Lewis Wilkenfeld News

The Nederlander Organization and Broadway in Hollywood have announced the nominees for THE 12TH ANNUAL JERRY HERMAN AWARDS, a celebration of the achievement and excellence in high school musical theatre in Los Angeles.

This year's production, a fundraiser supporting Musical Theatre Guild and its' Student Outreach programs, will perform twice; in Rancho Mirage, at the Galen Performing Arts Center on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, and in Los Angeles, at the Colony Theatre in Burbank on Sunday, January 21st. Both performances take place at 7:00PM.

El Portal Theatre announces four upcoming shows for the 2022 Spring Season. ABBA MANIA direct from the West End, FRITZ COLEMAN Comedy Benefit, A SONDHEIM BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, and  STEVE TYRELL in Concert.  

5-Star Theatricals returns to the stage with a new production of its postponed musical 'Mamma Mia!' starring Kim Huber and Eric Martsolf.

Stephanie J. Block, former MTG member turned Tony Award-winning Broadway star, will reflect on her experiences with Musical Theatre Guild, and the shows in which she performed, during a candid conversation with friend, fellow Broadway veteran, and MTG member Jason Graae.

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, concluded their 23rd Anniversary season with SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, the Pulitzer Prize winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. The one-night-only concert took place at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7:00 PM. 

Today, the Nederlander Organization and Hollywood Pantages Theatre announced that Jonathan Bennett will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for THE 8TH ANNUAL JERRY HERMAN AWARDS, a celebration of the achievement and excellence in high school musical theatre in Los Angeles. This celebrated annual awards show will take place at The Ricardo Montalban Theatre on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7pm.

How often do you get the chance to see a musical engineered for the entire family...one that is both entertaining and illuminating? Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical is a sumptuous treat for the eyes, ears and mind. Imagination runs amok in choreography, staging and the casting of some amazingly talented children. To get a bevy of child actors to essay these little 'maggots' so incredibly well for two and a half hours is no minor feat. It's like the song claims: it's a 'miracle!' Currently in its regional theatre premiere at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Kavli Theatre through March 31 only, the show is a big winner for 5 Star Theatricals.

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2018-2019 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA, adapted by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin (Groundhog Day), musical direction by Jennifer Lin, choreography by Heather Castillo and directed by Lewis Wilkenfeld.  ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA opens on Friday, March 22, 2019 and runs through Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.  

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2018-2019 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA, adapted by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin (Groundhog Day), musical direction by Jennifer Lin, choreography by Heather Castillo and directed by Lewis Wilkenfeld.  ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA opens on Friday, March 22, 2019 and runs through Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.   

5-Star Theatricals' new artistic director Patrick Cassidy talks more about his vision for the future regarding the company's forthcoming seasons of musicals.

Jerry Herman's second great triumph following the success of Hello Dolly! was Mame in 1966 and a triumphant Broadway debut for Tony winning Angela Lansbury. Based on Patrick Dennis' memoir of his wildly eccentric aunt, the story lent itself beautifully to Herman's upbeat score. It is rarely revived, and thanks to the Musical Theatre Guild, who do fully staged readings of old or lesser known musicals, we got a lovely presentation on Sunday September 23 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.

Musical Theatre Guild's production of 'Mame' wowed a Sunday evening audience with its broad comedy, Jerry Herman's tuneful score, and winning performances from its cast. The staged reading included full costumes, choreography, and some wonderfully funny moments, thanks to Lewis Wilkenfled's skillful directing.

'LAs Next Great Stage Star is more than a competition - it is an experience, deeply felt and expressed by these super-talented young people who are the new faces of our business. If this is any indication, the future of theatre is in good hands!!' - Multi-Million selling recording artist and author, Sam Harris

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will open their 23nd Anniversary season with Jerry Herman's classic musical MAME. The one-night-only concert will take place at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 7:00 PM.

On August 27th, the Debbie Reynolds Main stage at the historic El Portal Theater will host the 12th annual LA's Next Great Stage Star(R), following a six week competition.  Creator, Michael Sterling, along with his Co-Executive Producer and Co-Sponsor, Barbara Van Orden, are proud to offer this annual opportunity to talented individuals seeking to spotlight their abilities. Presented by Princess Cruises LA's Next Great Stage Star(R) is the only competition of its kind in the Western United States.

The thespian spirits of the many theatrical greats that have graced the boards of at the historic El Portal Theater, including the main stage's namesake Debbie Reynolds, could be felt as the annual 6 week long production of LA's Next Great Stage Star launched last night (Monday, July 23rd) to standing ovations for the lucky few talented individuals selected from a long a grueling audition process.

Today, the Nederlander Organization and Hollywood Pantages Theatre announced the nominees for THE 7TH ANNUAL JERRY HERMAN AWARDS, a celebration of the achievement and excellence in high school musical theatre in Los Angeles.

Cole Porter's 'High Society' sparkles with wit, glamour, and music in Musical Theatre Guild's concert version of the 1998 Broadway musical.

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will continue their 22nd Anniversary season with Cole Porter's HIGH SOCIETY. The one-night-only concert will take place at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 7:00 PM.