Michael Donovan News

When abstract expressionist and celebrated bad boy of the art world Mark Rothko lands a commission to create a series of large murals, he hires an assistant - and what takes place between them is a visceral experience that spills off the stage and will forever change the way you see the color red. International City Theatre presents Red, the fiery and fiercely funny Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Award winner for Best Play by John Logan. Directed by caryn desai [sic] and starring Tony Abatemarco as Rothko and Patrick Stafford as his young assistant, Ken, Red, opens this weekend at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

The Casting Society of America (CSA) announced today the nominees for the organization's 29th Annual Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting, given in 22 categories including film, television and theater. The CSA will fete their own on Monday, November 18, 2013 with award ceremonies to be held simultaneously at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles (reception will commence at 6:00 p.m. PDT) and at XL Nightclub, Cabaret & Lounge (512 West 42nd Street) in New York (reception will commence at 6:00 p.m. EDT). Honorees for this year's Career Achievement Award, Hoyt Bowers Award and The New York Apple will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

The Casting Society of America (CSA) announced today the nominees for the organization's 29th Annual Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting, given in 22 categories including film, television and theater.

At a time when the political machines really are taking over, along comes the new future-shock musical, The Freedom Machine, with Story and Book by Larry Carpenter, and Music and Lyrics by Shane Alexander. Act One of The Freedom Machine will have four stage readings in Los Angeles, today, August 9-13.

At a time when the political machines really are taking over, along comes the new future-shock musical, The Freedom Machine, with Story and Book by Larry Carpenter, and Music and Lyrics by Shane Alexander. Act One of The Freedom Machine will have four stage readings in Los Angeles, August 9-13.

When abstract expressionist and celebrated bad boy of the art world Mark Rothko lands a commission to create a series of large murals, he hires an assistant - and what takes place between them is a visceral experience that spills off the stage and will forever change the way you see the color red. International City Theatre presents Red, the fiery and fiercely funny Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Award winner for Best Play by John Logan. Directed by caryn desai [sic] and starring Tony Abatemarco as Rothko and Patrick Stafford as his young assistant, Ken,Red opens Aug. 23 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place on Aug. 21 and 22.

The Pasadena Playhouse's final presentation of its 2012 - 2013 HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse series is THE FUTURE PERFECT. Book by Jonathan Caren, music & lyrics by Emmy Award-winning composer and songwriter Ben Decter, directed by Tony Award nominated (for Rock of Ages) Kristin Hanggi with musical direction by Kyle Puccia. The staged reading will take place tonight, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at The Pasadena Playhouse.

In Great Britain, the period between 1963 and 1966 was one of the most extraordinary moments of youth cultural history as well as in popular music history. MODROCK, with book by Hogan Thomas-Jones, directed by Brian Lohmann, produced by Tom Coleman with choreography by Michele Spears, is an homage to this period and to the many iconic bands and songwriters who emerged from it.

Theatre Planners will present a World Premiere play, THE ASSASSINATION OF LEON TROTSKY: A COMEDY, written by Peter Lefcourt, and directed by Terri Hanauer. THE ASSASSINATION OF LEON TROTSKY: A COMEDY will open tonight, June 22 at 8pm and will run through Saturday, July 28 as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., in Los Angeles.

The era of the British Music Invasion comes alive in 'ModRock,' a new musical, which is having its world premiere engagement beginning tonight, June 19 (press opening Sunday June 23 at 5pm) at the El Portal Theatre. 'ModRock' is set in the vibrant, swinging London of the mid 1960's - a time when styles and cultures clashed, the British bands ruled the pop charts and all fashion trends emerged out of Carnaby Street. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The era of the British Music Invasion comes alive in 'ModRock,' a new musical, which is having its world premiere engagement beginning tonight, June 19 (press opening Sunday June 23 at 5pm) at the El Portal Theatre. 'ModRock' is set in the vibrant, swinging London of the mid 1960's - a time when styles and cultures clashed, the British bands ruled the pop charts and all fashion trends emerged out of Carnaby Street.

The era of the British Music Invasion comes alive in 'ModRock,' a new musical, which is having its world premiere engagement beginning Wednesday, June 19 (press opening Sunday June 23 at 5pm) at the El Portal Theatre. 'ModRock' is set in the vibrant, swinging London of the mid 1960's - a time when styles and cultures clashed, the British bands ruled the pop charts and all fashion trends emerged out of Carnaby Street. Scroll down for photos of the cast!

An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet cafe. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man, with a lot of loose ends. Richard Israeldirects Dead Man's Cell Phone, a wildly imaginative and off-center romantic comedy by MacArthur 'Genius' Grant recipient Sarah Ruhl, opening tonight, June 7 at International City Theatre (ICT) in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

The Pasadena Playhouse announced the final presentation of its 2012 - 2013 HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse series, THE FUTURE PERFECT. Book by Jonathan Caren, music & lyrics by Emmy Award-winning composer and songwriter Ben Decter, directed by Tony Award nominated (for Rock of Ages) Kristin Hanggi with musical direction by Kyle Puccia. The staged reading will take place Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Theatre Planners will present a World Premiere play, THE ASSASSINATION OF LEON TROTSKY: A COMEDY, written by Peter Lefcourt, and directed by Terri Hanauer. THE ASSASSINATION OF LEON TROTSKY: A COMEDY will preview on Friday, June 21 at 8pmand will open on Saturday, June 22 at 8pm and will run through Saturday, July 28 as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., in Los Angeles.

The era of the British Music Invasion comes alive in 'ModRock,' a new musical, which is having its world premiere engagement beginning Wednesday, June 19 (press opening Sunday June 23 at 5pm) at the El Portal Theatre. 'ModRock' is set in the vibrant, swinging London of the mid 1960's - a time when styles and cultures clashed, the British bands ruled the pop charts and all fashion trends emerged out of Carnaby Street.

Author Michael Donovan's new novella, Football Games, is available today, announced Emancipated Publications.

An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet cafe. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man, with a lot of loose ends. Richard Israel directs Dead Man's Cell Phone, a wildly imaginative and off-center romantic comedy by MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient Sarah Ruhl, opening on June 7 at International City Theatre (ICT) in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place on June 5 and 6.

BWW TV's Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans of the JLE Media Group were on hand to produce exclusive television coverage for Broadway World at the Finale of LA's Next Great Stage Star 2013 which broke all previous years attendance records during its six week run at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal in the NoHo Arts district of North Hollywood, CA January 6 through February 10. Check out the video below!

The Pasadena Playhouse's 2012 - 2013 HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse series continues with its next two presentations. Iago, by the late James McLure with Creative Consultant Beth Henley (Pulitzer Prize-winning, Tony and Academy Award-nominated author of Crimes of the Heart) and directed by Art Manke (The Playhouse's Fallen Angels and the production of Noel Coward's A Song at Twilight) will perform today, April 16 and 17, 2013. Displacement by Shauna Kandilian-Vartanian and directed by Kappy Kilburn will perform May 14 and 15, 2013. All HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse presentations will be performed in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at The Pasadena Playhouse.