Martha Carter News

MOVING ARTS presents its Los Angeles premiere of E. M. Lewis' intriguing APPLE SEASON. Directed at a languid pace by Darin Anthony, the sparse explosive scenes really make their mark with the experienced acting chops of Rob Nagle and the vivid, versatile intensity of Liza Fernandez. This three-hander, as a part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, relates the unpleasant situation of siblings Lissie (Fernandez) and Roger Fogerty (Justin Huen ) as they grapple with the death of their abusive Father from Hell.

MOVING ARTS presents the Los Angeles premiere production of APPLE SEASON, written by E. M. Lewis and directed by Darin Anthony (BLISS (or Emily Post is Dead!)). APPLE SEASON is produced by Moving Arts at Atwater Village Theatre as a part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Other partnering theaters are New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ) and Riverside Theatre (IA). Mr. Anthony and E. M. Lewis are long time collaborators, he has directed three premiere productions of E. M. Lewis' work, plus two “Car Plays” and a one-act for the Samuel French Ten Minute Play Festival in New York. APPLE SEASON will preview on Thursday, July 11 & Friday, July 12 at 8pm; will open on Saturday, July 13 at 4:00pm and will run through Monday, August 5, 2019 at the Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles, 90039.

FAMOUS re-opened in April after a successful run in 2018. I decided to speak with the show's Creator/Director Michael Leoni (ML) and producers Michelle Kaufer (MK) and Cassidy Pepper (CP), about how the new production uses stylized movements by the characters, enhanced lighting and sound designs, to bring the play flow so much more fluid than last year's version. The result grabs the audience's attention to the point of being able to hear a pin drop, making the entire experience even more stunning and breathtaking than before. And, of course, its relevance to the #MeToo movement is immediately recognizable as power players move in and out of Jason's life during the party.

in Long Beach (CSULB). Based on the story by Franz Kafka, the opera has words by Rudolph Wurlitzer and, in this production, added text by Juliette Carillo based on interviews with members of  Rising Scholars.  The latter is a CSULB group consisting of former inmates and family members of people who have served time. 

The team behind 2016's acclaimed production of Tennessee Williams' rarely-seen Kingdom of Earth, is back - this time, with Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire. Jack Heller directs Susan Priver (down-on-her-luck showgirl Myrtle in Kingdom of Earth, LA Weekly award-winning The Lover by Harold Pinter) as Blanche DuBois and Max E. Williams (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., numerous productions with Elephant Theatre Company) as Stanley Kowalski in a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre presented by Dance On Productions in association with Linda Toliver and Gary Guidinger. Passions flare and cultures collide in the sultry streets of New Orleans beginning May 25, with performances continuing though July 7.

Long Beach Opera (LBO) premieres Philip Glass' In the Penal Colony in collaboration with California Repertory Company (CalRep) April 25 (sold out), 26, 27 (sold out), at 7:30 PM; April 28 (sold out), at 2:30 PM; May 2, 3, 4, at 7:30 PM; and May 5 (sold out), at 2:30PM at the CSULB Studio Theater, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90815. Performed in English.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the fourth show in its 98th season, four-time Emmy winner Michael Learned ('The Waltons') and Lance E. Nichols (HBO's 'Treme') staring in the Pulitzer Prize award-winning play, DRIVING MISS DAISY, written by Alfred Uhry and directed by Michael Bloom.  Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, 'We are thrilled to bring in 2019 with this powerful and still vitally important play.' Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, 'Michael Learned and Lance E. Nichols will ignite the stage with their critically acclaimed powerful portrayals of these iconic characters. Led by our brilliant director Michael Bloom, this is a not-to-be-missed production to start the new year.'  DRIVING MISS DAISY will begin previews on Wednesday, January 9; will open on Sunday, January 13 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

Craft Recordings has announced the release of Feelin' Right Saturday Night: The Ric & Ron Anthology,in celebration of the 60th anniversary of pioneering New Orleans R&B label Ric Records and its sister label Ron Records. The CD and digital formats are due out on December 7th, following the exclusive double-LP package releasing on Record Store Day Black Today on November 23rd. The compilation features classics from Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas, Eddie Bo and Al Johnson, along with the Joe Jones hit 'You Talk Too Much' and two previously unreleased tracks-a demo of 'Tipitina' by Professor Longhair and 'Good Enough For Me' by Eddie Bo. New liner notes by GRAMMY®-winning producer Scott Billington round out the package.

