Michael Matthews News

Celebration Theatre presents, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the first show in its 2016-2017 season, the West Coast premiere of CHARM, written by Philip Dawkins and directed by Celebration Theatre co-artistic director Michael Matthews.  CHARMwill begin previews on Saturday, September 3 at 8pm; will open on Friday, September 9 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, October 23 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, Celebration at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, THE FABULOUS DARSHAN, written by Bob Stewart and directed by Jeffrey Polk.   THE FABULOUS DARSHAN will perform one night only, Tuesday August 16 at 7:30pm at The West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood.

Celebration Theatre at the Lex and Bruce W. Zisterer in association with Nicholas Caprio, Michael C. Kricfalusi, Todd Milliner and Jack Morrissey presents, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, and thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed (LA Times Critic's Choice) Smash-Hit, West Coast premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ, music and lyrics by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman, original book by Nick Enright, choreography by Janet Roston, musical direction by Bryan Blaskie, produced by Andrew Carlberg and directed by Celebration Theatre co-artistic director Michael A. Shepperd is EXTENDING through SUNDAY, JULY 31 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, Celebration at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, MERCURY by Steve Yockey, directed by Ryan Bergmann and performing one night only tonight, May 17 at the West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood.  

The Celebration Theatre's production of THE BOY FROM OZ has just opened to glowing reviews; raves and compliments Celebration's co-artistic director Michael A. Shepperd has gotten used to. (Look at their looong list of award-winning productions!) We had a chance to chat with both the prolifically talented (directing and acting) Shepperd and the charismatic, triple-threat Andrew Bongiorno who plays the titular BOY Peter Allen.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, MERCURY by Steve Yockey, directed by Ryan Bergmann and performing one night only on Tuesday, May 17 at the West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood.  

Celebration Theatre at the Lex in association with Nicholas Caprio, Michael C. Kricfalusi, Todd Milliner and Jack Morrissey presents, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the West Coast premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ, music and lyrics by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman, original book by Nick Enright, choreography by Janet Roston, musical direction by Bryan Blaskie, produced by Andrew Carlberg and directed by Celebration Theatre co-artistic director Michael A. Shepperd.  THE BOY FROM OZ will begin previews on Friday, April 22 at 8pm; will open on Friday, April 29 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, June 19 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, Celebration at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

Though that comedy device of rewritten song lyrics is (unfortunately) not utilized for the film's musical stage adaptation, still, much of the spirit and basic plot architecture of the original movie remains in SISTER ACT - THE MUSICAL, which features all-original songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, as well as a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (with additional material contributed later by playwright Douglas Carter Beane). Currently, Musical Theatre West's admirable regional production of this Tony-nominated Broadway musical comedy is finishing out its final weekend of performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through April 24. Goofy and full of cutesy charm MTW's regional production definitely brings in the (joyful) noise and the funk to Long Beach. So what makes the show enjoyable? Well... for lack of a better phrase... it's all about the nuns.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, ON THE ROOF by Donna Hoke, directed by Christopher Mikish and performing one night only, Today, April 19 at the West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood.   It's 1955-post WWII, amid McCarthyism, years before Stonewall. In this dangerous and difficult era, Mitzi operates a cabaret and gay bar where she, Cruz, a playboy bartender; Levi, an aspiring Broadway composer; Bob, a WWII vet; Mac, a guy who just wants camaraderie with his Coke; and Andy, a newcomer with a law degree struggle to find solidarity and courage-maybe even love. 

Sister Act the Musical started out in 2006 at the Pasadena Playhouse, premiered in London's West End in 2009 and then underwent serious revisions before coming to Broadway in 2011. I remember liking the first mounting in 2006 with many reservations. Since I loved the 1992 film so much, I didn't feel that the stage version was particularly faithful...no pun intended. Well, with all the 2011 changes, MTW's revival of the Broadway version is tops, a joyful, tuneful, splashy romp that never lets down, with a tremendous cast, stellar direction from Michael Matthews and soulful choreography from Daniel Smith. Douglas Carter Beane, who penned the screenplay To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the Tony nominated play The Little Dog Laughed, added new book material for the national tour, included here, and this contributes substantially to molding a sleek and unforgettable show.

