Interview: Renee O'Connor on Directing Roald Dahl's MATILDA the Musical for Encore Productions at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
Renee O’Connor is perhaps best known as Gabrielle from the popular TV Show Xena Warrior Princess. Along with her roles in many movies, she is now stepping into the role of director for Encore Production’s Matilda, a musical extravaganza featuring cast members of all ages and backgrounds at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on Friday, January 19 at 7:30pm, Saturday, January 20 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday, January 21 at 2:00pm. I decided to speak with Renee about directing the production, her search for the young performers needed in it, and to find out more about her other entertainment ventures.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Tour to be Presented in Mumbai in May
The global tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, will be the first Broadway touring musical to perform in India at the brand new 2000 seat musical theatre venue, The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.
THE TWENTY-SIDED TAVERN to Open in NYC Tomorrow
Gamiotics Studios, the emerging leader in real-time audience engagement will be presenting The Twenty-Sided Tavern, a live-action Dungeons and Dragons style interactive adventure at The Asylum NYC in New York City as part of a multi-city rollout of this new live narrative experience.
PETER PAN Lands In Saudi Arabia For The First Time
In an unprecedented move toward exposing western culture to the east, Poets International has brought PETER PAN, one of Broadway's greatest and most classic wonders in family entertainment to the grand stage at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Just seven weeks after the announcement was made that Saudi Arabia was opening up to foreign tourists with new visas, Saudi citizens are embracing the timeless story of PETER PAN with children young and old singing along and even dancing in the aisles. With sweeping reforms currently happening in Saudi Arabia, this performance not only brings a much beloved western art form to its citizens -- live Broadway Musical Theatre -- but also introduces family-friendly fun, that can be shared together. The musical production builds to a fervor pitch as thousands of Saudis yell out 'I believe in fairies...' to save Tinker Bell from an untimely death.
DEPARTURE, Starring Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer, Now In Production
Global announced today that it has commissioned a new Canadian original six-part event series, Departure. Produced by Shaftesbury and Greenpoint Productions Ltd., the thrilling drama is directed by Canadian Screen Award Winner T.J. Scott (Orphan Black, Star Trek: Discovery), with Malcolm MacRury (Saving Hope) joining as showrunner, and created by Vincent Shiao (Ransom, Aftermath). With principal photography now underway in Toronto, the Canada/UK co- production will also shoot in London, England. The project was developed by Shaftesbury in association with Corus Entertainment and Red Arrow Studios International.
The Russo Brothers' AGBO Hires Three New Executives
Todd Makurath, Chief Operating Officer of AGBO, announced today the expansion of the executive ranks with the hiring of Dennis Hands (Chief Financial Officer), Irene Flores (General Counsel), and Nicholas Anglewicz (EVP, Finance & Strategy). They come to AGBO with a wealth of experience in the film and entertainment industry. The group will be joining AGBO as part of its focus towards growing its footprint as a full service media company.
Ice Cube Talks to CBS SUNDAY MORNING About His Greatest Setback
By any measure, rapper, actor, producer and entrepreneur Ice Cube has been successful in his career. However, he still feels like he has to convince people he's on top of his game, he tells Tracy Smith in an interview for CBS SUNDAY MORNING to be broadcast Sunday, August 12 (9:00 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.