Kurtis Simmons News

The Valley Villagers Virtual Choir, headed up by musical director Jeff Rizzo and producer/director Eric Andrist, have gathered together 70+ performers for their latest virtual choir video.

As the poster shows, The Merry Little Christmas Show was a visit to Scott Dreier's living room. It was an intimate evening with a very up close and personal man who sang and told stories about his love of Christmas. Scott has a very lovely and warm singing and speaking voice. It doesn't matter if he is singing or talking, it comes across as one on one. He is performing just for you. The 85 minute show included guest star Kurtis Simmons, who sang beautiful original compositions about Christmas as well as dueting with Dreier. Both were backed by superb musician,/musical director Andy Langham, whose rapport with the two singers is top notch.

BroadwayWorld Critics' Pick and StageSceneLA Award-winner Scott Dreier, star of last season's acclaimed hit Doris and Me, will return to The Colony Theatre in Burbank with his holiday concert, The Merry Little Christmas Show, for two performances only. Along with special guest Kurtis Simmons and music director Andy Langham, Dreier will perform on Sunday, December 15, at 3pm and 6pm.

The USC School of Dramatic Arts announces the call for submission for the fourth season of LiveRead@SDA, a developmental series created to cultivate and provide critical support for the creation of innovative and contemporary new works for the American theatre.

One of the most popular off-Broadway hits in history, the hilarious and charming musical comedy, Forever Plaid comes back to the Norris Theatre on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, for one more Magic Moment, November 16-18. The show follows The Plaids, a young, all-male singing group whose lives were cut tragically short in the 1950s, as they return from the afterlife to stage one final concert featuring the most popular songs of the era.

One of the most popular off-Broadway hits in history, the hilarious and charming musical comedy, Forever Plaid comes back to the Norris Theatre on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, for one more Magic Moment, November 16-18. The show follows The Plaids, a young, all-male singing group whose lives were cut tragically short in the 1950s, as they return from the afterlife to stage one final concert featuring the most popular songs of the era.

Alice Lee (Gap Year; Heathers: The Musical) and Zach Villa (Honeyglue; NCIS: LA; rock band Rebel and a Basketcase, For The Record, Dear John Hughes & Baz) are set to star in hyper-styled new musical, HIPSTER SWEATSHOP. Lee and Villa play twenty-somethings from opposite sides of the track who meet and fall in love in 'Downtown LA's hottest jewelry boutique.'

FOREVER PLAID by Stuart Ross is a musical that lends itself to offering audiences a goofy, charming musical escape, and is considered one of the most popular and successful off-Broadway musicals in history. Having never before seen a production of it, I have always been curious why those who have either been in a production or seen the show are such outspoken fans of it. Those involved with the show speak of the 'brotherhood of Plaid' that exists between those who have performed or directed the show previously, with the understanding that if called upon at any time to take part in a production of the musical, it would be a crime to not jump in and make the show an audience favorite. So when I was invited to the current production at the International City Theatre in Long Beach, I jumped at the chance to see what all the fuss is about.

What better way to start the new year than with a goofy, charming musical escape? Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross, one of the most popular and successful off-Broadway musicals in history, opens February 17 at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 15 and 16.

What better way to start the new year than with a goofy, charming musical escape? Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross, one of the most popular and successful off-Broadway musicals in history, opens February 17 at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 15 and 16.

There are undoubtedly other productions worthy of merit in 2016 which I did not cover. This list is based only on what I saw and reviewed. (alphabetical listings; Equity, Equity-waiver & Non-Equity productions are mixed) (artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories) No set, costume, technical awards. I leave that to the bigger awards and to the expertise of those who really know those fields inside out.

Recording artist Kurtis Simmons has released his first holiday recording entitled “This Year for Christmas.” Along with Simmons, the EP features the writing and performance talents of multi-platinum and award-winning Stefan Lit and acclaimed jazz artist and actor Scott Dreier.

The USC School of Dramatic Arts and its dean, David Bridel, announce LiveRead@SDA, a new program created to cultivate and provide critical support for the creation of innovative and contemporary new musicals for the American theatre.

On Monday August 29 actor/singer Kurtis Simmons made his solo cabaret debut at Rockwell Table and Stage to a SRO crowd of adoring fans and well-wishers. Simmons is no stranger to Los Angeles audiences, as he has appeared onstage in such popular shows as Forever Plaid and premiered his musical Hipster Sweatshop at Rockwell in the company of co-creators Kyle Puccia and Darryl Stephens, in May of this year. But, there is something special about a solo show. As good as a performer is - and Simmons is very good indeed with a phenomenal voice - there's always that question, 'Can he carry a show by himself?' The answer is a resounding 'Yes!'

Recording artist Kurtis Simmons made his LA solo debut at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz on Monday, August 29 at 8pm. With music direction by Sean Bart, Simmons performed songs from his critically acclaimed pop/rock CD Fraction of a Thread along with some tunes from his original musical Hipster Sweatshop (co-written with Kyle Puccia and Darryl Stephens).  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

Recording artist Kurtis Simmons will make his LA solo debut at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz on Monday, August 29 at 8pm. With music direction by Sean Bart, Simmons will perform songs from his critically acclaimed pop/rock CD Fraction of a Thread along with some tunes from his original musical Hipster Sweatshop (co-written with Kyle Puccia and Darryl Stephens).

Ashley Argota , whose credits include The Fosters; True Jackson, VP; Lab Rats and Michael Viruet (pictured) , boasting Pitch Perfect and Hunkappella, are set to star in a hyper-styled new musical entitled Hipster Sweatshop. Argota and Viruet play love interests from opposite sides of the track in this musical set in downtown LA's hottest jewelry boutique. Viruet, who plays the sexy delivery guy Jesus for whom Argota's Siri falls hard, says that Hipster Sweatshop is "a fun concept with some great characters. Its duets will blow your socks off!"

?3000 Miles Off-Broadway Productions proudly presents, DORIS AND ME: A Sentimental Journey starring SCOTT DREIER at El Portal's Monroe Forum Theatre, in the NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, CA.  This special engagement will be presented March 18 - 20, 2016 for four performances only.

Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) is once again proud to present award winning performer Scott Dreier in Doris and Me as the first of its Summer Cabaret Series.

Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) is once again proud to present award winning performer Scott Dreier in Doris and Me as the first of its Summer Cabaret Series.