Gil Kaan - Page 30

Powerhouse vocalist/actress Emma Hunton (onstage for many a UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY OF...  show) switches gears, exhibiting her directing prowess in her inaugural directorial UMPO production of A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. Hunton keeps the punchlines, the pop songs, the sweet moves coming at you in a machine gun-pace with just enough time to react with laughter or applause. As expected of a project from UMPO executive producer/writer Kate Pazakis, UMPO: A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN consists of her very clever selection of pop songs to further the narrative, combined with some of the wittiest lines to parody the already existing funny moments of the Penny Marshall-directed A League of Their Own.

Director Stephanie Shroyer's innovative staging and updating of Bertolt Brecht's 1944 THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE (using the translation of Alistair Beaton) features a solid ensemble using old-time, theatre magic to fascinate the audience with its tales of World War II tragedies.

Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young will be presenting his gorgeous vocals in his 'Jukebox Hero' set at Feintein's at Vitello's August 2 and 3. A well-rounded, socially-conscious person of the world, one of John's proudest achievements include being appointed to former President Obama's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Catching John at his special guest appearance at The Texas Tenors' one-nighter at Feinstein's at Vitello's in June, I managed to wrangle some interview time with John.

The extremely charismatic Hugh Jackman wowed the sold-out Hollywood Bowl crowd of 17,500 adoring and appreciative fans on the first of his two-night tour stop in Los Angeles! Utilizing his spectacular combo of sturdy vocals, fancy footwork and multi-watt charm, Jackman owned the Bowl stage, giving his all to connect and entertain in THE SHOW.

CHICO'S ANGELS latest episode FLY CHICA FLY will premiere at the Colony Theatre August 1 - 4, 2019. Birthed from the creative minds of Kurt Koehler and Oscar Quintero, CHICO'S ANGELS: FLY CHICA FLY's the eighth episode in their series of hilarious drag parodies of Charlie's Angels, the now classic television series from the late 1970's. After laughing hysterically at a number of their episodes over the years, I finally had the chance to turn the tables on Chita Parol and give her the third degree.

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.

While the beloved, hit sitcom Friends originally ran for ten seasons ending in 2004, you can still easily find reruns of these enduring episodes in continuous syndication. Right Angle Entertainment will be bringing Bob and Tobly McSmith's Off-Broadway theatrical hit FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY to the Kirk Douglas Theatre for its Los Angeles premiere July 16, 2019. I had the opportune time to query Sami Griffith on her role of perennial fan favorite Rachel Green.

The U.S. tour of the Olivier Award-winning THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG lands at the Ahmanson Theatre for its Los Angeles stop beginning July 9, 2019. This madcap play-within-a-play also won, among other laurels, the Tony for Best Scenic Design in 2017. I 'rightfully' got a chance to ask a few questions of WRONG's Brandon J. Ellis. Brandon's the U.S. tour's original Trevor, the sound and lighting tech handling the play-within-a-play THE MURDER AT HAVERSHAM MANOR, a 1920's murder mystery.

Emmy-winning writer Mark Saltzman will be back on the theatrical boards with the world premiere of his ANOTHER ROLL OF THE DICE, beginning July 10, 2019 at the North Coast Rep Theatre. Mark has based ANOTHER ROLL OF THE DICE, his companion piece to GUYS AND DOLLS, on the short stories of Damon Runyon and the time-tested songs of Frank Loesser. Lady Lucky gave me the chance to pick Mark's prolific brain on his long road to Runyonland, as well as, on a significant Sesame Street event.

THE SPITFIRE GRILL begins its previews July 10, 2019 at the Garry Marshall Theatre under the direction of its artistic director Dimitri Toscas. This musical (by James Valcq and Fred Alley) takes place in the rural town of Gilead, Wisconsin during a simpler era. I had the opportunity to interview a stunning vocalist I have seen on various Los Angeles stages, Ashley Argota, who will be imbuing her powerful vocals to the role of Shelby Thorpe, a pivotal part of the Gilead community.

