Shari Barrett - Page 49

On August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother were found bludgeoned in their family home. Lizzie was arrested for murder and the trial date set for June 5, 1893. The trial lasted fourteen days, and caused a national sensation as it was the first public trial in the United States to be covered extensively by the media. Popular opinion was split on her innocence or guilt. Did she or didn't she do it? See BLOOD RELATIONS and decide for yourself.

The production is visually stunning, blending live actors, puppets and keenly choreographed movement that breathe life into everyday inanimate objects. The puppetry involves a huge range of ground-breaking techniques and variety of creations - from the smallest mechanical creatures to the huge god-like masks and limbs that represent Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the Fairies.

Set in Poland circa 1890, WHITE MARRIAGE is a surreal and erotic coming-of-age fairytale that follows a young girl's poignant emergence into womanhood and frightened resistance to her impending marriage. Two sisters, sensitive Bianca (Kate Dalton) and precocious Pauline (Emily Goss), are on the verge of adulthood. Bianca is betrothed to Benjamin (Austin Rogers) and the preparations for her imminent wedding send the girls into a flurry of excitement and confusion.

Although a work of fiction, DOCTOR ANONYMOUS was inspired by a watershed moment in LGBT history when Dr. John E. Fryer, wearing a mask and using a voice-distorting microphone, declared himself a homosexual in front of the American Psychiatric Association's 1972 convention - leading to the decision to de-list homosexuality as a mental illness.

Every once in a while an extraordinary story and performer comes along where we can explore the human condition from a new perspective. Such a performer is Bailey Mason and such a show is !HOOKED which blends wacky yet real comedy with episodes of somber events from Bailey's life. She is a strong person who has experienced more than she would have wanted, but came out better for it in the end.

On the first Sunday of each month, Bruce Kimmel's Kritzerland Records' presents a supper club musical cabaret at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in NoHo. Sunday, April 6, 2014, the group celebrated its two-year anniversary with THESE APRIL FOOLISH THINGS with not only foolish songs but ones having to do with Spring or the month of April in general.

The 9th longest-running off-Broadway musical of all time, ALTAR BOYZ is a foot-stomping, rafter-raising musical comedy satire about a fictitious Christian boy-band on the last night of their national 'Raise the Praise' tour during which they attempt to reduce the number of burdened souls in the theatre to zero by the end of the concert.

Certainly anyone who has worked in a corporation, and especially those who are so hooked into the online world via Twitter, will identify with the characters and situations in THE MEMORANDUM. And even though parts of it may go over your head politically, the clear message that corporations zap individuality will come through loud and clear.

When all the elements fall into place in perfect harmony, the resulting frivolity and laughter go far beyond the words on the page to reveal utter hysteria. Such is the case with Anglo-Franco Fusion Farce DON'T DRESS OF DINNER by Marc Camoletti, adapted by Robin Hawdon, now onstage at Theatre Palisades through May 11.

John Denver was an environmentalist before it was fashionable and a man not afraid to sing about his deep love for the Earth and his wife. While few radio stations still play his music, his many albums sold millions of copies during his singing career from 1969-1997. Those of us in the audience on opening night were quick to join in singing, spreading Denver's joy and love throughout the theater.

How often have you wished you could have stopped the tragedy that befalls lovers in Shakespeare's plays? Playwright and producer Lloyd J. Schwartz, along with director Ted Lange, lovingly give you a chance to get to know these magnificent characters in the world premiere comedy CLASSIC COUPLES COUNSELING now onstage at the Secret Rose Theatre in NoHo. Their vision juxtaposes modern counseling with the timeless issues facing Shakespeare's classic couples.

Certainly those of us who frequent any Jewish deli in Los Angeles will recognize these characters. Playwright Sam Bobrick admits some of the events in the play's 12 sketches actually happened to him, some to his friends, and some to people he just happened to be sitting next to at lunch. After working in the entertainment business for over 50 years, he's not sure which is which.

Any of us who have engaged in online chatting knows that sex and obsession, indulged through an erotic relationship on the Internet, can lead to disappointing or explosive consequences. You only have to follow today's headlines about young girls bullied online who commit suicide just to escape the continuous taunting, with helpless parents unable to help or even unaware of the problem until it's too late. TALHOTBLOND certainly is a cautionary tale for the times in which we live.

Emily Rose has been traveling around the United States presenting her fictionalized one-woman musical CONFESSIONS OF A RABBI'S DAUGHTER. The show enjoyed a performance at the York New Musical Festival, a successful run in the Edinburgh Fringe last summer, and an Off-Broadway run before making its current LA debut at the Complex in Hollywood this weekend.

THE PETRIFIED FOREST endures because it has it all: romance, suspense, danger, sex and even a little politics. A fantasy of the highway, it unfurls like a dream of a still-untamed corner of the American West. Although it has some of the flavor of an adventure, its multiple themes (men and women, working class struggle, class conflict gender issues, left vs. right) still resonate today.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, faith means having complete trust or confidence in someone or something, a strong belief in God or in a doctrine of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. In GOD ONLY KNOWS, Hugh Whitemore presents his audience with a factual, intelligent and intense debate over the validity and origins of faith, especially Christianity. It also explores humankind's need to believe in or have faith is something greater than ourselves.

In SECRETS, Evan and Merisha struggle to save their once-fairytale marriage amidst mounting secrets that explode in their faces. According to writer/director (and star) Wallace Demarria, SECRETS explores infidelity, lies, lack of attention and communication, and much more. "If you ever wondered why men and women cheat or have been cheated on, then you will want to see this play.'

Bailey Mason presents a return engagement of her critically-acclaimed solo show HOOKED, opening Sunday, April 27 and continuing on Sundays at 7:00pm through June 29, 2014 at Spiritworks Center in Burbank, directed by Mark W. Travis. HOOKED recounts Bailey's journey from hooker to healer, a true story of love and transformation.

In this day of instant communication, how do you feel when the person you love does not answer a text or email within an hour? Makes you wonder what that person is up to and with whom, doesn't it? So image how was it in the days when the only way to reach a loved one was by sending a letter, and then having to wait for weeks or months for a response. Certainly the most outrageous scenarios would play in your head as to what was really going on.

Audiences and critics are raving about the Kentwood Players production of the Tony Award winning FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, presented at the Westchester Playhouse during the musical's 50th anniversary celebration of its 1964 Broadway debut. With packed houses during its opening weekend, be sure to call (310) 645-5156 to get your tickets in advance for performances through April 19.