Joel Zwick News

As its highly acclaimed production of Sarah Ruhl's Dear Elizabeth continues to captivate audiences, and theatregoers queue up in record numbers for its upcoming production of No Man's Land, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announces today additional performances of its latest show, George Gershwin Alone.Originally scheduled to close June 23, the Bay Area debut of Hershey Felder's international hit is now extended for an additional two weeks, through July 7.

The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation (APACF) (http://www.apacf.org) has announced the Honorary Chair of the third annual GREAT GATSBY WEEKEND which is to be held on August 24 & 25th at Fox Pointe Manor and the Lost World Estate, the magnificent estate residences of Dr. Howard and Linda Knohl and Patrick and Jolynn Mahoney in Anaheim Hills. Renowned stage, movie and television director Joel Zwick will be the event's Honorary Chairperson.

Cleveland Play House proudly presents a live summer production of Hershey Felder in Maestro: Leonard Bernstein, in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. Mr. Felder has previously awed Cleveland audiences with his creations of Beethoven As I Knew Him, Monsieur Chopin, George Gershwin Alone, and The Great American Songbook. Maestro: Leonard Bernstein, a play with music, will run in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare starting Wednesday July 17 through Sunday, August 4, 2013. Tickets are available by calling 216-241-6000 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT will present the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Nick DeGruccio. NEXT TO NORMAL will preview on Friday, May 31, 2013 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 1) and runs through Sunday, June 23, 2013 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced a limited engagement of George Gershwin Alone, a play with music that invites audiences to enjoy an evening with a great composer. This celebrated production plays two weeks only - June 8 through June 23 - on the intimate Thrust Stage. Tickets for these 18 performances go on sale today to Berkeley Rep's subscribers; the public can access seats beginning on Sunday, February 10. This special presentation features music by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin with a book by Hershey Felder. Starring Hershey Felder as George Gershwin, it has been staged by acclaimed director Joel Zwick.

I don't make a habit of reading a press release up front, because I like to be surprised. If someone had told me that I was going to see a one-woman show about an actress' life, my first comment would have been, 'Oh, please! What did she overcome? Alcoholism, drug abuse, rape, paternal or spousal abuse?' Such is the content of many one-person shows nowadays, to the point where you just do not wish to be bored to death as you listen to another depressing story. Well, much of Annie Abbott's life has surely not been a bed of roses, but what she did with lemons - she actually did convert them into roses - is not only amazing, but hysterically funny and thoroughly worth experiencing.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our Awards Celebration, Hershey Felder returns, shows at The Music Theater Company, a Broadway star in 'The Music Man,' the Lincoln Squares, and music in the sketch comedy world, from '50 Shades' to the opera to Team StarKid at Second City! And more....

The Workshop Theater Company has announced Play-in-Progress production of Philip Hall's LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI, A Musical Play, musical directed by Fran Minarik and directed by SusannA Frazer. LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI will play a limited engagement at The Jewel Box Theater (312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor). Performances begin tonight, September 12 and continue through Sunday, September 22.

The Workshop Theater Company is pleased to announce Play-in-Progress production of Philip Hall's LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI, A Musical Play, musical directed by Fran Minarik and directed by Susanna Frazer. LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI will play a limited engagement at The Jewel Box Theater (312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor). Performances begin Wednesday, September 12 and continue through Sunday, September 22.

The West Coast premiere of The National Theatre production of War Horse opened yesterday at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Performances for the powerful drama will continue through July 29, 2012. View red carpet photos below!

Chris Isaacson has announced that Upright Cabaret's AMERICAN ICON Series ends another stunning season with VIVA LAS VEGAS - a presentation of personality and pop that honors the flashiest performers of all time: Elvis, Cher and Elton John. Joining the group of all-star performers will be Patrick Cassidy.

Chris Isaacson has announced that Upright Cabaret's AMERICAN ICON Series ends another stunning season with VIVA LAS VEGAS - a presentation of personality and pop that honors the flashiest performers of all time: Elvis, Cher and Elton John. Joining the group of all-star performers will be Patrick Cassidy.

After the success of previous readings in New York and Los Angeles, Mark Wolper, David Geha, Steve Sunshine, Spencer Proffer and Phillipa Sledge are proud to host a workshop production of the new musical comedy, Serrano - Poet, Lover…Hitman!, based on the French classic, Cyrano De Bergerac. Serrano is written by Madeline Sunshine with music by Robert Tepper and directed by Joel Zwick. The workshop presentations will take place today, May 21st at 1PM and 4:30PM and on Tuesday, May 22nd at 2PM at Foxwoods Studios, Studio A (214 w. 43rd St).

After the success of previous readings in New York and Los Angeles, Mark Wolper, David Geha, Steve Sunshine, Spencer Proffer and Phillipa Sledge are proud to host a workshop production of the new musical comedy, Serrano - Poet, Lover…Hitman!, based on the French classic, Cyrano De Bergerac. Serrano is written by Madeline Sunshine with music by Robert Tepper and directed by Joel Zwick. The workshop presentations will take place on Monday, May 21st at 1PM and 4:30PM and on Tuesday, May 22nd at 2PM at Foxwoods Studios, Studio A (214 w. 43rd St).

Hershey Felder projects the persona of Leonard Bernstein and delves into the man behind the music, examining the musical and personal influences that shaped the great American composer/conductor. The musical selections begin and end with WEST SIDE STORY, and feature songs from his other Broadway shows (ON THE TOWN, CANDIDE), but provide a good balance with his classical, albeit lesser known, compositions.

Hershey Felder has proven himself a virtuoso musician at the piano over the last fifteen years portraying Chopin, Beethoven, Bernstein and Gershwin, among others, and now with his original composition Lincoln for symphony orchestra and actor, he proves just how well he can sing and tell a story...without stepping one foot toward the piano. Playing Charles Augustus Leale, a Union army surgeon who attended the fallen Abraham Lincoln on August 14, 1865 at Ford's Theatre, D.C., he guides us into a privately experienced world of loss and grief that soon affected an entire nation... that would have to let go of the brilliant politician/statesman, who cared so dearly for his people. In fact, the strong parallel between Leale and Lincoln is that they both cared tirelessly for the human condition. Now on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse through April 7 only, Felder's Lincoln - An American Story is a beautifully written and heartfelt narrative to which every American should bear witness.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, interim Executive Director), in association with Stephen Eich announced that Hershey Felder will return to The Pasadena Playhouse with the World Premiere of the Eighty-Eight Entertainment and Samantha F. Voxakis production of LINCOLN - AN AMERICAN STORY for Actor and Symphony Orchestra.

'Jamaica, Farewell', the sold out Academy smash, returns February 4th. Written and performed by NAACP award winner Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) JAMAICA, FAREWELL tells the story of what one Jamaican immigrant will do to get to America. The show runs Saturdays and Sundays February 4th through 19th with only six shows.

'Jamaica, Farewell', the sold out Academy smash, returns February 4th for six shows only! Written and performed by NAACP award winner, Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) JAMAICA, FAREWELL tells the hilarious and harrowing story of what one Jamaican immigrant will do to get to America! The show runs Saturdays and Sundays February 4th through 19th and with only six shows, audiences should get their tickets now!

'Jamaica, Farewell', the sold out Academy smash, returns February 4th for six shows only! Written and performed by NAACP award winner, Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) JAMAICA, FAREWELL tells the hilarious and harrowing story of what one Jamaican immigrant will do to get to America! The show runs Saturdays and Sundays February 4th through 19th and with only six shows, audiences should get their tickets now!