Tracy Lore News

Evening performances run Wednesday July 24 -Saturday July 27 at 8pm and Sunday July 28 at 7pm; matinee performances are Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. All shows take place at Century II Performing Arts Center. Tickets may be obtained by calling the box office (316.265.3107) or visiting the Music Theatre of Wichita website (www.MTWichita.org).

Music Theatre of Wichita kicks off its 42nd summer season this week with the first of its five large-scale productions. With the theme 'The British Are Coming!,' all five titles this summer are linked, by theme or origin, to the United Kingdom.

The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will continue its 17th season with the Los Angeles premiere of A CATERED AFFAIR. The opening performance will take place tonight, April 15, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. A second, and final, performance will occur on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum.

The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will continue its 17th season with the Los Angeles premiere of A CATERED AFFAIR. The opening performance will take place on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. A second, and final, performance will occur on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum.

As expected (thankfully) 2012 provided Southern California audiences--specifically here in Orange County and nearby Los Angeles and San Diego--a season full of outstanding, remarkable theater offerings from touring companies, impressive regional productions, and even some tiny black box theaters. And, of course, as is the common practice during the ushering of a new year, the enjoyable past-time of putting together a year-end 'best of' list is something contributor Michael Lawrence Quintos truly looks forward to doing, especially when there's a plethora of great work to choose from--many of which he had the pleasure of reviewing exclusively for BroadwayWorld.

The choices I have made are based solely on the plays and performances that I actually saw. I cannot see all the great talent that is out there in LA; it is physically impossible, as there exist far too many theatre/cabaret performances for one person to cover. So if a choice of yours is not on my list, chances are, I did not see that play or performance...or, it just did not make the final cut. I also do not separate Equity from Equity waiver; I consider all the productions/performances I select to be of top-of-the-line quality/professionalism.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present WINTER WONDERETTES, created and directed by Roger Bean, choreography by John Vaughan and musical direction by Brian Baker. WINTER WONDERETTES opened on Saturday, December 8 and runs through Sunday, December 30, 2012 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. BroadwayWorld has a look at photos from opening night below.

Never seen since its original New York run, LEGS DIAMOND kicks off the third season of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES tonight, December 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Never seen since its original New York run, LEGS DIAMOND kicks off the third season of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES on December 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

To high-kick-start its 60th anniversary season, Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, CA is presenting a glossy, high-energy revival of what could be the Great Grand-Daddy of all backstage musicals: 42ND STREET. This terrific, tap-tastic new production continues performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center through November 11.

With Jon Engstrom's super direction and choreography and this cast's nonstop excellent tapping, cavorting, and devilishly fine chemistry, this production of 42nd Street dazzles from top to bottom.

42nd STREET opened last night, October 27th, at Musical Theatre West, and runs for 12 performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced the cast of the ultimate Broadway musical, featuring the largest MTW cast in years. 42nd STREET, previewing October 26th, opening on October 27th and running for twelve performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced the cast of the ultimate Broadway musical, featuring the largest MTW cast in years. 42nd STREET, previewing October 26th, opening on October 27th and running for twelve performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent.

Nominees for the 2012 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced Tuesday evening at the Renberg Theatre inside the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles. The 2012 Ovation Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, November 12, at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, 615 South Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit www.LASTAGEOvations.com.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts presents the final production of its 2011-2012 season with Cathy Rigby and Brent Barrett starring in PETER PAN. See photos from the opening night party, featuring Cathy Rigby, Brent Barrett, Cade Canon Ball, Julia Massey, Krista Buccellato Michael A. Shepperd, Sam Zellar, Jenna Wright, James Leo Ryan, and the rest of the cast and creative team, below!

Once Upon a Mattress/book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller & Marshall Barer/music by Mary Rodgers; lyrics by Marshall Barer/directed by Richard Israel

Will a small pea hidden below twenty mattresses cause the Princess a sleepless night? Will the Evil Queen keep two lovebirds apart? These and other questions get answered in Cabrillo Music Theatre's all-new production of the fairy tale musical, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.

The hit Broadway comedy, 'Boeing-Boeing' is coming in for a landing at the Norris Theatre in Rolling Hills Estates, for nine performances, January 27 through February 12. The spirited farce won the 2008 Tony award for Best Revival of a play, and has left Broadway and London audiences airborne with laughter. 'Boeing-Boeing' is the prequel to the popular comedy, 'Don?t Dress for Dinner,' which was presented by the Norris four years ago.

Almost ten years after its triumphant debut on Broadway, the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY is making quite a resurgence lately, thanks to the plethora of regional theaters across the country that now have licenses to mount their own versions. It's a good thing, too, because the show is one of the funniest and most entertaining stage musicals of the modern era, and one that deserves an afterlife with a new crop of the nicest kids in town. Bursting with laughs and ear candy from heel to coif, the wonderful folks over at Musical Theatre West have put on a very worthy, slam-dunk of a revival, recreating HAIRSPRAY with impressive moxie and a staggeringly talented cast. The show continues its brief run at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach, California through November 13.