Michael A. Shepperd News

Coeurage Theatre Company's West Coast premiere of Roy Williams' SUCKER PUNCH consistently hits its target under the uber-tensioned, fast-paced direction of Michael A. Shepperd. Embodied by an all-around talented cast, all involved in channeling William's solid script to the stage should raise their arms and pump their fists in triumph.

Coeurage Theatre Company, LA's Pay What You Want theatre company, has announced the second production of its 10th Anniversary season, the West Coast premiere of Sucker Punch by Roy Williams, directed by Michael A. Shepperd. There will be one preview performance of this site-specific production on Monday, June 3, at 8pm, and opening is set for Tuesday, June 4, at 8pm. Sucker Punch will play through June 23 only at the Tiger Boxing Gym in West Hollywood.

Celebration, under the artistic direction of Michael A. Shepperd, presents the second show in its 2019 season, the Los Angeles intimate theatre premiere of THE PRODUCERS, A New Mel Brooks Musical, book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, choreography by Janet Roston, musical direction by Anthony Zediker, produced by Andrew Carlberg and Rebecca Eisenberg and directed by Michael Matthews.

Celebration, under the artistic direction of Michael A. Shepperd, Cherry Poppins and Orgasmico present a very special guest production, the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival award-winning burlesque rock musical (Best Musical, Best World Premiere & Bechdal Wallace Award), DR. NYMPHO VS. THE SEX ZOMBIES, book, music & lyrics by Michael Shaw Fisher, choreography by Brin Hamblin, musical direction by Sandy Chao Wang and directed by Sarah Haworth-Hodges. DR. NYMPHO VS. THE SEX ZOMBIES will open on Friday, April 26 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, May 26 at Celebration Theatre @ the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

As I walked into the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City to see ROTTERDAM, the second play of Center Theatre Group's 2019 Block Party, I was drawn to a display asking audience members questions about relationship deal breakers. A few of the questions about relationship deal breakers included if one person in a couple changes into a religious zealot for beliefs you do not share or takes a job requiring a cross country move to a small town where you know no one, would that end the relationship for you. What I realized in answering the questions is that real and abiding love of who a person really is down to their soul, not their superficial appearance or belief system, is what is necessary for a relationship to survive real challenges. But what if one person in a couple decides he/she is transgender and decides to transition to the opposite sex? Is that a deal breaker, especially if you are no longer physically attracted to that person?

Skylight Theatre Company's production of 'Rotterdam,' opened this weekend at Center Theatre Group at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. Written by Jon Brittain and directed by Michael A. Shepperd, 'Rotterdam' will close April 7.

Skylight Theatre Company's 2017 production of ROTTERDAM has been chosen to be remounted at the Kirk Douglas Theatre as part of Center Theatre Group's third annual BLOCK PARTY. The talented cast of four (under the very able direction of Michael A. Shepperd) have already begun reprising their respective roles. I grabbed the opportunity to chat with Miranda Wynne who essayed Alice at Skylight.

Skylight Theatre Company's production of "Rotterdam," which Center Theatre Group is remounting at the Kirk Douglas Theatre as part of the third annual Block Party: Celebrating Los Angeles Theatre, will open this Saturday, March 30 at 8 p.m. Written by Jon Brittain and directed by Michael A. Shepperd, "Rotterdam" is currently in previews and will close April 7.

Casting is set for Skylight Theatre Company's production of "Rotterdam," which Center Theatre Group is remounting at the Kirk Douglas Theatre as part of the third annual Block Party: Celebrating Los Angeles Theatre. Written by Jon Brittain and directed by Michael A. Shepperd, "Rotterdam" will begin previews March 28, open March 30 and continue through April 7.

CELEBRATION presents, as part of its Celebrating New Works reading series, Orry by Nick Hardcastle and Wayne Harrison, directed by Wayne Harrison and performing one night only on Tuesday, March 19 at 7:30pm at The West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd in West Hollywood.   

