Matt Walker News

Salastina Artistic Directors Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White have created several musical offerings for virtual audiences to connect with each other and the ensemble during the COVID-19 pandemic. Salastina developed these initiatives after surveying their audience about what they would most like to experience. Like Salastina's regular season programming, each program takes an inquisitive approach towards beloved classics and new works. 

DEAD ORIGINAL, the new grunge infused trio, will release their newest single titled 'Hard To See' on December 27th. In addition, Dead Original welcomes new drummer Nick Rich, the grandson of legendary drummer Buddy Rich, to the band.

TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY continues its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), with their 18th annual holiday offering, A CHRISTMAS Carole King, with musical direction by Derrick Finely choreography by Matt Walker, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne and Luis 'L.T.' Martinez, and adapted & directed by Matt Walker. A CHRISTMAS Carole King will preview on Saturday, December 7 at 4pm & 8pm; Sunday, December 8 at 4pm; Thursday, December 12 at 8pm; and will open on Friday, December 13 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, December 22 at 4pm at the El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood.

The Troubies continues its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), with their 18th annual holiday offering of A CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING adapted & directed by Matt Walker with musical direction by Derrick Finely, in which the soulful sounds of songstress Carole King are combined with one of the most enduring stories of our time, and the result is 'So Far Away' from what you'd expect! The nine cast members who play a multitude of characters and change costumes more frequently than seems humanly possible, are (in alphabetical order): Rick Batalla, Chelle Denton, Beth Kennedy, Janelle Lillian, Luis a?oeL.T.a?? Martinez, Mike Sulprizio, Cloie Wyatt Taylor, Matt Walker and David C. Wright. And you could not ask for a more talented, off-the-wall group of entertainers to bring this holiday laugh fest back every December to appreciative local audiences!

TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY continues its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), with their 18th annual holiday offering, A CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING, with musical direction by Derrick Finely choreography by Matt Walker, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne and Luis “L.T.” Martinez, and adapted & directed by Matt Walker.

Last week in Montreal at the Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products presented a sneak peek of the new Cirque du Soleil resident show set to open at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in spring 2020.

Last week in Montreal at the Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products presented a sneak peek of the new Cirque du Soleil resident show set to open at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in spring 2020.

Joseph Leo Bwarie is one of the artistic directors of the nonprofit Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, California. He is a Sherman Oaks native and a recording artist popular on Siriusly Sinatra on SiriusXM Radio. JLB is widely known for his record-breaking turn as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys (over 2,000 performances - Las Vegas, 1st National Tour and Broadway). Bwarie's career began at age nine, appearing in the television series Highway to Heaven and Mama's Family. He is a longtime member of Troubadour Theater Company (recent: co-director and 'Ziggy' in Little Drummer Bowie and 'Octavius' in Julius Weezer). A directorial highlight was serving as associate director alongside Garry Marshall for the world premiere of Billy & Ray and its New York premiere at the Vineyard Theatre. GMT directorial: A Funny Thing Happened a?? Forum starring Paul C. Vogt and Joey McIntyre, and The Root Beer Bandits: A Rootin' Tootin' Wild West Musicale - an original family musical he co-created with Lori Marshall and Rachael Lawrence. Bwarie is getting ready to open a live radio play at Actors Co-op Friday November 1. In our conversation, he talks in depth about this new production of Miracle on 34th Street.

The world premiere of Taking the Waters combines live performance, sung voice, bunraku puppets and object theatre with stunning and multi-layered shadow scenes to tell the complex story and emotional experience of being a carer for the dying. It  can be seen at Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre from 20 a?" 30 November as part of the Darebin Arts Speakeasy 2019 season.

TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY continues its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), with their 18th annual holiday offering, A CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING, with musical direction by Derrick Finely choreography by Matt Walker, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne and Luis a?oeL.T.a?? Martinez, and adapted & directed by Matt Walker.

The Play That Goes Wrong has announced that due to popular demand tickets are now on sale through May 24, 2020. The production played its 945th performance in New York on Thursday, August 14th including 200 performances at New World Stages.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, again presents a cast of Harvard and Yale grads in The Fifth Annual Harvard-Yale Cantata. Join us for a unique evening at Feinstein's/54 Below, with Team Harvard looking to avenge another lucky narrow victory by Team Yale. Will it be five wins in a row for Yale? Harvard has a new team captain and a new music director, and they promise a strong showing. Most of the contests in this series have been very close, and the teams are always well-matched and brimming with talent.

In JULIUS WEEZER, Troubadour Theater Company uses its signature wit to turn a Shakespeare classic into a blissfully-alive rocker version of its ancient self, and the result is divine madness. You don't need to be a Bard lover to have a great time but, if you are, you'll be impressed by the level of classical talent on stage and the company's ability to "speak the speech" while tickling your funny bone.

Et Tu, Weezer? TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY opens its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), by taking a stab with their latest hilarious world premiere musical comedy event.

The 2019 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were handed out last night to recipients in 19 categories, with one special award and three honorary awards also bestowed. The Lortel Awards were distributed in a ceremony at NYU Skirball Center hosted by Drama Desk Award-nominated writer and performer of The New One, Mike Birbiglia. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF.

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories - and bestowed one special award - for the 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, beginning at 7:00pm EST. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF. Beloved and celebrated entertainer, Wayne Brady, will emcee the ceremony.

When it comes to developing a loyal fan base, Troubadour Theater Company has found the secret: do outstanding work, stay true to your aesthetic, and give the people what they want - a great time at the theater. Artistic Director Matt Walker started the troupe and, with the help of longtime friend and foil, Beth Kennedy, continues to lead his merry band into the great theatrical unknown. Next up for the company is JULIUS WEEZER, which combines Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR and the music of Weezer to tell its tale of political intrigue Troubie style. Today, they talk about what it's like putting together a new show and why they keep on coming back for more.

Today, April 18, the producers of The Play That Goes Wrong are celebrating the birthdays of Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria, Eliot Ness and Kate Hudson by releasing new video of the brilliant new cast of the show, and simultaneously insuring that this release is the only time that the emperor, Mr. Ness and Ms. Hudson will ever get a hit on Google in the same place.

Et Tu, Weezer? TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY is back, and taking a stab at their latest hilarious world premiere musical comedy event with JULIUS WEEZER, adapted, choreographed & directed by Matt Walker. JULIUS WEEZER will preview on Saturday, May 4 at 8pm; Sunday, May 5 at 4pm; Thursday, May 9 at 8pm; and will open on Friday, May 10 at 8pm and perform through Sunday May 19 at 4pm at the El Portal Theatre, 11206 Weddington St. in North Hollywood.

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories - and bestowed one special award - for the 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, beginning at 7:00pm EST. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF. Beloved and celebrated entertainer, Wayne Brady, will emcee the ceremony.