Ed Krieger

Interview: Playwright Wendy Graf on EXIT WOUNDS World Premiere at International City Theatre

The world premiere of Graf’s play Exit Wounds is taking place at International City Theatre in Long Beach for a three-week run, August 25 through September 10, directed by ICT producing artistic director caryn desai [sic]. I decided to speak with Wendy on her process for creating the play, being acknowledged as a best new play in such a prestigious competition, why she decided to hold the world premiere at ICT, and how she hopes audiences will connect with its story about healing, hope, and compassion when someone you love has committed a terrible crime.

KPFK's ARTS IN REVIEW to Present A Holiday Special

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual Holiday Special, featuring the AIR Repertory Players under the direction of Irene Arranga, highlighted by the premiere of Christmastime in the City (the story of “Silver Bells”) and the encore of 2017's Christmas in Tinseltown (the story of “White Christmas”), both written by Julio Martinez.  Also featured is the holiday music of Al Jarreau and Jane Fuller.

KPFK Arts In Review Holiday Special Debuts This Month

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual Holiday Special, featuring the AIR Repertory Players under the direction of Irene Arranga, highlighted by the premiere of Christmastime in the City (the story of “Silver Bells”) and the encore of Christmas in Tinseltown (the story of “White Christmas”), both written by Julio Martinez.  Also featured is the holiday music of Al Jarreau.

Fountain Theatre Finds Home for Theater Photographer Ed Krieger's Lifework at L.A. Central Library

Photographer Ed Krieger captured hundreds of L.A. theater productions over the course of 40 years before his death on December 16, 2020. Now, the Fountain Theatre has arranged for his large collection of photos, negatives, slides and digital files to be permanently housed at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles.

BWW Interview: Simon Levy on Directing the Los Angeles Premiere of THE CHILDREN by Lucy Kirkwood

Here's my interview with director Simon Levy on Lucy Kirkwood's funny and astonishing Tony-nominated play is a taut and disquieting thriller about responsibility, reparation and what one generation owes the next. With the outside world in chaos following a devastating environmental disaster, two retired nuclear engineers live a quiet life in a remote cottage on the lonely British coast - until a surprise visit from a former colleague upends the couple's equilibrium and trust. LA. premiere at the Fountain Theatre from Saturday, November 6 through January 23. Featured in the cast are Ron Bottitta, Elizabeth Elias Huffman, and Lily Knight, all three well known around the L.A. theatre scene.

BWW Review: FESTIVE, FASCINATING FLAMENCO AL FRESCO at The Fountain Theatre

September 28, 2021 The evening was quite lovely in temperature and there was excitement in the air for this performance to mark the beginning of coming back after so very long. There were many eager Flamenco fans in attendance, for a sold out performance. After their ceremonious entrances, they each began to solo with Cantinas that were festive and engaging to watch. Lakshmi Basile, a nimble and persuading dancer who is much revered in Spain for all of her accomplishments, as well as being a sought-after teacher in the art of Flamenco, excited the crowd with her stylized rendition. Tito Nunez blended in but initiated his own rhythms, aided by the guitarists, Juan Moro and Kambiz Pakan, who skillfully guided his timing as he delighted the audience with his attitude, his stance and his demanding footwork. Reyes Barrios is the symbol of authentic, historic Flamenco dance and all its many facets. Her timing and build-up of dramatic intensity while performing is masterful. The respect among the performers is clearly seen, and is part of the character and respect assumed in Flamenco dancing.

BWW Interview: Stu James of SLOW FOOD at International City Theatre

Stu James answers questions about his virtual theatre appearance in SLOW FOOD, a tender, uproarious comedy by Wendy MacLeod and directed by Marya Mazor for International City Theatre. In this uproarious comedy, a vacationing couple heads to a Greek restaurant in Palm Springs for their anniversary dinner, only to be confronted with the worst service imaginable by a waiter who knows no limits to his meddling.

Fountain Theatre To Host Virtual Tribute To Photographer Ed Krieger

The Fountain Theatre will host “L.A. Theatre Pays Tribute to Ed Krieger,” a virtual memorial for longtime theater photographer Ed Krieger, on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 at 2 p.m. PT. Krieger passed away on Dec. 16, 2020.

KPFK's Presents Two-Hour Holiday Radio Drama Special

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual Holiday Drama Marathon, featuring the AIR Repertory Players under the direction of Irene Arranga, highlighted by the premiere of the What Child Is This?  

Imagine Theatre Presents THE TALE OF TURANDOT Next Month

What are the three riddles of Turandot, and can anybody answer them? Imagine Theatre (formerly Imagine Project) announces a professionally recorded version of their 2019 production, The Tale of Turandot, to be presented online for only four dates this November, free of charge to the public on November 14, 15, 21, & 22.

BWW Review: THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL at Fountain Theatre

Part history, part mystery and part ghost story, Bayezaa??s lyrical integration of past, present, fact and legend turns Emmetta??s story into a soaring work of music, poetic language and riveting theatricality, transformed into an online format that breaks the notion of what a virtual performance can be. With the actors seen as cut-outs inserted into backdrops to fit each scene, characters move about each other in cars, on a living room couch, or while riding on a Ferris Wheel as if they really are in the scene together at the same time.

Original Cast of the Fountain Theatre's THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL Reunites for Online Reading

The original director and cast of the Fountain Theatre's 2010, multiple award-winning production of The Ballad of Emmett Till by Ifa Bayeza will reunite for a live-streamed reading of the play on Friday, Aug. 28, which marks the 65th anniversary of Till's murder.

