The Ogunquit Playhouse, America's Foremost Summer Theatre, kicks off its 82nd season with Grease, the musical that Ogunquit audiences rated as the No. 1 show they wanted to see in 2014. It's the beloved rock n' roll celebration of teen angst, fast cars and first loves all set in the fabulous fifties. This all-new production is on stage May 21 to June 21 and features the irresistible songs from the Tony Award nominated Broadway show and hit movie, including 'You're The One That I Want,' 'Grease Is The Word,' 'Summer Nights,' 'Hopelessly Devoted To You,' 'Greased Lightnin' and many more.
Bursting with magic, wit and whimsy, INTO THE WOODS---the sprightly Tony Award-winning musical that features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine---is currently on stage at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton through May 18. Produced by OC's Ovation Award-winning 3-D Theatricals, this sardonic, often funny, metaphor-heavy dark musical comedy disguised as a family-friendly play is indeed an enjoyable, funny romp, marred only slightly by the theater's ever pesky sound system that renders many of the show's rapid-fire lyrics all but decipherable as the too-loud (albeit hard-working) orchestra drowns out the characters' voices. Still, this trip is worth the journey.
Stage and screen star Leslie Caron speaks about her long and illustrious career in an intimate conversation at The Laguna Playhouse. Ms. Caron will be hosted by her longtime friend and producer Vincent Curcio in a question-and-answer format similar to "Inside the Actors' Studio." The conversation will be followed by an opportunity to meet Ms. Caron and purchase her memoir, "Thank Heaven." Ms. Caron will be signing books in the lobby. As a special bonus in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 26th Academy Awards (March 25, 1954) in which Ms. Caron was honored as a Best Actress nominee for her performance in "Lili" (1953), The Playhouse will be showing a free screening of the film at 7 pm. Concessions will be available. The perfect gift for Mother's Day, and a one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear from this living legend!
THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE invites you to enjoy music, memories, midnight, mystery & murder in its 2014-2015 season of shows! The season starts out rockin' with BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY; followed by Linda Purl starring in Joan Didion's play about the triumph of the human spirit in THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING; then the holiday season will ring in the musical STRIKING TWELVE; followed by the songs of one the greatest musical writers of all time - HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN; plus enjoy the smash-hit, Off-Broadway musical whodunit MURDER FOR TWO; and a 'To Be Announced' production; add in two bonus options for our audiences and subscribers including the MAGIC OF MOTOWN and Emmy Award-winner Ed Asner starring as FDR for a year of engaging music, memories and more!
Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's World Premiere production of Days Like Today, with music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler and book by Laura Eason, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Tommy Rapley. The production runs today, May 6-July 13, 2014 at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The press opening is May 22, 2014 at 7:30pm.
Experiential Theatre Company, ETC!, and acclaimed director Cat Austin, MA, winner of Sonoma Sun's prestigious award for Best Live Production of 2013 for Cabaret, announces run of The Full Monty. Premiering May 31 at the Sebastiani Theatre for a gala fundraising performance, The Full Monty then joins the summer series of Sonoma Theatre Alliance shows. The Full Monty continues June 7-29 at the Sonoma Community Center at Andrews Hall/Rotary Stage.
The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. 'What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel,' remarks Wood. 'It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews tonight, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela's Ashes, and bestseller Tis, Frank McCourt, and his brother Malachy, also a successful author, joined talents to write an autobiographical account of their years growing up in poverty in Ireland, A Couple of Blaguards. Though times were tough in Limerick, the tales spun by the brothers McCourt simmer with bittersweet recollections, ferocious humor and a parade of colorful characters from the priest who warns of sinners' eyeballs exploding in hell to the McCourt grandmother who spits on Franks unruly Presbyterian hair to tame it.
Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's World Premiere production of Days Like Today, with music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler and book by Laura Eason, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Tommy Rapley. The production runs May 6-July 13, 2014 at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The press opening is May 22, 2014 at 7:30pm.
Laguna Playhouse will present the return of Rita Rudner who will be performing her award-winning solo comedy, AN EVENING WITH RITA RUDNER and her new dress, for two performances only, Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela's Ashes, and bestseller Tis, Frank McCourt, and his brother Malachy, also a successful author, joined talents to write an autobiographical account of their years growing up in poverty in Ireland, A Couple of Blaguards. Though times were tough in Limerick, the tales spun by the brothers McCourt simmer with bittersweet recollections, ferocious humor and a parade of colorful characters from the priest who warns of sinners' eyeballs exploding in hell to the McCourt grandmother who spits on Franks unruly Presbyterian hair to tame it.
The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. "What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel," remarks Wood. "It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews on Saturday, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:
The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are delighted to bring back their favorite Sister in a return offering, SISTER'S EASTER CATECHISM: Will My Bunny Go To Heaven?, written and performed by Maripat Donovan (alternating with Nonie Newton-Breen) and directed by Mark Silvia. "Sister is back and as funny as ever. Our audiences are going to be Heaven-sent at this Easter delight," offers Wood. "Our audiences will be resurrected with laughter. What better way to begin the Spring than with an evening with Sister?," adds Wareham. SISTER'S EASTER CATECHISM will begin performances on Monday, April 7 and run through Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
The incomparable musical 'Hello Dolly', starring Sally Struthers, takes center stage at The Grand 1894 Opera House today, March 29 for two incredibly delightful performances at 3pm and 8pm. First produced on Broadway in 1964, this performance of 'Hello Dolly' marks the sixth time Sally Struthers has played the lead character, Dolly Levi. Sponsored in part by Galveston.Com & Company, you will want to 'Put On Your Sunday Clothes' and prepare to be charmed!
This April, May and June at 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.
The American Dream takes on a Latin Beat, as Cabrillo Music Theatre will present the regional professional premiers of this 'new classic' - the multi-Tony-winning Best Musical of 2008, IN THE HEIGHTS. IN THE HEIGHTS fuses contemporary music with timeless family struggles, and its' warmth, humor and joyful message resonates with all ages. IN THE HEIGHTS opens tonight, March 28, 2014, playing until Sunday, April 6th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.
Sally Struthers portrays Dolly Levi in this production. In the age of YouTube there are many versions of Dolly out there to find by famous divas of the stage and each has made Dolly their own part. Sally Struthers can now be added to that list of 'Dolly divas'. Her little quirks and joyful sounds throughout the production has created a Dolly Levi that those of us in Boise who were lucky enough to see, will not forget.
The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham invite you to take 83 books, with three chameleon-like actors in 98 minutes, and mix it all up into one hilarious evening of ridiculous fun! It's the Reduced Shakespeare Company's production of ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged), written and directed by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor with additional material by Matthew Croke and Michael Faulkner. ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged) will begin previews today, March 4 and will open on Saturday, March 8 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the LagunaPlayhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.