Jay Johnson made his Broadway debut at the Helen Hayes Theatre starring in the show he both wrote and performed, "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" which garnered him the 2007 Tony Award for Best Theatrical Event. Four months prior to the Broadway opening, the show played the Colony Theatre in Burbank and won the Los Angeles Ovation Award for Best Solo Show. The previous season, the show had been produced Off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theatre Company where it earned rave reviews and a coveted Lucille Lortel Award. Jay Johnson is a writer, comic, ventriloquist, poet, magician, and puppeteer. He has written and performed in TV specials for NBC, CBS, and HBO, and has hundreds of appearances on variety specials and talk shows including "The Tonight Show" (with Johnny Carson and with Jay Leno) and "The David Letterman Show." He has been featured in more than 30 national commercials. Jay's acting credits include appearances on "CSI", "That 70's Show", "Dave's World", "Night Court" and others too numerous to mention. Jay Johnson is best remembered for his role as the schizophrenic ventriloquist Chuck and Bob' on the ABC classic TV comedy "Soap".
The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre presents Frederick Knott's 'Dial 'M' for Murder' directed by Bruce Kimmel, produced by Mannette Antill for the Group Rep. In this mystery thriller play that inspired Hitchcock's suspense classic, a cunning man marries a wealthy woman for her money and plans to murder her to get her fortune. He devises a perfect murder, blackmails a criminal and arranges a brilliant alibi. To say more about a twisty and surprising thriller simply wouldn't be sporting, would it?
Bruce Kimmel wrote, directed and starred in the cult movie hit, "The First Nudie Musical." He also co-created the story for the hit film, "The Faculty," directed by Robert Rodriguez. As an actor, Mr. Kimmel guest-starred on most of the long-running television shows of the 1970s. Mr. Kimmel is a legendary Grammy-nominated producer of theatre music on CD, having produced over 180 albums. Most recently he has directed the shows L.A. Now and Then, Hit Song, The Musical, Welcome to My World, Li'l Abner, and Inside Out. Mr. Kimmel is the author of seventeen books, many musicals, and is an award-winning songwriter. Bruce Kimmel serves as director on the Group Rep's upcoming production of Frederick Knott's mystery thriller Dial "M" for Murder which opens on the Main Stage, June 30th, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.
Written by Steve Peterson
The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre presents Frederick Knott's "Dial "M" for Murder" directed by Bruce Kimmel, produced by Mannette Antill for the Group Rep.
The Group Rep presents the fourth StoryTime on Sunday, June 11 at 7:00 pm, an evening of joy, sadness and a touch of comedy featuring fresh live personal stories as entertainment.
The Group Rep Second Annual SHORT NEW PLAYS FESTIVALThe Group Rep announces its Second Annual SHORT NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL to be held early 2018. Playwrights with short plays 5 to 15 minutes in length, have two to five characters, can be produced with simple furniture and props, and can be staged in a black box environment are invited to submit. Plays chosen will receive 6 performances over a two week period with a possible six week extension.
The Group Rep presents the world premiere of Brent Beerman's comedy drama A Dull Pain Turned Sharp, directed by Kay Cole, produced by Mannette Antill, about a mother's dream to be a grandmother, a daughter's dream of independence, and another mother's dream of carrying on the lineage of her deceased son. What happens when one's happiness depends upon the actions of another? The play runs April 21 through June 4, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.
Actress/singer/dancer/director/choreographer KAY COLE is known for her award-winning work in the original Broadway production of A Chorus Line, which garnered the Tony, Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk, and Theatre World awards -among others. Other credits as director/choreographer include hundreds of plays and musicals in New York, LA and London. Visit her website for a complete list: www.kaycole.net
She is currently directing Group rep's production of a new play by Brent Beerman A DULL PAIN TURNED SHARP that will open Friday April 21. She also has a CD called Souvenir just released by Kritzerland Records.
We know you did the trailblazing A Chorus Line in 1976 for Michael Bennett. It opened new doors for you and many other artists and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. You have been a triple threa
Playwright Brent Beerman is A UCLA MFA graduate;his Gabriel's Rapture won the Corner Stage National Theater Contest; Millionaires opened Off-Broadway; Dancing in the Shadows won the Pacificus Foundation of Los Angeles Literary Award; his libretto for Jesus' Daughter and Womin, touring Europe and the United States, were featured on CNN. In Los Angeles, Another Washington Affair was recently directed by Kay Cole. A Dull Pain, Turned Sharp was a prizewinner at the MOXIE Films New Play Competition and a reading featured at the HOWL festival in New York City. He is the director of theater at Crescenta Valley High School which annually produces over 14 plays with five guest directors.
Written by Steve Peterson
The Group Rep presents StoryTime, Sunday, March 12 at 7:00 pm, an evening of joy, sadness and a touch of comedy featuring fresh live personal stories as entertainment.
The Group Rep extends their well-received production of Agatha Christie's New York Critic's Circle Award-winning play, Witness for the Prosecution, directed by Jules Aaron and featuring Guest Artist Salome Jens, a mystery about a man on trial for murder whose enigmatic wife is called as a 'witness for the prosecution' whereupon a series of plot twists, deceptions and lies are dramatically uncovered. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
There's nothing like a good old fashioned mystery to keep you on the edge of your theatre seat, especially one that's written by the grande dame of the genre Agatha Christie. The Mousetrap was one of the longest running plays on the West End for umpteen years. As I sat at Group rep Friday night watching Witness for the Prosecution, which is rarely revived, I really tuned in to the dialogue. It is so well constructed, and the dozen or so characters are deliciously humorous. I am happy to report that the new production at Group rep directed by skilled veteran Jules Aaron and starring guest artist Salome Jens and Larry Eisenberg is akin to a jolly good rollercoaster ride. It's delightfully entertaining and can be seen through March 12.
Award-winning veteran director Jules Aaron has been putting his directorial stamp on plays and musicals for several decades. Mr. Aaron took time out of his busy schedule to talk with us about his current project, The Group Rep's production of Agatha Christie's New York Critic Circle and Tony award-winning play WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION featuring guest artist Salome Jens, running January 27 through March 12, 2017 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood. Last season, Jules Aaron directed the most successful play the Group Rep has ever produced, the sold-out, twice extended musical THAT LOVIN' FEELIN'.
The Group Rep is entering its 43rd year of continuous operation and proudly announces its newest Season containing an exciting collection of original and classic theatrical offerings. These will explore the reasons people do the things they do and offer the audience a portal into the motives that drive a fascinating array of complicated human beings.
The Group Rep extends its well-received production of A Slight Ache written by Harold Pinter, directed by Kevin Dobson, produced by Kevin Dobson and Linda Alznauer. This tragic-comedy concerns a married couple confronted by a mysterious figure who shakes up their equilibrium and forces them out of their cozy existence.
The Group Rep presents Harold Pinter's stage play A Slight Ache, directed by Kevin Dobson, produced by Linda Alznauer for the Group Rep. This tragic-comedy concerns a married couple's dreams and desires when confronted by a mysterious figure who shakes up their equilibrium and forces then out of their cozy existence. September 17 - October 9. Saturdays at 2:00 PM. Sundays at 7:00 PM. Q & A Talk-back after Sept. 25 show. Tickets: $15. Buy Tickets: www.thegrouprep.com or 818.763.5990. Upstairs at the Group Rep on the second floor of the Lonny Chapman Theatre. 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood 91601. The Upstairs is not handicapped accessible. The theatre has AC/Heat.