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, ON THE ROOF by Donna Hoke, directed by Christopher Mikish and performing one night only, Tuesday, April 19 at the West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood.   It's 1955-post WWII, amid McCarthyism, years before Stonewall. In this dangerous and difficult era, Mitzi operates a cabaret and gay bar where she, Cruz, a playboy bartender; Levi, an aspiring Broadway composer; Bob, a WWII vet; Mac, a guy who just wants camaraderie with his Coke; and Andy, a newcomer with a law degree struggle to find solidarity and courage-maybe even love. 

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to announce its 2016-2017 season of shows! Comments Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, 'It's truly one of our most diverse, wildly entertaining and thrilling seasons ever. Our subscribers and audiences are going to love each of these theatrical journeys.' This summer is going to jailhouse rock as you dance to your favorite Elvis songs in ALL SHOOK UP, you can't help falling in love with this jukebox musical; followed by BILLY & RAY which tells the behind the scenes story of Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder as they nearly kill each other making 'Double Indemnity', directed by Michael Matthews; the new year starts with the unexpected love storyCHAPATTI; Hershey Felder returns as master pianist TCHAIKOVSKY; then another musical genius hits our stage with the world premiere musical KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY, directed by Andrew Barnicle; and we complete our season with the extraordinary THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY. Add in a special engagement from Lythgoe Family Productions of SLEEPING BEAUTY and her WINTER KNIGHT Panto and you have one of the finest seasons in our nearly 100 year history!

Celebration Theatre at the Lex in association with Nicholas Caprio, Michael C. Kricfalusi, Todd Milliner and Jack Morrissey presents, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the West Coast premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ, music and lyrics by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman, original book by Nick Enright, choreography by Janet Roston, musical direction by Bryan Blaskie, produced by Andrew Carlberg and directed by Celebration Theatre co-artistic director Michael A. Shepperd. THE BOY FROM OZ will begin previews on Friday, April 22 at 8pm; will open on Friday, April 29 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, June 19 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, Celebration at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents Sister Act, Broadway's feel-good musical comedy at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center April 8-24.  Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg hit film, written by Joseph Howard, the five-time Tony nominated Broadway sensation features an award winning creative team with original score and music by composer Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Tangled), book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Cheers), additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed ).  The reinvented musical adaptation is filled with heavenly music with a disco beat, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!  Tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.  Tickets start at $20.

Celebration Theatre at the Lex is thrilled to announce that its second play in its new home, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the critically acclaimed, Los Angeles premiere of DREAM BOY by Eric Rosen, based on the novel by Jim Grimsley and directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews (The Color Purple, Failure: A Love Story) is EXTENDING through SATURDAY, APRIL 2 at the Celebration Theatre's new home, the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle named the multi-nominated Hit the Wall and Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles as 2015's Outstanding Productions at the organization's 47th annual awards event, held on Monday evening, March 14 at the Moss Theatre of New Roads School in Santa Monica.

Critically acclaimed actress and singer Constance Jewell Lopez has been set to star in the leading role of Deloris Van Cartier in the Musical Theatre West production of Sister Act, running April 8-24 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of CSU Long Beach. Opening is set for Saturday, April 9 at 8pm.

Celebration Theatre solidly mounts (as they're always known to do) a stunning production of the Los Angeles premiere of DREAM BOY. All the acting and tech elements flawlessly gel in this intriguing drama, firm-handedly and smoothly directed by Michael Matthews, mesmerizingly guiding you through the everyday life of Nathan (the Dream Boy), even with the foreboding sense of some inevitable heartrending events to come.

Celebration Theatre at the Lex presents its second play in its new home, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd, the Los Angeles premiere of DREAM BOY by Eric Rosen, based on the novel by Jim Grimsley and directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews (The Color Purple, Failure: A Love Story). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the premiere!

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2015 (Dec. 1, 2014 - Nov. 30, 2015).