producer of HAIR on Broadway, this musical extravaganza unleashes one of the most controversial stories in the history of mankind. A cast of 26 professionals, an award winning team, and live music create this stunning premiere, for a limited run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

Love! Rivalry! Politics! Pacific Lyric Association presents Luisa Fernanda, the last of the great Spanish zarzuelas by Federico Moreno Torroba. Four fully-staged performances of the complete libretto by Federico Romero and Guillermo Fernandez Shaw will take place at the 1000-seat Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood, February 19-21. Traveling from Spain to conduct the orchestra is the son of the composer, Federico Moreno-Torroba Larregla. Performances will be in Spanish with English supertitles. A zarzuela (pronounced zar zway' la) is a Spanish musical that blends the brilliance of Broadway with the passion of opera. The art form had its inception near Madrid in the 1640s. Legend says the name originates from a pavilion overgrown with blackberry bushes (zarzas) in a remote section of the city's El Prado Park, where actors gathered to present plays and entertain King Philip IV. Influenced over the centuries by Italian and French musical styles, but retaining a distinct personality, zarzuelas flourished as a popular entertainment in the 1920s and '30s. 'Unlike opera, zarzuelas are a form of populist entertainment,' explains Pacific Lyric Association artistic director, Madrid-born Carlos Oliva. 'The role of the story and dialogue is equally important to that of the singing and music - it's an early form of musical theater. It is paramount that the performers be strong actors as well as singers.'

The Marvelous Wonderettes invites families to join in on the fun and celebrate the holidays at the Westside Theatre, by offering complimentary tickets to children 16 years of age or younger. The promotion began Wednesday, December 10 and goes through Monday, December 22, adults who purchase a regularly-priced ticket (through the special code MAKIDS01) to see The Marvelous Wonderettes (redeemable for dates December 22 to January 4) are eligible to receive a free ticket for an accompanying child.

On September 22nd, the 2008 Ovation Award Nominees were announced. Now in its 19th year, the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards will celebrate the 168 theatre companies, 390 registered productions, and over 2,000 individual artists who participated in the September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008 season. The 2008 Ovation Awards took place on November 17th, 2008 in The Fine Arts Complex in Los Angeles, CA.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, the show that has audiences leaping to their feet nightly at the Westside Theatre, proudly announces a special Boys Night performance on Wednesday, November 19 at 8:00 PM. Immediately following the show, patrons who have purchased specially priced Boys Night tickets can continue the celebration at Vlada beginning at 10:15 PM (331 West 51 Street) with a 90?minute open bar (beer, wine, well drinks, and soda). Written and directed by Roger Bean, The Marvelous Wonderettes began previews on August 29, 2008 and the show celebrated its Official Opening on September 14.

THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, written and directed by Roger Bean, announced special holiday performance schedule.

Wanted to alert you to a change in schedule for The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Westside Theatre. The performance schedule as of October 20, 2008 will be as follows.

On September 22nd, the 2008 Ovation Award Nominees were announced. Now in its 19th year, the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards will celebrate the 168 theatre companies, 390 registered productions, and over 2,000 individual artists who participated in the September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008 season

Rosie O'Donnell paid a special visit to the cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes after she caught the opening night performance on Sunday, September 14th.

The Marvelous Wonderettes OriginalCast Recording will be released by PS Classics, the label dedicated to the heritage ofBroadway and American popular song. The recording session will take place on Thursday,September 18. The CD will be produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer Jeffrey Lesserand is slated for release on November 11.

The Colony Theatre Company presents the third production of its 2008 - 2009 season, the Los Angeles premiere of MARY'S WEDDING, written by Stephen Massicotte and directed by David Rose. MARY'S WEDDING will preview on Wednesday, October 22; Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, October 25 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, November 23 at The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center.

Direct from an 8-week special limited engagement at Laguna Playhouse (beginning July 8, 2008) and a record-setting 19 month run at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, The Marvelous Wonderettes lands at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, with performances beginning on Tuesday, August 26. Written and directed by Roger Bean, The Marvelous Wonderettes will have an Official Opening Night on Sunday, September 14.

Direct from an 8-week special limited engagement at Laguna Playhouse (beginning July 8, 2008) and a record-setting 19 month run at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, The Marvelous Wonderettes lands at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, with performances beginning on Tuesday, August 29.

The Marvelous Wonderettes lands at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, with performances beginning Friday, August 29. Written and directed by Roger Bean, The Marvelous Wonderettes will have its Official Opening Night on Sunday, September 14 at 7:00 PM.

Direct from an 8-week special limited engagement at Laguna Playhouse (beginning July 8, 2008) and a record-setting 19 month run at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, The Marvelous Wonderettes lands at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, with performances beginning on Tuesday, August 29.

Direct from an 8-week special limited engagement at Laguna Playhouse (beginning July 8, 2008) and a record-setting 19 month run at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, The Marvelous Wonderettes lands at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, with performances beginning on Tuesday, August 26. Written and directed by Roger Bean, The Marvelous Wonderettes will have an Official Opening Night on Sunday, September 14.

By George Productions presents the Los Angeles Premiere of the 1937 Broadway musical comedy hit, 'I'd Rather Be Right', opening at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre