Gil Kaan - Page 20

2020 Hollywood Fringe Scholarship Winner Tomoko Karina has just premiered her JAPANESE LOVE STORY – SHIZUKA at The Broadwater, with performances running through August 29, 2021. Had the chance to chat with Tomoko on her path to her JAPANESE LOVE STORY.

The infamous Troubies will be back LIVE on the Getty Villa stage in LIZASTRATA world premiering September 9, 2021. Since 1995, the Troubadour Theater Company has been producing laugh-filled, stomach-clutching programs of entertainment marrying the Classics with modern pop songs and references (i.e., FLEETWOOD MACBETH, MUCH ADOOBIE BROTHERS ABOUT NOTHING, CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING). Had the chance to revisit with Matt Walker, the Troubadour Theater Company’s founder/artistic director/director to chat about Troubies’ latest, sure-to-please creation.

2Cents Theatre Group’s GATSBY AN IMMERSIVE ILLUMINATION - CHAPTER 1: EAST EGG will open August 13, 2021 as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. 2Cents Theatre Group’s co-founder and current artistic and managing director Kristen Boulé directs the GATSBY cast of: Bill Posley, Sarah Schulte, Colin Wilkie, Ren Montoro, Chris Lanehart, and Sam Sheeks. Got the chance to chat with Kristen on GATSBY that she co-created, the ACTING OUT INK FEST she produces and her new venture Loose Change.

Tony and Grammy winner John Lloyd Young makes his first LIVE post-pandemic performance in Los Angeles with JOHN LLOYD YOUNG: REUNIONS at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s August 21, 2021. Got to catch up with John again after all these socially distant months to chat about his busy schedules - quarantined and future.

Center Theatre Group, in association with The Fire This Time Festival and Watts Village Theater Company, has been premiering playwright Roger Q. Mason’s THE DUAT online as part of their series NOT A MOMENT BUT A MOVEMENT. Taibi Magar directs THE DUAT with Gregg Daniel and percussionist David Leach. Had the chance to throw out a few queries to the always busy Roger.

Theatre 40 celebrates its 55th Anniversary season with the world premiere of Marilyn Anderson’s AS GOOD AS GOLD September 16, 2021. Got the chance to chat with David Hunt Stafford, Theatre 40’s artistic and managing director on Theatre 40’s history and plans for the future.

Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) will hold its fundraiser GMCLA’s GALA 2021 August 14, 2021. The GALA will be streamed live from the Toluca Lake home of GMCLA Board Members Greg Weaver and Haig Youredjian, with a limited number of donors attending. Hosted by Kalen Allen, the GALA will be honoring Dr. Jerry Abraham with GMCLA’s annual Voice Award. Had the chance to query Greg on his history with GMCLA.

Hollywood Museum founder Donelle Dadigan headed a re-opening ceremony of her Hollywood Museum August 4, 2021; commemorating the donated additional props from Bill and Patrick Shea to the Back to the Future Part I, II, III exhibit. On behalf of the Museum and the Shea father and son, Donelle presented a $5,000 check to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which Michael accepted via video.

After inclusion in numerous theatre festivals, Kevin Neighbors brings his solo show VERSATILE: stories from inside the closet of a half Black gay man to the Hollywood Fringe Festival for three performances August 5th, August 17th, and August 29th. Had the chance to toss out some questions to Kevin on his life-time journey to VERSATILE.

The Muse Collective will stream the world premiere of Peter Gray’s THE KARENS beginning August 13, 2021. Muse Collective’s founder and artistic director Michael Alvarez directs the cast of Morgan Danielle Day, Felicia Santiago and LaurenSage Browning. Got the chance to chat with Peter on his KARENS and his creatively productive relationship with Michael and his Muse Collective.

That triple-threat talent named David Engel will once again grace the Musical Theatre West stage in FOREVER PLAID 30th ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT beginning August 5th, but this time socially distancing at Blair Field near by. Since David originated the PLAID role of Smudge, he has performed on many a stage from Broadway to his home away from home Musical Theatre West. David managed to answer my queries while in the car on the way to his husband Larry Raben’s opening night of SCHOOL OF ROCK he directed at Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Ivins, Utah.

