Michael Donovan News

A washed-up TV actress, a former Blaxploitation movie bit player and a pre-op transgender woman compete for the role of Norma Desmond in a remake of Sunset Boulevard in the latest outrageous comedy from Emmy Award-winning TV writer / bestselling novelist / playwright Peter Lefcourt (Cafe Society). Terri Hanauer directs the world premiere of Drama Queens from Hell, presented by Theatre Planners as a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre beginning August 13.

The ruins of an abandoned WWII Nazi compound in Pacific Palisades, known today as the 'Murphy Ranch,' are the inspiration for a new play. The Athena Cats presents the world premiere of Blueprint for Paradise by Laurel M. Wetzork, opening July 30 at the Hudson Theatres in Hollywood. Laura Steinroeder directs a cast that includes Alex Best, Regi Davis, Ann Hu, David Jahn, Shawn Law, Peter McGlynn and Meredith Thomas.

Veteran Broadway actor Stu James (Benny in RENT, national tour of The Color Purple) will reprise the role of black entrepreneur and music mogul John Dolphin when last season's smash hit musical Recorded in Hollywood gets an all-new production at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Previews begin July 8, with the press opening set for July 16.

 International City Theatre presents a send-up of Chekhov's plays that is so completely hilarious, it doesn't even matter if you think Chekhov is just the name of that Russian guy on Star Trek. Mary Jo DuPrey helms a new production of the deliciously wacky, Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang for aJune 10 opening, with two low-priced previews taking place on June 8 and June 9.

Tennessee Williams aficionados will have the chance to view one of his lesser-known works in a rare Los Angeles production this summer. Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot) directs Susan Priver, Brian Burke and Daniel Felix de Weldon in Kingdom of Earth, a darkly comic psychodrama set to open July 15 as a guest production, presented by Dance On Productions in association with Linda Toliver and Gary Guidinger, at the Odyssey Theatre.

A panel of nationally recognized judges, include casting director Michael Donovan; producer, director and choreographer Andy Ferrara; and actress Wendy Rosoff, announced the 2016 winners of The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors held at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, May 23.

Corky Hale presents I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU - The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin, which opened May 13 at the Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St. in Hollywood. This new musical features lyrics by Al Dubin, music mostly by Harry Warren, book by Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner, and musical direction by Gerald Sternbach. The production is directed and choreographed by Kay Cole. BroadwayWorld has photos from the starry opening festivities below!

The regional awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre outside of the Los Angeles area; nominees to perform at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, May 23.

The regional awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre outside of the Los Angeles area; nominees to perform at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, May 23.

International City Theatre presents a send-up of Chekhov's plays that is so completely hilarious, it doesn't even matter if you think Chekhov is just the name of that Russian guy on Star Trek. Mary Jo DuPrey helms a new production of the deliciously wacky, Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang for a June 10 opening, with two low-priced previews taking place on June 8 and June 9.

Producer Corky Hale's I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU - The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin, features lyrics by Al Dubin, most music by Harry Warren, a book by Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner, and musical direction by Gerald Sternbach.  The production is directed and choreographed by  Kay Cole.  BroadwayWorld TV's own LA on-air Host Michael Sterling was invited to take a sneak peek at rehearsals last week and interview some of the show's stars and creative team.  

Corky Hale presents I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU - The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin, at the Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St. in Hollywood. This new musical, features lyrics by Al Dubin, music mostly by Harry Warren, book by Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner, and musical direction by Gerald Sternbach. The production is directed and choreographed by Kay Cole.

Choosing to mount Arthur Miller's enduring classic, The Crucible, can be tricky business. The timeless masterpiece is a well-known, beloved staple of the stage and literature, though its very familiarity often makes it difficult to bring any new insights to the piece. Nonetheless, Portland Players takes on that challenge and manages to mount a stirring, fresh account of Miller's tragedy.

High finance, family dysfunction, death - and laughs. The world premiere of DINNER AT HOME BETWEEN DEATHS, a pitch-black comedy by Andrea Lepcio (Looking for the Pony), directed byStuart Ross (Forever Plaid) and presented by Indie Chi Productions, opens as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre on April 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

High finance, family dysfunction, death -- and laughs. The world premiere of DINNER AT HOME BETWEEN DEATHS, a pitch-black comedy by Andrea Lepcio (Looking for the Pony), directed by Stuart Ross (Forever Plaid) and presented by Indie Chi Productions, opens as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre tonight, April 2.

Can personal bonds bridge political chasms? John Henry Davis directs Tony Abatemarco and David Nevell in a brilliant and funny play of ideas by Lee Blessing. A Walk in the Woods opens April 29 at International City Theatre, with two low-priced previews set for April 27 and April 28.

High finance, family dysfunction, death -- and laughs. The world premiere of DINNER AT HOME BETWEEN DEATHS, a pitch-black comedy by Andrea Lepcio (Looking for the Pony), directed by Stuart Ross (Forever Plaid) and presented by Indie Chi Productions, opens as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre on April 2.

 Two dozen wise and witty "songs of experience" with charming melodies and smartly crafted lyrics.International City Theatre opens its 2016 season with a recently updated version of Closer Than Ever, the Outer Critics Circle Award winner for Best off-Broadway Musical that also netted Drama Desk nominations for lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. and composer David Shire. Directed and choreographed by Todd Nielsen, with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, and starring ICT favorites Kevin Bailey (Abigail/1702),Valerie Perri (The Sweepers), Adam von Almen (The Heir Apparent) and newcomer Katheryne Penny, Closer Than Ever opens February 12at ICT's home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents Colony Collapse, by Stefanie Zadravec, directed by Jessica Kubzansky. This world premiere production opens Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 8pm on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue in Pasadena.

Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd with its complex through-composed score and dark ironies is an ambitious undertaking for any company, but South Portland's Lyric Music Theater rises to the challenge in an economical and electrifying performance that keeps the audience riveted to its seats.