Sam Zeller News

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS held its MISS SAIGON press opening last night, April 14. Below, see photos of stars Lawrence Cummings, Cassandra Murphy, Jacqueline Nguyen, Aidan Park and more at the event!

For the past several weeks, Broadway's Davis Gaines has took to the stage as Don Quixote in the Musical Theatre West production of Man of La Mancha at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts. Having received rave notices since its February 10 opening of a fourteen performance run, BWW TV's Los Angeles Correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans visited Gaines and company to reflect on the run as it prepares for closing on Sunday, February 26. Click below to check out the video!

With two impressive lead stars--Davis Gaines and Lesli Margherita--at the forefront of a fresh, dynamic re-staging of a classic work, Musical Theatre West's brand new production of the 1965 Tony Award-winning musical MAN OF LA MANCHA is, hands down, one of the most complex, beautifully-rendered musical revivals to grace Southern California in some time. A laudable blend of strong musical performances, sublime visual artistry, and a labyrinthine story, this intensely-moving theatrical offering will continue to wow audiences at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through this Sunday, February 26.

Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz went to see yesterday's matinee of Musical Theatre West's production MAN OF LA MANCHA. At the evening performance, Martha Wasserman (widow of Dale Wasserman) showed up with French actor David Serero, who is doing the role of Cervantes in the French production. See the photos below!

MAN OF LA MANCHA, opened on Broadway in 1965. This Tony Award Winner for Best Musical features one of Broadway's great standards, 'The Impossible Dream,' and takes place during the height of the Spanish Inquisition. While awaiting a hearing with the Inquisition, Miguel de Cervantes presents a play as his defense in a mock trial for the prisoners. In it, he plays Alonso Quijana, a man who has set his own reality aside and becomes Don Quixote De La Mancha. Assisted by Sancho Panza, Quixote attempts to avoid his mortal enemy, the Enchanter, and woo the serving wench and prostitute, Aldonza, who he takes to be the Lady Dulcinea.

As many times as I have seen Man of La Mancha, I relish the music and high dramatic moments of this classic piece of theatre... being, naturally, that the production of it is top notch, with the right actors and skilled direction! MTW's current revival is top of the line, creme de la creme.

MAN OF LA MANCHA opened February 10 at Musical Theatre West. It will run for fourteen performances through February 26, 2012. Check out the pictures of opening night below!

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, and Steven Glaudini, Artistic Director, are proud to announce the cast of MAN OF LA MANCHA, previewing February 10 and running for fourteen performances through February 26, 2012.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, and Steven Glaudini, Artistic Director, have announced the opening of MAN OF LA MANCHA, previewing February 10 and running for fourteen performances through February 26, 2012.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, and Steven Glaudini, Artistic Director, have announced the opening of MAN OF LA MANCHA, previewing February 10 and running for fourteen performances through February 26, 2012.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, and Steven Glaudini, Artistic Director, are proud to announce the cast of MAN OF LA MANCHA, previewing February 10 and running for fourteen performances through February 26, 2012.

The Best in LA Theatre for 2011 (alphabetical listings) (artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)

There have been many theatrical re-imaginings of fairy tales, but hardly a more enchanting one than Stephen Schwartz's new musical My Fairytale now receiving its US premiere in Solvang. A PCPA production which first previewed in Santa Maria, My Fairytale is charming, brilliantly creative fare brought to life by a wildly exciting production team that includes Flemming Enevold, who originally conceived it.

On Saturday, August 27, PCPA Theaterfest and the Solvang Centennial Committee hosted the Opening Night Celebration benefit reception for the American Premiere of My Fairytale. Guests had the exclusive opportunity to meet the show's creative team including Stephen Schwartz (composer), Philip LaZebnik (book), Flemming Enevold (creator), Scott Schwartz (director), and Mark Booher (PCPA Artistic Director), while enjoying premium local wines and appetizers created by Chef Bradley Ogden. Check out photos from the event below!

As we move toward the end of August, I hope you are planning to see one or more of the live performance and theatre productions that are currently running at one of the several entertainment venues that make their homes here on the amazing California Central Coast!

PCPA Theaterfest will present the American Premiere of My Fairytale, a musical about Hans Christian Andersen directed by Scott Schwartz. My Fairytale began previews in Santa Maria August 12 and will run through August 20 before openning in Solvang's Festival Theater running from August 26 through September 25, 2011. Look below for pictures from the production.

PCPA Theaterfest will present the American Premiere of My Fairytale, a musical about Hans Christian Andersen directed by Scott Schwartz. My Fairytale began previews in Santa Maria August 12 and will run through August 20 before openning in Solvang's Festival Theater running from August 26 through September 25, 2011.

PCPA Theaterfest is proud to present the American Premiere of My Fairytale, a musical about Hans Christian Andersen directed by Scott Schwartz. My Fairytale previews in Santa Maria August 12 - 20, then opens in Solvang's Festival Theater running from August 26 through September 25, 2011.

PCPA Theaterfest is proud to present the American Premiere of My Fairytale, a musical about Hans Christian Andersen directed by Scott Schwartz. My Fairytale previews in Santa Maria August 12 - 20, then opens in Solvang's Festival Theater running from August 26 through September 25, 2011.

As we move into the latter portion of June, I really hope you've made your reservations to see some of the GREAT shows that are presently running (or soon will be) at the various live theatre and performance venues that we have here on our beautiful California Central Coast!