Laura Fine News

When attending a production at The Catastrophic Theatre, I always know I am in for a journey. My favorite aspect of this group is that each and every one of their productions is a risk-taking endeavor, guaranteeing Houston audiences access to fresh, cutting-edge presentations of theatrical craftsmanship. Their current production, the World Premiere of Mickle Maher's THE PINE was commissioned by The Catastrophic Theatre and funded in part by a grant awarded by The MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Unfortunately, THE PINE wasn't to my liking, but the opportunity to see something crafted with this company in mind is reason enough for anyone to attend a performance.

The Catastrophic Theatre is pleased to announce the world premiere of The Pine, a new play by the author of past Catastrophic favorites There is a Happiness That Morning Is, Spirits to Enforce, and The Strangerer, Mickle Maher. The Pine opens Friday, September 27 and runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 pm through October 19 at The Catastrophic Theatre, 1119 East Fwy, 77002.

Stages Repertory Theatre is hosting the American Regional Theatre Premiere of ROAD SHOW, a musical with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a Book by John Weidman. The musical premiered in 1999 under the title WISE GUYS at the New York Theatre Workshop, but a legal case held up further production. A significantly rewritten version of the musical, entitled BOUNCE, premiered in 2003 at the Goldman Theatre in Chicago. BOUNCE then ran at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with the Chicago cast where mixed-to-negative reviews kept it from being produced in New York City. In 2008, another rewritten version of the show, now entitled ROAD SHOW, opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater's Newman Theater. This new, streamlined version removed the lead female character of Nellie, who had been added for the 2003 incarnation, and took out the intermission. The title change also reflected John Weidman's desires and hopes to better hone the show's story and themes.

It is the mission of The Catastrophic Theatre to destroy audiences with impressive and unique theatre. Unfortunately, the World Premiere of FLEAVEN only destroys audiences by sending them out into the world wondering what was missing. At 27 years old, I thought maybe it was not living through the Disco era that left me benumbed by the performance. However, it's disco era vibe pastiche is fleshed out with 90s inspired rap beats and cultural references from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Furthermore, my parents' eclectic tastes in everything pop-cultural ensured that I had a strong understanding of many things I did not live through. So, simply put, that wasn't it. The problem was that despite laughing out loud at a few outlandish and genuinely humorous moments, I simply was not moved in any emotionally tangible way. From beginning to end, I felt no emotional connection to this Grinchian tale? (Think of Grinchian as being similar to Faustian, but with Dr. Suess' Grinch.)

The 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival, Red Hen Productions, The Schramm Group LLC and Gramily Entertainment present the New York premiere of RE-ANIMATOR™ THE MUSICAL featuring George Wendt ("Cheers", Broadway's Elf). This new musical comedy with a storyline that involves considerable bloodshed will feature a "splash zone" in the first few rows of the theater. RE-ANIMATOR™ THE MUSICAL plays July 17 at 8:00pm, July 18 at 4:30 and 8:00pm, July 19 at 8:00pm, July 21 at 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm and July 22 at 9:00pm at the PTC Performance Space (555 West 42nd Street). Tickets for RE-ANIMATOR™ THE MUSICAL are $25, a can be purchased by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.nymf.org. For more information:www.nymf.org. Check out photos from the production below!

When it first came out in 1985, RE-ANIMATOR quickly became a hit among horror fans and established a cult following both for the film and its mad scientist, Jeff Combs, who played Herbert West. Graham Skipper plays West in the musical and is just as fiendish as his film counterpart and funnier than ever in the broadly drawn, extremely eccentric role.

After the success of our inaugural awards last year, in which Parade and August Osage County won bit, nominations for the 2011 BWW: Los Angeles Awards are now open!

