Michael Donovan News

Taking over the title role in Neil Koenigsberg's play WINK, Andrik Ochoa begins rehearsals this week after replacing Javen Marquise Smith. A non-binary actor, Ochoa is based in Los Angeles and was recently seen in the film 'Morir de Amor.'

 Understand you? I don't even understand myself. Elina de Santos directs a playful play of ideas that challenges our fundamental understanding of reality. The world premiere of A Misunderstanding by Matt Chait (Disinherit the Wind) opens on Friday, Jan. 4 at The Complex in Hollywood, where performances continue through Feb. 3. Leave all your preconceived notions at the door… this play is sure to turn them inside out.

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

Taking over the title role in Neil Koenigsberg's play WINK, Andrik Ochoa begins rehearsals this week after replacing Javen Marquise Smith. A non-binary actor, Ochoa is based in Los Angeles and was recently seen in the film 'Morir de Amor.'

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

It's easy to lose your way in Hollywood. A homeless gender questioning teenager and Dario Villanova, a former A-list actor who is now doing B movies, are both down on their luck in Los Angeles. When a synchronistic meeting connects these two souls, they quickly bond over music, art, and life's unexpected misfortunes. Sometimes the best way forward is to stop fighting the past.

"Think of these memories as sharp slivers embedded in the soul."International City Theatre presents a gripping drama about war refugees haunted by the death of their loved ones - and by memories of the things they had to do to survive.A Splintered Soul by Long Beach-based playwright Alan L. Brooks opens Oct. 19 atInternational City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place Oct. 17 and Oct. 18.

On Monday, October 15, 2018, the Foundation for New American Musicals returns to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to present the 6th edition of 3RD MONDAYS, an up close and personal experience with exciting musical theatre artists performing songs from Broadway's past, present, and future!

The Casting Society of America (CSA) announced today the list of nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Casting in the television, theatre, short form series and short film categories. Nominees will be recognized at the 34th Annual ArtiosAwards, taking place on January 31, 2019, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles & Stage 48 in New York City.

"Think of these memories as sharp slivers embedded in the soul."International City Theatre presents a gripping drama about war refugees haunted by the death of their loved ones - and by memories of the things they had to do to survive.A Splintered Soul by Long Beach-based playwright Alan L. Brooks opens Oct. 19 atInternational City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place Oct. 17 and Oct. 18.

'LAs Next Great Stage Star is more than a competition - it is an experience, deeply felt and expressed by these super-talented young people who are the new faces of our business. If this is any indication, the future of theatre is in good hands!!' - Multi-Million selling recording artist and author, Sam Harris

"Glass breaks so easily. No matter how careful you are." International City Theatre presents The Glass Menagerie, the iconic American classic that launched the career of playwright Tennessee Williams. John Henry Davis (ICT productions of A Walk in the Woods, End of the Rainbow, Trying) directs William's most personal work, opening Aug. 24 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place Aug. 22 and Aug. 23.

On August 27th, the Debbie Reynolds Main stage at the historic El Portal Theater will host the 12th annual LA's Next Great Stage Star(R), following a six week competition.  Creator, Michael Sterling, along with his Co-Executive Producer and Co-Sponsor, Barbara Van Orden, are proud to offer this annual opportunity to talented individuals seeking to spotlight their abilities. Presented by Princess Cruises LA's Next Great Stage Star(R) is the only competition of its kind in the Western United States.

REPRISE 2.0, led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson, in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, announces Dawnn Lewis (This Is Us, Major Crimes and IZombie), Valerie Perri (LA Shubert Theatre Evita, Jerome Robbins' Broadway) Larry Cedar (Deadwood), Kelley Dorney (Annie at Hollywood Bowl) and Michael Starr (Bright Star national tour) for its production of The World Goes 'Round with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson. It will play September 5 through September 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.  

The City Theater in Biddeford's summer musical is the Tony award winning, over-the-top satire, and irreverent Mel Brooks Comedy The Producers! The show opens July 20th and runs through August 5th Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at City Theater's historic opera house, 205 Main St. in Biddeford.

It is almost fifty years since the original Mel Brooks film and seventeen since the Broadway stage version of Mel Brook's hilarious and outrageously funny, totally incorrect musical, The Producers, hit the stage. And despite it, or perhaps because of the contentious climate in which we live, this glorious tonic of laughter and colorful characters still rings true and commands a wrapt audience. Biddeford city Theater's production, directed by Linda Sturdivant, provides a glorious afternoon escape into the world of parody, spoof, and Broadway innuendo. The production is a large one for this ambitious community theatre, and they rise admirably to the challenge. Sturdivant directs and produces with a sure hand and a very balanced sense of humor - Mel Brooks requires a deft touch, despite the overt quality of his comedy. She expertly captures the iconic moments, keeps the stage pace, moves the action, and helps the cast establish the colorful characters.

REPRISE 2.0, led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson, in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, announces its production of The World Goes 'Round with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson. It will play September 5 through September 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.  The World Goes 'Round will be directed by Richard Israel with choreography by John Todd, and musical direction by Gerald Sternbach.

Ryan McCartan (recent Fox remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie, Off-Broadway's Heathers: The Musical) will head the cast of a fun and furry musical tale for animal lovers of all ages. The world premiereof Mutt House will play at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from July 15 through Aug. 5. Previews begin July 10.

The thespian spirits of the many theatrical greats that have graced the boards of at the historic El Portal Theater, including the main stage's namesake Debbie Reynolds, could be felt as the annual 6 week long production of LA's Next Great Stage Star launched last night (Monday, July 23rd) to standing ovations for the lucky few talented individuals selected from a long a grueling audition process.

Ryan McCartan (recent Fox remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie, Off-Broadway's Heathers: The Musical) will head the cast of a fun and furry musical tale for animal lovers of all ages. The world premiere of Mutt House will play at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from July 15 through Aug. 5. Previews begin July 10.