Michael Donovan News

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.

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.

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 12 at ICT's home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11.

Executive Producers Michael Sterling of Michael Sterling Publicity and Production (www.msapr.net). and Barbara Van Orden (www.barbaravanorden.com) have announced that vocal auditions for the 10 year Anniversary of LA's Next Great Stage Star® will be held Sunday, December 13, 2015.  'Our annual auditions in search of 10 men and 10 women between 18 and 32 years of age, is highly anticipated by the hierarchy of those associated with the business of presenting Broadway musical theatre in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California said Sterling.  'We couldn't be more grateful to our professional colleagues and select corporate entities for their consistent support of Stage Star since its inception,' added Van Orden 

This melodic, memorable and quirky pop score provides biting social commentary along with a little romance and an outrageously good time for all. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll cringe.

International City Theatre winds up its 30th anniversary season with an intimate portrait of musical icon Stephen Sondheim in his own words and music. DJ Gray directs and stages the Los Angeles premiere of James Lapine's award-winning Broadway hit, Sondheim on Sondheim. Previews were October 14 and 15, and opening night is tonight, October 16 at ICT's newly renovated home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

International City Theatre winds up its 30th anniversary season with an intimate portrait of musical icon Stephen Sondheim in his own words and music. DJ Gray directs and stages the Los Angeles premiere of James Lapine's award-winning Broadway hit, Sondheim on Sondheim. Previews are set for October 14 and 15, and opening night is tonight, October 16 at ICT's newly renovated home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

CARRIE THE MUSICAL returned to Los Angeles at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, the first theatrical musical at that venue. CARRIE THE MUSICAL began previews on October 1, 2015 and officially opened on October 8, 2015. Check out a first look at highlights of the show below!

CARRIE The Killer Musical Experience is now performing at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, the first theatrical musical at that venue. Opening Night was last night, October 8, and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the opening night bash, plus photos from the starry arrivals, below!

This melodic, memorable and quirky pop score provides biting social commentary along with a little romance and an outrageously good time for all. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll cringe.

CARRIE The Killer Musical Experience is now in previews at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, the first theatrical musical at that venue.  Opening Night is Thursday, October 8.  Check out these all new production shots below!

Producers Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman and The Transfer Group have announced that CARRIE THE MUSICAL will return to Los Angeles at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, the first theatrical musical at that venue. CARRIE THE MUSICAL begins previews tonight, October 1, 2015 and officially opens on October 8, 2015. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the La Mirada production!

What are the songs of birds and men? 24th Street Theatre, the company that produced Walking the Tightrope to universal acclaim on its stage, on tour and, most recently, for CTG at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, presents the second production of its LAb24 resident experimental theater company. The U.S. premiere of Man Covets Bird by Finegan Kruckemeyer opens tonight, September 26, at 24th Street Theatre in downtown L.A.

Producers Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman and The Transfer Group have announced that CARRIE THE MUSICAL will return to Los Angeles at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, the first theatrical musical at that venue. CARRIE THE MUSICAL begins previews on October 1, 2015 and officially opens on October 8, 2015. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the La Mirada production!

International City Theatre winds up its 30th anniversary season with an intimate portrait of musical icon Stephen Sondheim in his own words and music. DJ Gray directs and stages the Los Angeles premiere of James Lapine's award-winning Broadway hit, Sondheim on Sondheim. Previews are set for October 14 and 15, and opening night is October 16 at ICT's newly renovated home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents Seven Spots on the Sun, by Martin Zimmerman, directed by Michael John Garces. This co-production with Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre opens Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 5pm on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue in Pasadena.

After a nationwide search for new short musicals created by young writers, the six final shows have been selected for SHOWSEARCH, produced by The Festival of New American Musicals in residence at University of California, Irvine.

After a nationwide search for new short musicals created by young writers, the six final shows have been selected for SHOWSEARCH, produced by The Festival of New American Musicals in residence at University of California, Irvine.

Five self-absorbed customers find themselves trapped together in Starbucks in the latest off-beat comedy from Emmy Award-winning writer Peter Lefcourt. Set around the corner in a West L.A. franchise, the world premiere of Cafe Society, presented by Theatre Planners and directed by Terri Hanauer, opens as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre tonight, August 22.

Five self-absorbed customers find themselves trapped together in Starbucks in the latest off-beat comedy from Emmy Award-winning writer Peter Lefcourt. Set around the corner in a West L.A. franchise, the world premiere of Cafe Society, presented by Theatre Planners and directed by Terri Hanauer, opens as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre tonight, August 22. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!