Photos/Video: First Look at Pasadena Playhouse's JELLY'S LAST JAM
Get a first look at Pasadena Playhouse's new production of the Tony Award winning musical Jelly’s Last Jam, now on stage through through June 23, 2024. The production features a book by George C. Wolfe, music by Jelly Roll Morton, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead with musical adaptation and additional music composed by Luther Henderson.
Interview: John Clarence Stewart's the Jelly in JELLY'S LAST JAM
Next up at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Tony Award-winning Jelly’s Last Jam opening June 2, 2024 (with previews starting May 29th). Kent Gash directs the cast led by John Clarence Stewart as Jelly Roll Morton, Cress Williams, Jasmine Amy Rogers; Wilkie Ferguson III, Karole Foreman, Eric B. Anthony, Doran Butler, Chante Carmel, Cyd Charisse Glover-Hill, Summer Nicole Greer, Janaya Jones, Grasan Kingsberry, Amber Liekhus, Davon Rashawn, Joe Aaron Reid, Naomi C. Walley and Hannah Yosef. I had the chance to chat with John Clarence while he was navigating Los Angeles traffic.
Review: FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN at Kirk Douglas Theatre
In FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN, Will Power investigates the friendship as a fascinating dual study in individual character and cultural identity. Under Debbie Allen’s rocking direction at the Douglas, the play is as exciting as it is thoughtful. THE BEAR’s Edwin Lee Gibson and Ray Fisher act the daylights out of it.
Review: The Funny Ladies Rule in Musical Theatre West's 9 TO 5 - THE MUSICAL
Endearing and earnest, MTW’s new production of 9 TO 5 - THE MUSICAL---which continues performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through February 26---is a pleasing musical comedy (adapted from the hit film) filled with hilarious dialogue, outrageous silliness, and, of course, really catchy tunes via Dolly Parton.
Musical Theatre West Kicks Off The New Year With 9 TO 5 Next Month
Fifteen years after it made its original appearance in the Los Angeles theater scene, 9 to 5, The Musical is debuting on the Musical Theatre West stage! Musical Theatre West (MTW), Long Beach's premier theater company, will bring some of Dolly Parton's award-winning music to life for its first show of the 2023 season.
BWW Review: Trinity Rep's Season Closes with Resounding RAGTIME
Trinity Repertory Company (TRC) punctuates the conclusion of its 2017-18 performance calendar with a definite exclamation mark. RAGTIME, now playing at TRC's upstairs Chace Theatre, is a season's best production both for the company and for the arts community statewide.
Trinity Rep Closes Out Season with RAGTIME
Trinity Rep closes out its 2017-18 Season with the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime, which was written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). Under the direction of Artistic Director Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep's production examines how the musical, which is set in 1906, reflects the country's current political and social climate. Based on the celebrated 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, the musical tackles race, women's rights, immigration, and workers' rights.
BWW Review: HAMILTON Who? SPAMILTON Reigns Supreme at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
For the last 25 years, Gerardo Alessandrini has paid homage to the Great American Musical in the best way he knows how, by skewering it relentlessly. It is an arena where nothing is off limits no diva, no composer, and no quirk of the genre, which is why his FORBIDDEN BROADWAY revues are as beloved as any book musical to grace the Great White Way. Now, the biggest game-changer since Rogers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, or Stephen Sondheim came on the scene, has given him fodder for a new installment in his popular franchise - Lin-Manuel Miranda and his multi-Tony Award-winning mega-hit, HAMILTON: An American Musical.