Michael A. Shepperd News

Once in a great while an extraordinary performer comes along, one that not only moves us, but also affects meteoric changes within our culture. Peter Allen, born Peter Woolnough in 1944 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia and who died young in 1992, was one such mega-talented singer/dancer/musical composer, who appealed to a wide audience.Not at first, mind you; it took a few years in the 60s for him to realize his bisexuality and to understand who he was.

Celebration Theatre at the Lex in association with Nicholas Caprio, Michael C. Kricfalusi, Todd Milliner and Jack Morrissey presents, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the West Coast premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ, music and lyrics by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman, original book by Nick Enright, choreography by Janet Roston, musical direction by Bryan Blaskie, produced by Andrew Carlberg and directed by Celebration Theatre co-artistic director Michael A. Shepperd.  THE BOY FROM OZ will begin previews on Friday, April 22 at 8pm; will open on Friday, April 29 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, June 19 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, Celebration at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, ON THE ROOF by Donna Hoke, directed by Christopher Mikish and performing one night only, Today, April 19 at the West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood.   It's 1955-post WWII, amid McCarthyism, years before Stonewall. In this dangerous and difficult era, Mitzi operates a cabaret and gay bar where she, Cruz, a playboy bartender; Levi, an aspiring Broadway composer; Bob, a WWII vet; Mac, a guy who just wants camaraderie with his Coke; and Andy, a newcomer with a law degree struggle to find solidarity and courage-maybe even love. 

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, ON THE ROOF by Donna Hoke, directed by Christopher Mikish and performing one night only, Tuesday, April 19 at the West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood.   It's 1955-post WWII, amid McCarthyism, years before Stonewall. In this dangerous and difficult era, Mitzi operates a cabaret and gay bar where she, Cruz, a playboy bartender; Levi, an aspiring Broadway composer; Bob, a WWII vet; Mac, a guy who just wants camaraderie with his Coke; and Andy, a newcomer with a law degree struggle to find solidarity and courage-maybe even love. 

Celebration Theatre at the Lex in association with Nicholas Caprio, Michael C. Kricfalusi, Todd Milliner and Jack Morrissey presents, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the West Coast premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ, music and lyrics by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman, original book by Nick Enright, choreography by Janet Roston, musical direction by Bryan Blaskie, produced by Andrew Carlberg and directed by Celebration Theatre co-artistic director Michael A. Shepperd. THE BOY FROM OZ will begin previews on Friday, April 22 at 8pm; will open on Friday, April 29 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, June 19 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, Celebration at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

Celebration Theatre at the Lex is thrilled to announce that its second play in its new home, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the critically acclaimed, Los Angeles premiere of DREAM BOY by Eric Rosen, based on the novel by Jim Grimsley and directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews (The Color Purple, Failure: A Love Story) is EXTENDING through SATURDAY, APRIL 2 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

Comedian, actress, and writer Chris Farah (SUPERSTORE, MODERN FAMILY, CHELSEA LATELY) will host the next A LITTLE NEW MUSIC concert at Rockwell: Table & Stage, a highly anticipated evening showcasing the latest in musical theater songwriting.

Celebration Theatre at the Lex presents its second play in its new home, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the Los Angeles premiere of DREAM BOY by Eric Rosen, based on the novel by Jim Grimsley and directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews (The Color Purple, Failure: A Love Story). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the premiere!

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2015 (Dec. 1, 2014 - Nov. 30, 2015).

Celebration Theatre at the Lex presents its second play in its new home, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the Los Angeles premiere of DREAM BOY by Eric Rosen, based on the novel by Jim Grimsley and directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews (The Color Purple, Failure: A Love Story).

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series,TIGHT KNIT. TIGHT KNIT is a dark comedy about one VERY modern family. It is Gregory's second birthday party, and in attendance are his Moms Gwen and Marnina, Gwen's brother Spencer, and Spencer's girlfriend Maddie. Everything is peaches and cream until a slip of the tongue reveals a startling secret: Spencer is Gregory's biological father, the result of a sperm donation made at his sister's request. Their pleasant afternoon soon spirals into a hilarious whirlpool of vicious quips, difficult truths, and really bad modern art.

A LITTLE NEW MUSIC is proud to present a milestone 10th showcase of fresh and original musical theater material with special guest host, John Tartaglia, who brings his sparkling humor to this dynamic evening celebrating the next generation of musical theater artists.

A LITTLE NEW MUSIC is proud to present a milestone 10th showcase of fresh and original musical theater material with special guest host, John Tartaglia, who brings his sparkling humor to this dynamic evening celebrating the next generation of musical theater artists.

Actors' Equity Releases Statement Re: Equity Waiver Lawsuit, Asner vs. Actors' Equity

The Celebration Theatre has picked a perfect production, the Los Angeles premiere of playwright Robert O'Hara's BOOTYCANDY, to inaugurate  their new home @ the Lex.  Entertaining, and with prominent reoccurring social themes of gay acceptance and upended racial stereotyping. 

Celebration Theatre at the Lex presents its first play in its new home, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews &Michael A. Shepperd, the Los Angeles premiere of the 27th Annual LAMBDA award- winner for Best LGBT Drama of 2014/2015, BOOTYCANDY by Robert O'Hara (Antebellum) and directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews (The Color Purple, Failure: A Love Story). Comments Celebration Theatre's Executive Director Michael C. Kricfalusi, 'All of us atCelebration Theatre are so excited to have found a new home and even more excited to kick off our 33rd season with BOOTYCANDY. It's going to be a great year!' BOOTYCANDYwill begin previews on Friday, October 23 at 8pm; will open on Thursday, October 29 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, December 20 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series... LIFE IN LIMBO, which examines the existences of 10 men in the closet who come together on one night to recount the histories of their lives in a brave, insightful, surprisingly truthful and revealing narrative.

As BroadwayWorld reported this weekend, members of the Los Angeles theatrical community have filed a lawsuit today against Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, challenging the Union's decision to eliminate its 25-year-old waiver of jurisdiction over small 99-seat theaters, a program popularly known as Equity Waiver.

This just in from actors and other members of the Los Angeles theatrical community who filed a lawsuit today against Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. The lawsuit challenges the Union's decision to eliminate its 25-year-old waiver of jurisdiction over small 99-seat theaters, a program popularly known as Equity Waiver. Plaintiffs claim that the Union's decision to end Equity Waiver will unfairly destroy small theater in Los Angeles and deprive thousands of actors of opportunities to collaborate on creative theatrical projects.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series... LIFE IN LIMBO, which examines the existences of 10 men in the closet who come together on one night to recount the histories of their lives in a brave, insightful, surprisingly truthful and revealing narrative.