Joseph Leo Bwarie News

 On the evening of May 29, 2020, The Umbrella Arts Center invites the community to participate in a free special online celebration of the arts, STAND BY ME, at TheUmbrellaArts.org/StandByMe

Here's the third installment of responses from various Los Angeles Theatre heads on how their individual theatre families are holding up in these crazy, safe-distancing times. As with the first two batches of responses, these are just as amazing in their acknowledged realism and uniform positivity:

Garry Marshall Theatre offers playwrights an extension to submit for its third annual New Works Festival to be held September 14a?"16, 2020. Submissions now open through April 30, 2020.

Garry Marshall Theatre launches submissions for its third annual New Works Festival slotted for September 14a?"16, 2020. Submissions are now open and will close April 15, 2020.

Actors Co-op Theatre Company's well-received production of the Los Angeles premiere and now Ovation Recommended production of MIRACLE ON 34th STREET: A Live Musical Radio Play, running through December 15, has added two Saturday matinees December 7 at 2:30 pm and December 14 at 2:30 pm.

Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play, adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio Broadcast by Lance Arthur Smith, original songs and arrangements by Jon Lorenz, directed by Joseph Leo Bwarie, with musical direction by Anthony Lucca, choreography by Anna Aimee White and produced by Kyle Montgomery, will have its Los Angeles debut this Friday, November 1 at Actors Co-op's David Schall Theatre. The musical runs Friday, November 1, 2019 - Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Joseph Leo Bwarie is one of the artistic directors of the nonprofit Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, California. He is a Sherman Oaks native and a recording artist popular on Siriusly Sinatra on SiriusXM Radio. JLB is widely known for his record-breaking turn as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys (over 2,000 performances - Las Vegas, 1st National Tour and Broadway). Bwarie's career began at age nine, appearing in the television series Highway to Heaven and Mama's Family. He is a longtime member of Troubadour Theater Company (recent: co-director and 'Ziggy' in Little Drummer Bowie and 'Octavius' in Julius Weezer). A directorial highlight was serving as associate director alongside Garry Marshall for the world premiere of Billy & Ray and its New York premiere at the Vineyard Theatre. GMT directorial: A Funny Thing Happened a?? Forum starring Paul C. Vogt and Joey McIntyre, and The Root Beer Bandits: A Rootin' Tootin' Wild West Musicale - an original family musical he co-created with Lori Marshall and Rachael Lawrence. Bwarie is getting ready to open a live radio play at Actors Co-op Friday November 1. In our conversation, he talks in depth about this new production of Miracle on 34th Street.

Actors Co-op Theatre Company (Ovation Winner 2018 Best Direction of a Musical - Intimate Theatre) announces its 28th Season of shows!

In JULIUS WEEZER, Troubadour Theater Company uses its signature wit to turn a Shakespeare classic into a blissfully-alive rocker version of its ancient self, and the result is divine madness. You don't need to be a Bard lover to have a great time but, if you are, you'll be impressed by the level of classical talent on stage and the company's ability to "speak the speech" while tickling your funny bone.

Et Tu, Weezer? TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY opens its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), by taking a stab with their latest hilarious world premiere musical comedy event.

When it comes to developing a loyal fan base, Troubadour Theater Company has found the secret: do outstanding work, stay true to your aesthetic, and give the people what they want - a great time at the theater. Artistic Director Matt Walker started the troupe and, with the help of longtime friend and foil, Beth Kennedy, continues to lead his merry band into the great theatrical unknown. Next up for the company is JULIUS WEEZER, which combines Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR and the music of Weezer to tell its tale of political intrigue Troubie style. Today, they talk about what it's like putting together a new show and why they keep on coming back for more.

Et Tu, Weezer? TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY is back, and taking a stab at their latest hilarious world premiere musical comedy event with JULIUS WEEZER, adapted, choreographed & directed by Matt Walker. JULIUS WEEZER will preview on Saturday, May 4 at 8pm; Sunday, May 5 at 4pm; Thursday, May 9 at 8pm; and will open on Friday, May 10 at 8pm and perform through Sunday May 19 at 4pm at the El Portal Theatre, 11206 Weddington St. in North Hollywood.

The marshallARTS Family Series presents The Root Beer Bandits - A Rootin' Tootin' Wild West Musicale, at the Garry Marshall Theatre in a new, updated pull-out-all-the-stops version complete with live band, added songs, a revised book, and all-new costumes for its 15th anniversary.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the delightful doggy tale Gaston, the spring edition of the popular marshallARTS Family Series program Storybook Pages, for two free presentations on Saturday, March 2. The first presentation at 11 am SOLD OUT and so we have added a just announced additional presentation at 1 pm. New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio wrote Gaston.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the delightful doggy tale Gaston, the spring edition of the popular marshallARTS Family Series program Storybook Pages, a free event on Saturday, March 2 at 11am. New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio wrote Gaston.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the West End and Broadway play The Mountaintop by Katori Hall.  The Mountaintop is directed by Gregg T. Daniel, who recently staged A Raisin in the Sun at A Noise Within (Ovation Award nomination for Best Director) and Her Portmanteau at Boston Court.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the West End and Broadway play The Mountaintop by Katori Hall.  The Mountaintop is directed by Gregg T. Daniel, who recently staged A Raisin in the Sun at A Noise Within (Ovation Award nomination for Best Director) and Her Portmanteau at Boston Court.

Legendary American song composer Harold Arlen will have a Hollywood Big Band tribute when Broadway powerhouse Eden Espinosa (Wicked) and Joseph Leo Bwarie (Jersey Boys) join Arlen's son Sam Arlen and singers Karon Blackwell and George Bugatti, for The Music of Harold Arlen, Wonderful Wizard of Song at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) today, December 1 at 8:00pm.

The nonprofit Garry Marshall Theatre celebrates starting its second year with support from the entertainment industry and both the Broadway and Los Angeles theatre community for the Second Annual Founder's Gala.

The nonprofit Garry Marshall Theatre celebrates starting its second year with support from the entertainment industry and both the Broadway and Los Angeles theatre community for the Second Annual Founder's Gala with performances including the reuniting of Hairspray stars, Tony Award-winner Marissa Jaret Winokur and Broadway favorite Paul C. Vogt.