Zachary Ford News

Glitz and glamour, romance and betrayal dazzle in Arizona Theatre Company's production of The Great Gatsby. Considered by many to be the Great American Novel, it is at once titillating, fascinating and shocking in its portrayal of The Jazz Age that was soon to disappear from the American landscape. Directed by ATC Associate Artistic Director Stephen Wrentmore, The Great Gatsby, adapted by Simon Levy, marks the fifth and final year of ATC's AMERICA PLAYS! Celebrating Great American Stories series and plays from February 25 - March 17, 2012 continuing its run in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from March 22 - April 8, 2012. Arizona Theatre Company's season sponsors are I. Michael and Beth Kasser. The Production Underwriter is The Stonewall Foundation.

On Wednesday December 7 Kritzerland presented its yearly Christmas show A Broadway/Hollywood Christmas at the Gardenia celebrating both popular and lesser known Christmas songs from the world of film and Broadway. It was a delightfully fun evening as usual with some terrific singing, some amusing anecdotes from Bruce Kimmel, Kritzerland's founder, and a few surprises from Santa Claus.

Kritzerland at the Gardenia presents A Broadway/Hollywood Christmas on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 from 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm.

Kritzerland at the Gardenia presents A Broadway/Hollywood Christmas on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 from 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm.

Kritzerland at the Gardenia presents A Broadway/Hollywood Christmas on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 from 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm.

The Coterie executive producers Amber Cassell and Julie Garnye today announced the first in a monthly family-friendly concert series, featuring a star-studded lineup of talent from Broadway, Film & Television. Featuring song selections for everyone's favorite classic family films and musicals, the 'When You Wish...' benefit series offers a unique opportunity for families to come together, dine, and experience live music in an intimate cabaret-style setting.

On Wednesday July 6 Kritzerland at the Gardenia presented a salute to the lesser known music of Kander and Ebb - The Kander and Ebb Album - two of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. Think Chicago or Cabaret, and you need go no further. These two wildly popular shows still receive international mountings and provide us with some of the greatest Broadway pop tunes ever. Ahead of their time, Kander and Ebb produced shows with a substantially dark and biting edge not found in other composers' music and lyrics. Bruce Kimmel, whose Kritzerland recording company continues to enjoy enormous success worldwide, again served as narrator of the evening telling short, funny anecdotes about his encounters with John Kander and also detailing Kander and Ebb's failures as well as successes. Liza Minnelli's Broadway career soared because of K & E - it started with Flora the Red Menace in the 60s and continued through the next couple of decades with hits and flops such as The Rink and 1977's The Act, which began in LA as Shine It On. K & E certainly didn't fare too badly either with Liza's name on their bill. Think of what she did for the movie Cabaret with her Academy Award winning turn as Sally. However, such was not the case with their film New York, New York which received some pretty scathing reviews in the late 70s; the pair were none too pleased that a small musical The First Nudie Musical (Bruce Kimmel)fared far better than their multi-billion dollar disaster. It's always such fun for theatre lovers to hear about the down side of the business, and particularly via Kimmel's straight-forward, droll take on it.

The Lyric Theatre on N. La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles concludes its 2011 season of musicals with the world premiere of iGhost, book by Doug Haverty, music by Adryan Russ, and lyrics by Russ and Haverty. Directed by Jules Aaron, performances begin on May 13, and opening night is set for Friday, May 20 at 8:00. The limited run will continue through June 18.

If you enjoy the flavor of an intelligently written literary work translated skillfully into a stage musical, like The Secret Garden or more recently The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, iGhost will simultaneously stimulate your mind and tug at your heart, especially if you're a hopeless romantic.This production now onstage @ the Lyric Theatre in Hollywood is not without flaws, but is certainly engaging with some beautifully written tunes and a mostly outstanding cast.

Doug Haverty and Adryan Russ are getting ready to open their latest musical, iGhost, May 20th at the Lyric Theare in Los Angeles. Here they talk about what it's like to be longtime collaborators.

The Lyric Theatre on N. La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles concludes its 2011 season of musicals with the world premiere of iGhost, book by Doug Haverty, music by Adryan Russ, and lyrics by Russ and Haverty. Directed by Jules Aaron, performances begin on May 13, and opening night is set for Friday, May 20 at 8:00. The limited run will continue through June 18.

The Lyric Theatre on N. La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles concludes its 2011 season of musicals with the world premiere of iGhost, book by Doug Haverty, music by Adryan Russ, and lyrics by Russ and Haverty. Directed by Jules Aaron, performances begin on May 13, and opening night is set for Friday, May 20 at 8:00. The limited run will continue through June 18.

On Wednesday, January 12 Kritzerland at the Gardenia, a series presented on the first Wednesday of every month - January being the exception, and which originated in September of 2010, offered The Sondheim Albums. The series, based on Bruce Kimmel's record label and albums, honors a composer's lesser known material, oft times cut from an original score. Nine skilled singers participated in the fine evening; they were: Damon Kirsche (photo at left), Kim Huber, Zachary Ford, Juliana Hansen, Alet Taylor, Shannon Cudd, Aleah Whaley, Holly Long, and very special guest artiste Millicent Martin.

This past Wednesday and Thursday, host Jim Caruso and musical director Billy Stritch oversaw another Hollywood edition of Cast Party, the wildly successful open mic night, which tours the country celebrating local talent.

Calvin Remsberg is directing a unique production of Sondheim's Into The Woods for Lucid by Proxy's tenth anniversary. His darker take on the fairy tale mash-up is being staged in a unique performance space and opens October 22, 2010.

Lucid by Proxy's 10th Anniversary production is a collaboration between the critically acclaimed company and Calvin Remsberg, renowned actor, singer, director and vocal coach.

Calvin Remsberg is directing a unique production of Sondheim's Into The Woods for Lucid by Proxy's tenth anniversary. His darker take on the fairy tale mash-up is being staged in a unique performance space and opens October 22, 2010.

Lucid by Proxy's 10th Anniversary production is a collaboration between the critically acclaimed company and Calvin Remsberg, renowned actor, singer, director and vocal coach.

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Luke (Anthony Geary) heads the cast of Lucid by Proxy and Calvin Remsberg's dark twist on the fairytale musical INTO THE WOODS.