(09/03/2015) - A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, hits the road for a national tour. This lavish new production launches this September at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, under the auspices of the Center Theatre Group, and will then tour North America for multiple seasons, playing multi-week and week-long engagements. BroadwayWorld brings you shots of the meet and greet below!
(09/03/2015) - Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal star in the national tour of LOVE LETTERS, celebrated playwright A.R. Gurney's enduring romance about first loves and second chances. Following a critically acclaimed Broadway run, Gregory Mosher's production just wrapped up an exclusive Florida engagement at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Check out a first look below!
(07/14/2015) - I have to admit I had never seen the 2001 MGM movie, Legally Blonde before seeing LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica. And I am happy to say it is great fun for all ages in every aspect from the effervescent musical numbers presented by the remarkably energetic cast to the over-the-top bright pink costumes designed by Kristie Rutledge. Director/Musical Director Anne Gesling and choreographer Lauren Blair surely spent hours on end putting together the many incredibly intricate musical numbers, including the momentous "What You Want," Elle's video essay to get into Harvard, which includes at least 3 set changes, several costume changes by dozens of cast members, and many types of dance from tap to jazz. That 12-minute number alone is worth the price of admission on its own!
(07/10/2015) - Kentwood Players presents Neil Simon's 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' from tonight, July 10, through August 15, 2015, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.
(07/02/2015) - The brilliantly creative mind of Michael Keith Allen has worked wonders with a new re-telling of Shakespeare's MACBETH at the Art of Acting Studio by setting the tragedy in a postmodern Scotland where street thugs battle for leadership as well as territory, while cutting the run time to 90 minutes and allowing the actors to speak without heavy accents, making it easy to understand the dialogue and follow the plot and character development. It is definitely the best rendition of the classic I have ever seen.
(07/02/2015) - "Brighton Beach Memoirs" is the semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. It is the first chapter in what is known as his Eugene Trilogy, followed by "Biloxi Blues" and "Broadway Bound." This first play centers on 15 year old Eugene Jerome who lives with his family in Brighton Beach during the height of the Depression in 1937. He has dreams of becoming a star pitcher for the New York Yankees alternating with his growing awareness of girls. Eugene narrates the play with wit and takes us through his memories and reflections of himself and his family as they share their laughter, tears, and love as they navigate the hard times of the depression.
(05/08/2015) - Guys. We're just over a week away from opening… WHAT?! The last month has gone by SO FAST. Over the last two weeks, our team has been creating our Jingletown from the ground up - literally. Most all of the graffiti are on the walls, our 7-Eleven is lit up and our beers, bongs and booze are all in their correct positions! They have built our stages and in doing so, have helped us create these characters lives. One couch serves as the best and worst times in Will's life, one mattress holds Johnny and Whatsername's entire love story, one table is Tunny's life-altering hospital bed and one town that changes completely from the beginning of the show to the end.
(05/04/2015) - The Stephen Schwartz coming-of-age musical that helped put Bob Fosse on the map exploded onto Broadway in 1972. It then had a successful televised version in 1981. With the recent 2013 revival, the theatre world and all who see it are rediscovering this powerful show. It now has a showing through May 2nd with the Theatre Department at Agoura High School.
(04/13/2015) - In 1948, a decade before Motown, John Dolphin opened his soon-to-be world famous Dolphin's of Hollywood record store in South Los Angeles, just off legendary Central Avenue, but his contributions to music and the formative years of rock 'n' roll have often been overlooked. Based on the book "Recorded In Hollywood: The John Dolphin Story," this new musical features 16 original songs by Andy Cooper to match the musical era of the 1950s, as well as hit cover songs associated with the story including Sam Cooke's "You Send Me," The Penguins' "Earth Angel" and "Wheel Of Fortune" by The Hollywood Flames.
(03/18/2015) - In JACK LEMMON RETURNS, the legendary actor's son Chris takes the audience through highlights of his father's career. There is, of course, lots of laughter but also poignant moments about the elder Lemmon's total preoccupation with his career, to the detriment of his satellite family's relationship with him.
(03/11/2015) - NEXT TO NORMAL tells the story of a mother, Diana Goodman, who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. This contemporary musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and the day-to-day reality of suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact. The production plays more like a modern operetta as there is little dialogue with most of the story being told via the story-forwarding song lyrics.
(02/26/2015) - Conejo Players Theatre's inaugural Arts Advocate Awards was a heartfelt ceremony that honored and highlighted the amazing work of local theatre champions Richard 'Dick' Johnson; Corey Fogelmanis of Disney Channel's Girl Meets World; and the City of Thousand Oaks.
(02/11/2015) - Based on Puccini's La Boheme, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical RENT with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson is a rock opera that tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in the East Village alphabet city streets of New York during the 1990s. The production at the intimate Hollywood Cupcake Theater features a rotating cast of industry professionals who bring the characters to life brilliantly.