The 2011 Garland Award recipients were announced today, honoring the best of Los Angeles theatre. Under the voting system each Garland winner was named on at least three critics' 'Best of 2010' lists. Each critic listed up to five nominees for each category except performance, up to 10 nominees for performance in musical productions and 10 for straight plays. Here are the critics' lists, minus the winners. The critics who voted are Jeff Favre, Hoyt Hilsman, Travis Holder, Eric Marchese, Dany Margolies, Dink O'Neal, Melinda Schupmann, Madeleine Shaner, Les Spindle, Neal Weaver, and Jennie Webb. Back Stage thanks them, as we hope you will when you see them this year, for their perpetual devotion to Southland theater large and small.

The votes have all been counted and audited and we're VERY excited to announce the results of the first ever BroadwayWorld.com Southern California Awards! Tens of thousands of votes were cast during six weeks of intensive voting on nearly 300 nominees in 25 categories. Thank you to all who voted and congratulations to all the winners!

The Los Angeles premiere of K2, written by Patrick Meyers and directed by Damen Scranton, will play two lower-priced previews at the Underground Theater in Hollywood on Thursday, October 7 and Friday, October 8 at 8pm, and opening is set for Saturday, October 9, 2010, at 8pm. K2 will play a strictly limited engagement through Sunday, November 14.

The Los Angeles premiere of K2, written by Patrick Meyers and directed by Damen Scranton, will play two lower-priced previews at the Underground Theater in Hollywood on Thursday, October 7 and Friday, October 8 at 8pm, and opening is set for Saturday, October 9, 2010, at 8pm. K2 will play a strictly limited engagement through Sunday, November 14.

Actors Sean Galuszka and Jake Suffian recently went rock climbing in Rubidoux, CA in preparation for their roles in 'K2,' opening Saturday 10/9 at the Underground Theater in Hollywood. Previews begin Thursday 10/7. Broadwayworld brings you photo coverage below.

The Los Angeles premiere of K2, written by Patrick Meyers and directed by Damen Scranton, will play two lower-priced previews at the Underground Theater in Hollywood on Thursday, October 7 and Friday, October 8 at 8pm, and opening is set for Saturday, October 9, 2010, at 8pm. K2 will play a strictly limited engagement through Sunday, November 14.

Circus Theatricals's 2010 Season opener MORE LIES ABOUT JERZY by Davey Holmes, directed by David Trainer will close July 24. Producing is Jeannine Stehlin. The production stars acclaimed, award-winning actor, Jack Stehlin. The production opened Saturday, May 15 at Circus Theatricals at the Hayworth.

Circus Theatricals's 2010 Season opener MORE LIES ABOUT JERZY by Davey Holmes, directed by David Trainer will close July 24. Producing is Jeannine Stehlin. The production stars acclaimed, award-winning actor, Jack Stehlin. The production opened Saturday, May 15 at Circus Theatricals at the Hayworth.

The wildly funny and enjoyably outrageous production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore, which opened Sunday evening at the Center Theater Group's Mark Taper Forum.

'The Lieutenant of Inishmore,' the strikingly original black comedy by Academy Award-winning, Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated Martin McDonagh, opens at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Los Angeles Music Center on Sunday, July 11 at 7 p.m. Previews are underway and performances continue through August 8, 2010.

Circus Theatricals opens it 2010 Season with The West Coast Premiere of More Lies About Jerzy by Davey Holmes (WGA Award-winner for In Treatment) and directed by David Trainer (That ‘70s Show) and produced by Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin.

Center Theatre Group's production of 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore,' Martin McDonagh's strikingly original black comedy follows Padraic (played by Chris Pine), a terrorist deemed too angry for the IRA, and the swath of destruction he cuts on his return to Inishmore to care for a beloved pet. 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore' begins previews at the Mark Taper Forum on June 30, opens July 11 and continues through August 8, 2010.

The cast has been set for the Center Theatre Group production of 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore,' Martin McDonagh's strikingly original black comedy following Padraic (played by Chris Pine), a terrorist deemed too angry for the IRA, and the swath of destruction he cuts on his return to Inishmore to care for a beloved pet. 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore' begins previews at the Mark Taper Forum on June 30, opens July 11 and continues through August 8, 2010.