Shari Barrett - Page 9

In a nod to the bygone days of radio plays, Casey Stangl created RADIO ROUND, a series of 10 short interlinked two-character plays written by 10 visionary writers, performed online by 10 all-star actors, in which one character from each play moves forward to the next play until it comes full circle. Thus, a character from the last play winds up meeting a character from the first, proving the whole of humanity is interconnected and absolutely greater than the sum of its parts. Tune in Sunday, July 12 at 4pm Pacific at http://HouseSeats.LIVE

One thing for sure a?" after watching the play and listening to Squeaky during various time periods of her life, I feel even more sorry for the troubled young woman who allowed herself to be so misguided by a man who knew exactly how to manipulate her need to belong somewhere to his own advantage. So much so that in a 2019 televised interview, Fromme said about Manson, 'Was I in love with Charlie? Yeah, I still am.a?? One wonders at the sanity of such a statement until you realize how her mind was warped through the use of drugs and mind manipulation.

LAVENDER MEN, An Emancipation Play was developed in Skylight Theatre Company's Skylab and received a SOLD OUT reading at circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway this past summer as part of the Circle Reading Series. Originally scheduled to open at the Skylight Theatre on April 25, a scene from the play written by Roger Q. Mason was performed live on July 2 by Skylight Live, because as Mason shared, a?oeRona ran through and chased us into the Zoom Zoom Rooma?? when rehearsals had to be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down live theatre productions.

The completely original show composed of more than a dozen scenes explored the eternal question of What is love, anyway? While there may not be one correct answer, the heartfelt theme proved that shame goes away the more we talk and communicate the truth of our own experience with each other. As I listened to characters from all walks of life share their touching, quirky and often hilarious personal stories of our universal need for human connection, how we go about finding that one great love or one-night stand differed greatly from person to person.

This Spotlight focuses on Award-winning comedian, actress, television, radio host and bestselling author Carla Collins, who is on a mission to help everyone laugh and relax at a time when we so desperately need it. Join her on Wednesday, June 24 at 6pm PST/9pm EST, Carla will be hosting the World Premiere of SHELTER AT 'OM: Comedic Meditation, a unique 30-minute experience of hilarious stand-up comedy to fire up your endorphins followed by a relaxing, authentic guided meditation. Her premiere event will be live-streamed around the world from Los Angeles' popular Whitefire Theatre, and 50% of the proceeds will go toward supporting the 40-year-old venue, which has suffered heavily during the pandemic.

This Spotlight focuses on Stephen Foster & Chuck Pelletier, award-winning co-writers of the musical 'The Green Room' which was based on a one-act play written by Rod Damer. The couple, married since 2011, met through their mutual love of theater and have launched their own production company, Round Earth Entertainment, from home during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Quarantine Mystery Chiller Theater presents Episode 13, an online reading of 'Backstage Murder' written and directed by Kelly Brighton and produced by Jeff LaGreca, on Saturday, June 20 at 7pm. The story centers on the much hated, Artistic Director of The West Hollywood Theatre Company, Finishing The Hat, who is found murdered. Was it his Board of Directors? Join the fun by tuning in to find out! The episode also features a commercial parody written by Amanda Conlon, and a Gruesome Lady segment written by Jeff LaGreca.

This Spotlight focuses on Zach Zucker, one half of Norwegian-American comedy duo, Zach & Viggo, who performs as the renowned standup comedian, Jack Tucker. As the creator of the independent production company, Stamptown, Zach has created, performed and produced eight original shows that have toured around the world.

Torrance Theatre Company newest venture, PLAY-AT-HOME, presents a series of free online theatrical experiences, each designed to entertain audiences during the stay-at-home orders. On Sunday, June 14 at 6pm, I tuned in and really enjoyed SLOW FOOD, playwright Wendy MacLeod's tender comedy that delves deeply into what we hunger for, be it food, attention or love. The 90-minute play centers on Irene and Peter (Cindy Shields and Glenn Kelman) who just want to have a nice meal out while celebrating their anniversary in Palm Springs. But their highly neurotic waiter, Stephen (Daniel Tennant), prefers to talk rather than bring them their food or drinks.

Daniel Sugimoto promises, 'I CAN'T STOP PLAYING UNTIL WE REACH THE GOAL!!!' Join me for my first ever Live Stream Musical Marathon! I am playing to raise money for The Innocence Project, with the goal of raising $1,000, donating 50% of all proceeds directly. Since this is a large goal I am planning to play until the dollar amount is reached, only stopping to use bathroom or snack mildly. Even if this is a charity event I am preparing over 50 songs to play; original and covers. Tune in throughout the day and you won't be disappointed.