(01/17/2015) - The Promenade Players Theatre Company presents the Los Angeles premiere of THE MEMORY OF WATER, a witty and moving exploration of family dynamics by British playwright Shelagh Stephenson. Winner of the 'Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy,' this absorbingly entertaining play is full of dark humor and heart featuring three sisters - paranoid Mary, uptight Teresa, and strung out and bratty Catherine - who have returned home on the eve of their mother's funeral after her battle with Alzheimer's.
(01/12/2015) - Writer/performer Stephanie Satie gives voice to four extraordinary women in her award-winning solo play "Silent Witnesses" now onstage as a returning guest production at the Odyssey Theatre in West LA on Sundays at 2pm through February 1. Basing her play on interviews and conversations with child survivors of the Holocaust, SILENT WITNESSES paints an uplifting portrait of human resilience shaped through the eyes of children, infused with the wisdom of the adults they've become. The play won the Best Documentary Script from the United Solo Festival in New York, and recipient of the Women in Arts and Media Coalition Collaboration .Award.
(11/04/2014) - Get ready all you "Rocky Horror" fans! There's a new show in town that is begging for you to join in the fun, just as long as you don't mind being splattered with blood, breaking pencils, or waving pompoms. Due to robust ticket sales and an ever-increasing dedicated fan base, RE-ANIMATOR THE MUSICAL has added nine additional performances at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood through November 23. The blood flows so freely during the show that the first 3 rows are designated as a "splash zone." So bring your raincoat or accept a plastic trash bag from the stage manager for protection.
(11/03/2014) - Big Fish officially opens this Saturday, November 1st. I'm surprised to find myself both happy and sad. I'm thrilled that we're opening, of course. The show is terrific, and I can't wait for audiences to see it. Very few people know Big Fish, so we get to perform for people who have no preconceptions of the show. They have a wonderful surprise awaiting them.
(10/29/2014) - This week we move into the gorgeous Carpenter Center at Cal State Long Beach and begin the arduous process of tech. We made so much magic in the old studio-- as well as a lot of mistakes! Here are some shots of the final days of rehearsal. Photo credit to our dance captain Ricky Bulda.
(10/20/2014) - Each Halloween season, Unbound Productions presents adaptations of classic horror literature as an immersive theatre event that takes place at Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery in Altadena, California. Yes, that's right - you spend the evening surrounded by dead people with much reverence and respect paid to each vault and tombstone, especially those lucky enough to become part of the show. No doubt, as they have in the past, the shows will sell out this year so order your tickets soon.
(10/07/2014) - Collaborative Artists Ensemble presents the West Coast Premiere of HOW I FELL IN LOVE by Joel Fields, the producer/writer of the immensely popular and critically acclaimed television series "The Americans," from October 17 through November 16, 2014 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 7:00pm at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, located at 5636 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038. According to D.H. Lawrence, "We have made a great mess of love since we made an ideal of it." HOW I FELL IN LOVE centers on two lost souls, Nessa and Todd, each haplessly seeking their ideal romantic partner as they stumble into adulthood alone in the City of the Angels.
(10/06/2014) - TONY Award winning actress, Faith Prince, is bringing her one-woman cabaret act in addition to her world-renowned Master Class to the Conejo Valley the weekend of October 10th. Of Note Productions is producing this weekend event. Of Note Productions seeks to provide the people of Ventura County special event performances by the most notable contributors to Broadway, Off-Broadway and NYC Cabaret. They are committed to enriching the cultural life of this community by providing high quality performances, elegant receptions celebrating these artists, as well as educational events that will inspire and engage local playgoers and students of all ages, giving them the opportunity to learn from those at the very top of their field.
(09/15/2014) - Multiple award-winning fashion designer to the stars, Octavio Carlin, is playwright, director and costume designer of his new world premiere comedy HOLLYWOOD PARTY now at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre. Carlin states in the program he has been eternally captured by Hollywood icons from Marilyn Monroe to Mae West, by their inherent glamour and how beautiful clothes worked on their bodies. I think he should just stick to designing costumes in the future as they are definitely his greatest skill as an artist - and the star in this production.
(09/12/2014) - The Santa Paula Theater Center presents HEROES by Gerald Sibleyras, adapted by Tom Stoppard on its Main Stage running now through Oct. 12. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
(09/01/2014) - The World Premiere of THE FACE IN THE REEDS by Robin Uriel Russin, directed by Sarah Figoten Wilson at Santa Monica's The Ruskin Group, centers on a dysfunctional family gathering to celebrate Passover, the Jewish holiday celebrating freedom. As the meshuge meshugas (crazy madness) plays out, the evening's seder turns into quarrels about the meaning of freedom, the value of life, and the shadow of death, which symbolically "passes over" the house. During the course of the evening, conflicts emerge about the merit of faith over conversion, the truth in religion, and the nature of parental responsibility. This night is different from all other nights and of course, this being a Jewish family, it is also a comedy. We're all going to die--but first, you should eat.
(08/15/2014) - From December 1986 to September 1988, Jason Alexander, the actor best known for his role as George Costanza for nine seasons on the television series Seinfeld, played older brother Stanley in the original Gene Saks production of BROADWAY BOUND on Broadway. It's a play that he loves dearly, calling it Neil Simon's strongest dramedy, and he has directed the marvelous production on the intimate Odyssey stage through September 21, effectively seating the audience in the living room of the Jerome home.