Craft Recordings has announced the release of Feelin' Right Saturday Night: The Ric & Ron Anthology,in celebration of the 60th anniversary of pioneering New Orleans R&B label Ric Records and its sister label Ron Records. The CD and digital formats are due out on December 7th, following the exclusive double-LP package releasing on Record Store Day Black Friday on November 23rd. The compilation features classics from Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas, Eddie Bo and Al Johnson, along with the Joe Jones hit 'You Talk Too Much' and two previously unreleased tracks-a demo of 'Tipitina' by Professor Longhair and 'Good Enough For Me' by Eddie Bo. New liner notes by GRAMMY®-winning producer Scott Billington round out the package.

Artists at Play's production of Two Mile Hollow by Leah Nanako Winkler will be extending due to popular demand. The story of the very White Donnelly family is told with an all-Asian American cast and presented by Artists at Play (AAP) as part of a series of world premieres across the country, each receiving much critical acclaim. AAP's production of Two Mile Hollow will now perform through Nov. 11 at the Lounge Theatre. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/AAPTMH.

Leah Nanako Winkler injects the dysfunctional family genre with brutality, awe and compassion through a parody coupled with moments of disorienting sincerity in Two Mile Hollow. The story of the very White Donnellys is told with an all Asian American cast and presented by Artists at Play (AAP) as part of a series of world premieres across the country, each receiving numerous critical acclaim. AAP's production of Two Mile Hollow performs Oct. 11-Nov. 4 at the Lounge Theatre. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/AAPTMH.

Spring Awakening opened to a sold-out crowd last night in West Hollywood's The Lounge Theatre, this being the premiere project for Me + You Productions. The rock musical, known for being groundbreaking on Broadway in 2006, is looked at through a new lens in this production: Gun Saftey. With 100% of proceeds going to Everytown for Gun Saftey, Me + You Productions find the intricate balance of connecting current struggles and honoring the original story.

Me+You Productions is gearing up for their Los Angeles production of the Tony-Award winning musical Spring Awakening. The show will begin its three-week run at The Lounge Theatre in West Hollywood, California, opening on August 24th and closing September 9th. 100% of ticket proceeds from this production will benefit Everytown for Gun Safety, an American nonprofit organization whose aim is to reduce gun deaths in the wake of increased mass shootings.

The world premiere of Famous, a new play written and directed by Michael Leoni, has been extended through Sunday, September 30, at The 11:11, a new performance space on Kings Road in the heart of West Hollywood.

The world premiere of Michael Leoni's FAMOUS receives a phenomenal, all-encompassing mounting from An 11:11 Experience in their new venue, The 11:11, in the heart of West Hollywood. Director Leoni drives his all-around talented cast at a neck-breaking speed like an expert racecar driver lapping his racetrack.

Mill Mountain Theatre begins rehearsal today for 'Shrek The Musical: Theatre For Young Audiences Version' and performs August 1st through 12th on the Trinkle MainStage. Characters you know and love are brought to life by MMT's cast of 30 performers, featuring youth actors from the Roanoke Valley, as well as Mill Mountain Theatre's Apprentice Company.

The Actors Co-op Theatre Company's LA TIMES Critic's Choice and Ovation Recommended production of the Tony nominated musical VIOLET, with music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, based on the short story 'The Ugliest Pilgrim' by Doris Betts, directed by Richard Israel, produced by Thomas Chavira, with musical direction by Taylor Stephenson, The show runs through June 17. Fridays and Todays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm. There are no performances June 22, 23 and 24. Two additional shows have been added, Friday - June 29 at 8pm and Today - June 30 at 8:00 pm, extending the run through June 30, at the Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower Street, 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Actors Co-op Theatre Company's LA TIMES Critic's Choice and Ovation Recommended production of the Tony nominated musical VIOLET, with music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, based on the short story 'The Ugliest Pilgrim' by Doris Betts, directed by Richard Israel, produced by Thomas Chavira, with musical direction by Taylor Stephenson, The show runs through June 17. Fridays and Todays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm. Special added matinee Today - June 16 at 2:30 pm. There are no performances June 22, 23 and 24. Two additional shows have been added, Friday - June 29 at 8:00 pm and Today - June 30 at 8:00 pm, extending the run through June 30, at Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower Street, 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

The Actors Co-op Theatre Company's LA TIMES Critic's Choice and Ovation Recommended production of the Tony nominated musical VIOLET, with music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, based on the short story 'The Ugliest Pilgrim' by Doris Betts, directed by Richard Israel, produced by Thomas Chavira, with musical direction by Taylor Stephenson, The show runs through June 17. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm. There are no performances June 22, 23 and 24. Two additional shows have been added, Friday - June 29 at 8pm and Saturday - June 30 at 8:00 pm, extending the run through June 30, at the Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower Street, 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

An 11:11 Experience has announced the world premiere of Famous, a new play written by Michael Leoni. Famous will begin previews on July 14 and opening is set for Friday, July 20, at 8pm. The run will continue through August 19 at The 11:11, a new performance space on Kings Road in the heart of West Hollywood.