Sam Ludwig

BWW Review: Old School Musical Comedy SHE LOVES ME Mostly Charms at OC's South Coast Repertory

Though SCR's admirable new production of the 1963 Broadway musical SHE LOVES ME, for the most part, still has many charming, beautifully-staged, and well-sung moments, it also somehow feels like it is slightly reigned in, as if there was a purposeful attempt to downscale some of its built-in whimsy and spirited vivaciousness---particularly in the first act where emotional expressions all seem to sit in the same middle areaa?? never tipping over to too angry or too sad or too happy or too, well, anything. Now on stage in Costa Mesa through February 22, 2020, the production---directed by the theater's own artistic director David Ivers---is genuinely entertaining, but still needs a huge shot of joy, romance, and pep to make it feel complete.

Photo Flash: John Weidman Visits Signature Theatre's ASSASSINS

Signature Theatre presents Assassins with music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman and directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies). John Weidman stopped by the show recently and posed for a photo with the cast.

BWW Review: ASSASSINS at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre and Stephen Sondheim have been a winning combination in the DC theatre scene since 1991when the company presented Sweeney Todd at Gunston. In 1992 it presented the Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman collaboration known as Assassins. The show was produced again by Signature in 2006 in their garage space.

BWW Review: ASSASSINS at Signature Theatre - You Will Get Goose Bumps!

It is not often one opens a theater program and on page one sees a letter from composer Stephen Sondheim. I had the privilege of attending the joint Jason Robert Brown and Stephen Sondheim concert on June 24, 2019 at Town Hall in New York City to raise funds for 'Brady United Against Gun Violence' (see link below). It was a very moving evening of great theatrical music by two of this country's best composers.

Photo Flash: Signature Gets Deadly with ASSASSINS

Signature Theatre presents Assassins with music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman and directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies).

Signature Theatre Announces Casting And Creative Team For ASSASSINS

Signature Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for Assassins with music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman and directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies). Signature Theatre continues to be the largest single producer of the work of Stephen Sondheim and Assassins marks the 30th production of a Sondheim musical in Signature Theatre's history. Assassins will run from August 11 - September 29 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.

Photo Coverage: Daisy Eagan Attends Closing Performance of 3D Theatricals' THE SECRET GARDEN

3-D Theatricals celebrates its 10th Anniversary season with a lavish new production of the Tony Award®-winning musical, The Secret Garden, directed by 3-D Theatricals' producer and artistic director T.J. Dawson. The Secret Garden, featuring music by Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, and book and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, will play a strictly limited engagement. Performances begin this Friday, May 3, and run through Sunday, May 19 only. Opening night is Saturday, May 4 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA).

VIDEO: First Look At 3-D Theatricals' THE SECRET GARDEN

3-D Theatricals celebrates its 10th Anniversary season with a lavish new production of the Tony Award®-winning musical, The Secret Garden, directed by 3-D Theatricals' producer and artistic director T.J. Dawson. The Secret Garden, featuring music by Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, and book and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, opened Saturday, May 4 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA). The production will play a strictly limited engagement through May 19 only.

Photo Flash: First Look at 3-D Theatricals' THE SECRET GARDEN at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

3-D Theatricals celebrates its 10th Anniversary season with a lavish new production of the Tony Award®-winning musical, The Secret Garden, directed by 3-D Theatricals' producer and artistic director T.J. Dawson. The Secret Garden, featuring music by Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, and book and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, opens tonight, Saturday, May 4 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA). The production will play a strictly limited engagement through May 19 only.

Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of 3-D Theatricals' THE SECRET GARDEN

3-D Theatricals celebrates its 10th Anniversary season with a lavish new production of the Tony Award®-winning musical, The Secret Garden, directed by 3-D Theatricals' producer and artistic director T.J. Dawson. The Secret Garden, featuring music by Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, and book and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, will play a strictly limited engagement. Performances begin this Friday, May 3, and run through Sunday, May 19 only. Opening night is Saturday, May 4 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA). Check out stunning portraits of the cast below!

3-D Theatricals' THE SECRET GARDEN Plays May 3-19 At The Cerritos Center

3-D Theatricals celebrates its 10th Anniversary season with a lavish new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, The Secret Garden, directed by 3-D Theatricals' producer and artistic director T.J. Dawson. The Secret Garden, featuring music by Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, and book and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, will play a strictly limited engagement from May 3-May 19 only. Opening night is Saturday, May 4 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA). 

Cast Announced For 3-D Theatricals Production Of THE SECRET GARDEN

Broadway is closer than you think! Now that 3-D Theatricals is the official company in residence at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, theatre lovers from Los Angeles and Orange counties can delight in experiencing the biggest Broadway stars and blockbuster shows just minutes from their front door!

BWW Review: The Origin Of Television Takes Center Stage in THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION at 1st Stage

As directed by Alex Levy, THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION is theatrically inventive and mostly compelling recounting of of Farnsworth and Sarnoff's parallel stories. The production is also performed by a skillful company of actors who take the audience on this little known historical journey.

Photo Flash: First Look at 1st Stage's THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION

In his return to playwriting, celebrated film and television writer Aaron Sorkin's signature style lends itself to the remarkable story of the invention that changed our lives. In 1929, two ambitious visionaries race against each other to invent a device called "television." Separated by two thousand miles, each knows that if he stops working, even for a moment, the other will gain the edge. Who will unlock the key to the greatest innovation of the 20th century: the ruthless media mogul, or the selftaught Idaho farm boy? The answer comes to compelling life in the regional premiere of this "firecracker of a play" (The Chicago Sun-Times).

1st Stage Presents the Regional Premiere of Aaron Sorkin's THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION

In his return to playwriting, celebrated film and television writer Aaron Sorkin's signature style lends itself to the remarkable story of the invention that changed our lives. In 1929, two ambitious visionaries race against each other to invent a device called "television."

Vote For the 2017 BroadwayWorld Washington DC Awards; Just One Week Left!

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Vote For the 2017 BroadwayWorld Washington DC Awards; Just Two Weeks Left!

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Vote For the 2017 BroadwayWorld Washington DC Awards; IN THE HEIGHTS Leads Best Musical!

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Vote For the 2017 BroadwayWorld Washington DC Awards; GALA's IN THE HEIGHTS Leads Best Musical!

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Vote For the 2017 BroadwayWorld Washington DC Awards; GALA's IN THE HEIGHTS Leads Best Musical!

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.