John Todd News

Dan McGeachy directs Nashville actress Pat Rulon as Maria Calls in Terrence McNally's Master Class, running February 10 and 11 at Nashville Opera's Noah Liff Opera Center, continuing a run that opened at Darkhorse Theatre in mid-January.

Imperious and commanding, confident and resolute, Maria Callas is the quintessential opera diva-Leonard Bernstein referred to her as "The Bible of opera"-and with her oversized personality and regal bearing, she remains a force to be reckoned with almost 35 years after her death. ACT 1 continues its remarkable 2011-12 season with Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning Master Class, a revealing and intimate portrait of la Divina in the latter years of her storied life and career.

Pat Rulon is cast in the enviable role of Maria Callas in the production, arguably her biggest challenge in a stage career that has included any number of enviable roles. This time, playing opposite her daughter Emily Apuzzo, may be more special in some ways, in others it's just another day (or night) at the office for the versatile actress who's played roles both classical and contemporary, both dramatic and comedic. One of the region's most versatile theater types, she's certain to attack the challenge of playing the operatic diva with relish and her trademark sincerity and sparkling wit.

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.