Shari Barrett - Page 37

I have long been a fan of plays that present an insider's look at what goes on behind-the-scenes at a theatrical production. A fine example of such a backstage farce is Sarah Ruhl's STAGE KISS, skillfully directed by Bart DeLorenzo who knows exactly how to make the most outrageous stage antics and romances seem not only probable but incredibly hysterical thanks to Sarah Ruhl's fast-paced script that leads us on-stage, back-stage and out the stage door as reality collides with fiction in this raucous and revealing relationship comedy.

Theatre Palisades opened George Bernard Shaw's social commentary 'MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION' on Friday, April 1 at Pierson Playhouse with performances continuing through Sunday, May 8, 2016. The production is directed by Sabrina Lloyd and produced by Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne by special permission with Samuel French. The cast features (in alphabetical order) Brooks Darnell, Susan Hardie, Craig Jessen, Frank Krueger, Ken MacFarlane and Jenna Tovey.

RAIN performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage, a total of 36 songs on the night I attended. It's quite a treat going from The Beatles appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show through 'Let it Be' and 'Hey Jude,' two of the last songs the group recorded together, with each album time shift accompanied by costume and physical appearance changes by the group as well as many historical films/videos reflecting what was going on in the world at the time, from Vietnam to protests at home, their meditation trip to India, and the overall madness of screaming fans at Shea Stadium on 8-15-65.

Tense mysteries where not much happens in the way of real action on the stage can be problematic if the storyline proves to be too easy to figure out. Thankfully A SHRED OF EEVIDENCE by R.C. Sherriff directed by Jules Aaron at Theatre 40 is so well written and directed that you will be kept on the edge of your seat trying to figure out if the lead character really is guilty of a crime he cannot remember committing when all the circumstantial evidence points directly to him being the culprit.

The West Coast premiere of DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY by Rich Orloff is currently playing to uproariously laughing audiences at Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro, directed with a clear vision by Holly Baker-Kreiswirth in which much homage is paid to classic gangster movies. Directing in the most over-the-top slapstick style makes sense for this imaginary tale in which even convicts are cardboard cut-outs compared to those who might break into your home these days.

CRE Outreach was incorporated in 2007, serving at-risk students, the visually impaired and military veterans through theater-based arts programs. Utilizing theater as a means to enhance self-esteem, encourage self-expression and empower individuals to overcome the challenges in their lives, CRE Outreach focuses on "transforming lives, one show at a time." So when I was invited to see Kelsey Wilk's new play "Changing Faces" as the 16th production of Theatre by the Blind directed by Greg Shane, I knew I was in for another mind-empowering experience.

In all facets of the creative arts, it is an unfortunate reality that every artist needs to balance his/her artistic vision with the need to be commercially successful in order to survive financially, which in turn will allow you to follow your vision. But where do you draw the line? Of course everyone needs to earn a living, but must you sacrifice your true artistic vision in order to be a success? Such is the theme of SEX WITH STRANGERS written by Laura Eason and directed with an inner vision of the struggle by Kimberly Senior. The production features Stephen Louis Grush as Ethan and Rebecca Pidgeon as Olivia.

On Friday, March 11, Kentwood Players welcomed the multiple Tony Award winning musical "MAN OF LA MANCHA" with Book by Dale Wasserman, Music by Mitch Leigh and Lyrics by Joe Darion to the Westchester Playhouse where performances will continue through April 16. The production is directed by Susan Goldman Weisbarth with Musical Director Mike Walker and Choreographer Drew Fitzsimmons, produced by Margie Bates and Gail Bernardi by special arrangement with Tams Witmark Music Library. Here's your first look at onstage photos by Shari Barrett.

The battle between the sexes has always been a favorite topic for all types of literary works. With the onslaught in today's media of how women should look to attract men rather than being true to who they really are, playwright Sheila Callaghan has taken a very personal stand in her madcap new play WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD, now presented in its West Coast premiere at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Directed by Neel Keller, with musical staging by Ken Roht, performances continue through April 3. The gender-bending cast includes Lisa Banes, Nora Kirkpatrick, David Clayton Rogers and Dinora Z. Walcott, all of whom plays both female and male characters!

The iconic music of Elvis Presley inspired writer Joe Dipietro to create ALL SHOOK UP, a musical set in 1955 utilizing the rock 'n roll star's songs. The bottom line with Elvis's music is that it makes a lot of people very happy, even 50 years after it was recorded. And Dipietro thought, what other type of entertainment form does that? And that's when he came up with the Shakespeare comedies, which are very much about love and finding your joy, marriage, passion, and all the good stuff of life. And of course, frequent cases of mistaken identity!