The Los Angeles premiere of multi-genre writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's GOOD BOYS has just begun previews at the Pasadena Playhouse. As the adult in this situation, Brandon's mother Elizabeth must face the myriad of new choices that her family must now select. Betsy Brandt (known to television viewers for her roles in Breaking Bad and Life In Pieces, among many others) portrays the pivotal role of Elizabeth Hardy. Betsy managed to find a few moments to answer my inquiring queries amidst her crazy, hectic schedule.

As part of their TENTH ANNIVERSARY TOUR, the multi-lauded The Texas Tenors will perform a one-nighter at Feinstein's at Vitello's June 28, 2019. From their illustrious debut on America's Got Talent in 2009; JC Fisher, Marcus Collins and John Hagen have won three Emmys for their first PBS special, released chart-topping albums, and sang in over 1,300 concerts worldwide. I seized the opportunity to quiz these talented songsters during the week of their Feinstein's at Vitello's gig.

The U.S. premiere of ANNE, A NEW PLAY receives a sturdy mounting by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, under the strong directing reins of Eve Brandstein. The uniformly talented ensemble present most translucently the re-imagined Anne Frank's Diary of A Young Girl, in the words of playwrights Jessica Durlander & Leon de Winter (translated by Susan Massotty and adapted by Nick Blaemire). Sound designer Derek Christiansen most complementarily heightens the claustrophobic, hovering, impending doom with his ominous footsteps, bombs exploding, and static-ridden radio broadcasts.

Known to many television viewers as Numb3rs' Don Eppes or Northern Exposure's Dr. Joel Fleischman, Rob Morrow will be making his Los Angeles Theatre debut as Willy Loman in Ruskin Group Theatre's DEATH OF A SALESMAN opening June 21, 2019. Rob found some time to answer a few of my curious inquiries.

A man of many voices and talents (you may not readily recognize by voice - he has so many), Alan Tudyk will be mounting the Geffen stage, undertaking dual roles in Michael Mitnick's MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. Under the direction of Geffen Playhouse artistic director Matt Shakman, previews for MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES began June 11, with an opening night set for June 19, 2019. Alan managed to find some time to get on the phone with me after a fun day of rehearsals.

Theatre Royale will be bringing their production of NEWSIES to The Soraya for two performances June 29 and 30. Winner of two Tony Awards in 2012 (Best Score and Best Choreography), NEWSIES follows a band of orphan and runaway newspaper boys striking against the powerful corporate newspaper publishers. I had the opportunity to ask a few probing questions of Theatre Royale's multi-tasked creative Sarah Cleveland.

Paula Vogel's INDECENT has already begun its previews at the Ahmanson Theatre. Vogel and director Rebecca Taichman continue their collaboration, from the workshops and the Broadway run (for which Rebecca won her Tony Award directing INDECENT), to this co-production between the Center Theatre Group and the Huntington Theatre Company. I had the opportunity to delve into the inner creative workings of the man portraying Sholem Asch - Joby Earle.

Television, film and theatre triple-threat Garrett Clayton will debut his headlining cabaret show IT TAKES THREE at the Catalina Jazz Club June 18, 2019. Teaming up with his BFFs - fellow triple threats themselves - Ashley Argota and Desi Dennis-Dylan, Garrett plans to entertain and wow you with their harmonic vocals, jazz hands and lots of heart. Garrett managed to spare a little time for me on the phone Tony Awards weekend.

Internationally renowned playwright Peter Quilter will have his latest theatrical accomplishment BESTSELLER world premiering at the International City Theatre (ICT) in Long Beach beginning June 12, 2019. Writer of such successful shows as END OF THE RAINBOW on Judy Garland and GLORIOUS! on Florence Foster Jenkins, amongst others, BESTSELLER centers on a writers retreat housing an eclectic bunch of writers with writers block. Peter agreed to correspond with me from his home in the Canary Islands.

Coeurage Theatre Company's West Coast premiere of Roy Williams' SUCKER PUNCH consistently hits its target under the uber-tensioned, fast-paced direction of Michael A. Shepperd. Embodied by an all-around talented cast, all involved in channeling William's solid script to the stage should raise their arms and pump their fists in triumph.