Laura L. Thomas News

The world premiere of PSYCHE: A Modern Rock Opera is undeniably impressive, especially when you consider the scope of the author's vision and the level of detail that has gone into its execution.

Psyche Productions, LLC in association with Greenway Arts Alliance present the world premiere of, PSYCHE: A Modern Rock Opera, book, music and lyrics by Cindy Shapiro (based on the Greek myth of 'Psyche and Eros'), with musical direction by Jack Wall, choreography by Janet Roston and directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews. PSYCHE: A Modern Rock Opera will begin previews on Friday, August 22 and will open on Friday, August 29 at 8pm and run through Sunday, September 28 at the Greenway Court Theatre, 544 North Fairfax Avenue in Hollywood.

I have to say...I really loved this crazy new rock musical. In my book, it's the kind of show that embodies all that is best about the Fringe, with its unconventional characters, sly direction (by Aaron Lyons), pert choreography (by Michelle LaVon), and wicked twist on a relevant message.

From the wild world of Michael Shaw Fisher who brought you previous Fringe hits Exorcistic: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment and Doomsday Cabaret, comes The Werewolves of Hollywood Boulevard, A Damnable Rock Musical.

Due to high ticket demand, a second concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Wednesday, February 5 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The February 4 & 5 concerts will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. With libretto by Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Produced by Los Angeles Rock Opera Company in association with HarborSide Films, proceeds from the two evenings will go to support Celebration Theatre. [For more info about Celebration, see page 2 of this release.]

A one-night-only concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Tuesday, February 4 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The concert will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. The librettist is Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Proceeds from the evening will go to support Celebration Theatre.

Producers announced today that P.J. Griffith (Giant, American Idiot) and Christina Sajous (Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark, American Idiot) will star in the industry lab presentation of the new musical, BEYOND THE MUSIC, on January 28th and 29th. They join previously announced cast members Rob Bartlett (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying), Katie Rose Clarke (Wicked), Claybourne Elder (Bonnie and Clyde) and Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba (Contact, Curtains). BEYOND THE MUSIC features a book by Andy Sandberg, music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz, and direction by Sandberg, with choreography by AC Ciulla and music supervision and arrangements by Fred Lassen.

Rob Bartlett (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying), Katie Rose Clarke (Wicked), Claybourne Elder (Bonnie and Clyde) and Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba (Contact, Curtains) are set to star in an upcoming industry lab presentation of the new musical, BEYOND THE MUSIC, in January 2013. BEYOND THE MUSIC features a book by Andy Sandberg, music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz, and direction by Sandberg, with choreography by AC Ciulla and music supervision and arrangements by Fred Lassen.

Rob Bartlett (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying), Katie Rose Clarke (Wicked), Claybourne Elder (Bonnie and Clyde) and Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba (Contact, Curtains) are set to star in an upcoming industry lab presentation of the new musical, BEYOND THE MUSIC, in January 2013. BEYOND THE MUSIC features a book by Andy Sandberg, music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz, and direction by Sandberg, with choreography by AC Ciulla and music supervision and arrangements by Fred Lassen.

3-D Theatricals' final show of the 2012 season is the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, featuring choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY opened on Saturday, October 13 and performed through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY then traveled across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., for three performances only, ending today, November 4. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the show's opening at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center!

Orange County, CA- based 3D Theatricals presents an eye-popping, high-energy production of eight-time Tony Award-winner HAIRSPRAY at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton through October 28 before transferring to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, November 2-4. This truly impressive revival is so much fun that even those who've seen the show numerous times will enjoy it--thanks primarily to its story, score, songs, and characters.

3-D Theatricals presents the final show of its 2012 season, the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY began performances on Friday, October 12, and performs through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only November 2-4. Get a look behind the scenes with HAIRSPRAY's cast and creative team in the video below!

3-D Theatricals presents the final show of its 2012 season, the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY will begin performances on Friday, October 12, with a press opening on Saturday, October 13 and perform through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only November 2 - 4!

3-D Theatricals presents the final show of its 2012 season, the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY will begin performances on Friday, October 12, with a press opening on Saturday, October 13 and perform through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only November 2 - 4!

Beyond the Music, a new musical with original book and direction by Tony® Award winning producer Andy Sandberg (Hair; The Last Smoker in America) and a fresh and exhilarating pop-rock score by multiple Emmy Award-winner Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz, will have invitation-only readings in New York on September 10th and 11th, 2012.

Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz was honored and presented with with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz on May 19 in Palm Springs. The event was held in the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, and featured a conversation with Schwartz as well as performances of his stage and movie musical hits. Directed and moderated by Scott Logsdon (Les Miserables), the evening included performances from Tony nominee Andrea McArdle (Annie), Hunter Parrish (Broadway's Godspell revival and Showtime's 'Weeds'), Kate Flannery (NBC's 'The Office'), Pamla Vale Abramson, Melissa Batalles, Garrett Hoy, Ben Reece, Haviland Stillwell (Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof) and Laura L.Thomas. Joel Baker was the musical director and accompanist. See photos of the stars performing on stage below!

Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz will be honored with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz tonight, May 19 in Palm Springs.

Desert Theatre Ensemble Company today announced that Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet has declared today, May 19 to be recognized as 'Stephen Schwartz Day'.