Gil Kaan - Page 29

Musician/songwriter/actor/family man Brian Gallagher will west coast premiere live his latest concept album BROADWAY STARS SING THE MUSIC OF BRIAN GALLAGHER at the Colony Theatre for one night only October 19, 2019. Performing his songs will be Carly Hughes, Matt Cusson, Carrie Manolakos and, a star in her own right, Brian's wife Megan Hilty (and others, yet to be announced). I had the chance to pepper Brian Gallagher about his creative process and his not-so-secret weapon.

The world premiere of filmmaker/playwright Ethan Coen's A PLAY IS A POEM currently lives on the Mark Taper Forum stage, produced by Center Theatre Group, in association with Atlantic Theater Company. A collection of five short plays from Ethan Coen's unique take on Americana had been connected together by the interstitial musical musings of Nellie McKay. Neil Pope directs the talented ensemble of Ro Boddie, Max Casella, Micaela Diamond, Peter Jacobson, Jason Kravits, McKay, Saul Rubinek, Miriam Silverman, Joey Slotnick, Sam Vartholomeos, and C.J. Wilson. I had the opportune chance to ask one of Ethan Coen's always-working players Peter Jacobson a few queries.

Next up at Pasadena Playhouse, the sci-fi musical comedy LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, already in previews, will open September 25, 2019. Promising new twists and surprises, this cult hit written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken over thirty-five years ago, will be directed by Mike Donahue. I had a chance to throw out a few questions to Olivier Award-winner Amber Riley who's playing Audrey II.

When I reached for my phone to call Tovah Feldshuh to interview her on her upcoming role as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the west coast premiere of SISTERS IN LAW at The Wallis, I never expected to be so enthralled for the fifty minutes that followed; not only by the irascible, most delightful Tovah Feldshuh herself, but by the razor-witted Justice Ginsburg a?' a two-for-one interview!

The much in-demand playwright Bekah Brunstetter will west coast premiere her latest MISS LILLY GETS BONED in a Rogue Machine production opening September 21, 2019 at the Electric Lodge. Robin Larsen directs Brunstetter's story involving a captive elephant and its unexpected effects on a virginal Sunday school teacher. Bekah managed to find a few moments of what little spare time she has (between making last minute notes for MISS LILLY's opening, and penning the much anticipated musical adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook) to answer a few of my queries.

Next up at Boston Court Pasadena, the world premiere of E. M. Lewis' HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN, with previews beginning September 19th and opening set for September 28th. Emilie Pascale Beck directs the cast of Amy Sloan, Ryun Yu, Chelsea Kurtz and Dieterich Gray who play four lonely people who find each other when one of them falls apart. I had the chance to delve into the creative mind of the much produced E. M. Lewis.

The Echo Theater Company presents a stunning world premiere of Erik Patterson's HANDJOB. Echo Theatre's artistic director Chris Fields quite ably directs his talented cast, as two sets of actors alternately depict the scenario of a curious, middle-aged gay man hiring a shirtless housekeeper/cleaner for a session of cleaning, leering and lusting. Patterson's very witty and smart script of clever puns and sharp observations gets even more witty and even smarter after a big reveal, that I won't be spoiling.

The Los Angeles premiere of Lloyd Suh's THE CHINESE LADY launches the Greenway Court Theatre's 2019-2020 season, with opening night September 7, 2019. In a co-production with Artists At Play, THE CHINESE LADY (based on a true story) features Amy Shu (as Afong Moy, the first female Chinese immigrant to come to America) and Trieu Tran (as Atung, Afong's translator/caretaker), under the direction of Rebecca Wear. Playwright Lloyd Suh took a few moments before flying into Los Angeles to answer my questioning queries.

Playwright Josh Harmon's SKINTIGHT receives its west coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse, already in previews. Daniel Aukin directs this neurotic family drama featuring the original stars of the Broadway production (Idina Menzel, Will Brittain and Eli Gelb), with Harry Groener, Kimberly Jürgen and Jeff Skowron rounding out the cast. I was lucky enough that Will Brittain (who plays Trey, the young, hunky boyfriend of patriarch Elliott) was able to squeeze in some time for me in his busy rehearsal schedule to answer just a few of my long list of questions.