In Shaw's controversial attack on society's hypocrisy, Young Vivie Warren is intelligent and self-sufficient, but astounded to learn how her mother rose from poverty to riches through the world's oldest profession. Mrs. Warren ably justifies her past, attacking a hypocritical society that rewards vice and oppresses virtue, stating that poverty and the society that fosters poverty are the real villains. Certainly her profession is preferable to life in a 19th century factory!

A recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, THE BLESSING OF A BROKEN HEART arrives precisely at the time when it is most needed to help heal our communities in the wake of a deluge of local and national tragedies involving innocent children. It is a story about resilience and the power of faith to assist in overcoming whatever confronts your spirit in life. This story about hope, purpose, and recovery recounts the events that changed Sherri Mandell's family forever.

On Friday, February 26, City Players enjoyed a spectacular opening night of the World Premiere drama UTOPIA written by and starring David Douglas and Martin Head, directed by Katherine Whitney. Opening night festivities were attended by Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey and members of the Royal Palms Recovery Center who provided rehearsal space for the production.The SOLD OUT audience awarded the production with a well-deserved standing ovation.

DON QUIXOTE is a fantastic Los Angeles Ballet production, filled with the dreams of the Don (Adam Luders), the love of Kitri and Basilio (technically perfect and emotionally evocative dancers Julie Cinquemani and Kenta Shimizu) and the adventures that follow them during this epic tale. There is something for everyone: humor, love, adventure and lots of beauty performed by a lively cast of characters from village folk to gypsies to flamenco dancers who will enthrall audiences of all ages.

With music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown, THE WIZ is an urban retelling of the classic fantasy story based on the children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Filled with beloved songs, incredible dance numbers, tornadoes, munchkins, and skateboarding monkeys, the enthusiasm of the cast as directed and choreographed by Chelsea Field and magnificent student rock orchestra conducted by Stephen McDonough under the Musical Direction of Kelci Hahn, will transport you in believing this is a professional company of triple threat actors at the top of their game.

Kentwood Players proudly presents the multiple Tony Award winning musical "MAN OF LA MANCHA" with Book by Dale Wasserman, Music by Mitch Leigh and Lyrics by Joe Darion opening Friday, March 11 through Saturday, April 16, 2016 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm, with three Thursday night performances on March 31, April 7 and 14 at 8:00pm, at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Los Angeles, CA 90045. The production is directed by Susan Goldman Weisbarth with Musical Director Mike Walker and Choreographer Drew Fitzsimmons, produced by Margie Bates and Gail Bernardi by special arrangement with Tams Witmark Music Library.

Be prepared to be entertained by April Showers, the current reigning Miss Hollywood Burlesque at BOOBS, BOOKS AND BURLESQUE on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at the Culver Hotel in downtown Culver City. Showers is the recipient of several awards including Most Classic and Best Singer. Funny, glamorous and classy, she is noted to be one of the best burlesque performers in Los Angeles. Also entertaining will be Maxi Millions, a multi-award winning burlesque performer known for her classic bump 'n grind style and high glamour taste. She is co-producer of Spellbound Burlesque and has performed on stages all over the U.S.

Utopia is defined as an imaginary place where everything is perfect. But what does it take to achieve perfection in just two days within the art world? City Players is proud to present the World Premiere of 'UTOPIA' by David Douglas and Martin Head on February 26, 27, March 3, 4, 5 at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 28 at 2pm at the Bootleg Theater, located at 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057. The production is directed by Katherine Whitney.

How often have you wondered what it would be like to go back in time and talk to an historical icon? Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP is a gripping and often humorous re-imagining of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that won London's 2010 Olivier Award for best new play. It's one of the best ways imaginable to honor Dr. King, Black History Month and the Black Lives Matter movement by experiencing its Los Angeles premiere at the Matrix Theatre, directed by Obie Award-winner Roger Guenveur Smith and starring Larry Bates and Danielle Truitt. I cannot imagine any two actors more suited to step into the shoes of these two characters, having worked together in a previous production of the play at San Diego Rep, also directed by Smith.

Written, directed and choreographed by three-time Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen, Freeze Frame takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride through some of LA's toughest streets where gangs, poverty, violence, and drugs are an everyday reality. Originally commissioned by the Brisbane Arts Festival, Freeze Frame is a dynamic mix of street-tough characters sharing their stories through a series of high-powered scenes of dance, song and drama featuring more than thirty Debbie Allen Dance Academy proteges and professional guest artists.