Olivia Saccomanno News

'Here, the roads to success and seclusion look exactly the same for a long time. And there's no way to tell which you'll get.' -Neema Join us for A Staged Reading of a new play by Kate Bailey, NO HOME Directed by Colleen Labella

Dezart Performs has secured 17 nominations for the annual a?oeDesert Star Awardsa?? including the categories of Outstanding Production Comedy and Drama, Director, Lead Actor and Actress, and Set, Sound and Lighting Design. The winners will be announced at the 32nd annual Desert Theatre League Gala on Sunday, October 13.

For its stunning 22nd season, Shakespeare by the Sea opens The Comedy of Errors starting June 13 at the seaside Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. Veteran director James Rice helms the mistaken identity romp which culminates in one day of wild mishaps, hijinks, and hilarity.

Everyone has a secret or two stashed away. We hide them for fear of being shamed or in some cases, worse. Shame is solely the product of 'agreed upon' societal 'norms'; if we don't fit into any given box then we have an Achilles heel, something others can use to hurt or destroy us. Mean girls, churches, and government have always been exceptionally good at shaming.

Dezart Performs Continues 11th Season with Perfect Arrangement. Secret Lives set in the midst of the 1950s Red Scare is the focus of thhis dark but witty comic work by Topher Payne

Imagine I Love Lucy with Ricky and Fred sharing a bed and Lucy and Vivian as lesbian lovers with State Department credentials. In a nutshell, that's the recipe for the improbable secret high-wire act brought to life in Topher Payne's darkly comic Perfect Arrangementfrom the award winning Dezart Performs of Palm Springs. Set against the backdrop of the 1950s "Red Scare" and the burgeoning gay rights movement, the play runs January 11 - 20 at thePearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman's Club / 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs) and is directed by Dezart Performs founding artistic director Michael Shaw.

By now, we all know that new laws have been enacted which allow the first born, whether male or female, of the reigning heir to the British monarchy to be named that person's successor. This new move to equality of the sexes when it comes to being named the crown was perhaps initially started by Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII, who he made Queen Regent when he went off to war (allowing her to rule in his place). Parr then took it upon herself to have his daughters Mary and Elizabeth (Bess) added to the line of succession should their younger half-brother and heir apparent, Edward, die without any legal heirs to assume the crown. That move led to advancing their status as women of royal privilege as more than just a piece of property to be used as a bargaining chip for royal alliances through marriage.

For those who think that Christopher Durang's popular VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE is a strawhat comedy, this production proves it's goat real heart too, just as in any Chekhov play.

With a healthy dose of hilarity, heart and humility Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike joins the Bernstein repertory with director Matthew Penn at the helm. Christopher Durang's Tony-award winning homage to Chekhov leaves no stone unturned when it comes to family dynamics, sibling rivalries, love, lust, hopes and dreams in this razor sharp comedy. The stalwart cast includes audience favorites Tod Randolph and Elizabeth Aspenlieder, and S&Co. newcomers Jim Frangione, Angel Moore, Mat Leonard and Olivia Saccomanno. Performances run in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre August 6 - September 14. Press Opening is Friday, August 15 at 8:00pm. To RSVP or for interview opportunities contact Communications & Press Director Elizabeth Aspenlieder: aspenlieder@shakespeare.org.

Casting for Shakespeare & Company's upcoming Summer Performance Season was finalized last week which includes a roster of audience favorites, critics' top picks and a bevy of newcomers joining the Company's ranks in this celebratory season in honor of the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. See play titles, casting, Press Openings and full schedules for each production listed below.

This production, helmed by Paul Mullins, is delightful in every way, with wonderfully full portrayals, a fanciful set (designed by Joe Keener III) and costumes (designed by Tiffany Delligatti) that are to die for.

Sinatra is on the radio, soldiers returning home from the Korean War, and a beautiful seaside estate sets the scene for Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents the comedy directed by Paul Mullins, onstage February 28- March 9 in the Nafe Katter Theater, Storrs. Sarah Wintermeyer stars as Beatrice and matches wits in this hilarious battle of the sexes with James Jelkin's Benedick. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Storrs: Sinatra is on the radio, soldiers returning home from the Korean War, and a beautiful seaside estate sets the scene for Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents the comedy directed by Paul Mullins, onstage February 28- March 9 in the Nafe Katter Theater, Storrs. Sarah Wintermeyer stars as Beatrice and matches wits in this hilarious battle of the sexes with James Jelkin's Benedick.

It's the age-old story: young D'Artagnan (Will Haden) arrives in Paris looking for adventure and to pursue his father's place as one of the king's special guard. He is befriended by The Three Musketeers, Athos (Thomas Brazzle), Porthos (Anthony J. Goes) and Aramis (James Jelkin) and soon finds himself in the middle of swashbuckling swordfights, treason and romance.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present The Three Musketeers, a dapted by Linda Alper, Douglas Langworthy and Penny Metropulos from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, November 21- December 8 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Marisa Desa as Olympia (lower left), Briana Maia as Lydia (right) and Olivia Saccomanno as Thyona (rear). Photo: Gerry Goodstein.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Big Love by Charles Mee, tonight, October 3 - 13 in the Nafe Katter Theater, Storrs. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!