Sheldon Epps News

Variety reported back in July that that the biographical musical about composer Florence Greenberg by Million Dollar Quartet producer and book writer Floyd Mutrux is being prepped for a 2011 Broadway opening. Entitled Baby, It's You, Variety reported that the musical is aiming to open in the winter of 2011, co- directed by Mutrux and Sheldon Epps. Mutrux and Epps also collaborated on the Pasadena Playhouse production in November of 2009. The show premiered at the Coast Playhouse in Los Angeles prior to its Pasadena run. Now, in today's New York Post, Michael Riedel reports that the show is now aiming to open this Spring at the Broadhurst Theatre. He reports that Beth Leavel is in negotiations to play the lead role of Lorence Greenberg.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced today that they will present TWIST - An American Musical, based on Charles Dickens' classic Oliver Twist. This heartwarming family musical features a book by Tony Award-nominee William F. Brown (Broadway's The Wiz - Winner of Seven Tony Awards), music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Tena Clark (Natalie Cole's Still Unforgettable), and music by Gary Prim (songwriter for Dionne Warwick and CeCe Winans). Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen (Broadway and the West Ends' Cat on A Hot Tin Roof - 2010 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play and TV's Fame) is set to direct and choreograph the new musical. TWIST is presented in association with TAM Producing Partners - Skyline Pictures (Michelle Seward), Edgework Productions (Willette Klausner), and GGE Live (Gary Goddard & Forbes Candlish). Performances begin June 14, 2011 and play through July 24, 2011 with the official press opening on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino).

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) proudly announced today that they raised $2 million, which was a challenge inspired by anonymous donors' $1 million matching grant. The theatre continues fundraising efforts with a new $2 million campaign named Fund the Future. The new monies raised will support opportunities for the Playhouse's advancements including expansion of the next generation of theatre audiences.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Amanda McBroom (lyrics) and Michele Brourman (music).

According to Variety, UNCHAIN MY HEART might not move to Broadway this spring after all. The show, which was previously titled RAY CHARLES LIVE!, was to open at the Ethel Barrymore on November 7, but was postponed until spring. Now the production has been put on hold because a producer of the show is suing the show's primary investor. A rep for UNCHAIN MY HEART commented that he 'had no details about a new production timeline, but admitted a spring start doesn't seem viable.'

According to the Hollywood Reporter, RAY CHARLES LIVE! producer Stuart Benjamin is suing his primary investor, Maurice Grant, for fraud, and is demanding $20 million in damages. Grant reportedly 'promised him $9 million in several installments to get Ray Charles Live! to Broadway'. Grant's first payment of $150,000 never cleared, and he never received a $2 million payment from February.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced principal casting for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Amanda McBroom (lyrics) and Michele Brourman (music). Joining the principal cast, with previously announced lead actress Jenny Powers (Broadway's Grease) as Veronica Franco, are James Snyder (Drama League Award-nominee for Broadway's Crybaby) as Marco, Bryce Ryness (Drama Desk Award-nominee for Broadway's Tony Award-winning revival of Hair) as Maffio, Laila Robins (Broadway's Heartbreak House) as Paola, Michael Rupert (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Sweet Charity) as Domenico, Megan McGinnis (Ovation Award-nominee for the Rubicon Theatre's Daddy Long Legs) as Beatrice, John Antony (Broadway's Passion) as Pietro and Morgan Weed (Second Stage Theatre's Next to Normal) as Giulia. Tony Award-nominee Sheryl Kaller directs the world premiere, which begins performances on February 1, 2011 with the official press opening on February 13, 2011 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

The 4th Annual Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project will be held on Friday, November 19, 2010 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

The 4th Annual Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project will be held on Friday, November 19, 2010 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced today that its new play development program, HOTHOUSE AT THE PLAYHOUSE, resumes this fall and will be produced in collaboration with Furious Theatre Company (Pasadena Playhouse's Artists in Residency since 2004). Furious co-founder Dámaso Rodriguez will head the HOTHOUSE program and is set to direct the fall 2010 season's first reading The Confessions of Deacon Jim by Jason Aaron Goldberg on October 28-29, 2010 at Pasadena Playhouse's Carrie Hamilton Theatre (39 South El Molino). The reading will feature Eric Close (CBS's 'Without a Trace') and Jonathan Tucker (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre).

Actress Stephanie Zimbalist certainly needs no introduction. With her star turn on Remington Steele on TV in the 80s, her multiple MOWs and frequent stage appearances all over the country, she is an actor in demand. In this conversation she talks about the challenges of playing Katharine Hepburn in Matthew Lombardo's Tea at Five, which she recently completed for the Rubicon in Ventura and is about to open at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank on October 22.

Lyricist Amanda McBroom (Pasadena Playhouse's Heartbeats and "The Rose"/Bette Midler) and composer Michele Brourman (TV's The Land Before Time and Universal Studios' The Little Engine that Could), the musical writing-duo of Pasadena Playhouse's upcoming musical Dangerous Beauty, together with the world premiere musical's leading lady Jenny Powers (Broadway's Grease as Rizzo and Little Women as Meg), will perform one special night at Show at Barre entitled DANGEROUS BEAUTIES.

Variety reports today that the biographical musical about composer Florence Greenberg by Million Dollar Quartet producer and book writer Floyd Mutrux is being prepped for a 2011 Broadway opening. Entitled Baby, It's You, the musical is aiming to open in the winter of 2011, co- directed by Mutrux and Sheldon Epps. Mutrux and Epps also collaborated on the Pasadena Playhouse production in November of 2009. The show premiered at the Coast Playhouse in Los Angeles prior to its Pasadena run.

Actress Stephanie Zimbalist certainly needs no introduction. With her star turn on Remington Steele on TV in the 80s, her multiple MOWs and frequent stage appearances all over the country, she is an actor in demand. In this conversation she talks about the challenges of playing Katharine Hepburn in Matthew Lombardo's Tea at Five, which she recently completed for the Rubicon in Ventura and is about to open at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank on October 22.

In a a recent article in the LA Times, Mark Boehm discussed the re-opening of Pasadena Playhouse, in addition to its latest production, FDR, starring Ed Asner. Boehm says, 'Sheldon Epps, the Pasadena Playhouse's artistic director, is touting the 'very sexy story' that's unfolding as his theater returns Tuesday night with its first show since it closed Feb. 7, then reopened in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.'

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces that Michael Halberstam of Writers' Theatre is the recipient of the 2010 Zelda Fichandler Award, which recognizes an outstanding director or choreographer who is transforming the regional arts landscape through singular creativity and artistry in theatre. The award heralds accomplishment to date and promise for the future, artistic vision, and deep commitment to a region outside of New York. It carries an unrestricted grant of $5000 to the individual recipient.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director), is pleased to announce their upcoming 2010 fall productions.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director), the State Theatre of California, and Tony-nominated director Sheryl Kaller (Broadway's Next Fall and Off-Broadway's Adrift in Macao) announced today Kaller's creative team for DANGEROUS BEAUTY and that Jenny Powers (Broadway's Grease as Rizzo and Little Women as Meg) will star as Veronica Franco.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director), is pleased to announce their upcoming 2010 fall productions.

The Equal Employment Opportunities Committees of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced the 8th Annual Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards, recognizing performers and arts organizations who, through their work and activism, have fostered diversity within the entertainment and news media industries and their communities.