Gil Kaan - Page 36

Playwright Lynn Nottage's 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning SWEAT, her raw take on the intertwining issues affecting a close-knit group of Reading, Pennsylvania townsfolk, has just opened at the Mark Taper Forum. Portraying Cynthia, the inescapable lightning rod in SWEAT's volatile scenario, Nottage stalwart Portia brings a human face to a multiple of 'faceless' generalized preconceptions. Portia gave us her thoughts on working with Lynn Nottage, Phylicia Rashad and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Writer/performer Michael J. Feldman world premieres his long-incubated FAIRY TALE THEATRE 18 & OVER at The Pico, opening September 14, 2018. We had a chance to query Michael on how he turned a bad date experience into a full-length stage musical.

Theatre veteran Tony Tanner's latest directorial project GIVE ME THE SUN, his adaptation of Ibsen's GHOSTS, world premieres September 15, 2018 at the Lounge Theatre. The actor/writer/director, having worked with a Who's Who of theatrical talents, allowed me to pick his brain on his extensive theatrical history.

Known to generations of theatre aficionados, film enthusiasts and television devotees, Bruce Davison will be appearing at The Pasadena Playhouse beginning September 5, 2018 in playwright Karen Zacarias' NATIVE GARDENS. Directed by Seinfeld's Jason Alexander, this surprisingly topical tale of neighbors fighting over their shared fence features Frances Fisher as Virginia Butley (wife to Bruce's Frank Butley), with Christian Barillas and Jessica Meraz as Pablo and Tania Del Valle, the newbie couple on the block.

Kay Sedia, a seasoned performer of 15 years as the 'prettiest' of the three Chico's Angels, runs away (as quickly as one can in cha-cha pumps) with her latest one-woman show A WHOLE LOTTA KAY! A ONE-WOMAN SHOW. In this hour-long cabaret piece, night club manager J.T. has apparently double-booked two one-woman shows for the same night - Kay Sedia's and Lotta Slots'. These two big-coiffed divas duel it out in much hilarity for the benefit of the most responsive audience.

Following Reprise's successful re-launch (as the newly christened REPRISE 2.0) with a crowd-pleasing SWEET CHARITY, REPRISE 2.0 mounts THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND on the Freud Playhouse boards beginning September 5, 2018. We had the chance to chat with one of WORLD's talented cast members, theatre vet Valerie Perri on being back with Reprise, while hitting highlights of her extensive theatrical career.

Jocelyn Bioh's hit MCC production of SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY lands in Los Angeles at the Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre running September 2 through September 30, before encoring back in New York City at the Lucille Lortel Theatre October 16 through November 25. We had the opportunity to chat with Mirirai Sithole, one of the original cast members who's making the trek between coasts.

Playwright Peter Quilter's END OF THE RAINBOW packs a powerful punch in the gut under director Michael Matthews sure-handed guidance of his talented cast. Two moments of RAINBOW rate as the must, MUST-see moments for any Judy Garland aficionados - when the astonishing Angela Ingersoll totally morphs into Judy Garland singing 'The Man That Got Away' and, when Ingersoll channels Judy Garland in 'Over the Rainbow.' Ingersoll has Judy Garland down pat.

Playwright David Henry Hwang's YELLOW FACE receives a most sturdy mounting from co-producers Firescape Theatre and Yolk Productions in association with the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Director Robert Zimmerman guides his talented cast of seven with a sure hand, mining the maximum laughs and feels from Hwang's very clever script, with Hwang as the pivotal character.

A mannequin manufacturer by day, James Chiao will be fulfilling his dream with the world premiere of his musical TENOR BY NIGHT September 22, 2018 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood (with preview performances at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster, August 17 through 26). James took two subjects he's most familiar with (mannequins and singing) and mashed them together.

A man who surely knows a thing or two about comedy, Mark Lonow, the co-owner of the legendary Improv chain, will world premiere his latest play (co-written with his wife Jo Anne Astrow) JEWS, CHRISTIANS AND SCREWING STALIN at the Matrix Theatre beginning August 16, 2018. Taking his childhood dramas and traumas, Mark repurposes his familial distress to make you cry, not from its heavy seriousness, but from all the laughing so hard.

World Premiere of playwright Aruna Harjani's WEST BOLLYWOOD received an earnest mounting at The Matrix Theatre. The outstanding, high-energy choreography by Danish Bhandara greatly complemented this mash-up (or clash) of West Hollywood gay life and the more traditional Indian culture. All involved executed the intricate Bollywood and contemporary dance steps with enthusiasm and nimble footwork.

The world premiere of Michael Leoni's FAMOUS receives a phenomenal, all-encompassing mounting from An 11:11 Experience in their new venue, The 11:11, in the heart of West Hollywood. Director Leoni drives his all-around talented cast at a neck-breaking speed like an expert racecar driver lapping his racetrack.

ANNIE, this year's Hollywood Bowl Summer Musical, will be performed by an all-star cast July 27, 28 and 29. Each year, a condensed version of a full-length Broadway musical corrals name performers from theatre, television and music with crazy, busy schedules that normally wouldn't be available for a full musical schedule commitment. We have the opportunity to chat with Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, who will be playing Grace Farrell in this production.

Director Dan Fishbach returns to the Odyssey Theatre, following up his smartly-directed JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS from last season, with his equally smartly-directed SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM. Strong vocals notwithstanding, Fishbach has managed to also feature the comedic underlyings of this Sondheim revue, resulting in laughs at the most delicious of moments.

Uber busy, much in-demand choreographer Janet Roston will have three separate theatre productions running this month of July. Already opened - CABARET at Celebration Theatre and MUTT HOUSE at Kirk Douglas - Janet's latest choreographic piece GATSBY REDUX will be world premiering July 24, 2018 as part of THE MUSIC CENTER'S MOVES AFTER DARK. We had the opportunity to catch Janet in a rare, spare moment between her shows to see how her choreographic mind works.

The west coast premiere of Patrick Marber's THREE DAYS IN THE COUNTRY receives a sturdy mounting by the always dependable Antaeus Theatre Company. Marber's adaptation of Ivan Turgenev's classic A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY has been smartly condensed and updated from its original five-act length to a much more manageable (and most witty and enjoyable) two-and-a-half-hour running time.

Jennifer Hudson made her self-proclaimed, long-awaited debut at the Hollywood Bowl July 6 and 7, where she sang her silvery-fringed, mini-skirted butt off, totally charming her appreciative audience. Jennifer's vocal prowess was certainly in superlative, peak form as her hellllld notes and high, hiiiiiiiiiiigh notes blended well, both with the full intricate orchestrations of the Bowl Orchestra and the simple piano tinkering of her nimble-fingered pianist Dave Jackson.

Attending The Groundlings shows on a Friday or Saturday night, you will sure to hear one of the most rocking bands in Los Angeles or anywhere smoking music is appreciated. The Groundlings Band consists of Larry Treadwell on guitar, Greg Kanaga on drums and musical director Matthew Loren Cohen on keyboards. I managed to lightly twist the arm of Larry to chat with me before rehearsing the next Friday/Saturday show GROUNDLINGS ROAD TRIP PARTY.

The U.S. tour of the multi-Tony Award-winning THE HUMANS completes its coast-to-coast trek landing at the Ahmanson Theatre, with the reunion of five of its original Broadway actors, including Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell reprising their Tony Award-winning roles of the patriarch and matriarch of the Blake clan. We had the opportune chance to chat with Cassie Beck, who originated the role of Aimee, the older sister in this loving, but dysfunctional Blake family, as they gather for a Thanksgiving meal at the new apartment of younger sis Brigid and her boyfriend Richard.