BWW Feature: THE HOT LIST IS BACK!

The Hot List is back and better than ever! Whether youa??re staying at home or venturing out for a socially distanced experience, you wona??t have to look far to find that art and entertainment lives on. Check out these great options today: Boston Court Pasadenaa??s AT HOME WITH AMANDA MCBROOM and the beginning of their exciting new Book Club, Idris Goodwina??s BARS AND MEASURES; Rooftop Movies at the Montalbán featuring LA LA LAND, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, and BLACKKKLANSMAN; South Coast Repertorya??s Online Community Fiesta, MASA; a screening of Ephraim Asilia??s THE DIASPORA SUITE at REDCAT; and a special Talk-back with Mitch Albom and the cast of The Group Repa??s TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.

BWW Spotlight Series: Meet Martin Thompson, A Recovering Soap Opera Actor, an Official Sherlock Holmes Performer, and Acting Instructor at New York Film Academy

This Spotlight focuses on Martin Thompson, a self-proclaimed recovering soap opera actor who often graces stages as an a?oeOfficial Sherlock Holmes Performera?? and now frequents the stage or directs at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills as well as in films and on TV series. And as a distinguished member of the acting faculty at The New York Film Academy, Martin now teaches an Acting for Film class online. Read on to find out more about this talented actor who recently directed an outstanding production of The Manor at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.

BWW Spotlight Series: Meet Simon Levy Who Began His Directing Career in San Francisco and Now Calls The Fountain Theatre His Home

This Spotlight focuses on Simon Levy who began his directing career in San Francisco, then moved to Los Angeles in 1990 where he has been the Producing Director for the Fountain Theatre since 1993. His directing and producing credits are numerous, with over 100 productions in Los Angeles and San Francisco that have won more than 200 awards. His journey has been blessed with having wonderful mentors along the way, which has enabled the talented director to earn his living doing theatre and earned him great respect from the entire L.A. Theatre community.

BWW Spotlight Series: Meet Bill Brochtrup Who Rose to Fame on NYPD Blue, L.A. Stages, and as the Artistic Director of the Antaeus Theatre Company

This Spotlight focuses on Bill Brochtrup who rose to TV stardom as PAA John Irvin on the ABC television drama NYPD Blue and continues to dazzle audiences as an actor, most recently in the Ovation Award-wining DANIEL'S HUSBAND at the Fountain Theatre, and planning programming for the Antaeus Theatre Company in Glendale as its Artistic Director. And when he can find the time, Bill enjoys traveling around the world and hiking in some of the most beautiful places on Earth.

BWW Spotlight Series: Meet Michael Mullen, An Award-Winning Costume Designer and Actor

With the current theatre world on hiatus, I have created a Spotlight Series on Broadway World Los Angeles 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 like all of us, how are they dealing with the abrupt end of productions in which they were involved? This Spotlight focuses on Michael Mullen, an award-winning and always busy costume designer, writer and actor who often steps onstage in a variety of roles, both male and female.

BWW Review: WEST ADAMS at Skylight Theatre WEST ADAMS Smartly Takes on Privilege, Race, and Status

Penelope Lowder's WEST ADAMS is a keenly observed look at race, class, and privilege seen through a magnifying glass that elevates it to an over-the-top state, for both better and worse. The timely show focuses on two interracial married couples: pregnant Caucasian Sarah (Allison Blaize) and Latin Edward (Andrés M. Bagg), and Asian Julie (Jenny Soo) and Caucasian Michael (Clayton Farris). They live in the burgeoning West Adams district of Los Angeles, thrilled to be part of the community's gentrification. But when a very wealthy black family moves in across the street, they struggle to even pretend they can keep up with the Jones', and the pressure devolves them into a spiral of resentment, racism, and, ultimately, revenge.

BWW Review: THE MANOR Brings a True Tale of Family Wealth and Woe Inside Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills

Now celebrating its 18th year, the annual production of THE MANOR has become a Los Angeles/Beverly Hills institution with several performances selling out even before tickets go on sale to the public. Its popularity, no doubt, is due to the scandalous true story as told by the talented actors who each inhabit their characters to a tee, costumed to time-period perfection, as well as the chance to be inside the grand and glorious architectural landmark in which the events of 91 years ago actually took place, performed in two acts taking place 10 years apart. The names of all characters in the tragic Doheny family saga have been changed, of course, a?oeto protect the guiltya?? as we are told before the play begins by the mansion's loyal butler, James, portrayed this year by David Hunt Stafford who also produces the show for Theatre 40 in association with The City of Beverly Hills.

BWW Review: SUNDAY DINNER Proves to be a Challenge When Family Secrets are Revealed

At the center of his play is the Matera family, soon to get together for a very special SUNDAY DINNER in that their son Michael (James Tabeek), a young priest in the Chicago Archdiocese, is returning to his parents' home in the Bronx after his grandfather dies. And just as Jewish mother would “qvell” about her son being a doctor, no doubt a Catholic mother would love to brag about her son being a priest. So of course when we first meet the family's matriarch Rose (Sharron Shayne) and her sister Margaret (Michele Schultz) as they are preparing the table for what they expect will be an interesting gathering, we soon learn because so many family members will be there with lots of past history, emotional reactions are bound to be ignited.