Sheldon Epps News

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts & Mccoy Rigby Entertainment announce the cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig and directed by Sheldon Epps. AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS will preview on Friday, October 19, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 20 at 8pm) and perform through Sunday, November 11, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announces Kermit The Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and  Hairspray) as Glinda in their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 14 through December 30, with the official press opening on December 14.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (celebrating its 25thSilver Anniversary at the theatre) are thrilled to present the West Coast premiere of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (replacing the previously announced Stormy Weather), adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig and directed by Sheldon Epps. AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS will preview on Friday, October 19, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 20 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, November 11, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) has named Oskar Eustis as the first recipient of its new honor, The Gordon Davidson Award, which will be bestowed annually by SDCF to recognize a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the regional theatre nationally. The presentation of the award will take place on Saturday, September 22, at the Center Theatre Group's Annex/ Gordon Davidson Rehearsal Hall, in a by-invitation-only event.

Greenway Arts Alliance (Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors) announces its 2018-2019 Season, which includes the Tony Award-winning musical The Color Purple, the Rolling World Premiere play Herland and the 3rd Annual L.A. Get Down Festival, A Celebration of Hip Hop and Spoken Word. The season productions and festival will be presented at Greenway Court Theatre (544 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles).

Amas Musical Theatre is 50! During the coming year, the company will offer a wide array of programming devoted to continuing its mission of promoting cultural diversity in American musicals. A full schedule of events is listed below.

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) is thrilled to announce that Broadway's original "Belle" SUSAN EGAN, will reprise her iconic performance once again (for one last time!) in its final show of its 2017-2018 season, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) expands across America this holiday season, including a multi-year deal at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning with their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ. It will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (NappyTabs), with book by Kris Lythgoe and Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor. Casting is by executive producer Becky Lythgoe. This will be the seventh holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in Pasadena, and their second in this larger venue.

Pasadena Playhouse - State Theatre of California is announcing more entertainment and participants for the Playhouse Block Party, the theatre's Centennial celebration in partnership with the Playhouse District Association.  This all-day event, free to the public, is from 12-noon to 10:00pm today, June 9 on El Molino Ave. at Colorado Blvd.  There will be more than twenty performances on two different stages - a Main Stage and a Kids' Stage -- during the course of the day, in addition to activity booths hosted by some of Pasadena's most celebrated arts organizations, theatre tours, a silent disco, and more. 

Pasadena Playhouse - State Theatre of California is holding the Playhouse Block Party, the theatre's Centennial celebration in partnership with the Playhouse District Association.  This all-day event, free to the public, is from 12-noon to 10:00pm on Saturday, June 9 on El Molino Ave. at Colorado Blvd.  There will be more than twenty performances on two different stages - a Main Stage and a Kids' Stage -- during the course of the day, in addition to activity booths hosted by some of Pasadena's most celebrated arts organizations, theatre tours, a silent disco, and more. 

Pasadena Playhouse - State Theatre of California is announcing more entertainment and participants for the Playhouse Block Party, the theatre's Centennial celebration in partnership with the Playhouse District Association.  This all-day event, free to the public, is from 12-noon to 10:00pm on Saturday, June 9 on El Molino Ave. at Colorado Blvd.  There will be more than twenty performances on two different stages - a Main Stage and a Kids' Stage -- during the course of the day, in addition to activity booths hosted by some of Pasadena's most celebrated arts organizations, theatre tours, a silent disco, and more. 

What made the Hot List? BLUES IN THE NIGHT at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, ICE at 24th STreet Theatre, LOST IN THE LIGHT by CRE Outrach at The Blue Door in Culver City, SCHOOL OF ROCK at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE at The Road Theatre Company on Lankershim, and SOUTH PACIFIC at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Check out the latest buzz below and go see a show! Reviews by BWW Sr. Editor Ellen Dostal (LADCC).

The Wallis production of BLUES IN THE NIGHT, conceived and directed by Sheldon Epps, starts performances next week in the intimate Lovelace Theater! Artistic Director Paul Crewes snuck into rehearsal to chat with cast members Yvette Cason, Bryce Charles, Chester Gregory, and Paulette Ivory about this exciting new production.

Somewhere in a cheap hotel in Chicago, circa late 1930s, three women are singing the blues. Two have been around the block and seen it all. One is woefully wise beyond her years. All have been burned by the flames of desire and lovers who have done them wrong. This is the set-up for BLUES IN THE NIGHT, the musical revue conceived and directed by Sheldon Epps, playing through May 20th in the Lovelace Studio Theater at The Wallis.

Pasadena Playhouse - State Theatre of California - is celebrating its Centennial in partnership with the Playhouse District Association on Saturday, June 9 with an all day Playhouse Block Party from 12-noon to 10 p.m. on El Molino Avenue at Colorado Blvd., free to the public.

Tony-nominated LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are thrilled to announce its 41st season of shows.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announces the cast for its upcoming production of Blues in the Night.  Conceived and directed by Sheldon Epps, the production will feature Yvette Cason (Shout Sister Shout, Broadway and film versions of Dreamgirls), Bryce Charles (The Book of Mormon, ABC's "Black-ish"), Paulette Ivory (Disney's Aida and the West End premieres of The Lion King and Blues in the Night) and Chester Gregory (Broadway's Motown: The Musical, Hairspray and  Sister Act).  Blues in the Night will begin performances April 27 through May 20 in the Lovelace Studio Theater.

Producers Darlene Kaplan, Laura Janik Cronin and Scott Newsome, in association with Alec Seymour, present the Off-Broadway premiere of The Stone Witch, a play by Shem Bitterman (A Death in Colombia, Influence).  Performances begin Monday, March 12, 2018 for an open-ended engagement atThe Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).  Opening Night is Sunday evening, March 25, 2018 at 6:30PM.

An industry only presentation of Lawdy Miss Clawdy, a new play by B. Jeffrey Madoff and Lloyd Price, will be presented March 1 - 2 at the Theatre Center in Manhattan.

Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault today announced the Ford's Theatre 2018-2019 season will include the political satire "Born Yesterday," directed by Aaron Posner; the classic American drama "Twelve Angry Men," directed by Sheldon Epps; the musical fairytale "Into the Woods," directed by Peter Flynn; and "A Christmas Carol" with Craig Wallace reprising the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.