John Todd News

Next up is L.T.Kirk, who plays Tony Candolino-the part's a natural fit for Kirk, after all he's an accomplished singer-and has been seen on Nashville stages in a variety of roles, including his starring role in Street Theatre Company's Hairspray, playing the role of Edna Turnblad (opposite director Dan McGeachy as Wilbur), and STC's Chess in Concert and Ragtime in Concert, as well as ACT 1's acclaimed staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. His years of experience as an accomplished singer make his perspective on Callas, Master Class and the fictional characters all the more compelling…

Next up is Emily Apuzzo, Rulon's oldest daughter (the younger, Sofia Apuzzo, is an acclaimed dancer), who has the unique experience of playing opposite her mom in bringing McNally's play to the stage. A noted opera singer in the Nashville area, she's been featured as a soloist in many concerts and recitals in addition to her work with the Nashville Opera chorus. She's also been a fixture on a variety of local stages throughout her life: Clearly, the Rulon-Apuzzos are a theatrical family and Pat, Emily and Sofia have appeared in numerous stage productions over the years.

First up is Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, one of the Nashville's most sought-after actresses, who in 2011 made headlines with her performances as MotorMouth Maybelle in Street Theatre Company's Hairspray and in the all-star cast of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre's latest iteration of Annie, which ran last summer. She capped that off with a knock-your-socks-off performance at The First Night Honors, delivering a soul-stirring rendition of "Random Black Girl" that still has people talking.

Playing opposite Rulon as Sophie, the first soprano, is her daughter Emily Appuzzo, a well-known actress and singer in her own right, who is a member of the Nashville Opera Chorus. Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva plays Sharon, the second soprano, and L.T. Kirk is cast as Anthony Candolino. John Todd doubles as musical director for Master Class and plays Manny, the accompanist. Patrick Goedicke completes the cast as a stage hand.

The much-delayed Lone Ranger movie - headlined by Johnny Depp - has announced additional casting.

Third Street Theatre has announced that its first production in L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity Waiver house; their critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, LA Weekly GO!, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, Ovation Recommended!) smash-hit production of the Tony award-winning musical FALSETTOS, with book by James Lapine and William Finn, music and lyrics by William Finn, choreography by John Todd, musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel is adding a BENEFIT PERFORMANCE on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7:30pm at the THIRD STREET THEATRE, 8115 W. Third Street in West Hollywood to benefit the NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION'S OPERATION PURPLE!

Third Street Theatre has announced that its first production in L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity Waiver house; their critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, LA Weekly GO!, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, Ovation Recommended!) smash-hit production of the Tony award-winning musical FALSETTOS, with book by James Lapine and William Finn, music and lyrics by William Finn, choreography by John Todd, musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel is EXTENDING AGAIN - through Sunday, November 13 at the THIRD STREET THEATRE, 8115 W. Third Street in West Hollywood!

Third Street Theatre has announced that its first production in L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity Waiver house; their critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, LA Weekly GO!, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, Ovation Recommended!) smash-hit production of the Tony award-winning musical FALSETTOS, with book by James Lapine and William Finn, music and lyrics by William Finn, choreography by John Todd, musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel is EXTENDING AGAIN - through Sunday, November 13 at the THIRD STREET THEATRE, 8115 W. Third Street in West Hollywood!

Third Street Theatre has announced that its first production in L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity Waiver house; their critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, LA Weekly GO!, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, Ovation Recommended!) smash-hit production of the Tony award-winning musical FALSETTOS, with book by James Lapine and William Finn, music and lyrics by William Finn, choreography by John Todd, musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel is EXTENDING AGAIN - through Sunday, November 13 at the THIRD STREET THEATRE, 8115 W. Third Street in West Hollywood!

Third Street Theatre today announced that its first production in L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity Waiver house; their critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, LA Weekly GO!, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, Ovation Recommended!) smash-hit production of the Tony award-winning musical FALSETTOS, with book by James Lapine and William Finn, music and lyrics by William Finn, choreography by John Todd, musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel is EXTENDING through Sunday, October 30 at the THIRD STREET THEATRE, 8115 W. Third Street in West Hollywood.

Winner of the1992 Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score of a Musical, Falsettos should also have walked away with honors as Best Musical. The show has it all: beautiful music by William Finn, great storytelling by Finn and James Lapine and a message for the ages about love, in all of its forms. Is it because of its size - with only a two person orchestra - that it lost Best Musical? Inconceivable, for any reason! Currently on stage at the Third Street Theatre, Richard Israel's astoundingly staged production brings the kind of joy that is at once fun-filled and heartwarming. Divided into March of the Falsettos - Act I (1979) and Falsettoland - Act II (1981), the play allows the audience to experience pre-Aids, and then its onslaught and ultimate devastating affects on the world.

Third Street Theatre has announced its first production in L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity Waiver house; the Tony award-winning musical FALSETTOS, with book by James Lapine and William Finn, music and lyrics by William Finn, choreography by John Todd, musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: August 13- 19!

Third Street Theatre has announced its first production in L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity Waiver house; the Tony award-winning musical FALSETTOS, with book by James Lapine and William Finn, music and lyrics by William Finn, choreography by John Todd, musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel.

Olympic gymnast, Cathy Rigby, will once again take flight in her Tony nominated and Emmy Award winning role as the boy who won't grow up, Peter Pan.

West Coast Ensemble's smash-hit critically-acclaimed production of GYPSY, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, musical direction by Johanna Kent, choreography by John Todd and directed by Richard Israel, will close on Sunday, July 31 at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage, 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood.

West Coast Ensemble and director Richard Israel get ready to for a much-anticipated GYPSY that will run May 13 - July 3 at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage in Hollywood.

West Coast Ensemble is thrilled to announce that its smash-hit critically-acclaimed production of GYPSY, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, musical direction by Johanna Kent, choreography by John Todd and directed by Richard Israel, is EXTENDING through Sunday, July 31 at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage, 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood.

Revered as one of the greatest book musicals ever written Gypsy, based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, and with collaborators Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim is rarely performed except on Broadway due to the demands of the role of Mama Rose, which has been played first by Ethel Merman, and also to acclaim by Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters and most recently Patti Lupone. Films have starred Rosalind Russell and Bette Midler (TV), and there's another theatrical one still in the works for Barbra Streisand. The stage mother to end all stage mothers is a monster role to play. She's on stage 95% of the show and must act, sing and dance 150%; there's no faking this one. In a daring production for Equity Waiver, West Coast Ensemble (WCE) is now presenting Gypsy, half a century after it first opened in New York in 1959. Jan Sheldrick has the role of Rose and she runs with it, acting up a storm, giving it her best shot. Under Richard Israel's skilled direction, the production is somewhat flawed, but overall impressive with its very strong rendering on a smaller stage.

Musical Theatre West is proud to announce a staged reading of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE. ANYONE CAN WHISTLE is the fourth reading offered in the inaugural season of the Reiner Reading Series.