Gil Kaan - Page 50

Rockwell Table & Stage could barely contain the theatre aficionados' applause and excitement generated by the incredible singers belting out one showstopper after another in An Evening of Classic Broadway.

David Auburn's 2000 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Proof receives a sturdy mounting from Noisy Nest, with Amanda Bird directing the real-time scenes with a firm grip.

In ChicabaRENT, director/writer Shannon Sukovaty creates a clever mash-up of Chicago, Cabaret and Rent in a non-stop, in-your-face attack on your senses.

A stellar cast, led by Laurie Metcalf, gives their all in the West Coast premiere of Nick Jones' smartly written Trevor. Jimmi Simpson embodies his character of Trevor, an 11-year-old chimpanzee with a child-like humanness, not unlike a human youngster with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Kritzerland At Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal followed its successful formula of monthly themed cabarets with The Birthday Boys: The Songs of Stephen Sondheim & Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Andrew Heffenan ably directs his capable cast of two in their machine-gun deliveries of well-written, word-heavy dialogue.

Fales, a very engaging performer with sharp comic timing commands the Zephyr Theatre stage in his multi-character, 115-minute solo turn.

In the rolling world premiere of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea; playwright Nathan Alan Davis has vividly created strong empathetic characters; some very wise, some very witty, all someone you'd like to get to know better in your own life.

With the combined credits and awards of the playwright Louis Douglas Jacobs and director David Fofi, one would expect a particularly brilliant production of the critically -acclaimed revival 7 Redneck Cheerleaders. But even with a very game, committed cast of obviously talented performers, the almost two-hour piece unfortunately never gels.

Perfect mix of talents all-around combine for a well-produced world premiere of playwright Nandita Shenoy's witty Washer/Dryer. Director Peter J. Kuo whips this talented cast of five through a fast, even paced ninety-minutes of social issues served up on a tasty elixir of laughter.

Anderson Davis directs his kick-ass cast of triple-threats like a racing car pro on a NASCAR speedway allowing the audience no time to breathe between all the applauding, the laughing, and the singing along.

Aficionados of epic scenery chewing could find much to enjoy in this over-acting, diva spewing, high camp ninety minutes. Audiences looking for laughs and more conventional entertainment may possibly need to find another destination.

Groundlings Dead or Alive, Groundling's latest Friday & Saturday night show makes you howl in their successful mix of improv and scripted skits of their snapshots of some absurd and some very real life situations.

The luminous Karen Landry dominates (when she can) as Jacob's wife Mary - still feisty, still vibrant, financially savvy, ultimate protector of their two sons and keeper of peace in the Mercer household. Brava, Landry!

On February 2, the 54th version of Kritzerland At Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal delighted its packed house with songs (some memorable, some lesser known) of American Songbook composer Jerome Kern. Hosted, as always, by the personable and very knowledgeable Bruce Kimmel; each song had elaborate intros of fun facts with recognizable celebs in sometimes unusual contexts. Kimmel's a gem of an emcee!

Playwright Lily Blau receives a strong mounting of her world premiere The Missing Pages of Lewis Carroll at the Theatre @ Boston Court. Director Abigail Deser glides her able cast through what Blau has imagined would be in the missing pages of author Lewis Carroll's actual diaries.

Playwright Zayd Dohrn dazzlingly attacks, dissects and vividly presents the unusual concept of reborn dolls in the Fountain Theatre's powerfully, intriguing Los Angeles premiere of his Reborning.

Disconnection really starts firing on all cylinders with the combined talents of Bo Foxworth as Landon; the successful, but damaged lawyer wanting piano lessons and Dennis Nollette as Michel, the charismatic piano teacher.

Vibrant videos of saturated color on the 30-foot high backdrops combined with the elaborately detailed and bright traditional Chinese costuming make Shen Yun 2015 an explosion of bodies and hues in perpetual motion.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies' thought-provoking Time Stands Still receives a strong mounting at the Secret Rose.