The Girl Who Fell Photos - West End

As their dark comedy Abandon All Hope sets up for a Philadelphia run at Beacon Church, writer/producer Peter Fenton and actor/producer Avery Kellington share backstory on the play's creation and their own creative partnership.

RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL originally opened Off-Broadway in 1992, created as an over-the-top dark comedy spoof of the films The Bad Seed and All About Eve, and well-known Broadway musicals Gypsy and Annie. Similar to the dark comedy in musicals such as Little Shop of Horrors and Sweeney Todd where characters are murdered and then eaten, RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL centers on 8-year old Tina Denmark, who knows she was born to play the lead in her school's third grade show and will do anything to win the part. And I do mean anything. Now onstage at Theatre Palisades, directed by Alta Abbott who first fell in love with the show during its 1993 West Coast premiere at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills, I can only say that the over-the-top production sometimes seemed so dark that the comedy became invisible.

On Wednesday, Sept 25th, 2019, President and Founder of the Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, and her speciial guest speakers, Ruta Lee (77 Sunset/Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Erin Murphy (Bewitched), Steve Wishnoff (Director, Life Interrupted), Hope Juber-Schwartz and Lloyd Schwartz (daughter and son of creator Sherwood Schwartz) and castaway, Dawn Wells (Gilligan's Island), gathered for a lobby series tribute to Gilligan's Island in advance of the shows 55th anniversary on Sept 26th.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is excitingly welcoming the return of the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg with the West Coast Premiere of The Pygmalion Effect May 24-26, 2019 A new ballet from the company's award-winning artistic director and choreographer, Boris Eifman, The Pygmalion Effect is inspired by the Greek mythological tale of Pygmalion - a sculptor who became infatuated with his own life-like carving of a beautiful girl. Renowned for works that are 'bold, psychological and highly theatrical' (The New York Times), Boris Eifman infuses his signature choreographic style into this dynamic new production, set to a score by 'The Waltz King' Johann Strauss II. The Pygmalion Effect received its world premiere in St. Petersburg's Alexandrinsky Theatre on February 6, 2019. This new production marks choreographer Boris Eifman's return to the genre of comedy or, more accurately, tragicomedy; a form which the choreographer has perfected. Eifman offers the audience a balletic interpretation of the archetypical story of Pygmalion. In the ballet the protagonist is a successful ballroom dancer who transforms a clumsy girl into a virtuoso performer. In this production, Eifman presents a comprehensive artistic and philosophical portrayal of a human personality's remarkable flexibility and ability to adjust in response to set aims and aspirations. The title is a reference to a well-known physiological phenomenon whereby a person's performance is positively influenced by the expectations of others.

Not all actors can boast credits in theatre, television, and film, but Angela Grovey can. Grovey, who plays stage manager Annie in the hilarious The Play that Goes Wrong, spoke with me over the phone about her life in entertainment and about her charitable work with Covenant House, a national shelter for homeless youth.

It's a hit! Broadway vets, Danette Holden, who was last seen in New York City in the acclaimed Off Broadway production of Cagney, the Musical and Kevin Csolak, currently in Tina Fey's Mean Girls on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre hosted Hunterdon's Stangl Stage Holiday Cabaret, Shine On, to high acclaim this past Sunday. Produced by LBC Talent, NYC the event featured multigenerational homegrown Hunterdon County talent making their mark on the world stage on Broadway, in the music industry, in film and television.

Marius (Justin Mouledous) begs Eponine (Emma Pollet) for help finding Cosette 'Life-changing,' 'Engaging,' 'Rewarding,' 'Surreal,' 'Exciting,' 'Humbling,' 'Wonderful,' 'Extraordinary,' and 'A Blast and a Half' are just a few of the ways this extraordinary, young cast is encapsulating what it is like to be a part of The New Octavians production of the epic, grand, and uplifting, Les Miserables School Edition-The show that packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled over 65 million people worldwide.  Winner of over 100 international awards, Les Miserables is an epic and inspiring story about the survival of the human spirit. The musical, based on Victor Hugo's novel, adapted for high school performers, features one of the most memorable scores of all time and some of the most memorable characters to ever grace the stage.  This cast of nearly fifty students, hailing from twelve different schools from the Northshore area of the New Orleans Metropolitan area, is certainly fulfilling expectations.  It is always a challenge to produce a show of this magnitude, but for Director, Brent Goodrich, being able to recruit talent from all over our community has made this production not only possible, but even more sensational.

Azuka Theatre ends the 2017-2018 season with the world premiere of Mrs. Harrison, by R. Eric Thomas, from May 2 to20, 2018. Mrs.Harrison is the third and final show of the season that celebrated Azuka's commitment to notable Philadelphia playwrights and unique Philadelphia voices. Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum directs this suspenseful dark comedy and drama about two women, one story and their very different memories about their relationship in college. The show runs through May 20, 2018, for a total of 18 performances.  All performances will take place at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street. Tickets for shows this season are Pay What You Decide, whereas audience members see a show first, and pay what they decide after the performance. For reservations, visit azukatheatre.org. This production is produced with support from Honorary Producers Robin and Patrick Tracy.