Gil Kaan - Page 18

Playwright/performer J. Elijah Cho’s award-winning MR. YUNIOSHI comes to the Santa Monica Playhouse November 11th and 14th as part of CRAZY WOKE ASIANS’ KUNG POW FESTIVAL and as a guest production December 5th, 12th and 19th. The titular character was the supporting character in the otherwise classic 1961 film Breakfast At Tiffany’s starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Mr. Yunioshi was beyond stereotypically portrayed by Mickey Rooney.   

The Echo Theater Company’s world premiere production of POOR CLARE will finally open in October (now already in previews), 19 months after the originally scheduled March 2020 opening was shuttered by the pandemic. Playwright Chiara Atik spins the medieval story of St. Francis Assisi into a modern tale seen through the eyes of his sister Clare Assisi.  Echo associate artistic director Alana Dietze directs the POOR CLARE cast of Kari Lee Cartwright, Martica De Cardenas, Tony DeCarlo, Ann Noble, Michael Sturgis and Donna Zadeh, with Jordan Hull as the titular Clare.

Campus Cabaret’s artistic director and co-founder David W. Callander thought long and hard in considering Terrence McNally’s A PERFECT GANESH as their first production post-pandemic (opening October 29th at The Pico). David had the opportunity to see the very first production of A PERFECT GANESH back in 1993 at the Manhattan Theatre Club. “It's a play that stayed with me for many, many years.

Tommy Faragher, a long-time denizen of the entertainment industry, will next be onstage playing live for JOHN LLOYD YOUNG: SOLID GOLD at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s October 22nd and 23rd. Had the chance to delve into Tommy’s storied resume as a producer, composer, songwriter, arranger, and musician.

Broadway favorite Kristin Chenoweth returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts with an evening of songs October 23, 2021. Kristen will be performing heartfelt tributes to some of her female friends and heroines with tunes from her most recent album For The Girls.

Open Fist Theatre Company returns to live, in-person performances at Atwater Village Theatre with a concurrent run of two plays by Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor – the west coast premiere of THE SOLDIER DREAMS and the shorter NEVER SWIM ALONE. THE SOLDIER DREAMS opens October 23rd, with NEVER SWIM ALONE running concurrently October 30th through November 21st. Had the chance to pick Daniel's brain, a true Renaissance man who’s an actor, playwright, theatre director and film director.

The Los Angeles stop of the national tour of HAMILTON has already landed at the Pantages Theater mesmerizing audiences with their mastery of speeding-singing raps and intricate precision choreography. Joanna A. Jones stars as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, the wife of Alexander Hamilton. Had the chance to talk with Joanna about her HAMILTON history and the various other shows she’s graced the stage on.

Puzzle Master/Magician David Kwong has returned to the Geffen Playhouse with his live show THE ENIGMATIST, already playing has been extended through November 14, 2021. David charms his audience with a variety of mind-boggling puzzles, incredible sight of hand and unbelievable acts of mental telepathy. His virtual show last year INSIDE THE BOX’s six-week run sold out in minutes. Had a chance to flash a few questions to David again after his opening weekend.

The national tour of MY FAIR LADY opens October 7th in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre, running through October 31st. Bartlett Sher directs this timeless story of Professor Henry Higgins’ experiment to transform the social standings of Eliza Doolittle, a lowly flower girl, to one fitting comfortably in high society. MY FAIR LADY, brimming with familiar musical standards, stars Laird Mackintosh as Professor Higgins and Shereen Ahmed as Eliza Doolittle. Had the chance to catch Laird during his offstage time before his evening performance.

Tony and Grammy Award winner Lena Hall will return to the Bourbon Room October 11th with her latest cabaret act SONGS FROM THE NIGHTCAR. A steadily working actress, Lena will include some of her Snowpiercer covers combined with her own originals. Had the chance to throw out a few queries to the very game Lena.

