Shari Barrett News

This Spotlight focuses on Zach Zucker, one half of Norwegian-American comedy duo, Zach & Viggo, who performs as the renowned standup comedian, Jack Tucker. As the creator of the independent production company, Stamptown, Zach has created, performed and produced eight original shows that have toured around the world.

Torrance Theatre Company newest venture, PLAY-AT-HOME, presents a series of free online theatrical experiences, each designed to entertain audiences during the stay-at-home orders. On Sunday, June 14 at 6pm, I tuned in and really enjoyed SLOW FOOD, playwright Wendy MacLeod's tender comedy that delves deeply into what we hunger for, be it food, attention or love. The 90-minute play centers on Irene and Peter (Cindy Shields and Glenn Kelman) who just want to have a nice meal out while celebrating their anniversary in Palm Springs. But their highly neurotic waiter, Stephen (Daniel Tennant), prefers to talk rather than bring them their food or drinks.

This Spotlight focuses on Jon Lawrence Rivera, co-founder of Playwrights' Arena with Steve Tyler in 1992 during the LA Riots. At the time, and for at least two decades, we were the only theater dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and producing new works for the stage written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights to be enjoyed by adventurous minds. I first discovered Playwrights' Arena when their 2017 production of Bloodletting was selected to be presented during Center Theatre Group's 2018 Block Party at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

The Blank Theatre's critically acclaimed streaming productions of Nixon on Nixon, a new play by Sean Waldron featuring Rob Nagle and directed by Bree Pavey (with dramaturgy by Shelagh McFadden) and Nathan C. Jones: A Love Story?, a world premiere musical with book by Vanessa Claire Stewart, music by Brendan Milburn, and lyrics by Milburn and Stewart, featuring Amir Levi and directed by Daniel Henning, have now been extended through July 4 for free viewing on YouTube. Both will then move to The Blank's Third Stage on Patreon.

This Spotlight focuses on Elmira Rahim who began her acting career in Iran, trained at USC, and created the ELAN Ensemble whose inaugural production, How We're Different From Animals, was the recipient of Best Adaptation at Stage Raw Theater Awards in 2019 as well as nominated in multiple categories including Best Production at Stage Raw Theater Awards and LA Drama Critics Circle Awards. But like so many others, this year's production of a modern adaptation of Trojan Women with A Noise Within had to be postponed until theaters can safely open again.

This Spotlight focuses on Cate Caplin, a multiple award-winning producer, director and choreographer whose talents have ignited productions on television, in films, music videos, commercials, and in theatrical venues worldwide. But of course, her busy schedule was put on hold with the rest of the world, just as she was beginning to direct and choreograph a musical very close to her heart.

This Spotlight focuses on John Wuchte, a talented actor/director/writer/composer and amazing Tribal Acting theater creator, who I first met during last year's Hollywood Fringe Festival when I attended his masterful musical production Scarlett Fever which told the true story of the great search to find an actress to portray Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind in 1939. The production utilized John's unique style of performance, which he calls Tribal Acting; a combination of movement, gesture, song and dance, all accompanied by live percussion. And I was hooked!

This Spotlight focuses on Daniel Durant, a multi-talented American Sign Language (ASL) actor whose impressive performance in Spring Awakening with Deaf West Theatre took him all the way to Broadway! As a Deaf actor who performs using ASL, how is he keeping creative while waiting to get back onstage?

This Spotlight focuses on Kara Karaoke whose musical theatre background led her to start her own business as a professional karaoke host five years ago. Of course, she is now obviously quite affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, not being able to host gatherings in person for the time being. So how is she keeping her business going and creativity flowing during these trying times?

Jon Peterson, Executive Artistic Director/Founder of P3 Theatre Roulette, is presenting a virtual reading of Moisés Kaufman and the Members of the Tectonic Theatre Project's masterful play THE LARAMIE PROJECT, on Monday, June 1 at 7pm at https://p3theatre.biz/p3-theatre-roulette. The online presentation features Emily Abeles, Guillermo Alonso, Alden Bettencourt, Kara Brouelette, Elizabeth Curtin, Christy Mauro-Cohen, Jodi Marks, Philip McBride and Jeremy Saje, each of whom will be reading from their individual a?oesafe at homea?? locations. For more information, please call (714) 689-8116.

This Spotlight focuses on the super-talented Daniel Sugimoto who I first met at the 2015 Hollywood Fringe 'Best In Cabaret' show Thenardier's Inn by CAC Studios, I knew I would be following his progress as one of the finest musical theater progenies I had ever met. Not only is he a triple threat onstage as well as a brilliant musical director, his skill with composing musical numbers that movingly tell a story imbues each of his characters with deep-felt heart and soul through his incredible imagination and understanding of human nature. But 2020 has certainly proven to be a challenge since Daniel was entertaining at sea in mid-March when COVID-19 forced worldwide ports to close.

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Julia Buis, an L.A. actor who traveled the world entertaining before settling in Hamburg, Germany.

This Spotlight focuses on Mike Blaha, Co-Founder of Fringe Management, a company that has produced an incredible assortment of shows for both the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Hollywood Fringe Festival. Listen in as he shares his insights on how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected both this year, especially since the shutdown occurred just as the Edinburgh event had begun.

This Spotlight focuses on Eloise Coopersmith, creator of the a?oeHome for Moma?? web series which focuses on elder care and grief in a residential care facility. And with the Coronavirus pandemic hitting this type of facility the hardest, the subject matter about finding a safe place for our elders is even more relevant to families now than when filming began.

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Michael Leoni, a playwright, bi-coastal director, and co-founder of The 11:11 in WeHo whose productions have brilliantly focused attention on the pitfalls of modern society, especially in the entertainment industry.

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Kathleen Rubin whose musical theatre background led her to The Angel City Chorale and directing on Los Angeles stages.

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Kristy Edmunds, Executive and Artistic Director of UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance.

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Holly Baker-Kreiswirth and Bill Wolski, the dynamic duo lovebirds who call Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro their a?oehome away from home.a??

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Sascha Vanderslik, a native Australian who calls The Group Rep Theatre Company her new home.

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Monica Ricketts who discovered the magic of performing onstage as a child and never looked back or wanted to do anything else.