John Ritter News

As the commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War continues, 2013 is especially important to the historic town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as this July marks 150 years since the Battle of Gettysburg, often considered the turning point in the Civil War. In recognition of the place Gettysburg holds in history, Totem Pole Playhouse is partnering with Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater in a special co-production of the acclaimed one-act drama, The Road from Appomattox on the stage of the Majestic from July 10 through July 21. Tickets are on sale now.

Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'

Casting has been announced for the World Premiere of The D* Word - A Musical (*Ditched, Dumped, Divorced, Dating). Written and produced by Jeanie Linders, the creator of the smash hit Menopause The Musical, the limited engagement plays at The Abbey in downtown Orlando for six weeks starting tonight, January 16.

Casting has been announced for the World Premiere of The D* Word - A Musical (*Ditched, Dumped, Divorced, Dating). Written and produced by Jeanie Linders, the creator of the smash hit Menopause The Musical, the limited engagement plays at The Abbey in downtown Orlando for six weeks starting January 16.

Sometimes the career you end up with is quite different from what you originally intended. Such is the case with Sue McMurtray. Although a career in show business was not one of her original intentions, McMurtray is retiring as Managing/Marketing Director at South Central Pennsylvania's famous Totem Pole Playhouse, after 28 years. Before McMurtray became a fixture at the summer theater she attended nursing school, became an x-ray technician and eventually ran the historic Penn National Inn, located nearby the Totem Pole Playhouse, between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Ever been introduced to someone for the first time yet had an overwhelming sense of of having met previously? Ever visited a new city or country yet felt completely at home? How does a child who has never taken a lesson suddenly begin playing the piano with the skill of a virtuoso?

Audiences don't want to miss this rare experience to spend an evening with one of America's favorite stars, Sally Struthers. Struthers will appear at the playhouse in SIMPLY: SALLY STRUTHERS, an intimate evening with the Emmy-winning actress...in words, song stories and laughter. Struthers will perform May 8th through May 12, 2013 and is limited to just under 2,000 tickets.

For anyone who loves Hollywood memorabilia, is an entertainment junkie, and loves to eat and cook - they will treasure Frank DeCaro's The Dead Celebrity Cookbook: A Resurrection of Recipes from More Than 145 Stars of Stage and Screen (HCI Books). Frank compiled favorite recipes from some of Hollywood's biggest names; including Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Sonny Bono, Liberace, Michael Jackson, John Denver, Frank Sinatra, Rock Hudson, Humphrey Bogart, and Peter Falk, just to name a few.

The Perry Brothers, the ever-popular family duo from Ojai, return to their Ventura home at Rubicon Theatre Company for a one-night-only benefit concert tonight, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. John and Tony Perry will be backed onstage by a band of talented artists on guitar, bass, fiddle, flute, dobro, ukulele and vocals, performing a mix of folk, country, jazz and blues favorites such as "Ventura Highway" by America, "What in the World" by David Bowie, "Lyin' Eyes" by the Eagles and "These are the Days" by Van Morrison.

The show may be called I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, but this production, now playing the Georgetown Palace Theatre, should be known as YOU'LL LOVE IT, IT'S PERFECT, DON'T CHANGE.

The Perry Brothers, the ever-popular family duo from Ojai, return to their Ventura home at Rubicon Theatre Company for a one-night-only benefit concert on Saturday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. John and Tony Perry will be backed onstage by a band of talented artists on guitar, bass, fiddle, flute, dobro, ukulele and vocals, performing a mix of folk, country, jazz and blues favorites such as "Ventura Highway" by America, "What in the World" by David Bowie, "Lyin' Eyes" by the Eagles and "These are the Days" by Van Morrison.

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!

As the curtain goes down this year on Totem Pole Playhouse's 62nd consecutive summer season, the local theatrical mainstay faces a cloudy future in which the curtain may not rise again for a 63rd season.

Joan Stein, who produced both theatre on the West and East Coasts and television in Los Angeles, died today from appendceal cancer, a family spokesperson announced. She was 59.

The beginning of any actor's career is full of uncertainty and anxiety, and brings up many questions that can't be answered right off the bat: Will I get the fame? Will I get the awards? Will I have a long and fulfilling career, or even get to join the union? But before those questions are answered, there's a simpler, more immediate question: will I ever get a job? That question was answered quickly for actor Jackie Robinson, who takes to the stage in Totem Pole Playhouse's fifth offering of its summer season, Almost, Maine, running July 31 through August 12, 2012.

The beginning of any actor's career is full of uncertainty and anxiety, and brings up many questions that can't be answered right off the bat: Will I get the fame? Will I get the awards? Will I have a long and fulfilling career, or even get to join the union? But before those questions are answered, there's a simpler, more immediate question: will I ever get a job? That question was answered quickly for actor Jackie Robinson, who takes to the stage in Totem Pole Playhouse's fifth offering of its summer season, Almost, Maine, running July 31 through August 12, 2012.

Katselas Theatre Company presents the world premiere of BEAUTIFIED by multi-award-winner Tony Abatemarco, opening tonight, May 25, 2012 with reception to follow and then 8pm Friday and Saturdays, 2pm Sundays through July 1, 2012 at the Skylight Theatre 1816 N. Vermont, LA 90027.

Katselas Theatre Company will present Tony Abatemarco's BEAUTIFIED, described as 'a riotous new romp through four decades in a Massachusetts beauty parlor.'

Rubicon Theatre Company kicked off its 2012 Annual Fund Drive on May 16 at the first preview performance of their latest production Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. As a non-profit organization, ticket sales from productions like Gem of the Ocean cover only 45-50 percent of Rubicon's annual operating budget. The balance must come from community contributions. Leading Rubicon's 2012 Annual Fund Drive as Honorary Chairs are three respected members of the Ventura community: Trudy Arriaga, Doug Halter and Jim Monahan. During the Annual Fund Drive, titled Gem by the Ocean, those who are able to support Rubicon with a donation of $250 or more will be entered to win a one-of-a-kind, ocean-inspired piece of fine art created by local glass artist Frances Elson.

Katselas Theatre Company will presents the world premiere of BEAUTIFIED by multi-award-winner Tony Abatemarco, opening Friday, May 25, 2012 with reception to follow and then 8pm Friday and Saturdays, 2pm Sundays through July 1, 2012 at the Skylight Theatre 1816 N. Vermont, LA 90027.