Michael Lamont News

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, has joined in community partnership with Academy for New Musical Theatre (ANMT) and the LA Opera Education and Community Programs. "We are very excited to partner with ANMT and the LA Opera for this production," says EWP producing artistic director Tim Dang. "The goal of this community partnership is to bring greater awareness of the missions of our respective organizations, all of which are connected to promoting the performing arts, and what better way than through musical theatre."

If you're looking for a good example of what great hidden gems are being produced at Southern California regional theaters these days, then look (and listen) no further than the enjoyable revival of the smash musical MISS SAIGON currently playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through May 6 (with three additional shows at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, CA starting May 11). Produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, this surprisingly full-scale production of the West End/Broadway hit is not only a feast for those with a penchant for big, grandiose theatrics, it will also please those seeking to hear a lovely, euphoric score performed by a talented ensemble.

The Geffen Playhouse presents David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People, starring Jane Kaczmarek (Broadway's Lost in Yonkers and television's Malcolm in the Middle), and acclaimed stage and screen actor Jon Tenney, last seen at the Geffen Playhouse in David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow. Presented by One West Bank, Good People began previews yesterday, April 3, 2012 and officially opens in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on April 11, 2012. BroadwayWord brings you production shots below!

High school is never easy and, as Truman High's head cheerleader Campbell (the perfectly blonde Taylor Louderman) finds out, it's especially hard when last minute redistricting means you now have to attend inner-city Jackson High where there is no cheerleading! With a book by Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) and music by Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) and Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), Bring It On: The Musical is bubbly, choreographed and, except for the occasional "biotch" to remind us that it's high school, clean, G-rated fun.

Kate Rockwell is blissfully excited about coming to San Francisco as part of the musical comedy cast of 'Bring It On.' She plays Skylar, whom she describes as "the sexy, sassy cheerleader you love to hate." In her interview with BroadwayWorld's Linda Hodges Kate talks about her love of SF and her new show - as well as what it's like to be living her Broadway dreams.

In her second commission for the Geffen Playhouse, Jane Anderson combines the two oldest professions: theater and prostitution. The Escort follows the relationship between Charlotte, a high-class call girl played by Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy) and Rhona, her upper West side female gynecologist, played by Polly Draper (thirtysomething, Broadway's Closer). James Eckhouse (CTG's The Goat, Beverly Hills 90210) doubles as Rhona's self-righteous liberal ex-husband and one of Charlotte's johns, and LAtheater newcomer Gabriel Sunday (My Suicide, Taking Woodstock) doubles as Rhona's manipulative teenage son and a seductive male escort. Helmed by Lisa Peterson, The Escort opens at the Geffen Playhouse on April 6 and runs through May 8.

The subtitle of the world premiere musical Having It All - Take Flight - speaks volumes. Five women, from totally different walks of life, are in the waiting area of a New York airport, each with a problem that needs attention. What happens to them over the course of 100 minutes gives this introspective a la Sondheim or Jason Robert Brown musical its punch and substance. With five stellar singers/actresses and fluid direction from Richard Israel Having It All has hit written all over it. It truly soars.

The issues of gay marriage and fidelity in marriage in general are explored with humor, intelligence, and a genuine optimism in David L. Ray's Caught, now extended at the Zephyr Theatre through April 3. Fans of Del Shores and Southern Baptist Sissies will see parallels. Growing up Southern Baptist and homosexual do not mix. In Ray's play it's the fundamentalist church that damns to hell any marriage which is not a foundation for family and family values. Putting religion aside, the more urgent message in Caught becomes the support system, the compassion that one should have for another. DeGruccio's expert pace and a top-notch ensemble keep the dramedy riveting and equally entertaining.

Avid Theatricals today announced the cast and creative team for the upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of Lucky Guy, a new musical comedy, written and directed by Willard Beckham. Performances will begin on Thursday, April 28, 2011 and continue through Sunday, July 24, 2011 at the Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street, between 9th & Dyer Avenues). Opening night is set for Thursday, May 19, 2011. Lucky Guy will play a 12-week limited engagement.

The debate over same-sex marriage is the overarching theme of David L. Ray's stirring new world premiere play 'CAUGHT,' now performing at the Zephyr Theatre in West Hollywood for an extended engagement through February 13. Set in the months before voting on Prop. 8 happened, this thoughtful, sometimes emotionally-gripping new stage work takes the gay marriage debate and frames it within a melodrama that surrounds an impending wedding between co-habitating Los Angeles couple. Though its soap opera-flavored vignettes feel like rehashes of previous gay-centric dramas we've seen before, the play manages to move past the derivative in order to truly triumph as a genuinely riveting, enjoyable piece of living theater-- thanks in part to a likable cast of actors and a brisk pace set forth by director Nick DeGruccio.

Silk Road Theatre Project in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago and Millennium Park presents Dawn's Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi

Silk Road Theatre Project in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago and Millennium Park presents Dawn's Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi

Silk Road Theatre Project in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago and Millennium Park presents Dawn's Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi

Silk Road Theatre Project in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago and Millennium Park presents Dawn's Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi

Silk Road Theatre Project in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago and Millennium Park presents Dawn's Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi

Jeff Skowron returns as the Grinch in the Globe's 13th annual production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Skowron made his Globe debut as the Grinch in last season's production. The annual holiday musical, directed by James Vasquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, will run in the Old Globe Theatre Nov. 20 - Dec. 26. Previews run from Nov. 20 - Nov. 26. Opening night is Nov. 26 at 7:00 p.m.

JD Lawrence, Jackee Harry, Darrin Henson, Eva Pigford, Dave Hollister, Tammy Turner, and Red Grant will star in Lawrence's play ME & MRS. JONES, Eurweb reports. Lawrence will also direct the production.

JD Lawrence, Jackee Harry, Darrin Henson, Eva Pigford, Dave Hollister, Tammy Turner, and Red Grant will star in Lawrence's play ME & MRS. JONES, Eurweb reports. Lawrence will also direct the production.

JD Lawrence, Jackee Harry, Darrin Henson, Eva Pigford, Dave Hollister, Tammy Turner, and Red Grant will star in Lawrence's play ME & MRS. JONES, Eurweb reports. Lawrence will also direct the production.