Invertigo Dance Theatre's FORMULAE & FAIRY TALES will world premiere at The Broad Stage September 13th and 14th, before going on tour beginning of next year. FORMULAE & FAIRY TALES re-imagines the life of mathematical genius and WWII codebreaker Alan Turing in a mash-up with the Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I had the opportunity to delve into the creative mind of Invertigo Dance Theatre's Founding Artistic Director Laura Karlin, the originator/co-creator of this piece.

Fresh from the combined creative minds of Jake O'Flaherty and Tom Misuraca, their SUICIDAL BLONDE will world premiere September 19, 2019 at the Whitefire Theatre. Their dark comedy take on suicide will be directed by Candi Milo. I had the opportunity to field a few questions to Pam Trotter, who plays BLONDE's integral Felicia. 

Playwright Susan Eve Haar's new play SAUGERTIES has just opened at the Hudson Guild Theatre. Directed by Abigail Zealey Bess, SAUGERTIES stars Chad L. Coleman as Rog and Beau Garrett as Jen, a pair of couples in relationship crisis. I had the opportunity to ask a few quick questions of Beau Garrett on her personal journey to her theatrical board's debut in SAUGERTIES.

The west coast premiere of Jen Silverman's WITCH will launch the Geffen Playhouse's 2019/2020 season, having begun previews August 20, 2019. Originally commissioned by and premiering at Writers Theatre, WITCH centers on a charming outsider arriving to the quiet village of Edmonton bargaining for souls in exchange for the villagers' darkest wishes. I had the opportunity to delve into the sharp, clever mind of Jen Silverman on her creation of WITCH.

The Fountain Theatre, in association with East West Players, soundly mounts the California premiere of Jiehae Park's HANNAH AND THE DREAD GAZEBO with a solid acting ensemble, complemented by vividly effective video visuals. Jennifer Chang ably directs her talented cast of six as they weave through the realistic lives of a Korean family (separated by continents) interspersed with flashes of Korean folklore.

The Groundlings' current Friday/Saturday night show GROUNDLINGS TREASURE HUNTERS continues The Groundlings' tradition of making their audiences laugh - and laugh hard! Tony Cavalero, in ten of the seventeen sketches and improvs, maximized his presence on The Groundlings stage with his sharp comedic timing, his quick improvisational wit, his mischievous accents, and his buff athletic dance and fight moves.

Chris Mann took the Feinstein's at Vitello's stage last Friday night and OWNED it! Within minutes of hitting the Feinstein's at Vitello's stage, Chris dropped the 'f-bomb' with a mischievous twinkle in his eye - and the audience knew we were in for a fun and raucous night! Chris' easy stage demeanor peppered with clever asides, created a relaxed, back-and-forth dialogue with the appreciative audience. No canned patter here!

The world premiere of playwright Vince Melocchi's ANDY WARHOL'S TOMATO receives a solid mounting at the Pacific Resident Theatre. Dana Jackson directs this fictionalized two-hander on the possible beginnings of pop artist icon Andy Warhol, with a deft hand and a meticulous eye for character development via the subtle physical actions of the two wonderfully convincing actors - Derek Chariton as Andy Warhol and Keith Stevenson as Bones Bonino, the owner of the bar's storage room which TOMATO entirely takes place in.

Top-selling recording artist Chris Mann brings his A Night With The Phantom: Chris Mann Sings Broadway to Feinstein's at Vitello's August 9th, 2019. After his game-changing, nationally televised duet with Christina Aguilera in 2012, Chris followed up with sold-out concert tours throughout the U.S., Mexico and Asia; as well as, a stint as the lead in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Opportunity presented itself for me to ask Chris about his path from classical training to Glee, Christina, PHANTOM, and now, Feinstein's at Vitello's.

The California premiere of Nick Dear's adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, FRANKENSTEIN, launches A Noise Within's 2019-2020 season August 11, 2019. Much in-demand director Michael Michetti helms Michael Manuel as The Creature and Kasey Mahaffy as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, presenting Shelley's tale from the atypical perspective of The Creature. Having seen Kasey in ANW's stunning MAN OF LA MANCHA and the hysterical NOISES OFF, I jumped at the chance to interview this talented actor/performer.

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning INTO THE WOODS opens this weekend Friday July 26, 2019, as this year's Hollywood Bowl's annual fully-staged Broadway musical. I had the enviable opportunity to interview the Tony Award-winning, über-talented Patina Miller who'll be portraying the Witch.