Sylvie Davidson News

John Ford's 1962 film, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, is one of motion picture's all-time classic westerns. So when I heard that a play version was making its American premiere at the Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, I got more than just a little excited. Envisioning the tensions seen on the screen in epic portrayals by Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, and Lee Marvin promised to be riveting theater. Unfortunately, the play version was taken not from the screenplay by James Warner Bellah and Willis Goldbeck (it was unavailable) but an adaptation by British playwright Joshua Compton from Dorothy M. Johnson's original short story, and although the Rubicon has created a fabulous setting, marvelous performances from all of the actors, and an atmospheric, on-stage musical tableau by Trevor Wheetman, the result is simply not as compelling as the movie.

Rubicon Theatre Company's 2015-2016 Season continues with the American premiere of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Adapted from the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson that also inspired the legendary John Ford 1962 film, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE is a classic tale of love, honor, ambition and revenge set against the backdrop of the American West.  

Rubicon Theatre Company's 2015-2016 season continues with the American premiere of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Adapted from the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson that also inspired the legendary John Ford 1962 film, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE is a classic tale of love, honor, ambition and revenge set against the backdrop of the American West.

Rubicon Theatre Company's 2015-2016 season continues with the American premiere of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Adapted from the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson that also inspired the legendary John Ford 1962 film, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE is a classic tale of love, honor, ambition and revenge set against the backdrop of the American West.

It's been 200 years since Jane Austen's incorrigible matchmaker "Emma" first came on the scene in print and since has spawned film versions, adaptations and has never been out of print since its release. And while the current adaptation from Book-It Repertory Theatre keeps the mischievousness and attitudes alive, at times if feels a little too static making this romp drone on a bit.

See 'Lonesome Traveler' now at 59E59 through April 19th. It is a completely entertaining and inspiring show.

59E59 Theaters welcomes the final production of the inaugural 5A Season, the NYC premiere of LONESOME TRAVELER, written and directed by James O'Neil. LONESOME TRAVELER began performances on Saturday, March 7 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 19. Opening Night is tonight, March 17 at 7 PM. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

59E59 Theaters welcomes the final production of the inaugural 5A Season, the NYC premiere of LONESOME TRAVELER, written and directed by James O'Neil. LONESOME TRAVELER began performances on Saturday, March 7 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 19. Opening Night is Tuesday, March 17 at 7 PM. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

59E59 Theaters will welcome the final production of the inaugural 5A Season, the NYC premiere of LONESOME TRAVELER, written and directed by James O'Neil. Produced by Off-Broadway Across America in association with the Rubicon Theatre Company (Ventura, California), LONESOME TRAVELER begins performances on Saturday, March 7 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 19.

Joshua Carter, currently working the national musical tour of Once, wins Performance in a Musical as a Lead Actor (Male) for his work in Little Shop of Horrors, along with his co-lead, Jessica Skerritt. Bill Berry wins as well as director of the co-production of ACT Theatre and The 5th Avenue Theater (housed at ACT).

Seattle Theater Writers critics' circle just announced the nomination slate of the fourth annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards,theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters in the prior calendar year.

A world premiere play from one of Seattle's best, Stephanie Timm, directed by one of Seattle's best, Darragh Kennan and from one of Seattle's best theatre groups, New Century Theatre Company. Seems like a dead lock winner right? But while I still found "Tails of Wasps" currently playing at ACT thoroughly engaging and interesting I wasn't so blown away by it as I have been by others from this group. And yes, I may be holding them up to a higher standard, but that's what you get for consistently being on the top.

Celebrate Memorial Day next Today at the Lobero Theatre with an evening of great American folk music, beginning at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a buffet from Woody's Bodacious BBQ at 5:30 p.m. in the tent behind the Lobero. There's a second performance on Tuesday evening, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. 'The Lonesome Travelers in Concert' is a musical event that takes audiences on a journey down the rivers and streams of American Folk -- from the hills of Appalachia to the nightclubs of San Francisco and New York; from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Celebrate Memorial Day next Monday at the Lobero Theatre with an evening of great American folk music, beginning at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a buffet from Woody's Bodacious BBQ at 5:30 p.m. in the tent behind the Lobero. There's a second performance on Tuesday evening, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. 'The Lonesome Travelers in Concert' is a musical event that takes audiences on a journey down the rivers and streams of American Folk -- from the hills of Appalachia to the nightclubs of San Francisco and New York; from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 15th Anniversary Season with the return of Lonesome Traveler, a musical event that takes audiences on a journey down the rivers and streams of American Folk Music -- from the hills of Appalachia to the nightclubs of San Francisco and New York; from the 1920s to the 1960s. Written and directed by Rubicon's Artistic Director James O'Neil, with Musical Direction by Trevor Wheetman, Lonesome Traveler begins April 24 and continues through May 19 at Rubicon Theatre in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 15th Anniversary Season with the return of Lonesome Traveler, a musical event that takes audiences on a journey down the rivers and streams of American Folk Music -- from the hills of Appalachia to the nightclubs of San Francisco and New York; from the 1920s to the 1960s. Written and directed by Rubicon's Artistic Director James O'Neil, with Musical Direction by Trevor Wheetman, Lonesome Traveler begins April 24 and continues through May 19 at Rubicon Theatre in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show!

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 15th Anniversary Season with the return of Lonesome Traveler, a musical event that takes audiences on a journey down the rivers and streams of American Folk Music -- from the hills of Appalachia to the nightclubs of San Francisco and New York; from the 1920s to the 1960s. Written and directed by Rubicon's Artistic Director James O'Neil, with Musical Direction by Trevor Wheetman, Lonesome Traveler begins April 24 and continues through May 19 at Rubicon Theatre in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. Presented in the style of a concert, Lonesome Traveler is performed by nine artists who create musical portraits inspired by folk immortals such as Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, The Carter Family, Lead Belly, Cisco Houston, The Almanac Singers, The Weavers, The Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary and others whose music and influence changed American music - and America itself-forever.

Rubicon Theatre Artistic Directors KARYL LYNN BURNS and JAMES O'NEIL announced the company's 15th Anniversary Season at a preview event for subscribers, donors and media last earlier this month at the theatre's home in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. The event was hosted by Rubicon Board President DR. ROZ WARNER and Board of Advisors' Chair/Board Vice-President JEFF SMITH, with onstage appearances by several of the directors, writers and performers for the season.

Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura County's premier professional theatre company, received eight Ovation nominations at L.A. Stage Alliance's announcement ceremony at the Renberg Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. Check out photos of the nominees below!