Ruth Williamson News

Reprise Theatre Company presents A Party With Marty, an evening of comedy and song with Martin Short and featuring Jason Alexander for one performance only on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 8:00 pm, at the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills (formerly the Wilshire Theatre). This world premiere event features old friends, and former cast mates from "The Producers," Martin Short and Reprise Theatre Company Artistic Director Jason Alexander doing what they do best - making people laugh! Ticket sales for this event support Reprise Theatre Company and their mission to produce great musical theatre as well as arts education programs that bring the magic of theatre to underserved members of our community. Reprise Theatre Company is headed by Artistic Director Jason Alexander, who is best known for his 9-year stint as George Costanza on "Seinfeld." Christine Bernardi is Managing Director and Gilles Chiasson is Producing Director of Reprise Theatre Company. Tickets are available for "A Party With Marty" and go on sale to the public on October 4 and are available online at www.reprise.org , ticketmaster.com, by calling the Saban Theatre box office at (323) 655-0111, and at all Ticketmaster Outlets. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Martin Short began his career in Canada's "SCTV Comedy Network" for which he received an Emmy Award. Short's proven ability as a comedic chameleon and his host of hilarious impressions brought him to the attention of "Saturday Night Live." From there, he made his big screen debut in "Three Amigos," Other films include "Inner Space", "Three Fugitives", "Clifford", "Mars Attacks", "The Big Picture", Father of the Bride 1 & 2 and "Jiminy Glick in LALAWOOD, among others Short has received 15 Emmy nominations for his work in television which includes "Merlin", "Alice in Wonderland," "The Martin Short Show", "Primetime Glick" and this season's "Damages", for which he was most recently nominated. A veteran of the theater in Canada and on Broadway, Short has received accolades for his varied work on stage including "The Goodbye Girl" (Tony nomination, Theatre World Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), "Little Me" (Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), and "The Producers" (with Jason Alexander) and in 2006, his musical-comedy Broadway hit "Fame Becomes Me." In 1994, Short was awarded the "Order of Canada" and in 2000 was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame. However, all of the above is a distant second to his love and respect for his wife Nancy and their three children Katherine, Oliver and Henry. About Reprise Theatre Company Since its inception in 1997, Reprise Theatre Company has been a focus of the Los Angeles musical theatre community, producing productions of great American musicals, and a wide variety of concerts, staged-readings, special events and outreach programs. In May 2007, Jason Alexander became Artistic Director. Christine Bernardi is Managing Director and Gilles Chiasson is Producing Director of Reprise. Since its inaugural production of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Promises, Promises," which starred Mr. Alexander, Reprise has brought to the stage vibrant productions from all eras of American musical theatre including the Gershwins' "Of Thee I Sing" and "Strike Up the Band," Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," and Rodgers and Hart's "The Boys from Syracuse" and "Babes in Arms," Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," as well as Richard Rodgers' later "No Strings." The "Golden Era" has been well represented - Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg with "Finian's Rainbow," Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe with "Brigadoon," Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green with "On the Town" and "Wonderful Town," Irving Berlin with "Call Me Madam," Robert Wright and George Forrest with "Kismet," both of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musicals "The Pajama Game" and "Damn Yankees," Johnny Mercer and Gene dePaul with "Li'l Abner," Jule Styne with "Bells are Ringing," and Frank Loesser with "The Most Happy Fella" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Musical theatre reached a new peak of popularity in the sixties, along with new creative talents, and Reprise has presented shows by many of them including Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt with "The Fantasticks," Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with "She Loves Me," Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot's "Hair," Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone with "1776," Charles Adams and Lee Strouse with "Applause," Stephen Schwartz with "Pippin," Cy Coleman with "On the Twentieth Century" (libretto by Betty Comden and Adolph Green), "City of Angels" (lyrics by David Zippel), and "I Love My Wife" (libretto by Michael Stewart), Jerry Herman with "Mack and Mabel," Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's "Once on This Island," and four Stephen Sondheim musicals - "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Company," "Sweeney Todd," and "Sunday in the Park with George." Many of the great stage performers working today, as well as those who make their residence primarily in Los Angeles, have appeared in Reprise shows including Scott Bakula, Christine Baranski, Brent Barrett, Orson Bean, Jodi Benson, Stephen Bogardus, Dan Butler, Len Cariou, Carolee Carmello, Vicki Carr, Patrick Cassidy, Anthony Crivello, Jason Danieley, Lea DeLaria, Cleavant Derricks, Manoel Feliciano, Rodney Gilfry, Kelsey Grammer, Josh Grisetti, Harry Groener, Bob Gunton, Sam Harris, Gregory Harrison, Simon Helberg, Mimi Hines, Judy Kaye, Jane Krakowski, Marc Kudish, Ledisi, Vicki Lewis, Judith Light, Rebecca Luker, Eric McCormack, Maureen McGovern, Joey McIntyre, Donna McKechnie, Andrea Marcovicci, Marin Mazzie, Julie Migenes, Karen Morrow, Burke Moses, Kelli O'Hara, John O'Hurley, Ken Page, Robert Picardo, David Hyde Pierce, Larry Raben, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Roger Rees, Charles Nelson Reilly, Cathy Rigby, Alexandra Silber, Douglas Sills, Rex Smith, Brent Spiner, Lea Thompson, Steven Weber, Lee Wilkof, Ruth Williamson, Marisa Jaret Winokur, Lillias White, Fred Willard, and Rachel York.

