Keith Young News

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Producing Artistic Director, Wren T. Brown) presents FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE starring Emmy Award-winner Obba Babatunde (Dreamgirls - Tony Award nomination, Broadway's Chicago, CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful) as 'Nomax.'

Ebony Repertory Theatre announced today the full casting and the creative team of FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE. Acclaimed veteran actor Reginald VelJohnson (ABC/CBS's Family Matters, Die Hard, Die Hard 2) will co-star as 'Big Moe' with the previously announced Emmy Award-winner Obba Babbatunde (Dreamgirls - Tony Award nomination, Broadway's Chicago, CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful) as 'Nomax.'

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Producing Artistic Director Wren T. Brown) announced today that ERT will present FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE starring Emmy Award-winner Obba Babatunde (Dreamgirls/Tony nomination). Written by Clarke Peters, this exuberant, international hit musical pays tribute to the music of rhythm and blues pioneer Louis Jordan.  ERT's production, directed and choreographed by Keith Young (On The Town), with musical direction by Abdul Hamid Royal (FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE/original Broadway production) will commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the musical's Broadway production. Performances will run May 18 - June 11, 2017 with an official press opening on Saturday, May 20 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles, 90016.

Close Up Experience and The Goodnight Darlings (Kat Auster and Wilson Jaramillo) announce their new Short Musical Film, EMPIRE VAMPIRE. The innovative new Fantasy-Thriller Musical short film is blazing a trail, paving the way for a new genre that tells a story within a song, on screen, seamlessly intermingled with a vibrant array of performance and fine art.

The production has some shaky moments, but it soon settles into a wonderful, captivating show with a stunning performance of 'I Will Cover You (Reprise)' that is an out-of-the-park home run.

The Music Center celebrated 12 teen performing artists and four teen visual artists at The Music Center's 26th Annual Spotlight Awards during a finale performance on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Hosted by Oscar-nominated actor, musician and author, John Lithgow, the awards show culminated The Music Center's year-long free recognition and scholarship program for Southern California high school performing and visual artists. A first place and runner-up were named in each of eight categories, including ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental, jazz instrumental, two-dimensional art (works of art with height and weight, but no depth, using drawing, painting, computer generated or mixed media) and photography (black/white, color and digital). This year's top performing and visual artists were awarded more than $100,000 in cash scholarships with $5,000 for students selected as first place finalists and $4,000 for runners-up in each category; five honorable mentions in each category received $250.

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that Phillip Hayes Dean's (Drama Desk-winner for The Sty of the Blind Pig) powerful and moving play PAUL ROBESON has been extended by popular demand for three more performances and will now play through Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. The production, directed by Mr. Dean, stars two-time Emmy Award-winner Keith David (Fox's new series Enlisted) with accompaniment by pianist/musical director Byron J. Smith (working with numerous artists including Wynton Marsalis, Barbra Streisand, BeBe Winans). PAUL ROBESON plays at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

Ebony Repertory Theatre announced today that performances for Phillip Hayes Dean's (Drama Desk-winner for The Sty of the Blind Pig) powerful and moving play PAUL ROBESON will resume performances on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Two-time Emmy Award-winner Keith David (Fox's new series Enlisted), who stars in this one-man play, returns to the stage after recovering from a knee injury. PAUL ROBESON, directed by Mr. Dean, also includes accompaniment by pianist/musical director Byron J. Smith (working with numerous artists including Wynton Marsalis, Barbra Streisand, BeBe Winans). The production will continue to play through Sunday, March 30, which was part of the previously announced schedule. Three additional performances are set for Friday, April 18 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. to make up for the canceled opening weekend performances (Friday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m.). PAUL ROBESON plays at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles. Members of the press are invited to review the production beginning on Saturday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Due to an injury to lead actor Keith David, the opening performance of PAUL ROBESON by Phillip Hayes Dean has been postponed. A new performance schedule will be announced shortly.

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) will present Phillip Hayes Dean's (Drama Desk-winner for The Sty of the Blind Pig) powerful and moving play PAUL ROBESON. Dean will also stage the ERT production, which will mark his Los Angeles directorial debut. Two-time Emmy Award-winner Keith David (Fox's new series Enlisted) will star in this one-man play accompanied by pianist/musical director Byron J. Smith (working with numerous artists including Wynton Marsalis, Barbra Streisand, Bebe Winnans). Performances will run March 12 - 30, 2014 with an official press opening on March 14 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

Columbia Pictures announced principal photography has commenced on Jiang Wen's 3D feature film 'Gone With The Bullets,' through hisproduction company with Ma Ke, Buyilehu.This is the highly anticipated second film in the Bullets Trilogy that began with the 2010 hit feature 'Let The Bullets Fly' ('Rang zidan fei'), which Jiang directed. The first feature was one of the highest grossing domestic Chinese releases in recent years, grossing over US$140 million at the worldwide box office, including RMB 720m in China. 'Gone with the Bullets' will be distributed inChina by Buyilehu, and internationally by Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI).

The challenge of balancing a career as a professional dancer with motherhood is the dilemma at the heart of Palmer Davis' one woman show SUBURBAN SHOWGIRL. Based on many of her own experiences, the likeable San Diego native has created an ambitious solo show populated with characters from her life - all presented by Davis as her stage persona, Wendy Walker.

GIFTS OF LOVE: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF Stephen Schwartz, a benefit concert featuring premiere talent from the musical theatre world, is to take place today, February 10.

GIFTS OF LOVE: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a benefit concert featuring premiere talent from the musical theatre world, is to take place on February 10. Tickets are $50 a person (food included), and may be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com. Doors open at noon for a lunch/brunch buffet, and the show begins at one. All proceeds benefit Musical Theatre Programs at Culver City/Valley Glen campuses. The event will be hosted by True Blood's Carolyn Hennesy. To learn more about Summit View School please visit: www.summitviewschool.org.

DanceOn, the YouTube partnership channel exclusive to dance videos, released their behind the scenes look at the highly anticipated Sony animated film The Smurfs. Choreographer Keith Young talks about the process of choreographing for animation and how he brought the smurfs to life. Plus what it was like to work with leading actors Neil Patrick Harris and Hank Azaria. The Smurfs hits theaters nationwide on July 29, 2011.

The Beverly Hills/Hollywood (BHH) Branch of the NAACP announced the 20th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards nominees at a press conference this morning at the Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC) in downtown Los Angeles.

Frank Wildhorn's new musical 'Bonnie & Clyde' earned top honors Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle's 2009 Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence.

Sammy, a new musical by Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Leslie Bricusse, runs at The Old Globe Sept. 19 through Nov. 8, 2009.

SAMMY, a new musical about the life of Sammy David Jr. currently in previews at The Old Globe, is gearing up for it's much anticipated opening on October 2nd and the buzz has begun. After all, what $2.5-million production about an icon with a 13-piece orchestra and list of award-winning actors wouldn't generate excitement?

SAMMY, a new musical about the life of Sammy David Jr. currently in previews at The Old Globe, is gearing up for it's much anticipated opening on October 2nd and the buzz has begun. After all, what $2.5-million production about an icon with a 13-piece orchestra and list of award-winning actors wouldn't generate excitement?