Michael Manuel News

Pasadena Playhouse presents The Father, written by Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, February 5 to March 1, 2020.

The Alfred Molina-starrer THE FATHER, currently in previews, will have its official opening night February 11, 2020 at the Pasadena Playhouse. Playwright Florian Zeller (translated by Christopher Hampton) illuminates the internal struggles of a very proud man cursed with dementia. Two versions of André's (the father) memory play out on stage that will keep the audience guessing as to which is André's reality. Jessica Kubzansky directs a seasoned cast including: Sue Cremin, Michael Manuel, Pia Shah, Hugo Armstrong and Lisa Renee Pitts. I had the chance to interview Michael Manuel, whom I last saw in his stunning portrayal of The Creature in A Noise Within's FRANKENSTEIN.

Florian Zeller's play The Father is so topical, for it deals with a father who is suffering from dimentia. It opens for previews on February 5 at the Pasadena Playhouse with the official opening night set for Tuesday February 11. Alfred Molina whose stage and film appearances are laudatory stars as the father Andre, a former tap dancer. He talks succinctly about the role as he settles in to a comfortable rehearsal period.

Pasadena Playhouse, The State Theater of California, has completed casting for The Father, written by Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, that comes to the Playhouse February 5 to March 1, 2020.

The California premiere of Nick Dear's FRANKENSTEIN, directed by Michael Michetti and adapted from the original novel by Mary Shelley, is currently running as a stand-alone production through September 8th at A Noise Within. This electrifying tale of a creature cast away by his creator into a hostile worlda?"only to wind his way back in a dangerous game of destructiona?"has captivated audiences for over 200 years. The gothic story comes to life with Nick Dear's adaptation of the chilling fable by Mary Shelley, animating the themes of social rejection, intellectual hubris, and the nascency of good and evil.

The California Premiere of Nick Dear's adaptation of Frankenstein features a heartbreaking performance by Michael Manuel as a creature born innocent but ugly, taught to hate and rebel against humanity. Manuel carries the production on his hulking shoulders, which becomes crippling due to a confounding script and unusually lifeless direction from Los Angeles star director Michael Michetti.

A Noise Within (ANW), California's acclaimed classic repertory theatre company, is proud to announce the California Premiere of Nick Dear's Frankenstein, directed by Michael Michetti and adapted from the original novel by Mary Shelley. The first play of ANW's 2019-2020 season, THEY PLAYED WITH FIRE, will run as a stand-alone production from Aug. 11 through Sept. 8, 2019. Previews begin this Sunday, Aug. 11. Press opening weekend is Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18.

The California premiere of Nick Dear's adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, FRANKENSTEIN, launches A Noise Within's 2019-2020 season August 11, 2019. Much in-demand director Michael Michetti helms Michael Manuel as The Creature and Kasey Mahaffy as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, presenting Shelley's tale from the atypical perspective of The Creature. Having seen Kasey in ANW's stunning MAN OF LA MANCHA and the hysterical NOISES OFF, I jumped at the chance to interview this talented actor/performer.

A Noise Within (ANW), California's acclaimed classic repertory theatre company, is proud to announce the California Premiere of Nick Dear's Frankenstein, directed by Michael Michetti and adapted from the original novel by Mary Shelley. The first play of ANW's 2019-2020 season, THEY PLAYED WITH FIRE, will run as a stand-alone production from Aug. 11 through Sept. 8, 2019. An instant international sensation, Frankenstein was first captured live in 2011 on London's National Theatre stage in celebration of the novel's 200th anniversary. Distributed to cinemas across the globe, the original production was directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle and starred Benedict Cumberbatch alternating between the roles of Dr. Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. There will be press performances on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m.

Never has the relationship between Iago and Roderigo in Shakespeare's OTHELLO stolen the show like it does in the current A Noise Within production, directed by Jessica Kubzansky. With an outwardly nonchalant Michael Manuel as the revenge seeking villain, and Jeremy Rabb, an actor who knows comedy like the back of his hand, as his unsuspecting lackey, the situational humor in Shakespeare's tragedy comes front and center. That's right, humor.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Hubbard Season opener, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, directed by Jonathan Moscone. The Alley presents an inventive, nontraditional, yet faithful production of Twelfth Night set in the 1930s that showcases not only the resident acting company, but also a diverse group of performers making their Alley debut. The play runs October 5-28, 2018 in the Hubbard Theatre. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Hubbard Season opener, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, directed by Jonathan Moscone.

South Coast Repertory concludes the 2017-18 Theatre for Young Audiences series with Amos & Boris, adapted from the classic children's book by William Steig. This theatrical retelling has been adapted for the stage by Sofia Alvarez with music and additional lyrics by Daniel Roland Tierney. The world premiere will be directed by Jessica Kubzansky on the Julianne Argyros Stage, May 19-June 3. Tickets are available now at www.scr.org.

MainStreet Theatre Company's final production of the 2016/2017 season is 'just right'! George Stiles (Music) and Anthony Drewe (Book & Lyrics) who are best known for Honk! and Disney's Mary Poppins, bring their original twist to the well-known story, which includes great songs and a hilarious book that will have the whole family laughing!

MainStreet Theatre Company's final production of the 2016/2017 season is 'just right'! George Stiles (Music) and Anthony Drewe (Book & Lyrics) who are best known for Honk! and Disney's Mary Poppins, bring their original twist to the well-known story, which includes great songs and a hilarious book that will have the whole family laughing!

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents CYMBELINE by William Shakespeare, directed by Evan Yionoulis, March 25-April 16 at the University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 31.

Members of the 'Pro99' movement of Actors' Equity Association have issued an open letter to AEA's newly elected president, Kate Shindle, in response to her victory and to her inaugural address as president of the national union for actors and stage managers. The open letter is signed by over 400 Equity members (listed below), including such notable names as Ed Asner, Francis Fisher, Sally Kirkland and Alfred Molina. The 'Pro99' movement formed in late 2014 in opposition to AEA's rollout of a new plan that will effectively force 'intimate theaters' in Los Angeles to pay Equity actors minimum wage, go 'non-union' or even close - despite an overwhelming vote against the plan by 66% of the Los Angeles membership on an advisory referendum. 'Pro99' members around the nation, who take their name from the current AEA '99 Seat Plan' that allows members to volunteer in smaller venues, oppose AEA's new promulgated plan. They are requesting that Equity leadership put a moratorium on the plan until local members' voices can be heard, and that the union work with its members to develop an alternative plan that will more realistically address the needs of the Los Angeles theater community.

It's surprising that in its 45 years, D.C.'s venerable Shakespeare Theatre Company has yet to produce either of Moliere's most famous plays. Perhaps, artistic director Michael Kahn suggests, they were waiting for the right one.

Berkeley Rep is proud to welcome back the beloved team of Dominique Serrand and Steven Epp for a provocative and powerful revival of Moliere's dark comedy about religious hypocrisy.