Kris Lythgoe News

Ovation, 'the only television network devoted to artists and every kind of artistic expression,' will usher in the holiday season with programming celebrating theater and dance. On Thanksgiving night, Ovation will present an Ovation Original documentary special, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS: OPENING NIGHT, which takes viewers behind- the-curtain for the Lythgoe Family's (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance) quest to bring the entertaining and cheerful British "panto" musical theater tradition to American audiences for the first time. Ovation then kicks off its sixth annual programming event, "BATTLE OF THE NUTCRACKERS," featuring stunning Nutcracker productions and a chance for viewers to vote on their favorites. The popular programming event will now air for a month on Sunday afternoons in a celebration the entire family can enjoy together.

Ovation, the only television network devoted to artists and every kind of artistic expression, will usher in the holiday season with programming celebrating theater and dance.

The Pasadena Playhouseand Lythgoe Family Productions, announced today that Curt Hansen (Broadway's Next to Normal and Hairspray) joins the cast as "Snow White's Prince" in A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS. The production also features the previously announced Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's "Victorious") as "Snow White," an on-screen appearance by Neil Patrick Harris as "The Magic Mirror" and Charlene Tilton ("Dallas") as "The Wicked Queen."

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director) and Lythgoe Family Productions, announced today casting and the creative team for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, featuring Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's "Victorious") as "Snow White," an on-screen appearance by Neil Patrick Harris as "The Magic Mirror" and Charlene Tilton ("Dallas") as "The Wicked Queen." This inaugural "Panto at The Playhouse" production of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe ("So You Think You Can Dance") with choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee "So You Think You Can Dance") and musical direction by Michael Orland ("American Idol"). Performances will begin December 13 through December 23, with a gala press opening night on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Lythgoe Family Productions and Magic Pictures International announce the second run of "A Cinderella Christmas," the second show in the 2011 holiday season of traditional British family Panto.

In the tradition of the British Panto, brought so successfully to the Los Angeles stage in 2010 via Cinderella, the Lythgoe family return this year with A Snow White Christmas. British Panto, short for Pantomime, is an interactive show with music for the entire family and based on a fairytale. The music incorporated is the latest craze, and the jokes used are always relevant to current cultural trends. The main goal is to bring the family unit together for entertainment.

Lythgoe Family Productions and Magic Pictures International announce the second run of "A Cinderella Christmas," the second show in the 2011 holiday season of traditional British family Panto.

In the tradition of the British Panto, brought so successfully to the Los Angeles stage in 2010 via Cinderella, the Lythgoe family return this year with A Snow White Christmas. British Panto, short for Pantomime, is an interactive show with music for the entire family and based on a fairytale. The music incorporated is the latest craze, and the jokes used are always relevant to current cultural trends. The main goal is to bring the family unit together for entertainment.

Parenting magazine presents a Lythgoe Family Production of the holiday Panto 'A Snow White Christmas,' running November 30-December 18 at the El Portal Theatre, with opening night gala benefiting LA's BEST.

Parenting magazine presents a Lythgoe Family Production of the holiday Panto 'A Snow White Christmas,' running November 30-December 18 at the El Portal Theatre, with opening night gala benefiting LA's BEST.

This sparkling new version of the classic fairytale Cinderella is a joy for adults and kids alike. In fact, it's done in the style of a British Panto (short for Pantomime), which has nothing to do with silent mime, but is classified as a winter comedy with music hall or vaudeville sensibility and enough audience participation to make it raucous and fun for the entire family. The Lythgoe Family's new entertainment @ the El Portal is certainly that, judging by audience reactions the day I attended. Everyone was cheering, booing and participating in top form making for a fun-filled afternoon.

Photos from the gala opening night of Cinderella a modern musical in the style of a British panto at the El Portal Theater on November 27, 2010 in North Hollywood, California.

Lythgoe Family Productions, Magic Pictures International and Jason Haigh-Ellery presentCINDERELLA a Modern Musical Extravaganza! at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood from November 27-December 19, 2010. The Gala opening night on Saturday, November 27th will be a major fundraiser for LA'S Best recognized as one of the nation's top after school programs. In the style of the outrageous British holiday pantos, the Lythgoe Family (the people responsible for So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol) bring this wild, wacky and interactive holiday event to the States. The age-old fairytale of Cinderella is set to modern music, including Kelly Clarkson's 'Breakaway,' Michael Buble's 'Just Haven't Met You Yet,' and Jennifer Lopez' 'Let's Get Loud.' This U.S. premiere panto has a comical twist and incredible magic such as a pumpkin turning into a carriage with real live ponies right before your very eyes!

Lythgoe Family productions, Magic Pictures International and Jason Haigh-Ellery announced that 16 year old Veronica Dunne of Malibu, CA has been selected to play the role of 'Cinderella' in the forthcoming production of 'Cinderella, a modern Musical Extravaganza' set to play the El Portal Theatre beginning November 27, 2010.

Lythgoe Family productions, Magic Pictures International and Jason Haigh-Ellery announced that 16 year old Veronica Dunne of Malibu, CA has been selected to play the role of 'Cinderella' in the forthcoming production of 'Cinderella, a modern Musical Extravaganza' set to play the El Portal Theatre beginning November 27, 2010.

Lythgoe Family Productions, Magic Pictures International and Jason Haigh-Ellery presentCINDERELLA a Modern Musical Extravaganza! at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood from November 27-December 19, 2010. The Gala opening night on Saturday, November 27th will be a major fundraiser for LA'S Best recognized as one of the nation's top after school programs. In the style of the outrageous British holiday pantos, the Lythgoe Family (the people responsible for So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol) bring this wild, wacky and interactive holiday event to the States. The age-old fairytale of Cinderella is set to modern music, including Kelly Clarkson's 'Breakaway,' Michael Buble's 'Just Haven't Met You Yet,' and Jennifer Lopez' 'Let's Get Loud.' This U.S. premiere panto has a comical twist and incredible magic such as a pumpkin turning into a carriage with real live ponies right before your very eyes!

MPI Entertainment, Producers of Footloose, The Wedding Singer, Jason Haigh-Ellery and El Portal Theatre have partnered with Westfield Shopping Malls to search for the lead role in their CINDERELLA, A Modern Magical Musical Extravaganza in the style of a TRADITIONAL LONDON PANTO, Produced and directed by The Lythgoe Family. November 27 - December 19, 2010 - at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. The Celebrity Judges will be Adam Shankman, Kara DioGuardi and Neil Patrick Harris.

MPI Entertainment, Producers of Footloose, The Wedding Singer, Jason Haigh-Ellery and El Portal Theatre have partnered with Westfield Shopping Malls to search for the lead role in their CINDERELLA, A Modern Magical Musical Extravaganza in the style of a TRADITIONAL LONDON PANTO, Produced and directed by The Lythgoe Family. November 27 - December 19, 2010 - at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. The Celebrity Judges will be Adam Shankman, Kara DioGuardi and Neil Patrick Harris.

Against all odds, Los Angeles' El Portal Theatre celebrates 10 years of live theatre, following the rebuild of the historic movie venue, severely damaged by the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. To mark the anniversary, producers Jay Irwin and Pegge Forrest have programmed a line up of audience favorites and special events specifically catering to the historic theatre's loyal audience, including the return of the one and only Debbie Reynolds, Renee Taylor & Joe Bologna, Rip Taylor, Fritz Coleman, Adam Corolla, and brand new large-scale holiday musical extravaganza produced by the Lythgoe Family (So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars), plus a breath taking Parisian follies/cirque special for the summer.