Stephanie J. Block, Broadway star of '9 to 5: The Musical,' 'Wicked,' 'The Pirate Queen,' and 'The Boy From Oz,' will star opposite Jason Alexander, Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company, in 'They're Playing Our Song,' the opening production of the company's 2010-2011 season, playing September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

An all star cast of Broadway veterans lead a tribute to Oscar, Emmy, Grammy & Tony winning composers Kander & Ebb at Ryan Black's 88's Cabaret AIDS Walk fundraiser on August 16th in Beverly Hills at Gonpachi Restaurant.

An all star cast of Broadway veterans will lead a tribute to Oscar, Emmy, Grammy & Tony winning composers Kander & Ebb at Ryan Black's 88's Cabaret AIDS Walk fundraiser on Monday August 16th at 8pm in Beverly Hills at Gonpachi Restaurant.

Reprise Theatre Company presents two one-night only special events: An Evening with Sutton Foster for one performance only on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 8:00 pm, and Betty Buckley in Concert with Seth Rudetsky on Monday, February 21,2011 at 8:00pm. Both events will be presented at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. An Evening with Sutton Foster Betty Buckley in Concert with Seth Rudetsky are the latest in Reprise Theatre Company's tradition of presenting Broadway stars in concert, which have included Patti LuPone, Carol Burnett, Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

An all star cast of Broadway veterans will lead a tribute to Oscar, Emmy, Grammy & Tony winning composers Kander & Ebb at Ryan Black's 88's Cabaret AIDS Walk fundraiser on Monday August 16th at 8pm in Beverly Hills at Gonpachi Restaurant.

One of Orange County's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present HELLO, DOLLY! from July 9 through August 1 at the O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts District of downtown Santa Ana. The hit stage and screen musical marks 3D Theatrical's fourth production for 2010. Starring in the iconic role of Dolly Levi will be Broadway vet (and L.A.-area stage favorite) Ruth Williamson (Guys and Dolls).

Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company, will star in 'They're Playing Our Song,' September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, to open the company's 2010-2011 season. Single tickets are available for 'They're Playing Our Song' at www.reprise.org or through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101.

Some shows I can see again and again, especially if they're composed by Jerry Herman. Hello Dolly is one of those extra-special feel-good musicals and 3D Theatricals' production now in Santa Ana @ The OC Pavilion is wondrously delectable.

