Jeremy Pivnick News

Lois Lowry's admired novel provides the setting for SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences touching play Anastasia Krupnik, adapted by Meryl Friedman. Through her safeguarded journal and her wacky personality the show portrays both hilarious and serious issues in childhood and family life. The performances run Feb. 8-24 on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Tickets are available at www.scr.org.

There is quite frankly no other theatre company in LA like the Troubadour Theater Company or as they like to be nicknamed the Troubies. Therefore, any comparisons are invalid. They compose and perform to the tune of their own drummer to such a high degree of professionalism that their reputation precedes them. Their runs are always sold out in advance. They are that good, indeed! And like most unique groups, they do not rest on their laurels. They aim to do better. Now onstage at the Falcon Theatre through January 13, 2013, the Troubies are slaying the legend of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to the music of the Doors in the aptly titled Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReinDOORS, and with their true sense of cockeyed unison and never say die, the message of Christmas rings out loud and clear once more.

Based on the actual atrocities committed circa 2004 onward at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, Bad Apples is another bold undertaking by Circle X, one that is scathingly real and at the same time exhilarating theatre. Two soldiers Specialist Charles Graner - named Chuck Shepard (James Black) in the play and his fiance Lynndie England - here named Pvt. Lyndsay Skinner (Kate Morgan Chadwick) were convicted in courts martial, imprisoned and dishonorably discharged for torture, abuse, and sexual crimes including rape of Iraqi prisoners.

Circle X Theatre Co. presents the world premiere musical, Bad Apples, book by Jim Leonard, music and lyrics by Rob Cairns and Beth Thornley, directed by John Langs, choreography by Cassandra Daurden, and musical direction by Rob Cairns and Beth Thornley. Bad Apples is currently running through Saturday, December 1 at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

Circle X Theatre Co. is thrilled to announce the world premiere musical, BAD APPLES, book by Jim Leonard, music and lyrics by Rob Cairns and Beth Thornley, directed by John Langs, choreography by Cassandra Daurden, and musical direction by Rob Cairns and Beth Thornley. BAD APPLES will begin previews tonight, September 28 and will open on Saturday, October 13 and will perform through Saturday, December 1 at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles.

Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura County's premier professional theatre company, received eight Ovation nominations at L.A. Stage Alliance's announcement ceremony at the Renberg Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. Check out photos of the nominees below!

Nominees for the 2012 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced Tuesday evening at the Renberg Theatre inside the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles. The 2012 Ovation Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, November 12, at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, 615 South Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit www.LASTAGEOvations.com.

Find out who's really crazy when a couple of lovebirds bring their mismatched families together. The Antaeus Company, L.A.'s multiple award-winning classical theater company, presents You Can't Take It With You, the timeless comedy about love, life and living by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Gigi Bermingham directs the fully double cast production Oct. 18 through Dec. 9, with low-priced previews beginning Oct. 11.

Circle X Theatre Co. is thrilled to announce the world premiere musical, BAD APPLES, book by Jim Leonard, music and lyrics by Rob Cairns and Beth Thornley, directed by John Langs, choreography by Cassandra Daurden, and musical direction by Rob Cairns and Beth Thornley. BAD APPLES will begin previews on Friday, September 28 and will open on Saturday, October 13 and will perform through Saturday, December 1 at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles.

Award-winning theatre company Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE) announces the U.S. premiere of The City, a new play by British playwright Martin Crimp, opening August 17 at the Son of Semele Theater in Silver Lake. The City is an elliptical play exploring the uncertainty of modern life through three characters who are trying to make sense of a surreal and collapsing world.

Award-winning theatre company Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE) announces the U.S. premiere of The City, a new play by British playwright Martin Crimp, opening August 17 at the Son of Semele Theater in Silver Lake. The City is an elliptical play exploring the uncertainty of modern life through three characters who are trying to make sense of a surreal and collapsing world.

The funeral of a baby, the grieving parents look for reasons why their child should be taken from them. Finding no reason but the caprice of fate, the couple moves forward to exercise that caprice on those around them. Their hope for immortality through their child dashed, they will live on through infamy. As one begins in amoral certitude and descends to a moral madness, the other travels the road from moral doubt to a profane confidence to awful self-knowledge, neither losing sight of the love and loss that propelled their actions.

The Antaeus Company, L.A.'s multiple award-winning classical theater company, takes on William Shakespeare's gripping psychological drama, Macbeth. Jessica Kubzansky directs the fully double-cast production, with Bo Foxworth and Rob Nagle sharing the title role and Tessa Auberjonois and Ann Noble partnering as Lady M. Performances take place tonight, July 12 through August 26. Talk-backs will follow the performance every Thursday night beginning July 19: stay after the performance to ask questions and discuss the play with various cast members.

Artistic Directors August Viverito and T L Kolman have announced the fourth offering of The Production Company's 2012 season: the Los Angeles premiere of Jamie Pachino's political fable THE RETURN TO MORALITY in a breathtaking staging by acclaimed director Mark L. Taylor and a brilliant production team including lighting design by Jeremy Pivnick and sound design by Lindsay Jones. This timely production will run August 3 through September 8, 2012 at The Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038.

Some Like It Hot meets Twelfth Night in Ken Ludwig's delightful madcap comedy, Leading Ladies. Richard Israel directs a four-week run, tonight, June 8 through July 1, at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

Sacred Fools' STONEFACE: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton has raced to the top of my list of most recommended shows to see in Los Angeles this summer.

The Antaeus Company, L.A.'s multiple award-winning classical theater company, takes on William Shakespeare's gripping psychological drama, Macbeth. Jessica Kubzansky directs the fully double-cast production, with Bo Foxworth and Rob Nagle sharing the title role and Tessa Auberjonois and Ann Noble partnering as Lady M. Performances take place July 12 through August 26, with low-priced previews beginning July 5. Talk-backs will follow the performance every Thursday night beginning July 19: stay after the performance to ask questions and discuss the play with various cast members.

On the heels of their 2011 Best Production Awards sweep for Small Engine Repair (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, LA Weekly, Ovation, and Garland Awards), Rogue Machine have announcesd the first production of their new season. Seen for the first time on the West Coast, Mark Roberts' Where The Great Ones Run, includes an award winning cast of actors led by Jeff Kober from tonight, May 26 at Rogue Machine, 5041 Pico Blvd., LA, CA 90019.

Some Like It Hot meets Twelfth Night in Ken Ludwig's delightful madcap comedy, Leading Ladies. Richard Israel directs a four-week run, June 8 through July 1, at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Low-priced previews take place on Tuesday, June 5; Wednesday, June 6; and Thursday, June 7.

The songbook of Grammy Award winners David Hidalgo sand Louie Perez of Los Lobos drives Evangeline, the Queen of Make-Believe, a multimedia play with music by Theresa Chavez, Louie Perez and Rose Portillo that takes its title from the group's 1985 rocker "Evangeline." Chavez and Portillo co-direct the world premiere production for About Productions, opening at the Bootleg Theater tonight, May 12 for a limited, three-week engagement through May 27. Low-priced previews take place May 3-11.