Amy Freed's SHREW! Has World Premiere At South Coast Repertory
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2018
Playwright Amy Freed has always been a Shakespeare fan. Her breakout hit, The Beard of Avon (SCR-commissioned and premiered, 2001), was a smart, funny look at the controversy surrounding the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. Now comes SHREW! (March 24-April 21, Segerstrom Stage), in which Freed has re-imagined The Bard's play, The Taming of the Shrew, as a wickedly funny love story of two people who find their way to true, deep and mutual love. Art Manke directs SHREW!, which is an anchor production of the 2018 Pacific Playwrights Festival. Tickets are available at www.scr.org.
Photo Flash: First Look at THE BROKEN HEART at Quintessence Theatre Group
by BWW News Desk - Apr 3, 2017
Quintessence Theatre Group continues producing progressive classic theatre with its spring 2017 repertory productions of William Shakespeare's Love's Labor's Lost and John Ford's The Broken Heart. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast of The Broken Heart in action below!
BWW Review: A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS Lythgoe Family Panto Scores Big
by Don Grigware - Dec 12, 2016
For the last few years the uber talented Lythgoe family have been entertaining us at Christmastime, at the Pasadena Playhouse with a British style panto. A panto is an interactive entertainment that starts with a very contemporary retelling of a fairy tale such as Snow White, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, or in this case Cinderella and turns it into a fun imaginative show with music that will appeal to both children and their parents. There's usually an actor or two in drag, and a villain ... and audience are encouraged to root for the heroes and HISS loudly at the villains. It's all in amusement, of course, and this year's A Cinderella Christmas is all good fun with a superb cast, some fine pop singing and fast-paced dancing... and, first and foremost, a funfilled script by Kris Lythgoe. To pull the younger audience into the proceedings, crowns and magic wands are on sale. The kids wave their wands on high to encourage the union of Prince Charming (Kenton Duty) and Cinders, short for Cinderella (Lauren Taylor). The delightful family show plays at the Pasadena Playhouse throughout the holiday season until January 8.
BWW Review: La Mirada Brings the Laughs with LEND ME A TENOR
by Michael L. Quintos - Nov 4, 2016
When it comes to the theatrical art of farce, Ken Ludwig's hilarious 1986 stage play LEND ME A TENOR certainly qualifies as a perfect example of the genre. Amusingly cheeky throughout, the 9-time Tony Award nominated comedy has been revived locally with a posh new production under the direction of Art Manke that is now playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through November 13. Utilizing a laundry list of classic madcap set-ups, LEND ME A TENOR feels very much like a well-paced, meticulously crafted, old fashioned sitcom episode that has been super-sized into two gloriously funny acts.
Photo Coverage: Curtain Call and Press Night Celebration of LEND ME A TENOR at La Mirada Theatre
by Lily Lim - Oct 26, 2016
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the second show of its 2016-2017 season: Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke. LEND ME A TENOR opened on October 22 and runs through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the opening night pics below!
Photo Flash: First Look at La Mirada's LEND ME A TENOR
by Ashlee Latimer - Oct 23, 2016
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are delighted to present the second show of its 2016-2017 season: Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke. LEND ME A TENOR will preview on Friday, October 21, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 22) and run through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Presents LEND ME A TENOR
by BWW
News Desk - Oct 21, 2016
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are delighted to present the second show of its 2016-2017 season: Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke. LEND ME A TENOR will preview on Today, October 21, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 22) and run through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Presents LEND ME A TENOR
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 29, 2016
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are delighted to present the second show of its 2016-2017 season: Davis Gaines starring in the hilarious comedy LEND ME A TENOR, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Art Manke. LEND ME A TENOR will preview on Friday, October 21, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 22) and run through Sunday, November 13, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
Chautauqua Theatre Company Wraps Up 33rd Season with TAMING OF THE SHREW
by Ashlee Latimer - Aug 6, 2016
Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), under the co-leadership of Artistic Directors Andrew Borba and Vivienne Benesch, brings its 33rd season to a close with William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew directed by Andrew Borba and featuring the outstanding talents of its entire 2016 Conservatory company onstage and off to produce this comedy masterpiece. The Taming of the Shrew plays August 12 - 19 on the Bratton Theater stage at the Chautauqua Institution. Opening night is Saturday, August 13 at 6pm. Tickets are $35 and are currently on sale.
