Kendra Munger

BWW Review: Potent ATTACK OF THE SECOND BANANAS Successfully Aims & Bullseyes Your Funny Bones

Menander Productions and Jamie Pierce have gathered a talented cast and crew to populate their world premiere of playwright Gina Torrecilla's ATTACK OF THE SECOND BANANAS, now at the Zephyr Theatre. Ryan Bergmann sharply directs his six-person ensemble in a slick, quick pace of much laughs and hilarity. Taylor Stephenson's underscoring of mock suspense music aptly heightens this involving, who-done-it mystery.

World Premiere Comedy ATTACK OF THE SECOND BANANAS Opens March 1st At Zephyr Theatre

Menander Productions and Jamie Pierce have announced a limited engagement of the world premiere comedy Attack of the Second Bananas by Gina Torrecilla at the Zephyr Theatre in West Hollywood. Directed by Ryan Bergmann, opening is set for Friday, March 1, at 8pm and the limited run will play through March 31.

BWW Reviews: Kelrik's SWEENEY TODD a Dynamite Hit at the El Portal

Sweeney Todd first bowed on Broadway in late 1979. Fortunately, I was in New York to witness the brilliant achievement of Hugh Wheeler and Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou and the entire creative team. Kelrik Productions is presenting the masterwork for the first time, hardly an easy task in a small intimate theatre space such as the Monroe Forum Theatre of the El Portal. Well, let me tell you, they may be exceedingly proud of this production, as it replicates just about everything that the original achieved, minus a full orchestra. Every detail, every move and every musical beat are in line with wonderful musical director Joe Lawrence at the piano. With a perfect cast and brilliantly inventive direction and staging from Kristin Towers-Rowles, this Sweeney Todd could not be better.

Kelrik Productions Presents SWEENEY TODD, Now thru 5/10

SWEENEY TODD, the Tony Award-winning musical, sails into the Monroe Forum Theatre @ El Portal tonight, April 10 to May 10, 2015. Based on a version of SWEENEY TODD by Christopher Bond, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, it's a tragicomic tale of murder, mayhem, and meat pies.

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET Slices Its Way into The El Portal

Kelrik Productions proudly presents Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece of musical theatre, Sweeney Todd, winner of 8 TONY Awards, in its original conceptual form as a chamber piece, at the 99-seat Monroe Forum Theatre at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, CA.

Kelrik Productions Presents SWEENEY TODD, 4/10 - 5/10

SWEENEY TODD, the Tony Award-winning musical, sails into the Monroe Forum Theatre @ El Portal April 10 to May 10, 2015. Based on a version of SWEENEY TODD by Christopher Bond, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, it's a tragicomic tale of murder, mayhem, and meat pies.

Readings of EDGAR ALLEN POE'S FLAWLESS MURDER and MARY MARIE Set for Rubicon, Now thru 6/15

Members of the public are invited to attend free readings of two new plays-in-development at Rubicon Theatre Company tonight, June 8, 9 and 15 as part of Rubicon's continuing Plays-in-Progress series.

Readings of EDGAR ALLEN POE'S FLAWLESS MURDER and MARY MARIE Set for Rubicon, 6/8-15

Members of the public are invited to attend free readings of two new plays-in-development at Rubicon Theatre Company on June 8, 9 and 15 as part of Rubicon's continuing Plays-in-Progress series. A new psychological thriller, Edgar Allen Poe's Flawless Murder by Gary W. Marion will be read Saturday, June 8 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m., co-produced with Michael Jackowitz and Witz-End Productions. Mary Marie, a new family musical with book by Chana Wise and music by composer Carl Johnson will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m. (in association with the Academy of New Musical Theatre in North Hollywood).

ANMT's GOT MUSICAL Set for the Colony Theatre on 4/12

Love musicals? Want to hear some brand-new material from up-and-coming new musical theatre writers? The ANMT writers have a 40 year history of writing musicals! Join us on Friday, April 12th at the Colony Theatre in Burbank for GOT MUSICAL: a sneak preview of brand-new musicals in development for producers across the country.

