Li'l Abner - 2008 - Los Angeles Articles Page 5

Cabrillo Music Theatre of Thousand Oaks, Calif proudly kicks off the new 2008-2009 season by announcing that Deborah Gibson will star in Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic, 'The King and I'. Cabrillo Music Theatre's Artistic Director Lewis Wilkenfeld will direct, while Darryl Archibald will serve as Musical Director and Conductor. The production will feature the original Jerome Robbins choreography of the 'Small House of Uncle Thomas' Ballet, recreated by Irene Cho, who performed the piece under Robbins' supervision in 'The King and I' and 'Jerome Robbins' Broadway'.

South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2008-09 Season with the World Premiere of its first commissioned musical: An Italian Straw Hat: A Vaudeville.

Lea Thompson and Patrick Cassidy join Vicki Lewis and Jason Alexander.

Director Billy Porter and Grammy nominee Ledisi mark their debuts with Reprise Theatre Company in the 1990 musical 'Once on This Island,' opening the 2008-2009 season, September 2 to 14 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The press opening is September 3.

The newly formed Havok Theatre Company in association with the Bootleg Theatre is thrilled to present its third production, the Los Angeles Intimate Theatre Premiere of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, book by Terrence McNally, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, choreography by Lee Martino, with musical direction by Michael Paternostro and directed by Ovation Award-winner and Artistic Director of the new Havok Theatre Company Nick DeGruccio.

South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2008-09 Season with the World Premiere of its first commissioned musical: An Italian Straw Hat: A Vaudeville.

NCTC is proud to present Tom Orr in I Feel a Thong Coming On!

Director Billy Porter and Grammy nominee Ledisi mark their debuts with Reprise Theatre Company in the 1990 musical 'Once on This Island,' opening the 2008-2009 season, September 2 to 14 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The press opening is September 3.

Award-winning showbiz entertainers, Corky Hale and Charlotte Rae, will perform in a show emceed by Carl Reiner, with Jeff Lass serving as Music Director. The show, 'A Festive Evening For Westside Center for Independent Living,' is a benefit for WCIL.

Applications are being accepted for the 3rd Annual Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project.

Li'l Abner is being performed February 5 to 17 for 16 performances only at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA. The production will be directed by Michael Michetti, choreographed by Lee Martino, and has musical direction by Darryl Archibald.

Reprise! is announcing casting for Li'l Abner - Eric Martsolf will play Abner and Brandi Lynn Burkhardt will play Daisy Mae. They join the previously announced Cathy Rigby (Mammy Yokum) and Fred Willard (Senator Bullmoose). The cast also includes John Ganun as Earthquake McGoon, Michael Kostroff as Marryin' Sam, and Robert Towers as Pappy Yokum.

The 2007-2008 season of Reprise! Broadway's Best continues with Li'l Abner, to perform Tuesday, February 5 through Sunday, February 17 with Cathy Rigby, Fred Willard and Brandi Burkhardt.

Second Stage Theatre has announced that Tony nominees Alice Ripley and Brian d'Arcy James will star in their upcoming musical, Next to Normal, featuring music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and direction by two-time Tony nominee Michael Greif. Beginning previews January 16 at Second Stage.

Jason Alexander, new artistic director of Reprise! Broadway's Best, announced that Cleavant Derricks, Meg Gillentine, Amelia McQueen, Ken Page, Ty Taylor, Lillias White and Jackee Harry would head up the cast of Damn Yankees. Damn Yankees will perform Tuesday, November 6 through Sunday, November 25 (opening November 7) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

The LA Times reports that Tony Award-winner Jason Alexander, who played George on TV's 'Seinfeld' and won a Tony for his performance in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, is the new artistic director of Reprise! Broadway's Best, the Los Angeles-based non-profit theater known for its staged concert productions of both Broadway classics and rarities

On Your Toes, Damn Yankees, Li'l Abner and Flora, the Red Menace will comprise the 2007-2008 Reprise! Broadway's Best season.