(08/11/2014) - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S THE TEMPEST, the last of his romantic comedies, was written in 1610 and published in 1623. This great romantic comedy has it all: danger, intrigue, politics, revenge, a mighty sorcerer, and his beautiful daughter who falls deeply in love at first sight with the handsome prince who is so conveniently shipwrecked near her island home. THE TEMPEST still exerts an influence over popular culture four centuries later, ranging from "Forbidden Planet" to "Gilligan's Island" to "Lost."
(08/06/2014) - Lesli Margherita (Matilda, Zoro), Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked, Bare), Ashley Moniz (Sister Act, 9 to 5 National Tours), Derek Klena (Bridges of Madison County), Melissa Mitchell (LES MISERABLES), Catherine Ricafort (Cinderella, Mamma Mia!) and Steven Ferezy were among the Cabrillo Music Theatre alumni who took part in Cabrillo Coast-to-Coast on August 4, 2014 at The Triad. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!
(07/26/2014) - The setting is Paris in the 18th Century with THE GAMESTER performed in rhymed couplets. But don't let the timeframe, language or fabulous costumes fool you. This story of true love, schemes, casual lusts, machinations, treachery and too many casinos feels as modern as today. After all, haven't we created whole cities and casinos galore aimed to pull in gamblers night and day? And don't we have Gamblers Anonymous for those who simply cannot stay away?
(07/25/2014) - When I heard The Aerospace Players were going to present A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, I almost decided not to see it as I have seen it twice before and never really understood why the show was just not as funny as it ought to be. Now I know why - those other shows did not have Darrell Clark playing Pseudolus and he made all the difference! Clark's abundant physicality added so much more to the crazy humor of the show that even the silliest jokes seemed new and fresh, generating lots of laughs and when appropriate, sufficient groans.
(07/23/2014) - The concept: A high school prom in the first act filled with songs from the 1950's. A 10-year reunion in the 2nd act filled with songs from the 1960's. One set. Four girls. Sounds pretty simple, yes. NOT! As the choreographer for the original production of WONDERETTES, Janet Miller, told me this is a simple concept but '...it is a deceptively difficult show'.
(07/21/2014) - Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival's production of William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra brings royal-like acting to the Conejo Valley stage.
(07/20/2014) - While there is speculation that Twelfth Night was written for the 12th night of Christmas by request of Queen Elizabeth, a holiday which celebrates revelry by turning the world upside down, with masks, music, dance, celebrating a moment where servants are masters, masters are servants, and not all seems as it should be. While there is no proof for this speculation, it was certainly the author's and this production's comic inspiration.
(07/19/2014) - The world premiere of Peter Lefcourt's play THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT takes an in-depth and often comic look at two couples, a pair of ex-spouses and their new mates. When the four get together for the first time in years, it blows up in a delightful mess of romantic complications proving you should never underestimate the power of designer shoes on matters of the heart.
(03/10/2014) - In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre - not a handsome prince - shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand… and his name is SHREK.
(12/04/2013) - It takes a much more educated hand to mystify or entertain a crowd than it did on the Vaudeville stages of early America and the founder of the Magic Castle, Milt Larsen, along with veteran producer, Terry Hill, have been offering audiences that little something new and exciting every year for 56 years with their annual production of 'It's Magic!' The program held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center Plaza, under the direction of Dale Hindman and hosted by Tony Award winner, Jay Johnson, last Saturday night did not disappoint. The scheduled performers included a veteran line up of illustrious illusionists such as Christopher Hart, Adam Trent, Rick Thomas and Magic Castle co-founder, Milt Larsen, as well as the close up talents of Rich Manley in the lobby during the shows intermission. Scroll down for photos!
(10/22/2013) - Davis Gaines (Southern California's Longest-running PHANTOM) and Victoria Strong star in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Cole Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(10/22/2013) - Broadway's original 'Kate' from KISS ME, KATE, Patricia Morrison, came to Cabrillo Music Theatre's production on opening night, Friday, October 18, to meet cast members Davis Gaines, Victoria Strong and Lois Reba Buhr. Check out photos of her backstage below!
(06/20/2013) - Art imitates life imitates art when Theatricum Botanicum artistic director Ellen Geer stars alongside her sister Melora Marshall, daughter Willow Geer and daughter-in-law Abby Craden in an uproarious comedy about a family of actors. Originally written as a thinly disguised parody of the Barrymores, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's winsome spoof about a thespian dynasty is the perfect vehicle for Topanga's first theatrical family. Also in the cast are "defacto" Theatricum family members Alan Blumenfeld, Tim Halligan, Aaron Hendry and Earnestine Phillips, and longtime company member SusanAngelo directs. The Royal Family opens on Saturday, June 22 at Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga, the centerpiece of the company's 40th AnniversarySummer Repertory Season. Check out a first look below!
