Interview: Debra Lyman of PINEAPPLE AND OTHER OPTIONS at Arizona Theatre Matters
by Jeanie Bishop - Jun 9, 2024
'...why not produce more plays with inclusion of older women in roles and older people in the story line? Instead the majority of theatres in my community constantly hit “replay” of plays done over and over and are always producing musicals again and again like worn out shoes.'
Photo Coverage: Star Studded Red Carpet And After Party of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE At The Wallis
by Lily Lim - Dec 20, 2018
Love Actually Live, a multimedia-concert celebration of the soundtrack to one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time from the team behind Los Angeles' award-winning For The Record series, is featured this holiday season at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday, December 4, through Monday, December 31, 2018. Co-Produced by the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, Shane Scheel and Siobhan O'Neill and inspired by the Universal Pictures/Working Title motion picture written by Richard Curtis, this world-premiere production, presented by special arrangement with Universal Theatrical Group, transforms The Wallis' Bram Goldsmith Theater into a giant, immersive, cinema for the modern day. The production, a one-of-a-kind presentation is performed live by an all-star cast and 15-piece orchestra, includes songs from the hit film, including 'Christmas Is All Around,' 'The Trouble with Love Is,' and 'Both Sides Now.'
Review: Michael Arden Directs ANNIE with Creative Ingenuity at the Hollywood Bowl
by Shari Barrett - Jul 29, 2018
Even if you have seen it before, I cannot stress enough how miraculous the current production of ANNIE is at the Hollywood Bowl, directed with creative ingenuity by Michael Arden. Featured in the cast of incredibly talented triple-threat (acting, singing, dancing) performers are Ana Gasteyer as the ruthless headmistress Miss Agatha Hannigan, David Alan Grier as the refined, generous billionaire Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks, Lea Salonga as his dedicated and caring assistant Grace Farrell, with newcomer Kaylin Hedges as Annie, who won the role over hundreds of other young girls from across the country who submitted video auditions to win role. Miss Hedges is the cornerstone of the production and her soaring, pitch-perfect voice and effervescent stage presence setting the jubilant tone for the entire ensemble.
FIRST LOOK: CRE Outreach Presents MARCHING ON World Premiere Written and Performed by Military Veterans
by Shari Barrett - May 23, 2018
CRE Outreach presents the World Premiere of MARCHING ON, an original play written by and starring eight military veterans from Veterans Empowerment Theatre (VET), a group dedicated to presenting a first-hand view of the soldiers' experiences in their rawest form, unfiltered by press, political, or military censorship. This artistic journey brings veterans' personal stories to life from boot camp to returning home, highlighting the difficulty of transitioning back into society, exposing the inner turmoil of the lasting scars, both external and internal, endured from combat. For one veteran, her transition unlocks memories that have been hidden away for years, another feels rejected because of the color of his skin, while others realize that, above all, family matters most. Though alone in their stories, these heroes come together as a unit as they search for the strength to keep marching on.
Photo Flash: Pipeline Theatre's FOLK WANDERING Celebrates Opening Night
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2018
Due to popular demand, Pipeline Theatre Company (Ari Schrier, Artistic Director; Natalie Gershtein, Producing Director) is proud to announce a one-week extension of the world premiere production of Folk Wandering, a new musical conceived by Jaclyn Backhaus (Men on Boats) and Andrew Neisler (Clown Bar), featuring a book by Backhaus; music by collaborating composers Blake Allen(Boston|Nebraska), Backhaus, Mike Brun (Music Director, Mr. Burns), Andrew R. Butler (Finn the Fearless), Joel Esher (PharmaBro: an American Douchical!), Alex Fast (The Drawer Boy), Jo Lampert (Joan of Arc: Into The Fire), Barrie Mclain (Hundred Days), Annie Tippe (Director, Ghost Quartet), and Dominique Toney ('Crazy Ex-Girlfriend'); and lyrics by Allen, Backhaus, Brun, Butler, Esher, Lampert, McLain, and Tippe. Andrew Neisler will direct.
BWW Interview: Theresa Cunningham Channels Truth with Arena Stage's NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN
by Benjamin Tomchik - Oct 26, 2017
Starting November 10, Theresa Cunningham gets to channel the pioneering songstress and make her Arena Stage debut with the East Coast premiere of Nina Simone: Four Women. Before there was Bono or John Lennon, there was Nina Simone and Christina Ham's new play follows her transformation from artist, to artist and activist.
Photo Flash: Babes With Blades Theatre Company presents THE INVISIBLE SCARLET O'NEIL
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 6, 2017
Babes With Blades Theatre Company (BWBTC) launches its 20th Anniversary Season: "Origins" with its 20th world premiere The Invisible Scarlet O'Neil, playing at the Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., September 2 - October 14. Based on the 1940s comic strip by Russell Stamm, the new play is written by BWBTC Ensemble Member Barbara Lhota, directed by Ensemble Member Leigh Barrett and features violence design by Ensemble Member Libby Beyreis. Preview performances are Saturday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. Opening Night is Saturday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Regular performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Preview tickets are $10, student and senior tickets are $15, early bird general admission (available online through September 9) are $20 and general admission (after September 9) are $25. To purchase tickets and for more information, Please visit BabesWithBlades.org.
Review: The 2017 PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS Takes Audience on The Grand Tour of Europe
by Shari Barrett - Aug 11, 2017
For those who have never attended THE PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS live show or its sister event THE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS in Laguna Beach, you are missing a wonderful treasure of not only art but theatrical spectacle during which historical works of arts are brought to life with real people stepping in to portray the characters in each piece of art, be it a painting, sculpture, or promotional advertisement for artistic spectacles taking place all over the world. Each person is costumed to perfectly represent the characters being portrayed, making each presentation a wonder of creativity and awe.
BWW Review: THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL at Ensemble Theatre
by Roy Berko - Nov 28, 2016
Henry David Thoreau was a rebel. A rebel with many causes. He opposed taxation, contested war on foreign soils, was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery, refused to pay fees for things that he thought were earned and therefore should not cost money (e.g., as a Harvard graduate he rejected paying the dollar required for getting his official graduation certificate). He believed in the interdependence of man and nature, independent thinking, education through discovery, and he rebuffed organized religion.
Photo Flash: First Look at Laura Griffith, Bie Sukrit, Thom Sesma and More in 5th Avenue Theatre's WATERFALL
by Christina Mancuso - Oct 14, 2015
The 5th Avenue Theatre presents the sweeping new musical, Waterfall, featuring Laura Griffith (Broadway: Sweet Smell of Success, The Light in the Piazza), Thom Sesma (Broadway: The Times They are A-Changin', Man of La Mancha), J. Elaine Marcos (Broadway: Annie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert), and Thai pop superstar Bie Sukrit. This epic new Broadway-bound musical love story features a distinguished international creative team and a cast of 20. Seattle is the second of two locales where this unique and exciting musical is being developed after completing a popular and critically successful run at the Pasadena Playhouse in June. Check out a first look below!
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