The Hollywood Bowl audience, filled with theatre aficionados and people with an appreciation for great singing, got their money’s worth and much more with a full-bodied, whole-hearted concert performance by the incredible Cynthia Erivo. Cynthia’s powerful vocals backed by her raw, genuine emotions ignited all her cover versions of other women’s definitive classics making them all distinctly her own.

Shane Scheel and his live show production company For The Record Live has found their new Hollywood home in The Bourbon Room. With their official re-opening, featuring Shoshana Bean, an impressive success (obvious from the love and applause flowing forth from The Bourbon Room audience.), FTR will follow up with be a concert from Alisan Porter (August 1st), and their new and improved production of TARANTINO LIVE, now TARANTINO LIVE: FOX FORCE FIVE & THE TYRANNY OF EVIL MEN (beginning August 5th). Had the chance to chat with Shane, FTR’s executive producer, on FTR staying connected during the pandemic, and their already planned shows and those hoped for scheduling.

The Bourbon Room was on a clear path to become the go-to cabaret nightclub in Hollywood when the pandemic hit. With a soft opening of shows REVERIE and Derek Klena earlier this month, the Bourbon Room celebrates its grand re-opening July 29, 2021 featuring Broadway stalwart Shoshana Bean. Had the chance to chat with Bourbon Room owner Matthew Weaver about the fateful past year and the hopeful future.

Ojai Playwrights Conference will be presenting online workshop performances of eight New Works Festival plays beginning August 5, 2021. Had the chance to chat with Yilong Liu, one of the 14 playwrights participating in OPC’s New Works Festival and Foundry Project for OPC’s 2021 Season.

Vs. Theatre Company & Circle X Theatre Co. presents the west coast premiere of John Kolvenbach’s STAND UP IF YOU’RE HERE TONIGHT, previewing on August 5, 2021. Ingeniously making lemonade out of lemons, John fashioned STAND UP around his pandemic restrictions. Had the chance to chat with John on STAND UP and highlights of his productive career.

Writer/director Luke Walker’s THE WAKE OF DICK JOHNSON will west coast premiere live onstage at the Hudson Theatres as part of the 2021 Hollywood Fringe Festival. DICK JOHNSON begins its eight-performance run August 5, 2021. Had the chance to delve into Luke’s head on his journey to THE WAKE OF DICK JOHNSON.

The Actors’ Gang Theater has just begun streaming their live virtual production of WE LIVE ON, based on the 1970 Hard Times by Studs Terkel. Directed by Actors’ Gang’s artistic director Tim Robbins, WE LIVE ON is performed in three parts. Had a chance to have a fun chat with Patti Tippo, who’s playing legendary burlesque dancer Sally Rand.  

CHICO’S ANGELS’ Frieda Laye will return live to the Cavern Club Celebrity Theater stage in CHICO’S ANGELS director/creator Kurt Koehler’s latest FRIEDA THE 13th: CAMP BLOOD.  This short, five-performance run beginning August 6, 2021 will also feature Julie Brown, Dustyn Gulledge, Jenna Perusich, Craig Taggart, Lennon Hobson, Kalan Tauck, Hayes Dunlap and Reba Areba.

MSD Productions will premiere URINETOWN THE MUSICAL for free on YouTube August 1, 2021.  Marcus S. Daniel produces and directs a diverse cast from across the entire country; including Kennen Butler, Kevin Carranza, Ethan Daniel Corbett, Lisa Dyson, Grant Hodges, Erech Holder-Hetmeyer, Katie McConaughy, Kelly Lester, Loren Lester, Nathan Mohebbi, Ashley Arlene Nelson, Monika Pena, Greg Ramsey, Garrett Russell, Ashley Marie Samudio, and Jake Sung-Guk Sullivan.