Rodney Gardiner

Interview: Matthew Quinn And Bertha Rodriguez of Combined Artform on the HOLLYWOOD INDEPENDENT THEATER FESTIVAL

Those who attend the Hollywood Fringe Festival (HFF) surely know the married couple, Matthew Quinn and Bertha Rodriguez, producers and venue managers who have been putting together many selections since HFF began in 2010 via their company Combined Artform and Asylum venues. Continuing the celebration of independent plays, the duo has created the Hollywood Independent Theater Festival (HITFEST) https://hitfest.stagey.net/ opening in September featuring encore performances from this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival. I interviewed the power couple to find out more about the new HITF.

SMOTE THIS, A Comedy About God and Other Serious $h*t Comes to Hollywood in September

SMOTE THIS, A Comedy About God and Other Serious $h*t, is being extended by the Hollywood Independent Theater Festival on September 17 and 27, at Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, 5636 Melrose Ave. SMOTE THIS is an entertaining web of stories and tangents that explores one black man’s reckoning with tradition, legacy, and religion.

Review: THE TEMPEST: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE at After Hours Theatre Company and The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles

After the excitement of the participatory pre-show, we are sat down in a hodgepodge of rickety, old chairs and spoon-fed a mediocre staging of The Tempest. The whole evening takes on a feeling that Beil warns against in her program note; the immersive elements become a gimmick, a brief reward for taking our medicine.

Interview: Ben Donenberg, Graham Wetterhahn, And Sara Beil On THE TEMPEST: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

As a fan of Shakespeare and immersive theatre productions, I was intrigued when I heard that The Shakespeare Center LA and After Hours Theatre Company were set to present the premiere of The Tempest: An Immersive Experience, a fully reimagined audience-participation performance based on William Shakespeare's tale of family members caught up in a storm and shipwrecked on an isolated Mediterranean island. So I decided to speak with the production's director Ben Donenberg, Shakespeare Center LA Artistic Director, Graham Wetterhahn, the Producing Artistic Director at After Hours Theatre Company, and Sara Beil one of the producers for After Hours who created the immersive design, about their vision for an immersive way to include audience members in the experience of Shakespeare's tempestuous play.

THE TEMPEST: An Immersive Experience Comes to The Shakespeare Center LA

The Shakespeare Center LA and After Hours Theatre Company announce the premiere of The Tempest: An Immersive Experience, a fully reimagined immersive performance based on William Shakespeare's The Tempest.  The director is Ben Donenberg, Shakespeare Center LA Artistic Director; Graham Wetterhahn is the Producing Artistic Director at After Hours Theatre Company. 

Getty Villa Presents SEVEN LOVES This February

Getty Villa Museum presents Seven Loves, a Valentine's cabaret that brings together award-winning performers singing songs from Broadway, based on Greek and Roman myths, to explore the full range and complexities of love.

Listen: The Play On Podcasts Series Presents Tracy Young's THE WINTER'S TALE

Building upon Play On Shakespeare's mission to enhance the understanding of Shakespeare's plays in performance, Play On Podcasts bring timeless tales directly to modern audiences.

Adriane Lenox, Pearl Sun, Darlesia Cearcy and More to Take Part in THE MOTHERHOOD CONCERT: TRUTH SET TO MUSIC

It was announced today the Parent Artist Advocacy League for Performing Arts and Media will present a virtual concert showcasing the original work of mom-composers/lyricists, brought to life by mom-singers and musicians (and a couple of dads!) from Broadway stages and beyond, to stream on International Mother Artist Day, Monday, August 2 at 7 PM.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Presents On-Demand Stream of 2014 THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

Oregon Shakespeare Festival is offering its 2014 production of William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, directed by Kent Gash and choreographed by Byron Easley for on-demand streaming on the Festival’s website, June 1-26.

Phylicia Rashad, Javier Muñoz, Brian Cox and More Star in Arian Moayed's THE MAN IN RED Christmas Radio Play

Award-winning actor, director and writer Arian Moayed (Succession, Inventing Anna) wrote and directed an Original Christmas Radio Play  “THE MAN IN RED” with original music by Butch Phelps, now available free on all audio streaming platforms.

OWN's Peabody Award-Winning Drama DAVID MAKES MAN Announces Recurring Cast and Directors for Second Season

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the addition of ten new recurring roles plus directors Kiel Adrian Scott and Erica Watson for the second season of 'David Makes Man,' the Peabody Award-winning and critically acclaimed drama from Academy Award(R) winner Tarell Alvin McCraney and Warner Bros. Television.

OSF 2020 Dare To Dream Gala Exceeds Goal Raising More Than $600,000

This past Friday evening, Oregon Shakespeare Festival artists, supporters, patrons and arts supporters from around the world gathered for a virtual, fun and inspiring live stream event focused on supporting both OSF and the Rogue Valley communities it serves.

OSF Announces Casting For 2020 Season

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which is entering its 85th year, today announced the casts for the 2020 season, featuring some of the most beloved performers from OSF's history alongside newcomers from around the country. OSF is one of the most prominent theatre companies across the nation that have joined the Jubilee, a yearlong nationwide commitment by theatres to feature work generated by those who have traditionally been excluded from or marginalized by the theatre industry. Five Shakespeare plays staged as four productions, alongside two new plays inspired by him, take the Festival's stages in 2020. Two more commissions from OSF's multi-decade commissioning program American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle will also premiere.

BWW Interview: Kirsten Wyatt of GUYS AND DOLLS at Guthrie Theater

While there is much to praise, the stand-out amongst the talented GUYS AND DOLLS cast is Kirsten Wyatt, making her debut at the Guthrie as Miss Adelaide. Read this 6 Questions & a Plug to learn more from Wyatt about what makes this Guthrie show special.

Review Roundup: Berkeley Rep's METAMORPHOSES

Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Metamorphoses is now on stage. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman. 

Berkeley Rep Extends METAMORPHOSES For Two Weeks

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and critics alike, Berkeley Rep has announced that Metamorphoses, directed by Mary Zimmerman, will extend for an additional two weeks. The popular show will now run through Sunday, March 24.

Photo Flash: Get A First Look At Berkeley Rep's METAMORPHOSES

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Metamorphoses. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman. Check out the photos below!

VIDEO: Meet the Cast of Berkeley Rep's METAMORPHOSES

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Metamorphoses. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman.

Berkeley Rep Announces Full Cast For METAMORPHOSES

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Metamorphoses. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman.

VIDEO: Watch the Trailer For the Same-Sex OKLAHOMA! at Oregon Shakespeare Festival

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival opened Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, directed by OSF Artistic Director Bill Rauch, on April 22 in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. Preview performances were April 18, 20 and 21, and the musical runs through Oct. 27.