Chautauqua Theater Company to Present THE MAY QUEEN, 7/18-27
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 15, 2014
Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), under the leadership of Vivienne Benesch Artistic Director and Sarah Clare Corporandy Managing Director, is proud to present The May Queen a world premiere comedy by Molly Smith Metzler from July 18-27, directed by Vivienne Benesch, on the Bratton Theater Mainstage.
Colony Theatre Opens Season with World Premiere of FAMILY PLANNING Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 9, 2014
The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the first production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the World Premiere of FAMILY PLANNING by Michelle Kholos Brooks. The production stars Christina Pickles and Bruce Weitz, who between them have a combined total of 14 Emmy nominations, and is directed by Cameron Watson, who has been heralded as 'one of our finest contemporary directors' by The Los Angeles Times, while The Wall Street Journal declared his work 'the best in the country.'
Colony Theatre to Open Season with World Premiere of FAMILY PLANNING, 7/9 - 8/10
by Louisa Brady - Jun 24, 2014
The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the first production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the World Premiere of FAMILY PLANNING by Michelle Kholos Brooks. The production stars Christina Pickles and Bruce Weitz, who between them have a combined total of 14 Emmy nominations, and is directed by Cameron Watson, who has been heralded as "one of our finest contemporary directors" by The Los Angeles Times, while The Wall Street Journal declared his work "the best in the country."
A SONG AT TWILIGHT Plays One More Week at Pasadena Playhouse
by BWW News Desk - Apr 7, 2014
A SONG AT TWILIGHT by Noel Coward is in its final week, presented by The Pasadena Playhouse, closes April 13, 2014. The production stars Bruce Davison, Sharon Lawrence and Roxanne Hart and is directed by Art Manke.
Laguna Playhouse's FALLEN ANGELS Begins Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 12, 2013
The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are delighted to present a new look at a hilarious classic, fresh off a critically-acclaimed run at the Pasadena Playhouse. Prepare to be intoxicated by FALLEN ANGELS, written by Noel Coward and directed by Art Manke. 'This is a deliriously giddy look at a rarely produced play by the one-and-only master of the sophisticated comedy, Noel Coward,' offers Wood. 'We are thrilled to present this brilliant and wickedly fun production to our subscribers and audiences and we know they will leave our theatre as charmed by this production as we are!' adds Wareham. FALLEN ANGELS will open tonight, October 12 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Laguna Playhouse to Present FALLEN ANGELS, Begin. 10/12
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 5, 2013
The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are delighted to present a new look at a hilarious classic, fresh off a critically-acclaimed run at the Pasadena Playhouse. Prepare to be intoxicated by FALLEN ANGELS, written by Noel Coward and directed by Art Manke. 'This is a deliriously giddy look at a rarely produced play by the one-and-only master of the sophisticated comedy, Noel Coward,' offers Wood. 'We are thrilled to present this brilliant and wickedly fun production to our subscribers and audiences and we know they will leave our theatre as charmed by this production as we are!' adds Wareham. FALLEN ANGELS will begin previews on Tuesday, October 8 and will open on Saturday, October 12 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Shakespeare Theatre Stages 'Free For All' MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Now thru 9/1
by BWW News Desk - Aug 20, 2013
The Shakespeare Theatre Company's annual Free For All is a much-loved Washington tradition, offering free Shakespeare performances to the general public for the past 22 years. This year the beloved tradition launches the Company's 2013-2014 Season by reviving Much Ado About Nothing, initially presented during the 2011-2012 Season with original direction by Ethan McSweeny. Much Ado About Nothing will run at STC's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from today, August 20-September 1, 2013. Resident Assistant Director Jenny Lord will direct this delightful summer comedy for residents and visitors to D.C.
Shakespeare Theatre to Stage 'Free For All' MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 8/20-9/1
by BWW News Desk - Jul 1, 2013
The Shakespeare Theatre Company's annual Free For All is a much-loved Washington tradition, offering free Shakespeare performances to the general public for the past 22 years. This year the beloved tradition launches the Company's 2013-2014 Season by reviving Much Ado About Nothing, initially presented during the 2011-2012 Season with original direction by Ethan McSweeny. Much Ado About Nothing will run at STC's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from August 20-September 1, 2013. Resident Assistant Director Jenny Lord will direct this delightful summer comedy for residents and visitors to D.C.