Maegan McConnell News

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, continues its 2014-2015 REVOLUTIONary season with two new productions: William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar March 22 to May 8 (press opening March 28) and The Threepenny Opera, Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's groundbreaking theatrical work in Michael Feingold's translation now through May 17.

The first thing you notice when you step into the theater for A Noise Within's THE THREEPENNY OPERA is Frederica Nascimento's stunningly vivid set design. It's a deconstruction in which none of the elements are hidden: lighting instruments are in plain sight; pieces of scenery hang suggestively from the rails but without trying to make a complete picture; furniture litters the upstage areas and props are scattered about; the band is in plain view tuning up on one side and actors in rags are already roaming the audience.

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, continues its 2014-2015 REVOLUTIONary season with two new productions: The Threepenny Opera, Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's groundbreaking theatrical work in Michael Feingold's translation, now through May 9 (press opening February 21) and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, March 22 to May 8 (press opening March 28). While both plays spoke to the times in which they were first produced - Weimar Germany and Elizabethan England, respectively-they also speak to this season's theme of REVOLUTION, most especially from a socio-political point of view. Scroll down for a first look at THE THREEPENNY OPERA cast in action!

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, continues its 2014-2015 REVOLUTIONary season with two new productions: The Threepenny Opera, Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's groundbreaking theatrical work in Michael Feingold's translation February 15 through May 9 (press opening February 21) and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar March 22 to May 8 (press opening March 28). While both plays spoke to the times in which they were first produced - Weimar Germany and Elizabethan England, respectively-they also speak to this season's theme of REVOLUTION, most especially from a socio-political point of view.

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.

Playwrights' Arena with Artistic Director Jon Lawrence Rivera, the only theatre dedicated to discovering, nurturing and producing original works written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights, has announced the cast for their workshop presentation of a new musical, CINNAMON GIRL [written by Velina Hasu Houston (book and lyrics), music by Nathan Wang and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera], tonight Monday, September 30, for one night only. The members of the cast include: KERRY CARNAHAN, BRYAN GELI, Jennifer Hubilla, MAEGAN McCONNELL, Peter Mitchell, Leslie Stevens, CLAY STORSETH and CHACKO VADAKETH.

Playwrights' Arena with Artistic Director Jon Lawrence Rivera, the only theatre dedicated to discovering, nurturing and producing original works written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights, has announce it cast for their workshop presentation of a new musical, CINNAMON GIRL [written by VELINA HASU HOUSTON (book and lyrics), music by NATHAN WANG and directed by JON LAWRENCE RIVERA] on Monday, September 30, for one night only. The members of the cast include: KERRY CARNAHAN, BRYAN GELI, JENNIFER HUBILLA, MAEGAN McCONNELL, PETER MITCHELL, LESLIE STEVENS, CLAY STORSETH and CHACKO VADAKETH.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, has extended the run of CHESS, now through June 23rd, 2013. All performances are staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at2pm.

The Spanish Inquisition was a harrowing and dark time in history. It has been the fodder for countless novels, plays, and books. Yet, I never had much faith that a musical would be a good medium to explore that horrific era. I figured I wouldn't enjoy the 1965 musical adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes Don Quixote. Certainly some of the classics appeal to me, but the darker, rawer, more edgy musicals are the ones that I really love. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think upon seeing MAN OF LA MANCHA for the first time that it would find a place in the Parthenon of my favorite musicals. However, Theatre Under the Stars' (TUTS) marvelous production has ensured that this gem of a show will forever have a safe and warm spot in my heart.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents the five-time Tony Award winning masterpiece Man of La Mancha, running now through March 10 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) has announced the cast for the five-time Tony Award winning masterpiece Man of La Mancha, running tonight, Feb. 26 - March 10 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents the five-time Tony Award winning masterpiece Man of La Mancha, running Feb. 26 - March 10 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. Click below to watch a trailer for the show!

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) has announced the cast for the five-time Tony Award winning masterpiece Man of La Mancha, running Feb. 26 - March 10 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country presents A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. The show's performance run has been extended two weeks, through June 24th, 2012. Check out highlights, interviews with the cast and creative team and audience reactions in the video below!

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, has joined in community partnership with Academy for New Musical Theatre (ANMT) and the LA Opera Education and Community Programs. "We are very excited to partner with ANMT and the LA Opera for this production," says EWP producing artistic director Tim Dang. "The goal of this community partnership is to bring greater awareness of the missions of our respective organizations, all of which are connected to promoting the performing arts, and what better way than through musical theatre."

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, concludes its 46th Anniversary season, themed Languages of Love, with Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, directed by Tim Dang and choreographed by Reggie Lee.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, concludes its 46th Anniversary season, themed Languages of Love, with Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, directed by Tim Dang and choreographed by Reggie Lee.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, concludes its 46th Anniversary season, themed Languages of Love, with Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, directed by Tim Dang and choreographed by Reggie Lee.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment will close the fourth production and the 'rocking-est' show of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season, BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes & Rob Bettinson with choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Glenn Casale on May 2nd.