Joel Swetow News

This acclaimed play by Barbara Lebow is beautifully produced by the award-winning creative team at the Laguna Playhouse, with great sensitivity, rich texture, and mature brilliance in the direction by David Ellenstein.

Laguna Playhouse is now presenting A SHAYNA MAIDEL, written by Barbara Lebow and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. Check out all new photos here!

Laguna Playhouse will present A Shayna Maidel, written by Barbara Lebow and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. A Shayna Maidel will begin previews on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 and run through Sunday, March 31, 2024 at the Laguna Playhouse.

Actor and Stage Director, Gregg Daniel performs as 'Claudius' in the Antaeus Theatre production of Hamlet alongside his real life spouse Veralyn Jones, who plays the Queen 'Gertrude.' Directed by Shakespearean expert, Elizabeth Swain and featuring long-time company member Ramón de Ocampo, Hamlet is set to run May 20, 2022 and continue through June 20, 2022 at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale, California.

Antaeus Theatre Company returns to in-person performance with a new production of Hamlet, directed by Shakespearean expert Elizabeth Swain and featuring long-time company member Ramón de Ocampo in the title role. Performances begin May 20 and continue through June 20 at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale. Low-priced previews begin May 15.

Lorraine Hansberry considered this to be her most important play. It was her final work. Directed by Gregg T. Daniel, Les Blancs depicts the waning days of colonialism crossing into the 20th century as it reveals the impossible moral choices faced by individuals who must reconcile personal happiness with idealism. What happens when what we want and what we think is right is not what must be done? This play is rich with music and dance and set in and around a mission compound in Africa. The time is yesterday, today, and tomorrow-- but not very long after that.  

This Skylight Theatre Company's production of playwright Tony Abatemarco's world premiere of FOREVER HOUSE will be the play I compare/measure all other plays I see this year -- and this is only January! Elizabeth Swain deftly directs her talented cast with never a lag or dull moment; with only time enough for the audience to laugh or shed a tear.

Skylight Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of FOREVER HOUSE Written by Tony Abatemarco and Directed by Elizabeth Swain Opening Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 8pm reception to follow 8:30pm Fridays, 8pm Saturdays, and 3pm Sundays through Feb 28, 2016 The Skylight Theatre is located at 1816 1/2 N. Vermont, LA, 90027

Members of the 'Pro99' movement of Actors' Equity Association have issued an open letter to AEA's newly elected president, Kate Shindle, in response to her victory and to her inaugural address as president of the national union for actors and stage managers. The open letter is signed by over 400 Equity members (listed below), including such notable names as Ed Asner, Francis Fisher, Sally Kirkland and Alfred Molina. The 'Pro99' movement formed in late 2014 in opposition to AEA's rollout of a new plan that will effectively force 'intimate theaters' in Los Angeles to pay Equity actors minimum wage, go 'non-union' or even close - despite an overwhelming vote against the plan by 66% of the Los Angeles membership on an advisory referendum. 'Pro99' members around the nation, who take their name from the current AEA '99 Seat Plan' that allows members to volunteer in smaller venues, oppose AEA's new promulgated plan. They are requesting that Equity leadership put a moratorium on the plan until local members' voices can be heard, and that the union work with its members to develop an alternative plan that will more realistically address the needs of the Los Angeles theater community.

A striking image hovers above the action in HENRY IV, PART ONE at The Antaeus Company. It is a partial rendering of the planets orbiting the sun which serves as a constant reminder that this is the journey of a king-in-the-making. As Prince Hal, also known as Harry, slowly transitions from party boy to royal warrior, its glow becomes more and more noticeable until it finally overtakes the stage.

Antaeus, L.A.'s classical theater ensemble, opens its 2015 season with a fully partner-cast production of William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One. Previews began March 6, with two opening nights set for last night, March 12, and tonight, March 13, (one with each cast) at the Antaeus Theater in NoHo. Michael Murray directs. Scroll down for a first look at the casts in action!

Antaeus, L.A.'s classical theater ensemble, opens its 2015 season with a fully partner-cast production of William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part I. Previews begin March 6, with two opening nights set for March 12 and March 13 (one with each cast) at the Antaeus Theater in NoHo. Michael Murray directs.

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, presents FREE readings of Chekhov's classic comedy Uncle Vanya, directed by Joel Swetow, on Wednesday, June 25 at 7pm; Heroes by Gerald Sibleyras, translation by Tom Stoppard, directed by Susan Angelo, on Wednesday, July 23 at 7pm; and The Lady's Not For Burning by Christopher Fry, directed by William Dennis Hunt, on Monday, August 4 at 7pm.