Ross Hellwig News

This 19th season of one of our region's most popular outdoor theatrical events features the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company's first performance of Measure for Measure and a return of Richard III. Festival grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for pre-show picnicking and entertainment.

The creation of Arthur Miller's now classic The Crucible about the Salem witch trials of 1692 was influenced by the McCarthy era of the 50s. It provided an intensely ferocious perspective on the unjust distortion and destruction of human life. In Salem, Massachusetts it was a religious issue - did you believe in God or the Devil Incarnate? McCarthyism was about Americans and their supposed involvement with the Communist Party. Religion and politics should be private issues, but in a community riddled with guilt about morality, there is no such thing as personal. Your way of life is an open book for all to judge and condemn. Roberto Aguirre-Acasa has penned an imagined sequel to The Crucible entitled Abigail/1702 about protagonist/witch namer Abigail Williams (Jennifer Cannon), who escapes Salem and tries to find salvation after her crimes. The action picks up ten years later in 1702, and as a thought-provoking piece now onstage at ICT, Long Beach, it works quite well under the expert guidance of director Caryn Dasai and with the help of five outstanding performances.

What ever happened to Abigail Williams? Combining a provocative parable of sin and redemption with a good, old-fashioned ghost story, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Carrie, Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark, Fox's Glee) explores what might have come next for the real-life Puritan villainess at the center of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. ICT artistic director caryn desai [sic] directs the West Coast premiere of Abigail/1702, opening tonight, May 1 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews are set for April 29 and 30.

What ever happened to Abigail Williams? Combining a provocative parable of sin and redemption with a good, old-fashioned ghost story, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Carrie, Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark, Fox's Glee) explores what might have come next for the real-life Puritan villainess at the center of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. ICT artistic director caryn desai [sic] directs the West Coast premiere of Abigail/1702, opening May 1 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews are set for April 29 and 30.

John Hutton leads a brilliant cast in Jared Sakren's uniquely intelligent and compelling production of Southwest Shakespeare Company's King Lear.

It is the Throne that takes center stage in Jared Sakren's searing production of William Shakespeare's King John ~ and all the men and women in it merely players to its seductions and channels for the issues that try the souls of their time. It is Maren Maclean who supercharges the play with an electrifying performance as Constance, the aggrieved mother who demands that her son Arthur be given that which is rightfully his ~ that Throne. Southwest Shakespeare Company's production is blessed with a rich ensemble on a simple stage dramatically enhanced by Daniel Davisson's moody lighting.

Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival's production of William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra brings royal-like acting to the Conejo Valley stage.

Richard Baird returns to San Diego to direct the largest Diversionary Theatre production to date - 14 fantastic actors playing numerous roles in an intense account of the struggle between passion and responsibility.

Richard Baird returns to San Diego to direct the largest Diversionary Theatre production to date - 15 fantastic actors playing numerous roles in an intense account of the struggle between passion and responsibility. Baird had this to say about the production: 'It is wonderful to return home to San Diego to fulfill a dream to stage this play with Diversionary Theatre. With their support - and an incredibly talented team - we have been able to create a big, rich and exhilarating production that is so powerful in such an intimate space.'

Richard Baird returns to San Diego to direct the largest Diversionary Theatre production to date - 14 fantastic actors playing numerous roles in an intense account of the struggle between passion and responsibility.

North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents: The Sequel to Over the Tavern King O' the Moon By Tom Dudzick Directed by Matt Thompson

North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents: The Sequel to Over the Tavern King O' the Moon By Tom Dudzick Directed by Matt Thompson

North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents: The Sequel to Over the Tavern King O' the Moon By Tom Dudzick Directed by Matt Thompson

North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents: The Sequel to Over the Tavern King O' the Moon By Tom Dudzick Directed by Matt Thompson

In Tennesse Williams Pulitzer-preisgekröntem Meisterwerk findet sich eine mächtige Südstaaten Familie ein, um den 65. Geburtstag des Patriarchen „Big Daddy' zu feiern. Trotz der Feierlichkeiten ist die Stimmung gedrückt, denn Big Daddy hat Krebs im Endstadium und keiner findet den Mut, es ihm zu sagen, vor allem da nun der Kampf ums Erbe begonnen hat.

Beginning Saturday, January 22, L.A. Theatre Works' Radio Theatre Series will air RFK: The Journey to Justice by Murray Horwitz and Jonathan Estrin, starring Henry Clarke, Philip Casnoff, Kevin Daniels, Michael Leydon Campbell, Kyle Colerider-Krugh, Ross Hellwig, Thomas Vincent Kelly, Sheilynn Wactor, and John Wesley.

Beginning Saturday, January 22, L.A. Theatre Works' Radio Theatre Series will air RFK: The Journey to Justice by Murray Horwitz and Jonathan Estrin, starring Henry Clarke, Philip Casnoff, Kevin Daniels, Michael Leydon Campbell, Kyle Colerider-Krugh, Ross Hellwig, Thomas Vincent Kelly, Sheilynn Wactor, and John Wesley.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 Season with a revival of BETH HENLEY's Pulitzer Prize-winning play CRIMES OF THE HEART. Set in Mississippi in 1974 (five years after Hurricane Camille), this sweet, sexy comedy follows the travails of the three Magrath sisters, who come together at the family home in Hazelhurst when the youngest Babe is charged with shooting her husband 'cause she didn't like his looks.'

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 Season with a revival of BETH HENLEY's Pulitzer Prize-winning play CRIMES OF THE HEART. Set in Mississippi in 1974 (five years after Hurricane Camille), this sweet, sexy comedy follows the travails of the three Magrath sisters, who come together at the family home in Hazelhurst when the youngest Babe is charged with shooting her husband 'cause she didn't like his looks.'