Suzy London News

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical 'The Ghost of Gershwin,' with music by Wayland Pickard, book by Doug Haverty, lyrics by Laura Manning, directed by Jules Aaron, choreographed by Michele Bernath, and produced by Richard Alan Woody. The play runs today, May 9 through June 22, 2014, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

The Ghost of Gershwin, a new old-fashioned musical, will open Friday, May 9th at the Lonny Chapman Theatre located on the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical 'The Ghost of Gershwin,' with music by Wayland Pickard, book by Doug Haverty, lyrics by Laura Manning, directed by Jules Aaron, choreographed by Michele Bernath, and produced by Richard Alan Woody. The play runs May 9 through June 22, 2014, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres wrote the French farce Hotel Paradiso in 1894 to be enjoyed by a French audience. Any translation of it should keep the culture and manners of the people intact as their risque behavior is representative of the Parisian upper class of the time. In Group rep's new production, updated to 1920s Paris, director Drina Durazo has sadly forgotten about the French element, so instead of a rich crepe, what we get is a pancake. She has her actors wonderfully performing the mechanics of farce, but unfortunately, the flavor is American, all the way. But, it's a bold effort for Group rep, and many of the actors do superb work, through August 11.

The Group Rep presents the French farce by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres, translation by Peter Glenville, directed by Drina Durazo, produced by Sherry Netherland. Slamming doors, trysts and secret assignations abound when no one is whom they appear to be in this hilarious, head-spinning bedroom comedy. The show runs tonight, June 28 - August 11, 2013.

The Group Rep presents the French farce by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres, translation by Peter Glenville, directed by Drina Durazo, produced by Sherry Netherland. Slamming doors, trysts and secret assignations abound when no one is whom they appear to be in this hilarious, head-spinning bedroom comedy. The show runs June 28 - August 11, 2013.

How do you stage the performance of an amateur tap class believably? Should the big contest production number be like the finale of A Chorus Line, the way I have seen it done on the Equity stage, or should it be shown less professional, somewhat flawed, in a more play it as it comes fashion? The thing to remember about the script of Stepping Out is that it's not a musical, but a play with music and it's about a community tap class for adults - which means that most are amateurs who will learn to tap but not so well that they will go on to have a dance career! Director Stan Mazin has wisely chosen the more realistic approach, keeping his actors focused on the play and on characterization in Group rep's current production of Stepping Out onstage through March 24. For all its worth, great tapping is always fun to watch - and it's not bad here when you stop and consider that most of the actors have never tapped before their prep for this show. Urgent to keep in mind: in Stepping Out, the play's the thing, about problematic people and how they support one another. It's an ode to friendship, to community living, warts and all, and to the joy a little once-a-week evening class can bring into people's lives. Group rep's production certainly gives us all of this, while displaying miles of heart.

The Group Rep presents the Tony nominated, fast-paced farce MOON OVER BUFFALO by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor) directed by Drina Durazo, produced by Stephanie Colet.

The Group Rep presents the Tony nominated, fast-paced farce MOON OVER BUFFALO by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor) directed by Drina Durazo, produced by Stephanie Colet.

The Group Rep presents the Agatha Christie mystery AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, directed by Shira Dubrovner, produced by Linda Alznauer, opening tonight at 8pm, runs Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday as 2pm, October 7 through November 13, 2011 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in the NoHo Arts District, North Hollywood, CA 91601.

The Group Rep presents the Agatha Christie mystery AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, directed by Shira Dubrovner, produced by Linda Alznauer, opening Friday, October 7 at 8pm, runs Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday as 2pm, October 7 through November 13, 2011 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in the NoHo Arts District, North Hollywood, CA 91601.