John Bennett News

California International Theatre Festival 2010 season is presented by the City of Calabasas with Linda Purl as Festival Director, M. Edgar Rosenblum as Executive Director and Tammy Taylor as Festival Producer. The Festival will take place in several Calabasas locations and will include distinguished international productions.

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.

Commander Squish Productions in association with Michael Roderick and Small Pond Entertainment, presents the Off-Broadway premiere of THE NEW HOPEVILLE COMICS beginning previews March 10 at American Theater of Actors. A hit at the 2002 New York International Fringe Festival, this new musical features music and lyrics by Nate Weida and a book co-written by Weida and Sarah Donnell. Jim Wren directs a cast that features an ensemble of 20 actors backed by a 5 piece rock band. Opening night is slated for Saturday, March 14.

Commander Squish Productions in association with Michael Roderick and Small Pond Entertainment, presents the Off-Broadway premiere of THE NEW HOPEVILLE COMICS beginning previews March 10 at American Theater of Actors. A hit at the 2002 New York International Fringe Festival, this new musical features music and lyrics by Nate Weida and a book co-written by Weida and Sarah Donnell. Jim Wren directs a cast that features an ensemble of 20 actors backed by a 5 piece rock band. Opening night is slated for Saturday, March 14.

JOHNNY BOY PRODUCTIONS is pleased to announce the world premiere production of JOHNNY LAW, Courtroom Crusader, the newest solo show from Tim Ryan Meinelschmidt whose last solo show ALL THE HELP YOU NEED, The Adventures of a Hollywood Handyman was honored with the Overall Excellence Award in the 2004 NY Fringe Festival. JOHNNY LAW, directed by Christopher Fessenden, will play a limited engagement as part of the 11th annual New York International Fringe Festival-FringeNYC at The Schaeberle Studio Theatre (Venue #2, 41 Park Row at William Street). Performances begin August 9th and continue through August 22nd.

JOHNNY BOY PRODUCTIONS is pleased to announce the world premiere production of JOHNNY LAW, Courtroom Crusader, the newest solo show from Tim Ryan Meinelschmidt whose last solo show ALL THE HELP YOU NEED, The Adventures of a Hollywood Handyman was honored with the Overall Excellence Award in the 2004 NY Fringe Festival. JOHNNY LAW, directed by Christopher Fessenden, will play a limited engagement as part of the 11th annual New York International Fringe Festival-FringeNYC at The Schaeberle Studio Theatre (Venue #2, 41 Park Row at William Street). Performances begin August 9th and continue through August 22nd.

Rubicon Theatre Company Founders Karyl Lynn Burns and James O'Neil have just announced plans for the company's 10th Anniversary Season, at a press conference at Rubicon's home in Ventura.