This Spotlight focuses on Jon Lawrence Rivera, co-founder of Playwrights' Arena with Steve Tyler in 1992 during the LA Riots. At the time, and for at least two decades, we were the only theater dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and producing new works for the stage written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights to be enjoyed by adventurous minds. I first discovered Playwrights' Arena when their 2017 production of Bloodletting was selected to be presented during Center Theatre Group's 2018 Block Party at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

This Spotlight focuses on Elmira Rahim who began her acting career in Iran, trained at USC, and created the ELAN Ensemble whose inaugural production, How We're Different From Animals, was the recipient of Best Adaptation at Stage Raw Theater Awards in 2019 as well as nominated in multiple categories including Best Production at Stage Raw Theater Awards and LA Drama Critics Circle Awards. But like so many others, this year's production of a modern adaptation of Trojan Women with A Noise Within had to be postponed until theaters can safely open again.

This Spotlight focuses on Cate Caplin, a multiple award-winning producer, director and choreographer whose talents have ignited productions on television, in films, music videos, commercials, and in theatrical venues worldwide. But of course, her busy schedule was put on hold with the rest of the world, just as she was beginning to direct and choreograph a musical very close to her heart.

This Spotlight focuses on John Wuchte, a talented actor/director/writer/composer and amazing Tribal Acting theater creator, who I first met during last year's Hollywood Fringe Festival when I attended his masterful musical production Scarlett Fever which told the true story of the great search to find an actress to portray Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind in 1939. The production utilized John's unique style of performance, which he calls Tribal Acting; a combination of movement, gesture, song and dance, all accompanied by live percussion. And I was hooked!

This Spotlight focuses on Daniel Durant, a multi-talented American Sign Language (ASL) actor whose impressive performance in Spring Awakening with Deaf West Theatre took him all the way to Broadway! As a Deaf actor who performs using ASL, how is he keeping creative while waiting to get back onstage?

This Spotlight focuses on Kara Karaoke whose musical theatre background led her to start her own business as a professional karaoke host five years ago. Of course, she is now obviously quite affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, not being able to host gatherings in person for the time being. So how is she keeping her business going and creativity flowing during these trying times?

Jon Peterson, Executive Artistic Director/Founder of P3 Theatre Roulette, is presenting a virtual reading of Moisés Kaufman and the Members of the Tectonic Theatre Project's masterful play THE LARAMIE PROJECT, on Monday, June 1 at 7pm at https://p3theatre.biz/p3-theatre-roulette. The online presentation features Emily Abeles, Guillermo Alonso, Alden Bettencourt, Kara Brouelette, Elizabeth Curtin, Christy Mauro-Cohen, Jodi Marks, Philip McBride and Jeremy Saje, each of whom will be reading from their individual a?oesafe at homea?? locations. For more information, please call (714) 689-8116.

This Spotlight focuses on the super-talented Daniel Sugimoto who I first met at the 2015 Hollywood Fringe 'Best In Cabaret' show Thenardier's Inn by CAC Studios, I knew I would be following his progress as one of the finest musical theater progenies I had ever met. Not only is he a triple threat onstage as well as a brilliant musical director, his skill with composing musical numbers that movingly tell a story imbues each of his characters with deep-felt heart and soul through his incredible imagination and understanding of human nature. But 2020 has certainly proven to be a challenge since Daniel was entertaining at sea in mid-March when COVID-19 forced worldwide ports to close.

Inspired by an artistic community of theatre makers in response to the need to take live theater online during this time of social distancing, Skylight Theatre Company created its new Web Reading Series beginning on March 26, 2020, bringing together some of LA's most talented writers, directors and actors for weekly presentations of uplifting works, written specifically for this medium. a?oeCLOSE AND FAR AWAYa?? written by Cory Hinkle and directed by Elina de Santos, featuring Melissa Paladino and Jennifer Pollono as two old friends who reconnect via Zoom during quarantine, was performed live on Thursday, May 28.

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World which features interviews with some of the many talented artists who make our Los Angeles theatre community so exciting and vibrant thanks to their ongoing contribution to keeping the Arts alive in the City of the Angels. And just like all of us, I wondered how they are dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved. This Spotlight focuses on Julia Buis, an L.A. actor who traveled the world entertaining before settling in Hamburg, Germany.