Discussions proliferate about immigration reform, whether it be the building of a wall to protect our border or deporting those who enter our country illegally to milk the system for everything they can get for free thanks to American taxpayer dollars. But while our focus seems to be on our Southern border, what about all of the other people from around the world that manage to come here illegally seeking a better life for themselves or, more importantly, their children? Is there really one correct answer or solution to the problem? Boni B. Alvarez, a Los Angeles-based writer-actor, addresses the question head-on in his world premiere play AMERICA ADJACENT.

I had several reasons for wanting to see the West Coast Premiere of Jireh Breon Holder's TOO HEAVY FOR MY POCKET, produced by Scott Golden for Sacred Fools Theater Company, brilliantly directed by the talented Michael A. Shepperd, Artistic Director of Los Angeles' award-winning Celebration Theatre. I knew he would honor this delicate story of aspiration and familial love centering on two African-American couples struggling to find their way in a year filled with the promise of a better future for everyone, taking place at the height of the Civil Rights Movement when Freedom Fighters took to the road in buses to battle justice in the Deep South, firmly believing that equal rights for all people deserved to be the law of the land. And that boys will be boys and women will always forgive them their trespasses when babies are part of the equation by speaking out for equality in their own lives and homes.

Celebration, under the artistic direction of Michael A. Shepperd, presents the first show in its 2019 season, Drew Droege (Die, Mommie, Die!) and Matthew Wilkas starring in the Los Angeles premiere of BORN TO WIN, written by Matthew Wilkas & Mark Setlock and directed by Michael Matthews. BORN TO WIN will begin previews on Wednesday, February 13 at 8pm; will open on Friday, February 15 at 8pm, with tickets on sale through Sunday, March 31 at Celebration Theatre @ the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

Sacred Fools Theater Company is excited to continue its 22st season with the West Coast Premiere of Too Heavy for Your Pocket written by Jireh Breon Holder and directed by Michael Shepperd. "We have been tracking Too Heavy For Your Pocket since its world premiere, and were deeply affected by the poetry and humanity on display in Jiren's work," former Artistic Director Bryan Bellomo says. "We are honored to bring a west coast premiere to Los Angeles, and thrilled to finally have the opportunity to partner with Michael A. Shepperd, the perfect director to tell this delicate story of aspiration and familial love."

Sacred Fools Theater Company's Management and Board of Directors are thrilled to welcome Michaela Bulkley into the newly created staff position of "Director of Development".  A staff position dedicated to fundraising and patron development was recently made possible thanks to a grant from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. After a late summer search, Sacred Fools was fortunate enough to secure Michaela Bulkley into the position.  

Center Theatre Group has selected three local productions for the third annual Block Party: Celebrating Los Angeles Theatre at the Kirk Douglas Theatre from March 7 through April 28, 2019. Block Party 2019 will remount Theatre of NOTE's "For The Love Of (or, the roller derby play)," Skylight Theatre Company's "Rotterdam" and Antaeus Theatre Company's "Native Son." Each production will have a two-week run with 12 performances. The three visiting companies will receive the full support of Center Theatre Group and its staff in order to fund, stage and market each production.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents, as part of its Celebrating New Works reading series, SKIN LIKE MILK by Ryan Fogarty, directed by Ryan Bergmann and performing one night only on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30pm at The West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd in West Hollywood.

Celebration announced today, under the artistic direction of Michael A. Shepperd, its 2019 season of shows.  This is the Celebration's 37th season and the fourth in its home at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.  

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the third show in its 98th season with the perfect show for Halloween, the Tony Nominated Best Play, THE SEAFARER, written by Conor McPherson (The Weir) and directed by Ovation Award winner Michael Matthews (The Graduate).  Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, "I love the writing in this play so much and we are thrilled to be presenting it, especially at this time of year." Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, "I've looked forward to producing this play for 10 years and the moment has arrived.  An exceptional cast, an extraordinary director and a play that is funny, chilling and a perfectly spooky Irish ghost story for the season!" THE SEAFARER will begin previews on Wednesday, October 17; will open on Sunday, October 21 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, November 4, 2018 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.