When putting together an entertaining revival of a beloved musical theater entity such as HELLO, DOLLY! it helps to have a fresh perspective of such a familiar show, yet still have enough reverence to produce a work that honors its source material. With absolute certainty, 3D Theatricals' production of the Jerry Herman classic achieves this goal with great sincerity, providing the audience with a thoroughly splendid, fun, and engaging new show. Thanks to its adorable premise that's been brought to life by an outstanding ensemble cast-wonderfully led by Broadway vet Ruth Williamson in the title role-HELLO, DOLLY! will no doubt continue to please its audiences at the OC Pavilion Theatre in Santa Ana through to its final performance on August 1. The songs are well-sung, the dancing is exceptional, and the comedy is beguiling.

One of Orange County's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present HELLO, DOLLY! from July 9 through August 1 at the O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts District of downtown Santa Ana. The hit stage and screen musical marks 3D Theatrical's fourth production for 2010. Starring in the iconic role of Dolly Levi will be Broadway vet (and L.A.-area stage favorite) Ruth Williamson (Guys and Dolls).

One of Orange County, California's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present HELLO, DOLLY! from July 9 through August 1 at the gorgeous O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts District of downtown Santa Ana. Starring as the matchmaker Dolly Levi will be Broadway veteran (and Los Angeles-area theater favorite) Ruth Williamson. During a break from show preparations, Williamson paused briefly for a chat with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos to discuss her extensive history in the theater and her excitement in taking on the iconic role.

One of Orange County's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present HELLO, DOLLY! from July 9 through August 1 at the O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts District of downtown Santa Ana. The hit stage and screen musical marks 3D Theatrical's fourth production for 2010. Starring in the iconic role of Dolly Levi will be Broadway vet (and L.A.-area stage favorite) Ruth Williamson (Guys and Dolls).

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert music & lyrics by Frank Loesser directed & choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge Reprise Theatre Company @ The Freud Playhouse, UCLA through May 23

Reprise Theatre Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize winning 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' plays at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The production began May 11 and runs through May 23. Opening night for the production is tonight, May 12.

It has been quite a year for director/choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge, who was recently nominated for Tony Award for her direction of the Broadway revival of RAGTIME last fall. A workhorse by admittance, Dodge has left herself little time to celebrate, as she finishes prep for the Reprise Theatre Company's production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, which opens tomorrow May 12 and runs thru May 23 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Nicole Parker, best known for her work on Fox's sketch comedy show 'MADtv' will play the role of Rosemary and Melissa Fahn, who starred on Broadway in 'Wicked,' will play the role of Hedy LaRue in Reprise Theatre Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize winning 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' at UCLA's Freud Playhouse May 11 to 23 (Press Opening May 12).

Nicole Parker, best known for her work on Fox's sketch comedy show 'MADtv' will play the role of Rosemary and Melissa Fahn, who starred on Broadway in 'Wicked,' will play the role of Hedy LaRue in Reprise Theatre Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize winning 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' at UCLA's Freud Playhouse May 11 to 23 (Press Opening May 12).

After a successful debut December 2009 run of 'We Can Make It: The Songs of Kander & Ebb,' Marquee Five was nominated for a MAC Award under the Vocal Duo/Group category. Marquee Five performs at Don't Tell Mama April 15th at 8:30 pm with a performance of 'We Can Make It,' an exhilarating evening of your favorites from Cabaret, Chicago, Flora the Red Menace, The Rink, and more, including stunning arrangements.

After a successful debut December 2009 run of 'We Can Make It: The Songs of Kander & Ebb,' Marquee Five was nominated for a MAC Award under the Vocal Duo/Group category. Marquee Five performs at Don't Tell Mama April 15th at 8:30 pm with a performance of 'We Can Make It,' an exhilarating evening of your favorites from Cabaret, Chicago, Flora the Red Menace, The Rink, and more, including stunning arrangements.