(09/27/2018) - 5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) opens its 2018-2019 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of SHREK THE MUSICAL, with music by Jeanine Tesori, book & lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Karl Warden and will be directed by Kirsten Chandler. SHREK THE MUSICAL opens on Friday, October 19, 2018 and runs through Sunday, October 28, 2018 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.
(09/18/2018) - THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY and Taylor Gilbert, Founder/Artistic Director together with Sam Anderson, Artistic Director, present the first show of its 2018-2019 season, the world premiere of THE RESCUED, written by Julie Marie Myatt (Birder, John is a father) and directed by Marya Mazor. THE RESCUED will preview on Tuesday, September 18 at 8pm; Wednesday, September 19 at 8pm & Thursday, September 20 at 8pm and will open on Friday, September 21 at 8pm and run through Sunday, November 11 at the Road Theatre on Magnolia, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood.
(09/15/2018) - La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts presents Mary Bridget Davies, Broadway's original "Janis" starring in her Tony nominated performance A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox, musical direction by Brent Crayon, and created, written & directed by Randy Johnson. A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN will preview on Friday, September 14, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, September 15 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, October 7, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
(07/20/2018) - BroadwayWorld has a first look at Susan Egan reprising her Broadway performance of Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at 5-Star Theatricals in California! Check out the video below!
(04/20/2018) - 5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2017-2018 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell (based on the Victor Hugo Novel and songs from the Disney film), musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Michelle Elkin and directed by Misti B. Wills. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME opens on Friday, April 20, 2017 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.
(04/04/2018) - 5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2017-2018 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell (based on the Victor Hugo Novel and songs from the Disney film), musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Michelle Elkin and directed by Misti B. Wills. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME opens on Friday, April 20, 2017 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.
(02/07/2018) - SISTER ACT is a feel-good musical comedy smash hit based on the 1992 film that has audiences ready to rejoice! Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney's Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Enchanted), dazzling dance routines and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, SISTER ACT qualifies as the funniest and funkiest musical around. Lately this popular musical has been performed at many theaters in the greater Los Angeles area, each one brilliant in its own right. But I have to say I have never seen one more perfectly cast than the current production at the Simi Valley Cultural Center with the amazingly talented Elizabeth Adabale as Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder and then goes into hiding in a convent!
(01/29/2018) - Back in the late 60s, groups of people would meet up at an agreed-upon place to attend a "happening," defined as a partly improvised or spontaneous piece of theatrical or other artistic performance, typically involving audience participation. This description is exactly how I would describe what is taking place at the Pasadena Playhouse through February 25, 2018, with Gilbert and Sullivan's PIRATES OF PENZANCE as reimagined by the Chicago-based Hypocrites acting troupe who turns the classic on its head, surprising audiences with a raucous 80-minute beach party that blends the original operetta with modern day attire, a central stage area from which the tossing of beach balls is encouraged, kiddie wading pools are available for seats, and lots of audience participation is expected during every moment the 10 energetic actor-musicians are in the house.
(01/10/2018) - When one says 'student directed' it sends a chill up this reviewer's back, especially within the high school theater community. So, walking into Agoura High School's production of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' I wasn't expect much.
(11/25/2017) - One of the most current topics in the media now concerns transgender people being able to live the life they envision for themselves without prejudice or scorn aimed at them. After all, no doubt you have seen public restrooms now labeled to allow anyone access to them, be that person either physically or dressed as either gender, or perhaps a mix of both. Amid a breaking wave of transgender stories in popular culture (Transparent, Boy Meets Girl, and Orange is the New Black), Olivier Award winner Jon Brittain has created ROTTERDAM, a groundbreaking play, with deeply relatable characters that are flawed and often hilarious or heartbreaking as they struggle to be truthful about their identities.
(11/11/2017) - CYMBELINE proves to be a technical and emotional success- Director Michael J. Arndt consistently produces above-university-level work which constantly challenges his student actors.
(10/17/2017) - Thanks to the magnificent performance of handsome and muscular Adam Hollick, there is an overwhelming Spiritual Presence that shines within Joseph, a power that allows him to overcome every obstacle in his way. He rises above being separated from his loved ones, sold to nomads traveling through the harsh desert, being thrown into a pit, sent to prison, and then elevated by a hard-rocking Elvis-impersonator Pharaoh (Patrick Cassidy living it up to the hilt in blue suede shoes and sequins) to a position of respect and authority after one of his visions proves to save the people of Egypt.
(10/14/2017) - 5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) opens its 2017-2018 season with Patrick Cassidy starring as the Pharaoh in a fresh new look at an all-time family favorite, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice, musical direction by Dr. Cassie Nickols, choreography by So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Dave Scott and directed by 5-Star Theatricals Managing Director Will North.
(10/10/2017) - The first stage production of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, based on the Dreamworks animated feature, is now on stage at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the production!
(10/07/2017) - 5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) opens its 2017-2018 season with Patrick Cassidy starring as the Pharaoh in a fresh new look at an all-time family favorite, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice, musical direction by Dr. Cassie Nickols, choreography by So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Dave Scott and directed by 5-Star Theatricals Managing Director Will North.
(07/28/2017) - What happens when a family loses a loved one? Said family bans together, consoles each other, and stand as a united front to continue the celebration of the memory of the lost family member.
(07/20/2017) - Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced 'Fronk-en-steen') inherits his family's estate in Transylvania.
(06/21/2017) - SPTC welcomes back to our stage another work by critically acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson (THE NIGHT ALIVE, SHINING CITY, THE SEAFARER, THE WEIR) with the apocalyptic thriller THE BIRDS.
(04/21/2017) - CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE is going to 'take you to heaven' with the second show in its 2016-2017 season, SISTER ACT! For the first time in the Kavli theatre, Cabrillo will present this hilarious new musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, musical direction by Kyle C. Norris, choreography by Michelle Elkin and direction by Misti B. Wills.
(04/10/2017) - Ventura County audiences will get the first look at a new comedy for grown ups by Disney Channel show runner Marc Warren (Even Stevens, Full House). Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) directs four performances of The Furniture, a dark comedy about the ways we hurt the ones we love, April 21 - April 23 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks.