John Shartzer News

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary at the theatre) are thrilled to present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and directed & staged by Glenn Casale. 1776 THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 11, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.  

The musical adaptation of Jean Webster's 1912 novel of the same name returns to LA for the first time in years, unfolding on the stage of the Two Roads Theater for one weekend only September 21-24, 2017. With music & lyrics by Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre, Emma) and book by John Caird (LES MISERABLES, Jane Eyre), Daddy Long Legs transports us back to 1908 and the dreary existence of orphan Jerusha Abbott, just before a mysterious benefactor decides to send her to college and change her life forever. What transpires over the course of this intimate, two-actor play is a heartwarming story of human connection, kindness, and charity.

Melissa Dunham felt both thrilled and terrified when she made the decision to produce a full-scale musical production in LA. This is a completely new adventure for Melissa who is professional actor and singer, and a graduate of UC Irvine's BFA Musical Theater program. Her background has primarily been in the performance side of theatrical production, but when she listened to Daddy Long Legs' stunning score (music and lyrics by Paul Gordon) and read the script by John Caird, she knew the story needed to be told--and the thought of taking on a new challenge only made her more eager to jump into the experience.

The musical adaptation of Jean Webster's 1912 novel of the same name returns to LA for the first time in years, unfolding on the stage of the Two Roads Theater for one weekend only September 21-24, 2017. With music & lyrics by Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre, Emma) and book by John Caird (LES MISERABLES, Jane Eyre), Daddy Long Legs transports us back to 1908 and the dreary existence of orphan Jerusha Abbott, just before a mysterious benefactor decides to send her to college and change her life forever. What transpires over the course of this intimate, two-actor play is a heartwarming story of human connection, kindness, and charity.

Melissa Dunham felt both thrilled and terrified when she made the decision to produce a full-scale musical production in LA. This is a completely new adventure for Melissa who is professional actor and singer, and a graduate of UC Irvine's BFA Musical Theater program. Her background has primarily been in the performance side of theatrical production, but when she listened to Daddy Long Legs' stunning score (music and lyrics by Paul Gordon) and read the script by John Caird, she knew the story needed to be told--and the thought of taking on a new challenge only made her more eager to jump into the experience.

Melissa Dunham felt both thrilled and terrified when she made the decision to produce a full-scale musical production in LA. This is a completely new adventure for Melissa who is professional actor and singer, and a graduate of UC Irvine's BFA Musical Theater program. Her background has primarily been in the performance side of theatrical production, but when she listened to Daddy Long Legs' stunning score (music and lyrics by Paul Gordon) and read the script by John Caird, she knew the story needed to be told--and the thought of taking on a new challenge only made her more eager to jump into the experience.

The musical adaptation of Jean Webster's 1912 novel of the same name returns to LA for the first time in years, unfolding on the stage of the Two Roads Theater for one weekend only September 21-24, 2017. With music & lyrics by Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre, Emma) and book by John Caird (LES MISERABLES, Jane Eyre), Daddy Long Legs transports us back to 1908 and the dreary existence of orphan Jerusha Abbott, just before a mysterious benefactor decides to send her to college and change her life forever. What transpires over the course of this intimate, two-actor play is a heartwarming story of human connection, kindness, and charity.

Powerful, poignant and timely as ever, LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT presented the fourth show of its 2016-2017 season, the most acclaimed musical of all time, WEST SIDE STORY, book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein with musical direction by Brent Crayon, choreography by John Todd and directed by Ovation award-winner Richard Israel.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the third show of its 2016-2017 season, Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST FIVE YEARS, starring Devin Archer and Natalie Storrs, with musical direction by Brent Crayon and directed by Ovation Award-winner Nick DeGruccio. BroadwayWorld has a first look at opening night below!

When it comes to the theatrical art of farce, Ken Ludwig's hilarious 1986 stage play LEND ME A TENOR certainly qualifies as a perfect example of the genre. Amusingly cheeky throughout, the 9-time Tony Award nominated comedy has been revived locally with a posh new production under the direction of Art Manke that is now playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through November 13. Utilizing a laundry list of classic madcap set-ups, LEND ME A TENOR feels very much like a well-paced, meticulously crafted, old fashioned sitcom episode that has been super-sized into two gloriously funny acts.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the second show of its 2016-2017 season: Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke. LEND ME A TENOR opened on October 22 and runs through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the opening night pics below!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are delighted to present the second show of its 2016-2017 season:  Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke.  LEND ME A TENOR will preview on Friday, October 21, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 22) and run through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.   

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are delighted to present the second show of its 2016-2017 season:  Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke.  LEND ME A TENOR will preview on Today, October 21, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 22) and run through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.   

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are delighted to present the second show of its 2016-2017 season:  Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke.  LEND ME A TENOR will preview on Friday, October 21, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 22) and run through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.   

Casting has been announced for the new musicals in development at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Music Theater Conference later this month. Among the actors premiering new work are Adam Chanler-Berat, Erin Davie, Colin Hanlon, Kevin Mambo, Matt Von Roderick, Christina Sajous, and Remy Zaken.

Geoffrey Nauftts' witty and provocative NEXT FALL takes a hard look at faith, commitment and unconditional love. Set in a hospital waiting room following a life-threatening traffic accident, we meet an assortment of people linked to the patient Luke (Tom Berklund), a handsome young gay man still closeted from his conservative and devoutly religious parents Butch (Stephen Mac Howard) and Arlene (Zachary Barton) who are the only ones allowed to visit their son in the ICU.

MACHA Theatre Co. and Treehouse Productions present the Tony Nominated and awarding winning Broadway play NEXT FALL in its 2015-1016 season. Written by Geoffrey Nauffts. NEXT FALL is about two gay men in a committed relationship with a twist, with one, Luke, being devoutly religious and the other, Adam, an atheist. The play revolves around their five-year relationship and how they make it work despite their differences. However, an accident changes everything. NEXT FALL paints a beautiful and funny portrait of modern romance, asking the hard questions about commitment, love, and faith. Directed by Robin Long.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), present the second show of their 2015-2016 season, RENT, book, music & lyrics byJonathan Larson, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins). Check out photos from the show's first curtain call below!

Darling Grenadine is the whimsical new musical from singer-songwriter Daniel Zaitchik.  It tells the story of a successful commercial composer and his precarious relationships with his girlfriend, his brother, and his Labrador Retriever.