John Allee

Review: THE TEMPEST at Antaeus Theatre

From the opening storm to the closing musical number, the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center is awash in buzzes, cries, whooshes, rattles and clangs. What did our critic think of THE TEMPEST at Antaeus Theatre?

THE TEMPEST Extended Through Late July at Antaeus Theatre Company

Antaeus Theatre Company has extended the run of Shakespeare’s The Tempest through July 30.

New Production of THE TEMPEST to be Presented at Antaeus Theatre Company This Summer

Antaeus Theatre Company presents a new production of The Tempest, breathing new life into William Shakespeare’s most musical play.

Jennifer Leigh Warren & More to Star in Reading of THE HURRICANE

Chalk Repertory Theatre will present a presentation of a new musical The Hurricane with book and lyrics by Cory Hinkle (The End of Beauty, Apocalypse Play, Humanitas Play LA Award, Heideman Award) and music by Carla Patullo (Sandra Bernhard, Liza Minnelli, I Love Being Me Don't You Tour, Lotte that Silhouette Girl).

BWW Review: THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP: A PENNY DREADFUL at Actors Co-Op

The Ovation-Winning theatre company, Actors Co-op opens up its 28th season with Charles Ludlam's two-person comedy 'The Mystery of Irma Vep - A Penny Dreadful'.

John Allee Dives Full Fathoms Into Shakespeare And Jazz On BARDFLY

'Now entertain conjecture of a time - maybe it's 1958, maybe it's 1598, maybe it's today...' With those words, spoken slyly over a cool, hipster jazz groove, JOHN ALLEE draws us into BARDFLY, an otherworldly, super-literate and supremely swinging realm that finds the veteran stage and TV actor, singer-songwriter and all-around creative hyphenate fusing his dual lifelong passions for all things Shakespeare and jazz.

BWW Interview: Carla Cackowski Talks THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP - A PENNY DREADFUL

Director Carla Cackowski is delighted to be making her Actors Co-op debut with this wonderfully ridiculous play. Recent credits include directing shows at The Second City (LA), Curious Comedy Theater (Portland, OR), and Stephnie Weir's one woman show, Vanona Ray at the Comedy Central Stage. She regularly tours around the world performing comedic improv with her two person show Orange Tuxedo. Recent tours include the Copenhagen International Improv Festival, the Vancouver International Improv Fest, and the Warsaw Improv Festival. Carla proudly serves on the Board of Directors at Kickstand Comedy, a non-profit theater that seeks to serve the needs of the community, providing programming and educational outreach that helps people laugh, connect, and thrive together. www.carlacackowski.com. She is about to open The Mystery of Irma Vep - A Penny Dreadful at Actors Co-op on October 4.

Actors Co-Op Brings The Mystery Of Irma Vep To Crossley Theatre

Actors Co-op (Ovation Winner 2018 Best Direction of a Musical - Intimate Theatre) is proud to present Charles Ludlam's The Mystery of Irma Vep - A Penny Dreadful, directed by Carla Cackowski, produced by Carly Lopez. This hilarious two-actor, multi-character comedic thriller is a nod to the classic Gothic melodramas and early fright flicks of the 30s and 40s. The play will run October 4 through November 10 at the Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre in Hollywood

Darkly Comic THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN Gets Partner-Cast Production at Antaeus

Dreams are in short supply on the island of Inishmaan, especially for Billy Claven, orphaned and crippled since birth. Antaeus Theatre Company presents The Cripple of Inishmaan, a darkly comic Irish yarn by master storyteller Martin McDonagh. Steven Robman directs a partner-cast ensemble for a Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 opening (one opening night for each cast) at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale, where performances continue through March 11. Low-priced previews begin Jan. 17.

BWW Review: Actors Co-op Honors A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

If the laws are changed for convenience, who will object to money, favors or a higher position? When you think about it, the issue is timeless. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII (Ian Michaels) divorced his wife Catherine, who could not give him a son, and married Anne Boleyn. He was excomunicated from the Catholic Church by the Pope of Rome. The Anglican Church resulted and Henry's power became supreme in England. Spain, who had conducted the Inquisition, looked upon England with disdain. Anyone under Henry's command, who had signed an oath accepting the changes, stood to benefit in convenient ways. For example, Master Richard Rich (Mitchell Lam Hau) moved up the ladder and betrayed his mentor and friend Sir Thomas More (Bruce Ladd), who had offered him sound advice about becoming a teacher and staying honest. Under oath, Rich lied about More, who was accused of treaso

