The Group Rep presents the world premiere of Brent Beerman's comedy drama A Dull Pain Turned Sharp, directed by Kay Cole, produced by Mannette Antill, about a mother's dream to be a grandmother, a daughter's dream of independence, and another mother's dream of carrying on the lineage of her deceased son. What happens when one's happiness depends upon the actions of another? The play runs April 21 through June 4, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.
The Group Rep extends their well-received production of Agatha Christie's New York Critic's Circle Award-winning play, Witness for the Prosecution, directed by Jules Aaron and featuring Guest Artist Salome Jens, a mystery about a man on trial for murder whose enigmatic wife is called as a 'witness for the prosecution' whereupon a series of plot twists, deceptions and lies are dramatically uncovered. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
There's nothing like a good old fashioned mystery to keep you on the edge of your theatre seat, especially one that's written by the grande dame of the genre Agatha Christie. The Mousetrap was one of the longest running plays on the West End for umpteen years. As I sat at Group rep Friday night watching Witness for the Prosecution, which is rarely revived, I really tuned in to the dialogue. It is so well constructed, and the dozen or so characters are deliciously humorous. I am happy to report that the new production at Group rep directed by skilled veteran Jules Aaron and starring guest artist Salome Jens and Larry Eisenberg is akin to a jolly good rollercoaster ride. It's delightfully entertaining and can be seen through March 12.
Musical geniuses of yesteryear like Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart or Bach ... ah, a chosen few who left an unparalleled legacy...but not without bitter resentment and treachery from rivals, some talented, some not... Remember Amadeus by Peter Schaeffer? Salieri stopped at nothing to thwart Mozart's success. Well, now Itamar Moses pits not one, but seven musicians against one another for the coveted position of choirmaster/organist after Johann Kunau dies literally at the organ at Thomaskirche, Leipzig in 1722. There's a flurry of fanciful farce amongst the competitiveness currently onstage in Moses's Bach at Leipzig at Group rep, directed by the brilliant Calvin Remsberg and boasting a devilishly versatile cast, through May 1.
birthday. He is dying of cancer but is told that he is suffering from a spastic colon. Mendacity. Margaret (Madeline Fair) denies gossip that she and husband Brick (Daniel Kaemon) are sleeping apart. The denial is a lie. Gooper (Todd Andrew Ball) and wife Mae (Kyra Schwartz) swear to have Big Daddy's back. More mendacity. Brick denies unspeakable devotion to football pal Skipper. Mendacity, mendacity, mendacity. The plantation reeks of it. The only truth that exists is that Big Daddy does hate his relationship with Big Mama (Diane Frank) and is not afraid to tell it to the world.The Pollitt family give new meaning to the word dysfunction. Who would want to celebrate anything with them? But somehow Tennessee Williams manages to get us to care for Maggie, Brick, Big Daddy and Big Mama. Gooper, Mae and their no.neck monster children... we can definitely live without. Now in an appealing production at Group rep directed meticulously by L. Flint Esquerra and with an outstanding cast, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof still manages to grab hold and move us.
The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre presents Tennessee Williams' dynamic and demanding Pulitzer Prize-winning play directed by L. Flint Esquerra, produced by Kevin Dobson for The Group Rep. Check out photos from the show below!
The musical expands on the many motifs raised in the novel while offering a fresh perspective on the nearly thousand-paged piece of literature. Originally written as a three-hour production, thankfully the Fringe show has been edited down to two. Those not familiar with the novel, however, may find themselves a bit lost in Act I given all the time shifts between the many scenes, but everything becomes much easier to follow once Act II kicks into gear. Ultimately it is a tale of love, loss, and extreme agony coupled by an undeniable thirst for retribution set in France in the mid-1800's when women's lives were set by the man they married and little else.
Through the Hollywood Fringe Festival, musical theatre writing team Dahan and D'Angelo present their WORLD-PREMIERE of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO: THE MUSICAL, a story about one man, Edmond Dantes, and his undeniable thirst for revenge against his enemies, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas.
Through the Hollywood Fringe Festival, musical theatre writing team Dahan and D'Angelo present their WORLD-PREMIERE of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO: THE MUSICAL, a story about one man, Edmond Dantes, and his undeniable thirst for revenge against his enemies, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas.
One faces an undeniably horrendous situation that will only get worse before it gets better...and the clincher?... it is fueled by love. That's the trap created by Frawley Becker in his play Tiger by the Tail now playing at Group rep in Noho through April 19. The tender theme is made sweeter by smooth direction and a terribly appealing cast. For those who are not afraid to follow their feelings of romance and take the plunge into the realm of the unknown, Tiger by the Tail is most worthwhile.
The Group Rep presents the west coast premiere of Frawley Becker's searing drama 'Tiger by the Tail' directed by Jules Aaron, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Frawley Becker. The play runs today, March 6th through April 19th, Todays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre located at the edge of the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood, CA.
The Group Rep presents the west coast premiere of Frawley Becker's searing drama 'Tiger by the Tail' directed by Jules Aaron, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Frawley Becker. The play runs March 6th through April 19th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre located at the edge of the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood, CA.
As many times as I have seen Man of La Mancha, I relish the music and high dramatic moments of this classic piece of theatre. Being, naturally, that the production of it is top notch, with the right actors and skilled direction! GCT's current revival is top of the line. I remember seeing Richard Kiley, the original Cervantes/Alonso Quijana/Don Quijote in a Broadway revival in the 70s and was blown away by his ferocious commitment to the role. He spoke and sang to the last row of the balcony without even trying because of his brilliant focus on relaying the message of peace, justice, love and the simple joy of living in harmony with your fellow-man. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Well, GCT's production is quieter, more subdued, but every bit as serious, entertaining and nurturing.
Playwright Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo as well as Leading Ladies) is one of a dying breed of American farceurs. How many presently exist? In the UK, yes, there are many. Farce is their specialty, but not in the US. So, that given, Leading Ladies is a uniquely special ode to the theatre, to Shakespeare and to that band of traveling actors who make little money but devote their lives to entertain us, and to comedy put forth at a breakneck pace. Thanks to Ken Ludwig and his Leading Ladies our lives are that much brighter. Now in an especially exhilarating production at GCT James Castle Stevens skillfully guides a fiercely talented cast through August 16.
Me and My Girl/music by Noel Gay/book and lyrics by Douglas Furber and L. Arthur Rose/directed & choreographed by Orlando Alexander/Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT)/through March 29
A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company led by Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, announced it is extending the run of The Guardsman by Ferenc Molnar, translated by Frank Marcus, with an added performance at 2:00 pm, now closing Sunday, December 1st, 2013.
A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company led by Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, continues its 22nd season and the third season in its new Pasadena home with The Guardsman by Ferenc Molnar, translated by Frank Marcus, opening Saturday, October 5 and closing Sunday, November 30, 2013, with previews starting tonight, September 28.
A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company led by Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, continues its 22nd season and the third season in its new Pasadena home with The Guardsman by Ferenc Molnar, translated by Frank Marcus, opening Saturday, October 5 and closing Sunday, November 30, 2013, with previews starting September 28.
Kentwood Players presents Neil Simon's CALIFORNIA SUITE from tonight, May 10 to June 15, 2013 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester (LA 90045). The production is directed by Alison Mattiza and produced by Larry Jones by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Playwright Neil Simon's CALIFORNIA SUITE is a comedy consisting of four playlets whose action takes place in rooms 203 and 204 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1976. This is Neil Simon at his best - a humorous confection that will definitely make you laugh and warm your heart!
