Richard Israel News

Standing Room Only and Graceful Productions have announced a staged reading of the new musical Calvin Berger at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Hollywood. With book, music, and lyrics by Barry Wyner and directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel, the Calvin Berger staged reading will be presented today, August 10, and Saturday, August 11, at 8pm and Sunday, August 12, at 7pm. The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Grace Kaufman, Julia Lester, Jason Eric Testa, and one more actor to be announced. The musical director is Anthony Lucca.          

REPRISE 2.0, led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson, in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, announces Dawnn Lewis (This Is Us, Major Crimes and IZombie), Valerie Perri (LA Shubert Theatre Evita, Jerome Robbins' Broadway) Larry Cedar (Deadwood), Kelley Dorney (Annie at Hollywood Bowl) and Michael Starr (Bright Star national tour) for its production of The World Goes 'Round with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson. It will play September 5 through September 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.  

The Colony Theatre in Burbank has announced a four-performance engagement of Doris and Me, A Musical Tribute to Doris Day starring Scott Dreier from August 9-12. Doris and Me is directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel. This engagement follows Dreier's recent performance at Doris Day's 96th birthday celebration in Carmel, CA, which was a benefit for the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

Standing Room Only and Graceful Productions have announced a staged reading of the new musical Calvin Berger at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Hollywood. With book, music, and lyrics by Barry Wyner and directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel, the Calvin Berger staged reading will be presented on Friday, August 10, and Saturday, August 11, at 8pm and Sunday, August 12, at 7pm. The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Joshua Bassett, Grace Kaufman, Julia Lester, and Jason Eric Testa. The musical director is Anthony Lucca.

REPRISE 2.0, led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson, in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, announces its production of The World Goes 'Round with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson. It will play September 5 through September 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.  The World Goes 'Round will be directed by Richard Israel with choreography by John Todd, and musical direction by Gerald Sternbach.

Standing Room Only and Graceful Productions have announced a staged reading of the new musical Calvin Berger at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Hollywood. With book, music, and lyrics by Barry Wyner and directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel, the Calvin Berger staged reading will be presented on Friday, August 10, and Saturday, August 11, at 8pm and Sunday, August 12, at 7pm. The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Grace Kaufman, Julia Lester, Jason Eric Testa, and one more actor to be announced. The musical director is Anthony Lucca.          

The Colony Theatre in Burbank has announced a four-performance engagement of Doris and Me, A Musical Tribute to Doris Day starring Scott Dreier from August 9-12. Doris and Me is directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel. This engagement follows Dreier's recent performance at Doris Day's 96th birthday celebration in Carmel, CA, which was a benefit for the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

On Monday, June 18, 2018, the Foundation for New American Musicals returned to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to present the 5th edition of 3RD MONDAYS, an up close and personal experience with exciting musical theatre artists performing songs from Broadway's past, present, and future! Scroll down for photos of this stellar night!

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.

REPRISE 2.0 (led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson), in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, presents its inaugural production of Sweet Charity.  Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, the classic Broadway hit plays through July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Take a look at photos from the show's opening night below!

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.

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. Special added matinee Saturday - 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 Saturday - 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.

On Monday, June 18, 2018, the Foundation for New American Musicals returns to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to present the 5th edition of 3RD MONDAYS, an up close and personal experience with exciting musical theatre artists performing songs from Broadway's past, present, and future!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT invite you to 'Seize the Day' as they present the fifth and final show of its 2017-2018 season (and the 40th anniversary of the iconic theatre) with Disney's NEWSIES, book by Harvey Fierstein, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, musical direction by Brent Crayon and directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds. NEWSIES will preview on Friday, June 1, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 2 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.  

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, adds two additional Saturday 2:30 matinees to its run, June 2 and June 16. The well-received production of Violet runs through Sunday, June 17 at the Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower Street, 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Claire Adams stars as a young North Carolina woman seeking a miracle - to heal her disfigured face caused by a farm accident from when she was young. Embarking on a Greyhound bus bound for Tulsa just after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was implemented, Violet deals with race, guilt, and shame in her quest to get an Oklahoma faith healer to make her inner and outer scars vanish.

On Sunday, June 10, the Foundation for New American Musicals will showcase short (10-minute) musicals written by high school and college-age finalists competing for cash-award scholarships in SHOWSEARCH 2018.

The Colony Theatre in Burbank has announced a second season of It's Showtime!, a five-show series featuring entertainment ranging from concerts to comedy and parody. The series is designed to provide something for arts lovers of all ages.

What made the Hot List? Check out these productions for a look at the vast creativity of theatre makers in action in Los Angeles: FOREVER BOUND at Atwater Village Theatre, PLUNGE: Part 1 of The Ballad of Bimini Baths Trilogy at Son of Semele, SOFT POWER downtown at the Ahmanson, VIOLET at Actors Co-op, THE GIANT VOID IN MY SOUL from Ammunition Theatre Company,  WOOD BOY DOG FISH at Garry Marshall Theatre, and Antaeus Theatre Company's NATIVE SON in Glendale. Reviews by BWW Sr. Editor Ellen Dostal, LADCC.