John Neville-Andrews News

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, opened their 2017 MSF Season Saturday night with an hilarious and romantic performance of Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW.

Twenty years ago the fledgling Jackson Shakespeare Festival mounted a production of The Taming Of The Shrew. In the director's chair was internationally-renowned actor/director/playwright John Neville-Andrews. On stage was the first pairing of Janice Waldron and David Blixt, playing opposite each other as Kate and Petruchio. Waldron had just graduated from the Hilberry conservatory program in Detroit, while Ann Arbor native Blixt had performed as Mercutio at the festival the previous year. The results were electric.

Twenty years ago the fledgling Jackson Shakespeare Festival mounted a production of The Taming Of The Shrew. In the director's chair was internationally-renowned actor/director/playwright John Neville-Andrews. On stage was the first pairing of Janice Waldron and David Blixt, playing opposite each other as Kate and Petruchio. Waldron had just graduated from the Hilberry conservatory program in Detroit, while Ann Arbor native Blixt had performed as Mercutio at the festival the previous year. The results were electric.

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, designated by the Governor and State Legislature, continued their 2017 "Lend Me Your Ears" reading series with Noel Coward's sophisticated comedy PRIVATE LIVES.  The reading, held at Jackson's Symphony Orchestra Hall (which also houses the offices of the MSF), featured touring company actors Derek Ridge and Sara Long, long-time artistic associate David Blixt, and Producing Artistic Director Janice L Blixt.

Bullshot Crummond: The Evil Eye of Jabar and The Invisible Bride of Death A world premiere comedy in two episodes By Ron House Based on Bullshot Crummond by Diz White, Ron House, Alan Shearman, John Neville-Andrews and Derek Cunningham March 4 through April 10, 2016.

The Colony Theatre is pleased to announce that it is bringing to its mid-size Equity theatre the wildly successful, LA Times Critic's Choice production of EL GRANDE CIRCUS DE COCA-COLA by Ron House, directed by Alan Shearman and based on El Grande de Coca-Cola by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman, and John Neville-Andrews. Check out photos from the show below!

The Colony Theatre is pleased to announce that it is bringing to its mid-size Equity theatre the wildly successful, LA Times Critic's Choice production of EL GRANDE CIRCUS DE COCA-COLA by Ron House, directed by Alan Shearman and based on El Grande de Coca-Cola by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman, and John Neville-Andrews.

Using the philosophy that one good farce deserves another, Hedgerow Theatre follows its popular summer comedy with BULLSHOT CRUMMOND, a madcap parody of 1930s detective films that recreates in comic fashion movie special effects on stage. It runs from September 3 to October 11, with previews on September 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and the opening night today, September 5 at 8 p.m.

Using the philosophy that one good farce deserves another, Hedgerow Theatre follows its popular summer comedy with BULLSHOT CRUMMOND, a madcap parody of 1930s detective films that recreates in comic fashion movie special effects on stage. It runs from September 3 to October 11, with previews on September 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and the opening night on Saturday, September 5 at 8 p.m.

The 2015-16 season at Hedgerow promises hilarity, chills, thrills, suspense, intrigue, mystery and a holiday tradition, with a schedule that includes the comic detective spoof Bullshot Crummond, the Gothic horror of Dracula, the 23rd annual A Christmas Carol, the amazing true story of British spy turned playwright Aphra Behn in Or, the world premiere of Agatha Christie's Mysterious Affair at Styles, and the classic Italian comedy The Servant of Two Masters.

Skylight Theatre Company in association with Flying Cucumber Productions presents the World Premiere of El Grande CIRCUS de Coca-Cola, written by Ron House and directed by Alan Shearman. Based on El Grande de Coca-Cola by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman and John Neville-Andrews, Opening at 8:30pm today, July 18, 2015 Runs at 8:30pm Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm Sundays through August 23, 2015. The Skylight Theatre complex is located at 1816 1/2 N. Vermont, LA, 90027.

Skylight Theatre Company in association with Flying Cucumber Productions presents the World Premiere of El Grande CIRCUS de Coca-Cola, written by Ron House and directed by Alan Shearman. Based on El Grande de Coca-Cola by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman and John Neville-Andrews, Opening at 8:30pm on Saturday, July 18, 2015 Runs at 8:30pm Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm Sundays through August 23, 2015 The Skylight Theatre complex is located at 1816 1/2 N. Vermont, LA, 90027.

LOVE SONGS PLAYAROUND SHAKESPEARE combines the lyrical and romantic songs from a new contemporary musical, LOVE SONGS-A Musical (Music & Lyrics by Steven Cagan, veteran composer/conductor, DREAMGIRLS Musical Director), with some of Shakespeare's most passionate, poetic love scenes, enhanced by modern visual technology and dance.

Lakewood Theatre Company will begin its 63rd season with six productions on its Mainstage and three productions on its Side Door stage beginning July 10, 2015.

LOVE SONGS PLAYAROUND SHAKESPEARE combines the lyrical and romantic songs from a new contemporary musical, LOVE SONGS-A Musical (Music & Lyrics by Steven Cagan, veteran composer/conductor, DREAMGIRLS Musical Director), with some of Shakespeare's most passionate, poetic love scenes, enhanced by modern visual technology and dance.

The Wilde Awards 2014 Ceremony will be taking place September 22nd and hosted by EncoreMichigan.com.

The original New York hit comedy is now a Los Angeles hit redux and LA Times CRITIC'S CHOICE--from the company that launched the World Premiere and eight glorious months of Sideways The Play, and Paradise - A Divine Bluegrass Musical Comedy. EL GRANDE DE COCA-COLA is an extravaganza of timeless humor, in five languages that you never knew you could speak. NOW EXTENDED through November 23rd at Ruskin Group Theatre.

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival's 19th Season opens on July 18th with preview performances of Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's quintessential comedy, followed by the rarely produced history gem King John and Oliver Goldsmith's hilarious She Stoops to Conquer.