William Dennis News

'Botanicum Seedlings,' The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum's development series for playwrights, announces the recipient of the 2nd annual 'Izzy' award.

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, sends in the clowns for WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE's freewheeling farce, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, directed by Michael Michetti, opening Saturday, March 5 and closing Saturday, May 14, 2011 (previews begin Saturday, February 26).

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, sends in the clowns for WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE's freewheeling farce, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, directed by Michael Michetti, opening Saturday, March 5 and closing Saturday, May 14, 2011 (previews begin Saturday, February 26).

All for one, and one for all! Ellen Geer's world premiere adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' epic, swashbuckling The Three Musketeers sweeps into the outdoor theater at Theatricum Botanicum beginning June 12. The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is an enchanted oasis in the midst of L.A., offering affordable, family-friendly plays in its magical, outdoor Topanga Canyon setting.

All for one, and one for all! Ellen Geer's world premiere adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' epic, swashbuckling The Three Musketeers sweeps into the outdoor theater at Theatricum Botanicum beginning June 12. The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is an enchanted oasis in the midst of L.A., offering affordable, family-friendly plays in its magical, outdoor Topanga Canyon setting.

A Noise Within (ANW) concludes its 2009-10 season with celebrated Irish playwright JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE's THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD directed by Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director Geoff Elliott, which opens Saturday, April 17 and closes Saturday, May 22, 2010 (previews begin Saturday, April 10). The once controversial play - which sparked riots during and after its debut in Dublin in 1907, was booed in New York four years later, and resulted in the arrest of the Philadelphia cast on charges of staging an immoral performance - has since been recognized as a masterpiece.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2009. The 41st Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 22 at the Colony Theatre, thanks to the generous donation of the Colony's management. The theatre is located at 555 N. Third Street, in Burbank.

Stephen Sachs will direct the Los Angeles premiere of Shining City, a modern-day ghost story from one of Ireland's most important young playwrights, Conor McPherson. Called 'an absolutely glorious new play... as close to perfection as contemporary playwriting gets' by The New York Times, Shining City will star Morlan Higgins, William Dennis Hurley, Kerrie Blaisdell and Benjamin Keepers. Performances take place September 19 through December 19 at The Fountain Theatre, with low-priced previews beginning September 12.

Stephen Sachs will direct the Los Angeles premiere of Shining City, a modern-day ghost story from one of Ireland's most important young playwrights, Conor McPherson. Called 'an absolutely glorious new play... as close to perfection as contemporary playwriting gets' by The New York Times, Shining City will star Morlan Higgins, William Dennis Hurley, Kerrie Blaisdell and Benjamin Keepers. Performances take place September 19 through December 19 at The Fountain Theatre, with low-priced previews beginning September 12.

The LA Phil presents Porgy and Bess, a tale of early 20th-century African-American life, deep in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, on the Hollywood Bowl stage July 19, at 7:30 PM. Principal Guest Conductor Bramwell Tovey leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Pacific Chorale in the well-known songs of this American classic including 'Summertime' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So.'

The LA Phil presents Porgy and Bess, a tale of early 20th-century African-American life, deep in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, on the Hollywood Bowl stage July 19, at 7:30 PM. Principal Guest Conductor Bramwell Tovey leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Pacific Chorale in the well-known songs of this American classic including 'Summertime' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So.'

An old Southern family desperately clings to tradition in a newly updated version of The Cherry Orchard. Anton Chekhov's poignant comedy, freely adapted by Heidi Helen Davis and Ellen Geer, opens on June 27 on The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum's outdoor stage in Topanga. Davis directs, and Geer takes on the role of Lubov Andreyevna Ranevsky - 'Lillian Randolph Cunningham' in this adaptation.

An old Southern family desperately clings to tradition in a newly updated version of The Cherry Orchard. Anton Chekhov's poignant comedy, freely adapted by Heidi Helen Davis and Ellen Geer, opens on June 27 on The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum's outdoor stage in Topanga. Davis directs, and Geer takes on the role of Lubov Andreyevna Ranevsky - 'Lillian Randolph Cunningham' in this adaptation.

This April, the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning Fountain Theatre brings back last season's sold-out production of The Accomplices by former New York Times political reporter Bernard Weinraub. The true story of firebrand Peter Bergson, who shook up the U.S. State Department and the American Jewish establishment in his fight to rescue European Jews from the Nazis, is back with Steven Schub heading the cast ('a dynamic, impassioned portrayal' - Buzzine) and director Deborah LaVine at the helm ('Lavine skillfully melds a fine cast into a gripping production' - LA Weekly).

The multiple award-winning Fountain Theatre is excited to announce its 2009 Season of new plays. Following on the heels of the critically acclaimed, twice-extended run of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, just nominated for 8 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awards and continuing through February 22, will be three new plays, including two West Coast premieres and a Los Angeles premiere: Photograph 51 by Anna Ziegler (March 21-May 3); Coming Home by Athol Fugard (Summer, 2009); and Shining City by Conor McPherson (Fall, 2009). In addition, The Fountain's popular Forever Flamenco! dance series, which continues on the first, third and occasional fifth Sunday of every month at the intimate Fountain venue, has been selected by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission to present an all-star Forever Flamenco! extravaganza at the Ford Amphitheatre on August 1; and The Fountain will re-mount last season's successful The Accomplices by Bernard Weinraub for an eight-week run at the Odyssey Theatre (April 25-June 14)

The Accomplices - The West Coast premiere of The Accomplices has been extended through September 14.

One of America's greatest plays by one of its greatest playwrights, Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece, Long Day's Journey into Night, opens at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum on July 26.

One of America's greatest plays by one of its greatest playwrights, Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece, Long Day's Journey into Night, opens at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum on July 26.

William Shakespeare's thrilling supernatural tragedy, 'Macbeth', joins The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum's 2008 Summer Season on Saturday, June 7.

Athol Fugard's new play based on his experiences with 'the Olivier of South Africa' is a healthy serving of theatrical comfort food.