Michael Shaw Fisher News

The answer to last year's question of whether the digital arts venture STAGE RAW could bring back its awards ceremony celebrating the best of LA's up-to-99-seat theaters, the answer is YES. STAGE RAW is pleased to announce the SECOND ANNUAL STAGE RAW LOS ANGELES THEATER AWARDS, championing the best work of 2015 in L.A.'s still-embattled theaters of up to 99-seats.

Happy New Year and welcome back Shakespeare lovers! 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death (April 23, 1564 - April 23, 1616) and that means it's another big year ahead honoring one of the greatest writers of all time. Here's a look at what's coming so get out your calendars and make note.

This one act play with music was the surprise of my weekend. Not because of what I already knew about it, of course, based on press materials and previous word of mouth from friends who saw it at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, but because of something no one had thought to mention. That for all its rowdy comedy, bawdy innuendo and drunken delights, Michael Shaw Fisher has written, and performs, a piece that reveals Shakespeare's heart in moments of genuine vulnerability making it more than simply a passing fringe fancy. This one man 75-minute Elizabethan tavern musical could easily tour the country in every intimate venue, educational setting, pub or cabaret house smart enough to book it.

I have to say...I really loved this crazy new rock musical. In my book, it's the kind of show that embodies all that is best about the Fringe, with its unconventional characters, sly direction (by Aaron Lyons), pert choreography (by Michelle LaVon), and wicked twist on a relevant message.

Here are Summer Stages Picks from Broadwayworld's Ellen Dostal for what to see in Los Angeles and San Diego.

From the wild world of Michael Shaw Fisher who brought you previous Fringe hits Exorcistic: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment and Doomsday Cabaret, comes The Werewolves of Hollywood Boulevard, A Damnable Rock Musical.

Due to high ticket demand, a second concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Wednesday, February 5 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The February 4 & 5 concerts will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. With libretto by Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Produced by Los Angeles Rock Opera Company in association with HarborSide Films, proceeds from the two evenings will go to support Celebration Theatre. [For more info about Celebration, see page 2 of this release.]

A one-night-only concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Tuesday, February 4 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The concert will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. The librettist is Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Proceeds from the evening will go to support Celebration Theatre.

When Michael Shaw Fisher walks out to introduce EXORCISTIC: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment at its Fringe Mainstage home, it takes a few minutes before you realize that the musical has actually begun.

The third annual Hollywood Fringe Festival, Hollywood's fearless celebration of the emerging arts is back June 13 - 30, 2013, and over the next couple of weeks I'll be featuring some of the musical productions hoping to entice audiences to see their latest work. First up are Michael Shaw Fisher and Exorcistic: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment, and Andrew Potter's The Road to High Street.

The third annual Hollywood Fringe Festival is gearing up for another celebration of the emerging arts in Hollywood. Here's Part One of our 'Focus on the Fringe Series' highlighting musical productions to consider adding to your Fringe dance card.

Charismatic and contemptible, Richard III pursues his lust for power no matter who stands in his way. Melora Marshall and Chad Jason Scheppner alternate as the thrilling schemer audiences love to hate in William Shakespeare's Richard III, closing October 2 at the outdoor Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.

Charismatic and contemptible, Richard III pursues his lust for power no matter who stands in his way.

Charismatic and contemptible, Richard III pursues his lust for power no matter who stands in his way.