Photo Flash: Actors Co-op Theatre Company's A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Actors Co-op Theatre Company (Ovation Award-Winner 2017 Best Play, Intimate Theatre for 33 Variations) is proud to present the 1962 Tony Award-winner for Best Play, Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons, directed by Thom Babbes, produced by Carly Lopez. This tragic historical drama offers a brilliant portrait of Sir Thomas More in his last years as Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII.  A Man for All Seasons opens tonight, Friday, March 2 at 8:00 pm, and will run through Sunday, April 15 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower Street, 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Actors Co-Op Theatre Company's A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS Opens 3/2

Actors Co-op Theatre Company (Ovation Award-Winner 2017 Best Play, Intimate Theatre for 33 Variations) is proud to present the 1962 Tony Award-winner for Best Play, Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons, directed by Thom Babbes, produced by Carly Lopez. This tragic historical drama offers a brilliant portrait of Sir Thomas More in his last years as Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII.

Photo Flash: First Look at Actors Co-op Theatre Company's THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER

Opening to a sold out house, the Actors Co-op Theatre Company's production of Kaufman and Hart's THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER has been well-received by critics and continues to delight. The beloved comedy about a nightmare holiday guest who never leaves is directed by Linda Kerns, and produced by Thomas Chavira. The play runs through December 17 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood 90028. Check out a first look at production photos below!

BWW Review: Welcome MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER at Actors Co-op

Kaufman and Hart's broad satire on the bizarre world of internationally famous critic Alexander Woollcott, here called Sheridan Whiteside (Greg Martin), when his egocentric life collides with the day to day humdrum lives of the Stanley family of Mesalia, Ohio in 1936 is rarely produced due to its large cast of wildly divergent characters and dated humor. Funny it is, exceedingly funny, but only to those who understand the references to the events and people of the 30s. Now, in a finely staged production at Actors Co-op, The Man Who Came to Dinner, like the playwrights' other smash hit You Can't Take It With You, shows just how dull life would be without flagrant eccentricity and staunch individuality.

Deck the Halls with Actors Co-Op Theatre Company's THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER

Actors Co-0p Theatre Company (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) presents the second show in its 26th Season, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's beloved comedy classic THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER.

Actors Co-Op production of 33 VARIATIONS Extends Through 3/26

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for110 in the Shade) is thrilled to announce that the third show in its celebratory 25th Silver Anniversary season, the critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITIC'S CHOICE!, Stage Raw TOP TEN, Ovation Recommended), smash-hit, Los Angeles intimate theatre premiere of 33 VARIATIONS by Moises Kaufman, choreography by Michelle Parrish and directed by Thomas James O'Leary (Next to Normal) is EXTENDING through SUNDAY, MARCH 26at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

BWW Review: Brilliant Performances and Glorious Music Highlight 33 VARIATIONS at the Actors Co-Op in Hollywood

Often called the greatest set of variations ever written for keyboard, the 33 Variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120, commonly known as the Diabelli Variations, was written by Beethoven between 1819 and 1823, the time frame of his life which is examined in the play, told concurrently with a modern-day fictional story of college professor Dr. Katherine Brandt as she ventures to Bonn to complete her research on why the great composer chose to spend so much time working on such a second-rate piece of music. Along the way, we learn these two will give up nothing in order to reach their goals, even though both were suffering great medical challenges threatening to sidetrack their work. And, even though they're separated by 200 years, these two people share an obsession that might, even just for a moment, make time stand still.

Photo Flash: Passionate Play 33 VARIATIONS Takes Off in LA

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) presents the third show in its celebratory 25th Silver Anniversary season with the Los Angeles intimate theatre premiere of 33 VARIATIONS by Moisés Kaufman, choreography by Michelle Parrish and directed by Thomas James O'Leary (Next to Normal).  33 VARIATIONS will preview on Thursday, February 9 at 8pm and will open on Friday, February 10 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 19 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Actors Co-op Present the Los Angeles Intimate Theatre Premiere of 33 VARIATIONS

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) presents the third show in its celebratory 25th Silver Anniversary season with the Los Angeles intimate theatre premiere of 33 VARIATIONS by Moises Kaufman, choreography by Michelle Parrish and directed by Thomas James O'Leary (Next to Normal).  33 VARIATIONS will preview on Thursday, February 9 at 8pm and will open on Friday, February 10 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 19 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Casey Stangl to Helm CLOUD 9 at Antaeus, 3/10-4/24

Sex and gender. Race and power. Politics and family. Plus Queen Victoria! Antaeus Theatre Company presents Caryl Churchill's outrageous, hilarious and bitingly satirical Cloud 9 in a fully partner-cast production. Casey Stangl directs for a March 10 opening at the Antaeus Theater in NoHo, with low-priced previews beginning March 3.