Lesli Margherita News

On Sat, May 5th, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and Chris Isaacson celebrating Cinco de Mayo by presenting Upright CabaretÂ’s 'Rhythm Of The Night' celebrating the Music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana. (more...)

Last night The Annenberg Theatre played host to Chris Isaacson’s Upright Cabaret and the latest installment of his American Icon Series, RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, which plays tribute to the Latin pop-rock music made famous by Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Santana and more. There were many things to love about this upscale Cabaret production! To start – the incredible talents of three of Broadway and Television’s hottest talents – Lesli Margherita, Rogelio Douglas Jr. and Lexi Lawson. I have played audience to each of the three of them as they starred in various theatrical productions and it was a pleasure to share the evening with them in this unique genre. Since there is a bit of criticism to follow, let me start by saying I am a big fan of Upright Cabaret and would urge you to go to any of their productions at a venue near you. Fortunately for those near La Mirada, Thousand Oaks or Hollywood, you still have the chance to see this high quality production. And, if you don’t have tickets yet I would say find a way to get them! There are many theatrical events in Southern California that promise an evening worthy of your time and your hard earned money --- Upright Cabaret delivers! (more...)

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret’s RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret’s “American Icon” Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview. (more...)

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret’s RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret’s “American Icon” Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). This high energy, multi-media Cabaret celebrates the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana and features pop favorites such as Livin’ La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, Let It Shine, and more, performed live with the Upright Cabaret band! (more...)

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS and Chris Isaacson today announced the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' third show of their 3rd Season, RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, starring Olivier and Ovation Award-winner Lesli Margherita (La MiradaÂ’s Little Shop Of Horrors, Kiss Me Kate, Zorro), American IdolÂ’s Lexi Lawson (Rent, InThe Heights) and Rogelio Douglas, Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid) celebrating the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana! (more...)

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation and Chris Isaacson Presents continue their smash season in Upright CabaretÂ’s American Icon Series with RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 8:00pm at the new Cabaret Lounge in the Scherr Forum Theatre. (more...)

CHRIS ISAACSON announces the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' third show of their 3rd Season, RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, starring Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, American IdolÂ’s DAVID HERNANDEZ (Thousand Oaks and Hollywood Shows only) & LEXI LAWSON, (Rent, In The Heights)) and ROGELIO DOUGLAS, JR. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)) celebrating the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana! (more...)

The Coterie will present the internationally renowned composer John Bucchino live in concert March 30th. This intimate live concert event will feature an astounding lineup of Broadway talent includingRichard Kind (Les Miserables), Milena Govich (Cabaret, “Law & Order), Olivier and Ovation Award-winner Lesli Margherita, Deborah S. Craig (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, “Hart of Dixie”), Cortes Alexander (Liza at The Palace), Victoria Strong, Julie Garnye and more. An Intimate Evening with John Bucchino & Friends will take place March 30th in The Coterie’s home at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa. (more...)

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2011. The 43rd Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony took place Monday, March 19 at A Noise Within in Pasadena, and was co-hosted by Jason Graae and Lesli Margherita. (more...)

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2011. The 43rd Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony took place Monday, March 19 at A Noise Within in Pasadena, and was co-hosted by Jason Graae and Lesli Margherita. (more...)

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle’s 43rd Annual Awards Show will take place on Monday, March 19, 2012 at A Noise Within in Pasadena. The show will feature performances from previously-announced hosts Jason Graae (recipient of the 2007 Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre) and Lesli Margherita (nominee for Kiss Me, Kate). In addition, the Awards show will feature the Los Angeles premiere performance of My Husband, by Paul Rudnick, a short play added to the New York production of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Also, Yvette Tucker and Salvatore Vasallo will perform an excerpt from “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,” from On Your Toes, choreographed by this year’s Hirschhorn Award recipient, Lee Martino. (more...)

For the past several weeks, Broadway's Davis Gaines has took to the stage as Don Quixote in the Musical Theatre West production of Man of La Mancha at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts. Having received rave notices since its February 10 opening of a fourteen performance run, BWW TV's Los Angeles Correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans visited Gaines and company to reflect on the run as it prepares for closing on Sunday, February 26. Click below to check out the video! (more...)

With two impressive lead stars--Davis Gaines and Lesli Margherita--at the forefront of a fresh, dynamic re-staging of a classic work, Musical Theatre West's brand new production of the 1965 Tony Award-winning musical MAN OF LA MANCHA is, hands down, one of the most complex, beautifully-rendered musical revivals to grace Southern California in some time. A laudable blend of strong musical performances, sublime visual artistry, and a labyrinthine story, this intensely-moving theatrical offering will continue to wow audiences at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through this Sunday, February 26. (more...)

Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz went to see yesterday's matinee of Musical Theatre West's production MAN OF LA MANCHA. At the evening performance, Martha Wasserman (widow of Dale Wasserman) showed up with French actor David Serero, who is doing the role of Cervantes in the French production. See the photos below! (more...)

Lesli Margherita, winner of London's Olivier Award for her performance in the West End production of ZORRO, will be joining Davis Gaines in Musical Theatre West's production of MAN OF LA MANCHA, which runs February 10 through February 26, 2012. (more...)

Musical Theatre West's MAN OF LA MANCHA opened on February 10 and will run for fourteen performances through February 26. Watch a sneak peak of the production below! (more...)

MAN OF LA MANCHA, opened on Broadway in 1965. This Tony Award Winner for Best Musical features one of Broadway's great standards, "The Impossible Dream," and takes place during the height of the Spanish Inquisition. While awaiting a hearing with the Inquisition, Miguel de Cervantes presents a play as his defense in a mock trial for the prisoners. In it, he plays Alonso Quijana, a man who has set his own reality aside and becomes Don Quixote De La Mancha. Assisted by Sancho Panza, Quixote attempts to avoid his mortal enemy, the Enchanter, and woo the serving wench and prostitute, Aldonza, who he takes to be the Lady Dulcinea. (more...)

As many times as I have seen Man of La Mancha, I relish the music and high dramatic moments of this classic piece of theatre... being, naturally, that the production of it is top notch, with the right actors and skilled direction! MTW's current revival is top of the line, creme de la creme. (more...)

MAN OF LA MANCHA opened February 10 at Musical Theatre West. It will run for fourteen performances through February 26, 2012. Check out the pictures of opening night below! (more...)