Michael Mantell

BWW Review: A Disturbing SMART LOVE Rivets With Much Food For Thought

The west coast premiere of Brian Letscher's SMART LOVE rivetingly posits a truly sci-fi event as a real-life situation in which you're forced to come face-to-face with some serious moral dilemmas. Anchoring this strong cast of four, Melissa Weber Bales totally inhabits the fairly recently widowed Sandy, who's freshly found a new zest for life in Vic (a most memorable Scott Conte in the show's smallest part).

SMART LOVE Opens In Los Angeles January 12th

LA Drama Critics Circle Award Winning Director Elina de Santos helms the contemporary comedy SMART LOVE opening January 12th at Pacific Resident Theatre in Los Angeles. The west coast premiere marks the second professionally produced full length play by writer/actor Brian Letscher. This and Letscher's previous work, WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON, premiered at Jeff Daniels' The Purple Rose Theatre Company.

Geffen Playhouse Sets Cast for THE MODEL APARTMENT by Donald Margulies

Geffen Playhouse announces the cast for its production of The Model Apartment written by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies.

Geffen Playhouse Sets Cast for THE MODEL APARTMENT by Donald Margulies

Geffen Playhouse announces the cast for its production of The Model Apartment written by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies.

Geffen Playhouse Sets Cast for THE MODEL APARTMENT by Donald Margulies

Geffen Playhouse announces the cast for its production of The Model Apartment written by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies.

Photo Flash: The Echo Presents ROW AFTER ROW and A SMALL FIRE

The multiple award-winning Echo Theater Company, named "Best Bet for Ballsy Original Plays" by the LA Weekly, continues its 2015 season with two Los Angeles premieres scheduled to run in repertory. Row After Row by Jessica Dickey (The Amish Project) opens on April 25 at 5 p.m., with A Small Fire by Obie Award-winner Adam Bock (The Drunken City, The Receptionist) opening that same evening at 8 p.m.

Echo Theater Company Stages Pair of L.A. Premieres in Rep, Now thru 5/31

The multiple award-winning Echo Theater Company, named 'Best Bet for Ballsy Original Plays' by the LA Weekly, continues its 2015 season with two Los Angeles premieres scheduled to run in repertory. Row After Row by Jessica Dickey (The Amish Project) opens tonight, April 25 at 5 p.m., with A Small Fire by Obie Award-winner Adam Bock (The Drunken City, The Receptionist) opening that same evening at 8 p.m. The two plays will continue to run in tandem every weekend through May 31 at the Echo's home in Atwater Village Theatre. For a complete schedule of performances, scroll to the end of this release or check online at www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.

Echo Theater Company to Stage Pair of L.A. Premieres in Rep, 4/25-5/31

The multiple award-winning Echo Theater Company, named "Best Bet for Ballsy Original Plays" by the LA Weekly, continues its 2015 season with two Los Angeles premieres scheduled to run in repertory. Row After Row by Jessica Dickey (The Amish Project) opens on April 25 at 5 p.m., with A Small Fire by Obie Award-winner Adam Bock (The Drunken City, The Receptionist) opening that same evening at 8 p.m. The two plays will continue to run in tandem every weekend through May 31 at the Echo's home in Atwater Village Theatre. For a complete schedule of performances, scroll to the end of this release or check online at www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.

THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: August 9-15

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include a special celebration of 1,000 performances of ONCE, commemorations of both Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall, Tony Yazbeck at 54 Below, and more!

BWW Reviews: Jason Alexander Goes From Broadway Star to Star Director in BROADWAY BOUND at the Odyssey

From December 1986 to September 1988, Jason Alexander, the actor best known for his role as George Costanza for nine seasons on the television series Seinfeld, played older brother Stanley in the original Gene Saks production of BROADWAY BOUND on Broadway. It's a play that he loves dearly, calling it Neil Simon's strongest dramedy, and he has directed the marvelous production on the intimate Odyssey stage through September 21, effectively seating the audience in the living room of the Jerome home.

Photo Flash: Neil Simon Visits Odyssey Theatre's BROADWAY BOUND

Audience members at the Sunday matinee of the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's production of Broadway Bound were in for a treat -- playwright Neil Simon was seated in the front row. Check out photos from his appearance bleow!

Photo Flash: First Look at Jason Alexander-Helmed BROADWAY BOUND at the Odyssey Theatre

Heartwarming, poignant -- and hilarious. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents a revival of Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical dramatic comedy, Broadway Bound, directed by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), who created the role of 'Stanley' in the original Broadway production. The 8-week run at the Odyssey Theatre is set to open tomorrow night, August 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Alexander working with the cast, plus production photos, below!

Jason Alexander Directs BROADWAY BOUND at the Odyssey, Beginning Tonight

Heartwarming, poignant -- and hilarious. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents a revival of Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical dramatic comedy, Broadway Bound, directed by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), who created the role of 'Stanley' in the original Broadway production. The 8-week run at the Odyssey Theatre is set to open tonight, Aug. 2.

Jason Alexander to Direct BROADWAY BOUND at the Odyssey, 8/2-9/21

Heartwarming, poignant -- and hilarious. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents a revival of Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical dramatic comedy, Broadway Bound, directed by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), who created the role of 'Stanley' in the original Broadway production. The 8-week run at the Odyssey Theatre is set to open Aug. 2.

Veteran Politicos to Speak Post DREXEL Screening of THE IDES OF MARCH

Following the 7pm screening of The Ides of March on Wednesday, October 19, the Drexel Theatre will hold a moderated audience talk-back on political campaigning with Doug Preisse, Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party and David Wilhelm, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Veteran Politicos to Speak Post DREXEL Screening of THE IDES OF MARCH

Following the 7pm screening of The Ides of March on Wednesday, October 19, the Drexel Theatre will hold a moderated audience talk-back on political campaigning with Doug Preisse, Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party and David Wilhelm, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

BWW Reviews: Stunning AFTERMATH Reopens @ Matrix Theatre

Writer Elliot Shoenman's book Nobody's Business depicts the pain felt by a family whose father committed suicide. It was his very own father. Now in his stage play entitled AfterMath in a return engagement at the Matrix Theatre, Shoenman returns to the topic of suicide showing in great emotional detail the hurt experienced by the victim's wife, her two children and a close male friend. What results is theatre at its very best, a real, raw, up-close look at a tortured family. Shoenman realizes quite wisely, however, that there is laughter through tears and incorporates ample comic exchanges.

Annie Potts Leads AFTERMATH at Odyssey Theatre, 2/4

Annie Potts (Designing Women) heads the cast in the World Premiere of AfterMath, Elliott Shoenman's comedic drama about a widow trying to help her children, and herself, deal with the mess her husband left behind when he jumped into the Hudson River. A guest production at the Odyssey directed by Mark L. Taylor.