Jules Aaron News

Award-winning veteran director Jules Aaron has been putting his directorial stamp on plays and musicals for several decades.  Mr. Aaron took time out of his busy schedule to talk with us about his current project, The Group Rep's production of Agatha Christie's New York Critic Circle and Tony award-winning play WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION featuring guest artist Salome Jens, running January 27 through March 12, 2017 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.  Last season, Jules Aaron directed the most successful play the Group Rep has ever produced, the sold-out, twice extended musical THAT LOVIN' FEELIN'.

Actress Salome Jens certainly needs no introduction. She has starred on Broadway, in film and on television over the years creating a mystique that is original and totally alluring. The very sound of her voice holds me captive. She will open at Group rep in NoHo on January 27 in the classic Witness for the Prosecution. I caught up with her during her busy schedule, and here's what she had to say about the play and the new production.

The Group Rep is entering its 43rd year of continuous operation and proudly announces its newest Season containing an exciting collection of original and classic theatrical offerings.  These will explore the reasons people do the things they do and offer the audience a portal into the motives that drive a fascinating array of complicated human beings.

Now onstage at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills, THE CONSUL, THE TRAMP AND AMERICA'S SWEETHEART tells a tale suggested by true events in the United Artist office of Mary Pickford that took place with Charlie Chaplin and Georg Gyssling, German Consul in Los Angeles and a Nazi party member, to discuss the upcoming production of Chaplin's film "The Great Dictator" and whether or not it should even be made. This meeting, witnessed by Pickford's novice secretary, Esther Hollombe (who turns out to be Jewish), would change all of their lives forever.

Tense mysteries where not much happens in the way of real action on the stage can be problematic if the storyline proves to be too easy to figure out. Thankfully A SHRED OF EEVIDENCE by R.C. Sherriff directed by Jules Aaron at Theatre 40 is so well written and directed that you will be kept on the edge of your seat trying to figure out if the lead character really is guilty of a crime he cannot remember committing when all the circumstantial evidence points directly to him being the culprit.

The prospect of a new stage musical about the Righteous Brothers is an enticing idea, and with the premiere of That Lovin' Feelin', James A. Zimmerman's new production about the lives and careers of Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley, we ventured into the Valley to take in a performance. The show is being staged through January 24 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood. As with all of our 'road trips,' there is a local Ventura County angle, in this case, Brenden MacDonald, a graduate of California Lutheran University's drama program who also attended Moorpark College, where he studied under John Loprieno. MacDonald fares well in his Group Rep Theatre debut but the production suffers from obvious miscasting and an overall unsatisfactory book, which fails to effectively portray the lives and tumultuous partnership of Hatfield and Medley.

Award-winning veteran director Jules Aaron has been putting his directorial stamp on musicals and plays for several decades.  Mr. Aaron takes time out of his busy schedule to talk with us about his current project, the west coast premiere of The Group Rep's production of THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' running December 11 through January 24, 2016 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, which already has some SOLD OUT performance dates.  He also gives us a glimpse into his background and the encouragement he received along the way.

The Group Rep Co-Artistic Directors Larry Eisenberg and Chris Winfield have announced the company's exciting 42nd Season and the opening of a new performance space on the second floor of the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, CA. 

Written by James Reach, adapted from the 1955 teleplay by Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame, PATTERNS, takes an insightful look at corporate politics, examining just how much it takes for an individual to crack in order to succeed financially. Directed with great skill and insight into human foibles and behavior by Jules Aaron (one of Los Angeles' most honored directors, the recipient of over thirty awards for his work, directing over 250 stage and television productions), with a brilliant cast and design team at Theatre 40, the play depicts the emotional wreckage that corporate culture can inflict on individuals to bring them into the fold.

One faces an undeniably horrendous situation that will only get worse before it gets better...and the clincher?... it is fueled by love. That's the trap created by Frawley Becker in his play Tiger by the Tail now playing at Group rep in Noho through April 19. The tender theme is made sweeter by smooth direction and a terribly appealing cast. For those who are not afraid to follow their feelings of romance and take the plunge into the realm of the unknown, Tiger by the Tail is most worthwhile.

The Group Rep presents the west coast premiere of Frawley Becker's searing drama 'Tiger by the Tail' directed by Jules Aaron, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Frawley Becker. The play runs today, March 6th through April 19th, Todays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre located at the edge of the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood, CA.

The Group Rep presents the west coast premiere of Frawley Becker's searing drama 'Tiger by the Tail' directed by Jules Aaron, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Frawley Becker. The play runs March 6th through April 19th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre located at the edge of the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood, CA.

BLONDE POISON is based on the true story of Stella Goldschlag (1922-1994), a young woman who had exquisite beauty with the blue eyes, blonde hair and bone structure that marked her as a young Aryan goddess. But she was not an Aryan - she was a Jew who survived the Holocaust by becoming a Greifer, an informant for the Gestapo. She had been nicknamed "Blonde Poison" by the Gestapo for her efficiency in catching Jews to be subsequently slaughtered.

Two Muses Theatre opens its fourth season with the new musical, At the Bistro Garden. Book by Deborah Pearl. Music and lyrics by David Kole. Directed by Jules Aaron, with musical direction by Daniel Bachelis and choreography by Allyson Smith. The writer, composer and stage director have all come to Michigan from L.A. to polish up the show and work with the Michigan cast on its Midwest premiere with performances tonight, September 26 through October 19. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Two Muses Theatre will open their fourth season with the premiere of a brand new musical: At the Bistro Garden.

Two Muses Theatre opens its fourth season with the new musical, 'At the Bistro Garden.' Book by Deborah Pearl. Music and lyrics by David Kole. Directed by Jules Aaron, with musical direction by Daniel Bachelis and choreography by Allyson Smith. The writer, composer and stage director have all come to Michigan from L.A. to polish up the show and work with the Michigan cast on its Midwest premiere with performances today, September 26 through October 19.

"You aren't inventing the wheel, but you are putting in the spokes. And you hope that wheel will carry the show!" observes Los Angeles-based theatrical director Jules Aaron, currently in Metro Detroit to helm Two Muses Theatre's Midwest premiere of the new musical, At the Bistro Garden. The show, which runs from September 26 through October 19 promises to surprise and delight Michigan audiences.

The Two Muses Theatre will be opening its fourth season with the new musical 'At the Bistro Garden.'

Two Muses Theatre will open their fourth season with the premiere of a brand new musical: At the Bistro Garden.

The setting is Paris in the 18th Century with THE GAMESTER performed in rhymed couplets. But don't let the timeframe, language or fabulous costumes fool you. This story of true love, schemes, casual lusts, machinations, treachery and too many casinos feels as modern as today. After all, haven't we created whole cities and casinos galore aimed to pull in gamblers night and day? And don't we have Gamblers Anonymous for those who simply cannot stay away?