THE NEXT FAIRY TALE Extends at Celebration Theatre Thru 5/8

THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, with book, music and lyrics by Celebration Theatre company member Brian Pugach, musical direction by Wayne Moore, choreography by Jeffrey Polk, directed by Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael A. Shepperd and produced for Celebration Theatre by John Michael Beck will now close Sunday, May 8 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

THE NEXT FAIRY TALE Extends At Celebration Theater Thru May 21

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce that the third show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, the critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, world premiere musical event, THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, with book, music and lyrics by Celebration Theatre company member Brian Pugach, musical direction by Wayne Moore, choreography by Jeffrey Polk, directed by Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael A. Shepperd and produced for Celebration Theatre by John Michael Beck is EXTENDING AGAIN - through SATURDAY, MAY 21 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Celebration Theatre Presents THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, Closes 4/24

Celebration Theatre presents THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, with book, music and lyrics by Celebration Theatre company member Brian Pugach, musical direction by Wayne Moore, choreography by Jeffrey Polk, directed by Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael A. Shepperd and produced for Celebration Theatre by John Michael Beck. THE NEXT FAIRY TALE is the first world premiere production that was work-shopped, developed and produced fully in-house at the Celebration Theatre. THE NEXT FAIRY TALE will close on Sunday, April 24 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

THE NEXT FAIRY TALE Extends at Celebration Theatre Thru 5/8

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce that the third show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, the critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, world premiere musical event, THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, with book, music and lyrics by Celebration Theatre company member Brian Pugach, musical direction by Wayne Moore, choreography by Jeffrey Polk, directed by Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael A. Shepperd and produced for Celebration Theatre by John Michael Beck is EXTENDING through Sunday, May 8 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Celebration Theatre Welcomes The Next Fairy Tale

'Jumping gingerbreads!' proclaims Prince of Sunshine Copernicus (Christopher Maikish) to just about anything that proves a consternation. You see Copernicus is not an ordinary Prince, and The Next Fairy Tale is not your ordinary musical. They abound in the world of fantasy. It's about a Prince in love with...a Prince, and the Mistress of Fairy Godmothers is not in the least pleased to accept and publish this newest fairy tale in a long line of traditional fairy tales for children of the next century. What happens to Minerva, her inept charge Hazel and to Copernicus and his love interest Helio is at the core of this world premiere by Brian Pugach at the Celebration Theatre through April 24. For the most part, it succeeds with a marvelous cast, fabulous direction by artistic director Michael A. Shepperd and spot-on production values. One thing that's needed is more humor. As is, it's witty and entertaining, but not nearly as funny as it could or needs to be.

Celebration Theatre Presents THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, Opening 3/11

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce the third show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, a world premiere musical event, THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, with book, music and lyrics by Celebration Theatre company member Brian Pugach, musical direction by Wayne Moore, choreography by Jeffrey Polk, directed by Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael A. Shepperd and produced for Celebration Theatre by John Michael Beck.

It's Time For THE NEXT FAIRY TALE

Move over Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White, there's a new fairy tale in town. And this one will have everyone in the kingdom in a tizzy. It's The Next Fairy Tale, a brand new musical by Brian Pugach opening at Celebration Theatre on March 11th.

Celebration Theatre Presents THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, 3/11

Celebration Theatre announces the third show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, a world premiere musical event, THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, with book, music and lyrics by Celebration Theatre company member Brian Pugach, musical direction by Wayne Moore, choreography by Jeffrey Polk, directed by Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael A. Shepperd and produced for Celebration Theatre by John Michael Beck.

Celebration Theatre Presents THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, Previews 3/2

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce the third show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, a world premiere musical event, THE NEXT FAIRY TALE, with book, music and lyrics by Celebration Theatre company member Brian Pugach, musical direction by Wayne Moore, choreography by Jeffrey Polk, directed by Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael A. Shepperd and produced for Celebration Theatre by John Michael Beck.

Photo Flash: LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards

The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center on January 17, 2011 in Thousand Oaks, California.