John Leslie

THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER Audio Play to Debut at Open-Door Playhouse

Open-Door Playhouse will present THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER, a new audio play. Directed by Bernadette Armstrong, it features a mysterious twist at a holiday party. Learn more!

Video: Pierce Brosnan Stars in THE LAST RIFLEMAN Trailer

THE LAST RIFLEMAN, a heartwarming WWII veteran drama starring Pierce Brosnan, will release in theaters and Digital / On Demand on November 8th. The film is directed by Terry Loane and written by Kevin Fitzpatrick, also stars Clémence Poésy, John Amos, Ian McElhinney and Desmond Eastwood. 

Interview: Writer/Director Melanie MacQueen on ALL THESE WOMEN

On October 19, Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills is presenting a reading of All These Women, written and directed by Melanie MacQueen. Centering on the newly elected president Woodrow Wilson, the story delves into how the Women’s Suffrage Parade pushed him to finally agree to Voting Rights for All. I decided to speak with Melanie about how the play came into being, her plans to present it as a reading, and how she plans to keep presenting it in the future.

ALL THESE WOMEN Comes to Theatre 40 Next Month

Theatre 40 announced a staged reading of the new play ALL THESE WOMEN, written and directed by Melanie MacQueen, on October 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in Beverly Hills. Admission is $10 at the door.

SOUTHERN/MODERN Is Coming Soon To The Frist!

Major survey of modern art created in the American South opens January 26.

Interview: David Hunt Stafford on PLAYS IN REP & READING SERIES at Theatre 40

David Hunt Stafford (pictured) is the Artistic Director and Managing Director of Theatre 40, posts he has proudly held since 2000 at the professional theater company located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School. I decided to speak with David about the current plays running in rep during July and August: Doris and Ivy in the Home, in which he appears, and One Moment of Freedom which he produces; and the group’s ongoing Reading Series showcasing new and well-known plays read by company members.

Review: SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre? Set in the dark streets of London in 1785, we follow barber Sweeney Todd (Nathaniel Stampley) as he returns from wrongful imprisonment by the horrifying Judge Turpin (John Leslie Wolf).

Exclusive Photos: First Look at SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

Get a first look at photos of Sweeney Todd at Signature Theatre!

Video: First Look at Nathaniel Stampley, Bryonha Marie & More in SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

Get a first look at footage of Sweeney Todd at Signature Theatre!

Nathaniel Stampley & Bryonha Marie to Lead SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler.

Theatre 40 Presents Monday Night Theatre Appreciation Seminars Now Through November 7

Theatre Forty once again presents Theatre Appreciation Seminars on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. The series of rehearsed play-readings will be presented on Zoom, with the exception of the final play in this series, A Christmas Truce, which will be presented on stage at Theatre Forty on November 7.

Olney Theatre Finalizes Performers and Themes For Outdoor Cabaret Series

Olney Theatre Center has updated its summer schedule for Olney Outdoors with the full schedule and roster of performers featured in its Cabaret concert series which runs on most Friday nights begininng July 8 - August 19.

Little LTF Kicks Off Next Week at St Luke's Bombed Out Church

Little LTF, an event to showcase and celebrate new writing and performing talent from across the North West, opens in Liverpool next week. 

Theatre 40 Presents New Season Of Virtual Seminars, Beginning January 24

The first 2022 session of Theatre 40's popular series of Monday Night Seminars will be conducted on Zoom. Each date of the series will feature the reading of a play by Theatre 40's actors, followed by a Q&A period. The theme of this session is Strange Plays for Strange Days.. The series is moderated by Melanie MacQueen and John Leslie. Each reading will be directed by either Ms. MacQueen or Mr.Leslie.

Signature Theatre to Stream Sondheim Tribute Concert This Weekend

Signature Theatre has announced that special arrangements have been made to stream Everybody Rise: Signature Remembers Stephen Sondheim for free for a limited 72-hour period.

Theatre 40 Presents BEASLEY'S CHRISTMAS PARTY On December 20

For the final entry of 2021 in its popular series of Monday Night Seminars, Theatre 40 will present a rehearsed reading via Zoom of a classic holiday tale, Beasley's Christmas Party.

Theatre 40's Monday Night Seminars Resume September 13

The Fall session of Theatre 40's popular series of Monday Night Seminars will be conducted on Zoom this fall. Each date of the series will feature the reading of a play by Theatre 40's actors, followed by a Q&A period. The plays selected for this Fall include both comedies and dramas. The series is moderated by Melanie MacQueen and John Leslie.

THE CORRESPONDENT Will Be Performed on Zoom by Theatre 40 on April 26

Theatre 40 presents a Zoom reading of a play by Ken Urban, The Correspondent, on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

Theatre 40 Presents Play-Reading of BEN BUTLER

Theatre Forty will present a play-reading via Zoom of the historical drama Ben Butler by Richard Strand on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. PST. John Leslie directs a cast that includes Martin Thompson, Shawn Savage, Tony Williams and John W. Combs.

Actors' Equity Comments On SAG-AFTRA Members Condemning the Union's Raiding of Equity Employers

Actors Equity has released the following roundup of quotes addressing SAG-AFTRA members who are speaking out against the union's battle with Equity.