It Is Done at Theatre 40

Interview: Director/Set Designer Jeff G. Rack Deliciously Sparking POWER AND LIGHT at Theatre 40

April 14, 2024

The world premiere of John Strysik’s Power and Light is currently running in rep at Theatre 40. Jeff G. Rack directs this story of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the beginnings of electricity with the cast of David Hunt Stafford, Eric Keitel, Warren Davis, John Combs, Richard Large, Bailey Castle, Mandy Fason and Kurtis Bedford. Jeff graciously made time out of his multi-tasking weekend to answer a few of my queries.

POWER AND LIGHT World Premiere to Open at Theatre 40 in March

January 30, 2024

'Power and Light' is a new play about the rivalry between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the development of electricity. Tickets are $35.

Interview: Theatre 40 Regular John Combs Finally Joins THE MANOR - MURDER AND MADNESS AT GREYSTONE

January 04, 2024

Theatre 40’s hit immersive drama The Manor- Murder and Madness at Greystone returns for its nineteenth season at the Greystone Mansion January 18, 2024.  Martin Thompson directs the cast of Darby Hinton, Eric Keitel, Daniel Leslie, Carol Potter, Nathalie Rudolph, David Hunt Stafford, Amy Tolsky, John Combs, Katyana Rocker-Cook, Gail Johnston, Kristin Towers-Rowles and Peter Mastine. John managed to carve out some time to answer a few of my queries.

Interview: Sandro Monetti Anxious To Have A VERY DIE HARD CHRISTMAS

November 30, 2023

Jeff Schell and The Habit’s A Very Die Hard Christmas opens December 10, 2023 at Theatre 40. Celebrating the film’s 35th anniversary, Sandro Monetti directs this musical parody with the cast of Nick Versteeg, Lauren Samuels, Jesse Merlin, Raymund King, Nick Bredosky, and Theatre 40 favorites Roslyn Cohn, Joe Clabby and Kristal Dickerson. Sandro graciously made it a priority to promptly answer a few of my queries.

Interview: A Man of Multi-Occupations Craig Hissong Directs AGATHA CHRISTIE'S TOWARDS ZERO

September 11, 2023

Next up for Theatre 40, Agatha Christies’ Toward Zero opens September 21, 2023. Craig Hissong directs this classic whodunnit with the cast of includes John Combs, Katyana Rocker Cook, Christopher Franciosa, Hisato Matsuyama, Michael Mullen, Kristin Towers Rowles, Jeremy Schaye, Michele Schultz, Holly Sidell and David Hunt Stafford. A master of many theatrical positions, Craig carved out some time to give me some clues to the behind the scenes of Towards Zero.

Interview: Susan Priver On Returning To Harold Pinter's A SLIGHT ACHE After 17 Years

August 15, 2023

Seventeen years ago, Susan Priver starred as Flora opposite Henry Olek as Edward with Shelly Kurtz as the match seller in Harold Pinter’s A Slight Ache, a tragicomedy of manners that takes a funny, ominous, and unsettling journey into the human psyche. All three actors will reprise their roles in a visiting production of Pinter’s play, directed by Jack Heller at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A. from August 26 through October 1. I decided to speak with Susan about her experience with both productions of Pinter’s play.

Interview: David Hunt Stafford on PLAYS IN REP & READING SERIES at Theatre 40

July 27, 2023

David Hunt Stafford (pictured) is the Artistic Director and Managing Director of Theatre 40, posts he has proudly held since 2000 at the professional theater company located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School. I decided to speak with David about the current plays running in rep during July and August: Doris and Ivy in the Home, in which he appears, and One Moment of Freedom which he produces; and the group’s ongoing Reading Series showcasing new and well-known plays read by company members.

Interview: GUESS WHOse DINNER & Projects Director Cate Caplin Is Cooking Up

November 10, 2022

Next up at Theatre 40, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner opening November 17, 2022. Cate Caplin directs the cast of: Larry Eisenberg, Diana Angelina, Abigail Stewart, Marc Antonio Pritchett, Fred Dawson, Crystal Jackson, Patty Lewis, Jenn Robbins and David Hunt Stafford. The very busy Cate managed to find some time between rehearsals and pre-production to answer a few of my queries.

Interview: Prolific Playwright Norm Foster's Consistently Making A CLEAN BRUSH Of His Vast Library Of Works

September 15, 2022

Next up at Theatre 40, Norm Foster’s A Clean Brush world premieres September 23, 2022. Howard Storm directs the cast of Mandy Fason, Susan Priver, Michael Kerr and James Lemire. I got the chance to pepper Norm (a.k.a. the Canadian Neil Simon) on this world premiere and his extensive resume of 67 plays.

DEATH, WITH BENEFITS Opens January 27 At Theatre 40

December 14, 2021

Theatre 40 presents Death, with Benefits. This world premiere engagement of a dark comedy, by John Strysik is directed by Jeff G. Rack. 

BWW Interview: Theatre 40's David Hunt Stafford - Already Planning Their 56th Season

August 09, 2021

Theatre 40 celebrates its 55th Anniversary season with the world premiere of Marilyn Anderson’s AS GOOD AS GOLD September 16, 2021. Got the chance to chat with David Hunt Stafford, Theatre 40’s artistic and managing director on Theatre 40’s history and plans for the future.

BWW Interview: Acting Perennial Ed Asner In ANOTHER GIN GAME & Always In Another Show

July 06, 2021

Theatre 40 will be presenting a staged reading of Gary Kaskel’s ANOTHER GIN GAME starring Ed Asner and Ruta Lee with Donté Ashon Green July 18, 2021. I have the delightful pleasure of talking to Ed, not only on ANOTHER GIN GAME, but on highlights of his incredibly long-lasting acting career. When I tried to thank him for all the previous times he’s graciously posed for my camera and chatted with me at various charity events, he playfully deflected with, “But I’m a son of a bitch now!”

BWW Interview: From WIESENTHAL to TEVYE: The Unstoppable, Energizing Tom Dugan

June 17, 2021

The Wallis inaugurates their new pop-up performance space on the Promenade Terrace for live audiences with the world premiere of Tom Dugan’s TEVYE IN NEW YORK! June 23, 2021. Tom co-directs (with Michael Vale) his one-man show on the well-known musical theatre lead character of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Tom managed to find time amongst his many, many writing projects to answer a few of my enquiries.