Anne Gee Byrd News

SPARKY & BUTCH, a short comedy, and SENIOR LOVE TRIANGLE, a feature drama, play in a program together Thursday, August 8that 6:00 at The Vets Cinematheque. Both films, from different points of view, explore how we approach love and life as we age.

ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY (ETC) presents the fourth show of its 40th Anniversary Season, the Southern California premiere of the stunning and wildly popular novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED, adapted by Simon Block and directed by Jonathan Fox. EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED begins previews on Thursday, April 11, opens on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00pm, and runs through Sunday, April 28, 2019 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.

ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY (ETC) presents the fourth show of its 40th Anniversary Season, the Southern California premiere of the stunning and wildly popular novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED, adapted by Simon Block and directed by Jonathan Fox.

Add Martin McDonagh's THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN to the already lengthy resume of stellar productions that the always dependable Antaeus Theatre Company manages to assemble on their stage. Steven Robman sure-handedly directs his talented Irish-brogued ensemble of seven (The Fripple Frapples cast of the double castings) at a quick, smooth pace; vividly illustrating McDonagh's smart, witty and brutal tale based on the real-life filming of the 1934 documentary Man of Aran. Buried in the 'news' the town gossip Johnnypateenmike spreads, the arrival of a film crew from America looking to make a movie on the neighboring Inishmore piques everyone's interest.

Dreams are in short supply on the island of Inishmaan, especially for Billy Claven, orphaned and crippled since birth. Antaeus Theatre Company presents The Cripple of Inishmaan, a darkly comic Irish yarn by master storyteller Martin McDonagh. Steven Robman directs a partner-cast ensemble for a Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 opening (one opening night for each cast) at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale, where performances continue through March 11. Low-priced previews begin Jan. 17.

gatha Christie's classic Murder on the Orient Express was a hit movie in 1974 with an all star cast headed by Albert Finney as detective Hercule Poirot. Now adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, in its West Coast premiere, Murder... bows at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts directed with taut precision by Sheldon Epps and featuring a stellar ensemble. It plays through November 11 only.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary at the theatre) are thrilled to announce the cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig and directed by Sheldon Epps. AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS will preview on Friday, October 19, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 20 at 8pm) and perform through Sunday, November 11, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts & Mccoy Rigby Entertainment announce the cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig and directed by Sheldon Epps. AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS will preview on Friday, October 19, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 20 at 8pm) and perform through Sunday, November 11, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Through a swirl of nearly missed connections, THIS RANDOM WORLD follows a series of intersecting lives: A mother determined to maintain her independence, a daughter longing for adventure, two sisters seeking common ground, and an internet prank gone awry. Warmly humorous and lyrically bittersweet, this play by Steven Dietz investigates what it is to love, to lose, and be touched by the serendipity of life. It's an evening of theatre that is certain to provoke sweet memories and perhaps some unrecognized yearnings.

Through a swirl of nearly missed connections, THIS RANDOM WORLD follows a series of intersecting lives: A mother determined to maintain her independence, a daughter longing for adventure, two sisters seeking common ground, and an internet prank gone awry. Warmly humorous and lyrically bittersweet, this play by Steven Dietz investigates what it is to love, to lose, and be touched by the serendipity of life. It's an evening of theatre that is certain to provoke sweet memories and perhaps some unrecognized yearnings.

Rogue Machine will present the World Premiere of 'bled for the household truth' by Ruth Fowler, directed by Cameron Watson.

Rogue Machine will present the World Premiere of 'bled for the household truth' by Ruth Fowler, directed by Cameron Watson.

Lorraine Hansberry considered this to be her most important play. It was her final work. Directed by Gregg T. Daniel, Les Blancs depicts the waning days of colonialism crossing into the 20th century as it reveals the impossible moral choices faced by individuals who must reconcile personal happiness with idealism. What happens when what we want and what we think is right is not what must be done? This play is rich with music and dance and set in and around a mission compound in Africa. The time is yesterday, today, and tomorrow-- but not very long after that.  

The world premiere of Jon Robin Baitz's 'Vicuña,' directed by Robert Egan, opened this Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre. Performances for 'Vicuña' continue through November 20. The cast includes Linda Gehringer, Brian George, Harry Groener, Ramiz Monsef and Samantha Sloyan. BroadwayWorld has photos from the starry opening festivities below!

Samuel Beckett's classic ENDGAME opened last night, May 1, 2016, at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre. Directed by Alan Mandell, performances for 'Endgame' will continue through May 22. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Every director has their bucket list of plays they wish to direct or perhaps even appear in someday. Director Alan Mandell has long been enamored with the work of Samuel Beckett and has toured with original productions of Waiting for Godot and Endgame directed by Beckett. With his 80-year career in theatre and innate understanding of the absurdist's work, Mandell has now directed Endgame at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, starring in the production with Barry McGovern. This is the second Beckett play in which the two actors have appeared together, the first being Waiting for Godot in 2012 at the Mark Taper Forum. And their stage camaraderie is a wonder to behold.

Samuel Beckett's classic ENDGAME opens Sunday, May 1, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre. Directed by Alan Mandell, performances for 'Endgame' will continue through May 22. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Rehearsals have begun for Samuel Beckett's classic ENDGAME, directed by one of Beckett's most renowned interpreters Alan Mandell at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre, April 24 through May 22, 2016. The opening is scheduled for May 1. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

The answer to last year's question of whether the digital arts venture STAGE RAW could bring back its awards ceremony celebrating the best of LA's up-to-99-seat theaters, the answer is YES. STAGE RAW is pleased to announce the SECOND ANNUAL STAGE RAW LOS ANGELES THEATER AWARDS, championing the best work of 2015 in L.A.'s still-embattled theaters of up to 99-seats.

Further casting has been announced for Samuel Beckett's masterful ENDGAME, directed by one of Beckett's most celebrated interpreters Alan Mandell at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre, April 24 through May 22, 2016. The opening is scheduled for May 1.