The national tour of SUN & SEA literally beaches at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA October 14th through the 16th. In its west coast debut, the producers of SUN & SEA will transform the Frank Gehry-designed former warehouse space into a sunny day at the beach with the installation of twenty-five tons of sand. Touring vocalists will be supplemented by L.A.-based choral group Tonality. Had the chance to get some behind-the-scenes’ scoop from MOCA’s associate curator of performance and programs Alex Sloane.

The Echo Theater Company world premieres D.G. Watson’s ASCENSION October 5, 2021 at the Atwater Village Theatre. Echo’s associate artistic director Ahmed Best directs this immersive, interactive, sci-fi mystery thriller featuring Karen Sours Albisua, Leandro Cano, Samantha Cavestani, Elise DuRant, Steve Hofvendahl, Gloria Ines and Charrell Mack. Had the opportunity to pose a few questions to Ahmed, a black-belted Star Wars innovator.

Chris Eckert, creator of the LGBTQ THE GALE, will appear next on The Groundlings stage in A GROUNDLING ON ELM STREET. This very funny performer/writer also teaches at The Groundlings School. Had the chance to throw out a few inquiries to the quick-witted Chris.

Co-playwrights Stan Zimmerman and Christian McLaughlin’s HAVE A GOOD ONE world premieres at the Dorie Theatre at The Complex October 2, 2021. Stan also directs a cast that includes Megan Cournoyer, Adrian Gamez, Tom Plumley and Tanner Stine. Had the chance to get some behind-the-scenes and early history of Stan’s most prolific career.

The Foundation for New American Musicals (FNAM) will honor Marc Shaiman with their inaugural Inspire Award at their FNAM ALL-STAR BENEFIT AND FUNDRAISER October 24th at a private Pacific Palisades residence. Scheduled to appear that night: Megan Hilty, Matthew Morrison, Bruce Vilanch, Marisha Wallace and Marissa Jaret Winokur. Marc took a brief moment from his many obligations to answer my queries with his snappy quips.

LA Opera has opened their 35th season with Verdi's IL TROVATORE. Conducted by James Conlon and directed by Francisco Negrín, live performances at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through October 10th will be supplemented by two live streams October 3rd and 6th. IL TROVATORE stars Guanqun Yu in the role of Leonora. Had the chance to query Guanqun on her vocal regimen and her lightbulb moment when she realized she wanted a career singing opera.

The shiny new and improved version of the Garry Marshall-mentored THE ROOT BEER BANDITS re-opens the Garry Marshall Theatre stage on October 2, 2021. As with any Garry Marshall production, re-vamps and rewrites are also welcomed and encouraged. Original creators Joseph Leo Bwarie and Lori Marshall (book and lyrics) and Rachael Lawrence (music) have polished the 2019 production even further for this 2021 show with more songs, more story, and more live music. Had the chance to shoot some questions at Kelly Brandeburg, who’s reprising her role as Copper Penny, on her BANDITS history and her brush with the Smithsonian.

The Groundlings’ latest Friday/Saturday night show A GROUNDLING ON ELM STREET began previews back on The Groundlings stage live September 18, 2021. Had the chance to chat with one of The Groundlings hilarious company members, the always funny Michael Churven on his Groundlings history, his tendency to slip into his Australian drawl, and his Superman stint that kept Ed O’Neill breaking up.

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) presents the first show of its reopening season, the Southern California premiere of TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL opening October 7, 2021. Jenny Sullivan directs Linda Purl as Rosemary Clooney and David Engel as various men in her life. Had the chance to poise some queries to Linda on Rosemary and being lucky and bilingual.

MICHELANGELO’S SISTINE CHAPEL: THE EXHIBITION featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s timeless frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel has reached Los Angeles for the first time. Audiences can view Michelangelo’s masterpieces up close, closer than in the actual Sistine Chapel. Had the chance to chat with Martin Biallas, SEE Attractions’ CEO and producer of THE EXHIBITION, on some behind-the-scenes details of putting THE EXHIBITION together.