Michael Donovan News

Actor Burt Grinstead gained recognition in Los Angeles for his terrific performance in Deathtrap at LGBTQ and later in The Rope at Actors Co-op. He formed his own production company and produced and co-starred in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which he also adapted with his partner Anna Stromberg. They won top prize at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2018. Grinstead is currently preparing to open as Richard the Lionheart in The Lion in Winter at Laguna Playhouse this Sunday November 10. In our conversation he talks about the play in depth and lays bare his passion for the acting profession.

Turn back the hands of time for an intimate evening with legendary jazz songstress Billie Holiday when International City Theatre presents an acclaimed musical portrait of one of the greatest jazz and blues vocalists of all time.

On Saturday, October 12th, the Foundation for New American Musicals will showcase short (10-minute) musicals written by high school and college-age finalists competing for cash-award scholarships at SHOWSEARCH 2019.

Creating exceptional, transformative theatrical experiences that are accessible to young and family audiences in diverse communities throughout North America, TheaterWorksUSA announces their 2019-20 season with productions on Broadway, throughout New York City, and 11 productions touring around the United States and Canada.  

Casting Society of America (CSA) today announced the television and theatre nominees for the 35th Artios Awards, which honor the contribution of Casting Directors to film, television and theatre. The winners will be revealed on Thursday, January 30, 2020 in ceremonies in Los Angeles, New York City and London. Comedian, actor and writer Ron Funches will serve as host for the Los Angeles event.

Turn back the hands of time for an intimate evening with legendary jazz songstress Billie Holiday when International City Theatre presents an acclaimed musical portrait of one of the greatest jazz and blues vocalists of all time. With Karole Foreman(ICT's award-winning production of Fences) in the title role, music direction by Stephan Terry and Ebony Rep producing artistic director Wren T. Brown at the helm, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill by Lanie Robertson gets a three-week run Oct. 18 through Nov. 3.

The complete cast is set for ROCK OF AGES Hollywood, which will open this fall at a specially built performance venue and nightlife destination on Hollywood Boulevard named after the venue at the center of the show, The Bourbon Room.

A bittersweet love story about two survivors of the Armenian genocide that is a universal tale of hope, healing and redemption is next up at International City Theatre. Artistic director caryn desai [sic] directs Richard Kalinoski's multiple award-winning Beast on the Moon for a three-week run, Aug. 23through Sept. 8, at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews are set for Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.

A bittersweet love story about two survivors of the Armenian genocide that is a universal tale of hope, healing and redemption is next up at International City Theatre. Artistic director caryn desai [sic] directs Richard Kalinoski's multiple award-winning Beast on the Moon for a three-week run, Aug. 23 through Sept. 8, at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews are set for Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.

A bittersweet love story about two survivors of the Armenian genocide that is a universal tale of hope, healing and redemption is next up at International City Theatre. Artistic director caryn desai [sic] directs Richard Kalinoski's multiple award-winning Beast on the Moon for a three-week run, Aug. 23 through Sept. 8, at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews are set for Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.

Celebrated Tony, Emmy and Grammy nominated producer of five-time Tony Award-nominated ROCK OF AGES Broadway show Matthew Weaver announced today that the production will return to its LA roots -- where it first started in 2005 at King King on Hollywood Boulevard -- with the opening of ROCK OF AGES Hollywood this September.

 International City Theatre presents a zany comic romp about writers, how they write, the stories they tell and the secrets they keep. Jane Page directs the world premiere of Bestseller by internationally renowned playwright Peter Quilter (End of the Rainbow, Glorious!) for a three-week run, June 14through June 30, atInternational City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews are set for June 12 and June 13.

I cannot offer enough superlative-laden adjectives to describe the brilliance of the cast, beginning with Eric B. Anthony as Bronco Billy, who channels one of the most famous African American cowboys, Nathan 'Deadwood Dick' Lane, with his effervescent personality making me believe he could easily be one of the great, rodeo-winning cowboy's descendants! His partnership onstage with Amanda Leigh Jerry as Antoinette/Miss Lilly, is beautifully realistic and dreamlike at the same time as they tear up the stage singing catchy tunes while executing athletic choreography to perfection.

A panel of nationally recognized judges- include casting director Michael Donovan, producer, director, and choreographer Andy Ferrara, and Broadway actress and musical theater professor Tory Ross Roman-announced the 2019 winners of The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors held last night at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is delighted to present French Stewart and Vanessa Claire Stewart starring in the wonderfully comic HARVEY, written by Mary Chase and directed by Andrew Barnicle. Comments Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Executive Director Ellen Richard, "We could not think of a better play to end our 98th season with than HARVEY, starring French and Vanessa Claire Stewart under the inspired direction of Andrew Barnicle. French Stewart will be the perfect Elwood, a role he has always wanted to play!

The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors announced today the 2019 nominees who will compete in front of a panel of nationally recognized judges on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts (255 S. Almaden Blvd).

24th Street Theatre presents its latest for kids (and for the kids in all of us), the Los Angeles premiere of THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE, opening April 6, 2019 at their converted carriage house at the edge of L.A.'s historic West Adams district. I acquired the chance to query Brady Dalton Richards, one of the four-person, EDWARD TULANE ensemble. Brady tackles a number of roles, not including the porcelain rabbit named Edward Tulane.

Skylight Theatre Company (Producing Artistic Director, Gary Grossman and Co-Artistic Director Tony Abatemarco) announced today the world premiere of BRONCO BILLY - THE MUSICAL, It marks the organization's first world premiere musical production. The new musical, based on the Warner Bros. film Bronco Billy, features a book by Dennis Hackin, lyrics and music by Chip Rosenbloom and John Torres, with additional lyrics by Michele Brourman. Hunter Bird will direct. Preview performances begin on May 10, with the official press opening on Saturday, May 18, 2019. The limited engagement plays through June 30 at the Skylight Theatre, located at 1816 ½ North Vermont in Los Feliz, Ca. Tickets are now on sale now at http://www.SkylightTix.com.

Paradise- a groundbreaking play about an unlikely partnership between a student and her teacher- is captivating audiences with a new, fresh run at The Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles starring Maral Milani and Jeff Marlow.