Leslie John News

Major survey of modern art created in the American South opens January 26.

See photos from the red carpet of Rockers on Broadway!

David Hunt Stafford (pictured) is the Artistic Director and Managing Director of Theatre 40, posts he has proudly held since 2000 at the professional theater company located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School. I decided to speak with David about the current plays running in rep during July and August: Doris and Ivy in the Home, in which he appears, and One Moment of Freedom which he produces; and the group’s ongoing Reading Series showcasing new and well-known plays read by company members.

What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre? Set in the dark streets of London in 1785, we follow barber Sweeney Todd (Nathaniel Stampley) as he returns from wrongful imprisonment by the horrifying Judge Turpin (John Leslie Wolf).

Get a first look at photos of Sweeney Todd at Signature Theatre!

Get a first look at footage of Sweeney Todd at Signature Theatre!

Signature Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler.

Theatre Forty once again presents Theatre Appreciation Seminars on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. The series of rehearsed play-readings will be presented on Zoom, with the exception of the final play in this series, A Christmas Truce, which will be presented on stage at Theatre Forty on November 7.

Olney Theatre Center has updated its summer schedule for Olney Outdoors with the full schedule and roster of performers featured in its Cabaret concert series which runs on most Friday nights begininng July 8 - August 19.

Signature Theatre has announced that special arrangements have been made to stream Everybody Rise: Signature Remembers Stephen Sondheim for free for a limited 72-hour period.

For the final entry of 2021 in its popular series of Monday Night Seminars, Theatre 40 will present a rehearsed reading via Zoom of a classic holiday tale, Beasley's Christmas Party.

The Fall session of Theatre 40's popular series of Monday Night Seminars will be conducted on Zoom this fall. Each date of the series will feature the reading of a play by Theatre 40's actors, followed by a Q&A period. The plays selected for this Fall include both comedies and dramas. The series is moderated by Melanie MacQueen and John Leslie.

Theatre 40 presents a Zoom reading of a play by Ken Urban, The Correspondent, on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

Theatre Forty will present a play-reading via Zoom of the historical drama Ben Butler by Richard Strand on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. PST. John Leslie directs a cast that includes Martin Thompson, Shawn Savage, Tony Williams and John W. Combs.

Actors Equity has released the following roundup of quotes addressing SAG-AFTRA members who are speaking out against the union's battle with Equity.

Theatre 40 is launching a shortened season of its long standing Adult Education Theatre Appreciation Seminars this month. This Semester's theme is 'THE OTHER: plays concerning the relationships with those different from ourselves'. The presentations are virtual, online.

Signature Theatre has announced that beginning Monday, March 30 patrons will have the ability to watch the world premiere production of Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes by DC playwright Dani Stoller from their homes.

'Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes' is a smart, insightful show with an incredibly talented cast and production team. It's a heartfelt, surprisingly funny, and achingly realistic portrayal of a family struggling with their demons, brought to life by an outstanding team.

Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes by DC playwright Dani Stoller.

Theater J Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr and Managing Director Jojo Ruf have announced Theater J's 30th anniversary season of five plays and two musicals. The nation's largest and most prominent Jewish theater company, Theater J celebrates its anniversary with a season that features all the elements that have become signature to its work: stories that illuminate the Jewish condition, joyfully celebrate humanity, and challenge us to empathize and think more deeply about the world.