Rick Batalla News

TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY continues its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), with their 18th annual holiday offering, A CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING, with musical direction by Derrick Finely choreography by Matt Walker, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne and Luis “L.T.” Martinez, and adapted & directed by Matt Walker.

TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY continues its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), with their 18th annual holiday offering, A CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING, with musical direction by Derrick Finely choreography by Matt Walker, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne and Luis a?oeL.T.a?? Martinez, and adapted & directed by Matt Walker.

In JULIUS WEEZER, Troubadour Theater Company uses its signature wit to turn a Shakespeare classic into a blissfully-alive rocker version of its ancient self, and the result is divine madness. You don't need to be a Bard lover to have a great time but, if you are, you'll be impressed by the level of classical talent on stage and the company's ability to "speak the speech" while tickling your funny bone.

Et Tu, Weezer? TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY opens its 25th Silver anniversary season (bringing Los Angeles audiences a quarter century of mayhem!), by taking a stab with their latest hilarious world premiere musical comedy event.

When it comes to developing a loyal fan base, Troubadour Theater Company has found the secret: do outstanding work, stay true to your aesthetic, and give the people what they want - a great time at the theater. Artistic Director Matt Walker started the troupe and, with the help of longtime friend and foil, Beth Kennedy, continues to lead his merry band into the great theatrical unknown. Next up for the company is JULIUS WEEZER, which combines Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR and the music of Weezer to tell its tale of political intrigue Troubie style. Today, they talk about what it's like putting together a new show and why they keep on coming back for more.

Et Tu, Weezer? TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY is back, and taking a stab at their latest hilarious world premiere musical comedy event with JULIUS WEEZER, adapted, choreographed & directed by Matt Walker. JULIUS WEEZER will preview on Saturday, May 4 at 8pm; Sunday, May 5 at 4pm; Thursday, May 9 at 8pm; and will open on Friday, May 10 at 8pm and perform through Sunday May 19 at 4pm at the El Portal Theatre, 11206 Weddington St. in North Hollywood.

What would Christmas in LA be without the Troubies? A lot less funny. Happily, artistic director, writer, and head jokester Matt "Mashup" Walker and his coterie of clowns aren't about to let anyone down. Not only are they back with their seventeenth annual holiday show, they're proving just how smart they really are when it comes to delivering a performance that has its finger on the pulse of what's happening now.

The nominees for the 29th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were announced this week.

Two new character-driven relationship plays, both by award-winning women writers and both inspired by events currently at the forefront of our national consciousness, beat out 1241 other submissions in the inaugural Moss Hart & Kitty Carlisle Hart New Play Initiative. Hart NPI artistic director Christopher Hart will direct Silver Medallion-winning plays Confederates by Suzanne Bradbeer, opening Nov. 9, and Exit Wounds by Wendy Graf, opening Nov. 16, atGrove Theater Center in Burbank, where the two plays will continue to run in repertory through Dec. 16. One will be named the Gold Medallion winner and open on March 13, 2019 for a six-week, off-Broadway run in the 196-seat "Theater A" at 59E59 Theaters in New York City.

Two new character-driven relationship plays, both by award-winning women writers and both inspired by events currently at the forefront of our national consciousness, beat out 1241 other submissions in the inaugural Moss Hart & Kitty Carlisle Hart New Play Initiative. Hart NPI artistic director Christopher Hart will direct Silver Medallion-winning plays Confederates by Suzanne Bradbeer, opening Nov. 9, and Exit Wounds by Wendy Graf, opening Nov. 16, at Grove Theater Center in Burbank, where the two plays will continue to run in repertory through Dec. 16. One will be the named the Gold Medallion winner and open on March 13, 2019 for a six-week, off-Broadway run in the 196-seat "Theater A" at 59E59 Theaters in New York City.

