The Conflict

Strife, a rarely produced play by Nobel Prize-winning writer and social activist John Galsworthy explores the complexities of labor relations, a theme that resonated with both Galsworthy and the Geer family of actors and theater directors. Here's my interview with Theatricum artistic director Ellen Geer about presenting it at Theatricum Botanicum.

The Phantom has returned: Ben Forster, celebrated for his titular role in the 30th-anniversary West End run of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 'The Phantom of the Opera,' is back to don the iconic mask for the musical’s world tour, which is now playing at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands.

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center has announced its 2023-24 season, which celebrates the passing of the artistic torch and the theme of Legacy, with the final farewell concerts of two esteemed American string quartets, both with long histories at CMS.

The last 50 years is proof that grassroots efforts do pay off and that you can fight City Hall. To showcase the events of two groups of passionate citizens in the 1970s that worked to save the Pier from the Santa Monica City Council's plan to build a 35-acre artificial island in the bay with a bridge connecting it to the Santa Monica freeway, the 'Save The Pier' play free live performances will be held on the West End of the Pier each day on Oct. 20-23 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Now, more than two years after it was first announced, the cast of Chains will celebrate Opening Night on Thursday June 23rd, at Theatre Row. Performances will now continue through July 23rd.

On March 11th 2020 Mint Theater Company completed casting for their next production, the long delayed American premiere of Chains by Elizabeth Baker, scheduled to open that May.  

Mint Theater Company announced that Elizabeth Baker’s Chains would make its long delayed American premiere at Theatre Row.

Musician-led ensemble Palaver Strings today releases its new album of music by diverse female composers, Ready or Not, on Azica Records. Works on the album include Grażyna Bacewicz’s Concerto for String Orchestra; Non può il mio cuore by Venetian singer, lutenist, and composer Maddalena Casulana; composer Barbara Strozzi’s madrigal Lagrime mie featuring a performance by mezzo-soprano Sophie Michaux; Chicago-based multi-genre composer, vocalist, pianist, and producer Akenya Seymour’s Fear the Lamb; and a set of fiddle tunes by two Portland-based fiddlers, Liz Knowles and Palaver’s own Elizabeth Moore. 

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the dazzling Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo making its long-awaited return to the Center with Romeo and Juliet. Considered by many to be the iconic ballet of renowned choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot, Romeo and Juliet has been performed more than 250 times around the world, usually greeted with rousing standing ovations -- and has been added to the repertoire of seven major dance companies.

On Friday, April 15, 2022, musician-led ensemble Palaver Strings will release its new album of music by diverse female composers, Ready or Not, on Azica Records.

Mint Theater Company Producing Artistic Director Jonathan Bank today announced that 'Meet Miss Baker,' scheduled to begin performances in May, would be postponed to summer 2021.

George Street Playhouse, temporarily located at 103 College Farm Road in New Brunswick, will open its 2018-19 5-play season on October 16th with the world premiere of a riveting courtroom drama.  The season also features a world premiere musical about the legendary Nina Simone, written by and starring Laiona Michelle who gave a searing performance in last season's American Hero.

During the first half of the 20th Century, there was no artist as important to the development of American musical theatre from strictly light entertainment to a legitimate dramatic art form that addressed controversial issues and exposed the country's uglier norms than bookwriter and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II.

Dramatists Guild's Executive Director of Business Affairs Ralph Sevush just sent an open letter to KQED Arts and John Wilkins after the publication of an article on the recent controversy surrounding San Francisco's Shelton Theater.

CAROUSEL features a superb cast, taut direction, and amazing dancing that packs a wallop..

English Touring Theatre and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse today announce the full cast for the world premiere of their co-production of The Odyssey: Missing Presumed Dead. The production reunites Simon Armitage and Nick Bagnall after their recent collaborations on The Last Days of Troy and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Nick Bagnall directs Lee Armstrong, Simon Dutton, Roger Evans, Polly Frame, David Hartley, Ranjit Krishnamma, Chris Reilly, Sule Rimi, Danusia Samal, Colin Tierney and Susie Trayling.

Due to a new filming conflict, Michael Carbonaro, has had to step down from the role of host for the annual 'It's Magic!' show. However, Producers Milt Larsen and Terry Hill are very fortunate to have been able to secure Tony Award winning ventriloquist Jay Johnson as his replacement to perform in and host the show.

Due to a new filming conflict, Michael Carbonaro, has had to step down from the role of host for the annual 'It's Magic!' show. However, Producers Milt Larsen and Terry Hill are very fortunate to have been able to secure Tony Award winning ventriloquist Jay Johnson as his replacement to perform in and host the show.

The Nineteenth Century Club will present the acclaimed Avalon Strings in a performance of Beethoven's 'Song of Heavenly Thanks,' Wednesday, Feb 3 at 3PM. 178 N. Forest Avenue, Oak Park.

The Nineteenth Century Club will present the acclaimed Avalon Strings in a performance of Beethoven's 'Song of Heavenly Thanks,' Wednesday, Feb 3 at 3PM. 178 N. Forest Avenue, Oak Park.

The Nineteenth Century Club will present the acclaimed Avalon Strings in a performance of Beethoven's 'Song of Heavenly Thanks,' Wednesday, Feb 3 at 3PM. 178 N. Forest Avenue, Oak Park.

Actor Mark Harelik wanted to pay tribute to his Russian immigrant grandparents Haskell and Leah. So, based on his grandmother's photo album, he wrote a play, 'The Immigrant' subtitled, 'A Hamilton County Album. It is the true story about two Eastern European Jews who immigrated to a small Texas town in 1909.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 Season with the Central Coast Premiere of a timely drama about a fascinating and enigmatic figure in American history. TRYING, which opens March 13 and runs through April 4th (with low-priced previews March 11 and 12), is a poignant, poetic and powerful story about a relationship between Francis Biddle, Attorney General under Roosevelt and Chief Judge at the Nuremburg trials; and Sarah, a tenacious 25-year-old woman from the Canadian plains, one of a string of secretaries Biddle's wife has hired to help him put his affairs in order at the end of his long an illustrious career. Biddle, 81, is in poor health, proud and cantankerous as he begins to confront his own mortality. Sarah, however, is also headstrong, and from her early life on the prairie has developed a strength and wisdom beyond her years. Despite the difference in ideologies and age, the two forge a friendship. The play is autobiographical in nature and is written by Joanna McClelland Glass, who worked for Biddle in the late 60s.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 Season with the Central Coast Premiere of a timely drama about a fascinating and enigmatic figure in American history. TRYING, which opens March 13 and runs through April 4th (with low-priced previews March 11 and 12), is a poignant, poetic and powerful story about a relationship between Francis Biddle, Attorney General under Roosevelt and Chief Judge at the Nuremburg trials; and Sarah, a tenacious 25-year-old woman from the Canadian plains, one of a string of secretaries Biddle's wife has hired to help him put his affairs in order at the end of his long an illustrious career. Biddle, 81, is in poor health, proud and cantankerous as he begins to confront his own mortality. Sarah, however, is also headstrong, and from her early life on the prairie has developed a strength and wisdom beyond her years. Despite the difference in ideologies and age, the two forge a friendship. The play is autobiographical in nature and is written by Joanna McClelland Glass, who worked for Biddle in the late 60s.

With its depictions of men controlling women's fashions, sexual politics and warnings of a rising economic force in the Middle East, Harley Granville-Barker's drama, getting a fine and stately production at The Mint Theatre, is one of those plays that inspires musty old sayings like 'It's as relevant today as it was back then.'