Ken Sawyer News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Paul McCartney, 'Enough,' 'Jersey Shore: The Musical,' 'Follies' in Chicago, the world premiere of Schwartz's 'Snapshots,' more....

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces casting for the Chicago premiere of Snapshots, by Stephen Schwartz and David Stern, and Alan Ayckbourn's Season's Greetings. The Snapshots cast includes Gene Weygandt in his third production with Stephen Schwartz, following Wicked and Working; and Susie McMonagle, direct from the Billy Elliott National Tour.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce the first show of Northlight's 2010-2011 season, Snapshots, a new show described by the authors as a 'musical scrapbook,' that includes some of the best-loved music and lyrics by the creator of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin! and Working.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans are proud to announce the final production of Northlight's 2011-12 Season, [title of show], the Broadway musical sensation about…creating a Broadway musical sensation.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans are proud to announce the 2011-12 Northlight Season, which includes the new musical Snapshots from Stephen Schwartz, the creator of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin! and Working.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce the first show of Northlight's 2010-2011 season, Snapshots, a new show described by the authors as a 'musical scrapbook,' that includes some of the best-loved music and lyrics by the creator of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin! and Working.

Chris Jones reports in the Chicago Tribune today that a new musical comprised of songbook selections from Stephen Schwartz will make it's world premiere at the Northlight Theatre this fall. The romantic comedy will feature a book by David Stern and include songs from Pippin, Godspell, Working and Wicked, among others. Ken Sawyer directs.

The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will conclude its 14th season with a very special Ring Festival LA production: DAS BARBECÜ. The one night only event will take place on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale.

The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will conclude its 14th season with a very special Ring Festival LA production: DAS BARBECÜ. The one night only event will take place on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2009. The 41st Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 22 at the Colony Theatre, thanks to the generous donation of the Colony's management. The theatre is located at 555 N. Third Street, in Burbank.

The multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) in association with David Elzer are thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed all-new look at the timeless classic, Dracula, dramatized by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, based on Bram Stoker?s novel , and directed by Ken Sawyer (The Woman in Black, Lovelace) is extending again and will now play through Sunday, May 17 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood. Additionally, David Burnham, star of The Light in the Piazza will play Renfield on Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2.

The multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) in association with David Elzer are thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed (LA Times 'SENSATIONAL!' LA Weekly PICK OF THE WEEK! Backstage CRITIC'S PICK!) all-new look at the timeless classic, DRACULA, dramatized by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, based on Bram Stoker's novel , and directed by Ken Sawyer (The Woman in Black, Lovelace) is NOW EXTENDING through SUNDAY, APRIL 26 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

The multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) in association with David Elzer are thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed all-new look at the timeless classic, Dracula, dramatized by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, based on Bram Stoker?s novel , and directed by Ken Sawyer (The Woman in Black, Lovelace) is extending again and will now play through Sunday, May 17 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood. Additionally, David Burnham, star of The Light in the Piazza will play Renfield on Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2.

The Hayworth Theatre, in association with Roz Bernstein Productions, has announced that it is extending the run of its critically acclaimed show 'Lovelace: A Rock Opera' until March 29, 2009, at which time it will close. Performances will pick up again on Friday, March 13th. The show will run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and on Sundays at 7PM during all of March, until the 29th. Tickets are $40. Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Allow time for street parking.

The multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) in association with David Elzer are thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed (LA Times 'SENSATIONAL!' LA Weekly PICK OF THE WEEK! Backstage CRITIC'S PICK!) all-new look at the timeless classic, DRACULA, dramatized by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, based on Bram Stoker's novel , and directed by Ken Sawyer (The Woman in Black, Lovelace) is NOW EXTENDING through SUNDAY, APRIL 26 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

The Hayworth Theatre, in association with Roz Bernstein Productions, has announced that it is extending the run of its critically acclaimed show 'Lovelace: A Rock Opera' until March 29, 2009, at which time it will close. Performances will pick up again on Friday, March 13th. The show will run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and on Sundays at 7PM during all of March, until the 29th. Tickets are $40. Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Allow time for street parking.

The Hayworth Theatre, in association with Roz Bernstein Productions, has announced that it is extending the run of 'Lovelace: A Rock Opera' until Feb. 28, 2009. The show, which opened Oct. 18th, 2008, continues to play to sold out audiences and critical acclaim. 'Lovelace: A Rock Opera' recounts the life and times of legendary adult film superstar Linda Lovelace of 'Deep Throat' fame, and is based on the Book, Music and Lyrics of Charlotte Caffey (founding member of 'The Go-Go's,) and Anna Waronker (singer/songwriter, founding member of 'That Dog,') with the Original Concept and Lyrics from Jeffery Leonard Bowman. Please see: www.lovelacearockopera.com. Acclaimed Director Ken Sawyer ('One Red Flower,' 'Crime and Punishment') directs 'Lovelace,' which stars newcomer Katrina Lenk in the lead role. Please visit: www.thehayworth.com Since its debut Oct. 18th, 'Lovelace: A Rock Opera' has received critical acclaim from the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Weekly, Entertainment Tonight, Backstage West, Frontiers Magazine and other media. Earning a 'Critic's Choice' Review, the Los Angeles Times said, 'We are undeniably watching something original, at once refined and electrifying. Throughout, 'Lovelace' operates in an Expressionist whirl -- silhouetted sex tableaux, waitresses-turned-strippers before our eyes, a campy 'Silicone Injection' sequence, ad infinitum. Propelled by Waronker and Caffey's restless, accomplished score, the show takes a nonjudgmental attitude toward porn and an unyielding stance on female exploitation. It's remarkable how well it works. Finally, it's all about Katrina Lenk's heroine, and her raw yet potent singing and vast emotional range are immensely affecting. Her vital commitment mirrors that of ?Lovelace's' creators, and centers this cautionary theatrical cantata.'

Acclaimed director Ken Sawyer (The Woman in Black) brings his own vision (and additional scenes from Bram Stoker's original novel), to this adaptation which is a darker and sexier take on the legendary story; a tale of an evil ages old and yet forever new. Lucy Seward, whose mother is the doctor in charge of an English sanitorium, has been attacked by some mysterious illness. Dr. Van Helsing, a specialist, believes that the girl is the victim of a vampire, who is at last, found to be one Count Dracula - whose ghost is only able to be laid to rest in a particularly striking manner. Staring: Rob Arbogast as Dracula, Joe Hart as Van Helsing, Darcy Martin as Lucy, J.R. Mangels as Jonathan Harker, Alex Robert Holmes as Renfield, Karesa McElheny as Dr. Seward, Mara Marini as Min, Tahni Delong as the Maid and Chad Coe as the Attendant. Dracula previews on Saturday, February 7 at 8pm; Sunday, February 8 at 3pm; Wednesday, February 11 at 8pm, Thursday, February 12 at 8pm and will open on Friday, February 13 at 8pm and will run for six weeks through Sunday, March 22 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood. Ticket prices are $25.00 for all performances. *Please note that this production contains some nudity and is suggested for mature audiences.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2008. The 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 16 at the El Portal Theatre, thanks to the generous donation of the El Portal's management. The theatre is located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood. Tickets are $40; $5 off if purchased in advance via PayPal. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a catered reception (with no-host bar) and silent auction. The show commences at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the Awards show can be reserved from the LADCC's website, at www.ladramacriticscircle.com

The Hayworth Theatre, in association with Roz Bernstein Productions, has announced that it is extending the run of 'Lovelace: A Rock Opera' until Feb. 1st, 2009. The show, which opened October 18th, 2008, continues to play to sold out audiences and critical acclaim.