Jesse Merlin News

Since the Smith Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors almost three years ago in March 2012, many Las Vegans have felt less culturally adrift. You see, the arrival of the Smith Center meant that, even off The Strip and outside hotel showrooms, there was world-class entertainment to be seen in the city. This includes Broadway musicals, intimate cabaret fare, a beautiful home for performances by Las Vegas' terrific philharmonic and the Nevada Ballet Theatre. And, all of this takes place in a breathtakingly beautiful venue - art deco on the level of the Chrysler Building and the Radio City Music Hall. So many who live in Las Vegas are so grateful to have the Smith Center.

Get ready all you "Rocky Horror" fans! There's a new show in town that is begging for you to join in the fun, just as long as you don't mind being splattered with blood, breaking pencils, or waving pompoms. Due to robust ticket sales and an ever-increasing dedicated fan base, RE-ANIMATOR THE MUSICAL has added nine additional performances at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood through November 23. The blood flows so freely during the show that the first 3 rows are designated as a "splash zone." So bring your raincoat or accept a plastic trash bag from the stage manager for protection.

I have to say...I really loved this crazy new rock musical. In my book, it's the kind of show that embodies all that is best about the Fringe, with its unconventional characters, sly direction (by Aaron Lyons), pert choreography (by Michelle LaVon), and wicked twist on a relevant message.

From the wild world of Michael Shaw Fisher who brought you previous Fringe hits Exorcistic: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment and Doomsday Cabaret, comes The Werewolves of Hollywood Boulevard, A Damnable Rock Musical.

Due to high ticket demand, a second concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Wednesday, February 5 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The February 4 & 5 concerts will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. With libretto by Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Produced by Los Angeles Rock Opera Company in association with HarborSide Films, proceeds from the two evenings will go to support Celebration Theatre. [For more info about Celebration, see page 2 of this release.]

A one-night-only concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Tuesday, February 4 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The concert will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. The librettist is Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Proceeds from the evening will go to support Celebration Theatre.

After acclaimed premieres in Hollywood and Chicago, CHRISTMAS SMACKDOWN makes it highly anticipated New York Premiere. Written by Mark Nutter (Re-Animator: The Musical, Bicycle Men) and Cynthia Carle (The Sixth Man), performances begin December 19 at The Laurie Beechman Theater (inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street -- at Ninth Avenue, accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2,3 trains at 42nd Street). This limited engagement runs for 2 nights only: Thursday, Dec. 19 & Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 plus a $15 food/drink minimum. To purchase tickets call 212-352-3101 or visit www.SpinCycleNYC.com.

When Michael Shaw Fisher walks out to introduce EXORCISTIC: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment at its Fringe Mainstage home, it takes a few minutes before you realize that the musical has actually begun.

The third annual Hollywood Fringe Festival, Hollywood's fearless celebration of the emerging arts is back June 13 - 30, 2013, and over the next couple of weeks I'll be featuring some of the musical productions hoping to entice audiences to see their latest work. First up are Michael Shaw Fisher and Exorcistic: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment, and Andrew Potter's The Road to High Street.

Last night, February 15, 2013, the opening night of the SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON World Premiere, directed by Pat Towne, welcomed a slew of celebrity guests and more to the Hayworth Theatre. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening curtain call and celebrations below!

National Lampoon will present the World Premiere of SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON, conceived and produced by Matty Simmons, with original songs by Richard Levinson and directed by Pat Towne. SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON will begin previews tonight, February 7 at 8pm; will open on Friday, February 15 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 17 at the Hayworth Theatre, 2511 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.

National Lampoon will present the World Premiere of SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON, conceived and produced by Matty Simmons, with original songs by Richard Levinson and directed by Pat Towne. SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON will begin previews on Thursday, February 7 at 8pm; will open on Friday, February 15 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 17 at the Hayworth Theatre, 2511 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Company of the Off-Broadway smash hit Silence! The Musical at the Hayworth Theatre ends its run today, December 9, 2012.

The final block of tickets is now on sale for the Los Angeles Company of the Off-Broadway smash hit Silence! The Musical at the Hayworth Theatre. SILENCE! is now playing through December 9, 2012.

Lindsay Shaw, best known for playing Jennifer Ann 'Moze' Mosely on the Nickelodeon series Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide and as Paige McCullers on the ABC Family hit drama Pretty Little Liars and Chad Allen came to see SILENCE! The Musical at the Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles. Check out photos of the pair with the cast below!

'Pretty Little Liars' star Lindsey Shaw got into the Halloween spirit with a visit to LA's SILENCE! The Musical at The Hayworth Theatre. She even wore the lamb ears for some photos backstage with the cast. Check them out below!

John Billingsly, Audrey Wasilewski and Vicki Lewis attended SILENCE! The Musical at the Hayworth Theatre this past Sunday, October 14, and stuck around to take photos with the cast after the show. Check them out below!

A new block of tickets through Sunday, November 18, is now on sale for SILENCE! The Musical at the Hayworth Theatre.