Two new character-driven relationship plays, both by award-winning women writers and both inspired by events currently at the forefront of our national consciousness, beat out 1241 other submissions in the inaugural Moss Hart & Kitty Carlisle Hart New Play Initiative. Hart NPI artistic director Christopher Hart will direct Silver Medallion-winning plays Confederates by Suzanne Bradbeer, opening Nov. 9, and Exit Wounds by Wendy Graf, opening Nov. 16, at Grove Theater Center in Burbank, where the two plays will continue to run in repertory through Dec. 16. One will be the named the Gold Medallion winner and open on March 13, 2019 for a six-week, off-Broadway run in the 196-seat "Theater A" at 59E59 Theaters in New York City.

The Troubies paid tribute to the Purple One himself as they send-up the Music of Prince while mashing it with the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Dr. Seuss' detestably fiendish hero the Grinch got t a makeover he won't soon forget as he transforms from Green to Purple in the Troubies' seasonal spoof!

Ovation Award-winners and Troubadour Theater Company favorites Rick Batalla, Lisa Valenzuela and Beth Kennedy reunite with long-time 'Troubie' Joseph Leo Bwarie in Little Drummer Bowie after his Broadway run as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. Artistic Director and founder, Matt Walker, will co-direct the musical parody with Bwarie.  BroadwayWorld has a first look at the opening night below!

The Troubadour Theater Company's Little Drummer Bowie was first presented at the Falcon in 2005, and with the fairly recent passing of iconic musician David Bowie, it seems the perfect time to bring it back. For many Bowie and rock are synonymous, just as director/founder Garry Marshall and the Falcon have been synonymous. Both Marshall and Bowie passed away in 2016. They brought music, love and laughter to the world through the arts, so The Troubadour Theater Company is paying tribute to both men with the revival of this production.

Ovation Award-winners and Troubadour Theater Company favorites Rick Batalla, Lisa Valenzuela and Beth Kennedy reunite with long-time 'Troubie' Joseph Leo Bwarie in Little Drummer Bowie after his Broadway run as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. Artistic Director and founder, Matt Walker, will co-direct the musical parody with Bwarie.

Ovation Award-winners and Troubadour Theater Company favorites Rick Batalla, Lisa Valenzuela and Beth Kennedy reunite with long-time 'Troubie' Joseph Leo Bwarie in Little Drummer Bowie after his Broadway run as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. Artistic Director and founder, Matt Walker, will co-direct the musical parody with Bwarie.

Ovation Award-winners and Troubadour Theater Company favorites Rick Batalla, Lisa Valenzuela and Beth Kennedy reunite with long-time 'Troubie' Joseph Leo Bwarie in Little Drummer Bowie after his Broadway run as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. Artistic Director and founder, Matt Walker, will co-direct the musical parody with Bwarie.

Troubadour Theatre Company's classless clowns of classical comedy go rogue in their latest adaptation at the Getty Villa. Taking generous liberties with the source material (Plautus's Mostellaria) they reinvent the over-2000-year-old play as HAUNTED HOUSE PARTY, A Roman Comedy in their own unique style. Yes, it's definitely 'a comedy tonight.' 

This Troubie Christmas Show Santa Claus Is Comin' to Motown was first presented at the Falcon in 2004, so seeing it again was like seeing it for the very first time. Who could remember details from 11 years ago? And also, the Troubies are known for adding new jokes and gags consistently. New jokes about Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton in an election year would not have been in the first rendering of this show. I have always attested to the genius of Matt Walker, Beth Kennedy, Lisa Valenzuela and Rick Batalla, whose improv skills surpass any one else's. If I haven't said it outright before, I'm stating it now, they are THE BEST anywhere. And that goes for the entire gang.

While the kids are busy getting their pictures taken with Santa at the mall and begging for overpriced toys they'll forget the day after the Christmas, adults know that the place they'll get the most bang for their jingle bell bucks is at the Falcon Theater. That's where the latest Troubie show is roasting its comedy chestnuts in its own unique style while providing one of the wackiest soundtracks to the holiday season.