Nick DeGruccio News

South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2009-10 Season with Putting It Together, a compilation of Stephen Sondheim songs, that the composer put together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, creating a narrative set at a cocktail party in an elegant Manhattan condo. The non-traditional musical, led by Broadway and television star Harry Groener, has a cast of five (a glamorous but slightly jaded couple, a starry-eyed younger couple and a savvy observer) who sing more than 30 songs that reflect their lives, lifestyles and moods of the moment. Some of the songs will be familiar, some less so, a few were even cut from their original musical scores, but they are all sophisticated, smart and drop-dead droll. All, in other words, Sondheim.

South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2009-10 Season with Putting It Together, a compilation of Stephen Sondheim songs, that the composer put together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, creating a narrative set at a cocktail party in an elegant Manhattan condo. The non-traditional musical, led by Broadway and television star Harry Groener, has a cast of five (a glamorous but slightly jaded couple, a starry-eyed younger couple and a savvy observer) who sing more than 30 songs that reflect their lives, lifestyles and moods of the moment. Some of the songs will be familiar, some less so, a few were even cut from their original musical scores, but they are all sophisticated, smart and drop-dead droll. All, in other words, Sondheim.

South Coast Repertory's Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson have announced that Doctor Cerberus, a new play by HBO's 'Big Love' and Marvel Comics' 'Spiderman' writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, will receive its World Premiere during the 2009-10 Season

The following is South Coast Rep's calendar. South Coast Repertory was founded in the belief that theatre is an artform with a unique power to illuminate the human experience. We commit ourselves to exploring the most urgent human and social issues of our time, and to merging literature, design and performance in ways that test the bounds of theatre's artistic possibilities. We undertake to advance the art of theatre in the service of our community, and aim to extend that service through educational, intercultural, and outreach programs that harmonize with our artistic mission.

South Coast Repertory's Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson have announced that Doctor Cerberus, a new play by HBO's 'Big Love' and Marvel Comics' 'Spiderman' writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, will receive its World Premiere during the 2009-10 Season

Carole W. Nussbaum, Cabrillo Music Theatre President and Chief Executive Officer, proudly announces Cabrillo Music Theatre?s 2009-2010 season. Fresh from such recent smash hits as 42nd Street and Breaking Up is Hard To Do, Cabrillo Music Theatre will present its biggest season yet. In addition to the four-show season, Cabrillo will introduce a bonus holiday production at the Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

South Coast Repertory will open its 2009-2010 season with a celebration of the music of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim and will shine the spotlight later in the season on the up-and-coming musical theater composer and lyricist, Adam Gwon. The season lineup includes World Premieres by Bathsheba Doran, Julie Marie Myatt and Howard Korder, and a West Coast Premiere by Noah Haidle.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 'Brave New World' Season with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The musical begins previews Thursday, March 19, open on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and run through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is the Tony Award? winning musical that captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal. The play tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman coping with day-to-day 'shtetl' life, Jewish traditions and the women in his life in pre-Revolutionary Russia.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2008. The 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony took place Monday, March 16 at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, and was co-hosted by Vicki Lewis and Wenzel Jones.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its ?Brave New World? Season with Fiddler on the Roof. The musical begins previews Thursday, March 19, open on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and run through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 'Brave New World' Season with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The musical begins previews Thursday, March 19, open on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and run through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is the Tony Award? winning musical that captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal. The play tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman coping with day-to-day 'shtetl' life, Jewish traditions and the women in his life in pre-Revolutionary Russia.

The South Coast Rep presents A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD with Music by Robert Reale, Book and lyrics by Willie Reale and Based on the books by Arnold Lobel. The show will be Directed by Nick DeGruccio.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD has music by Robert Reale, with a book and lyrics by Willie Reale. Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, directed by Nick DeGruccio. CREATIVE TEAM: Fred Kinney (set design), Soojin Lee (costume design), Stephen Young (lighting design), Mark Johnson (sound design), Deborah Wicks La Puma (musical director/arranger) and Amy Brownewell (stage manager). Starring Justin Michael Duval (Bird/Snail/Lizard/Father Frog/Mole), Jim Holdridge as Toad, Emily Eiden (Bird/Mouse/Squirrel/Young Frog/Mole), Alex Miller (Frog) and Erika Whalen (Bird/Turtle/Squirrel/Mother/Frog/Mole). HONORARY PRODUCER: Pacific Life Foundation MEDIA PARTNER: OC Family Oh, what a joy to spend a year with two charming woodland characters and their friends! TICKETS: $16-$23 previews; $20-$28 regular performances. RUNS: Feb 13 - March 1, 2009

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2008. The 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 16 at the El Portal Theatre, thanks to the generous donation of the El Portal's management. The theatre is located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood. Tickets are $40; $5 off if purchased in advance via PayPal. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a catered reception (with no-host bar) and silent auction. The show commences at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the Awards show can be reserved from the LADCC's website, at www.ladramacriticscircle.com

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD has music by Robert Reale, with a book and lyrics by Willie Reale. Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, directed by Nick DeGruccio. CREATIVE TEAM: Fred Kinney (set design), Soojin Lee (costume design), Stephen Young (lighting design), Mark Johnson (sound design), Deborah Wicks La Puma (musical director/arranger) and Amy Brownewell (stage manager). Starring Justin Michael Duval (Bird/Snail/Lizard/Father Frog/Mole), Jim Holdridge as Toad, Emily Eiden (Bird/Mouse/Squirrel/Young Frog/Mole), Alex Miller (Frog) and Erika Whalen (Bird/Turtle/Squirrel/Mother/Frog/Mole). HONORARY PRODUCER: Pacific Life Foundation MEDIA PARTNER: OC Family Oh, what a joy to spend a year with two charming woodland characters and their friends! TICKETS: $16-$23 previews; $20-$28 regular performances. RUNS: Feb 13 - March 1, 2009

JANUARY - APRIL 2009 JANUARY January 4 - 25 ● Julianne Argyros Stage ● World Premiere YOU, NERO By Amy Freed Directed by Sharon Ott The World Premiere of Pulitzer Prize nominee Amy Freed's new comedy about the infamous Roman emperor who decides to commission a play that could be the Colosseum's biggest hit ever - if its hapless author lives to tell the tale. Commissioned by SCR, You, Nero is directed by Sharon Ott who directed the staged reading at the 2008 Pacific Playwrights Festival. Freed's plays include the SCR commissions The Beard of Avon, Safe in Hell and Freedomland. Previews Jan. 4-8, opens Jan. 9, closes Jan. 25. Tickets: $20-$64 (Previews $20-$45, Regular Run $28-$64) See last page for performance schedule.

South Coast Reperatory Calendar of events for December - March 2009

South Coast Reperatory Calendar of events for December - March 2009

The Havok Theatre Company in association with the Bootleg Theatre have announced that the Los Angeles Intimate Theatre premiere of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN has been extended through Sunday, November 9. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN performs at the Bootleg Theatre in Los Angeles.

The newly formed Havok Theatre Company in association with the Bootleg Theatre is thrilled to present its third production, the Los Angeles Intimate Theatre Premiere of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, book by Terrence McNally, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, choreography by Lee Martino, with musical direction by Michael Paternostro and directed by Ovation Award-winner and Artistic Director of the new Havok Theatre Company Nick DeGruccio. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN will preview on Thursday, September 18; Friday, September 19; Saturday September 20 at 8pm; Sunday, September 21 at 3pm and Thursday, September 25 at 8pm and will open on Friday, September 26 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Bootleg Theatre, 2220 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.