Stephen Gifford News

Moonlight Stage Productions presents THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, the epic musical retelling of Victor Hugo's novel about love, passion, and hope.

Celebration Theatre announces that the third and final show in its 2017-2018 season, the smash-hit, critically acclaimed production of CABARET

Moonlight Stage Productions presents THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, the epic musical retelling of Victor Hugo's novel about love, passion, and hope. Performances are August 15 through September 1 at 8:00 p.m. at the Moonlight Amphitheatre. The third production of Moonlight's 38th summer season will feature a company of nearly 60 with actors, an onstage choir, and live orchestra in the pit making for an emotionally charged theatre experience. Tickets range in price $17-$57 and are on sale now through VisTix at (760) 724-2110 and online at moonlightstage.com.

Playwright Peter Quilter's END OF THE RAINBOW packs a powerful punch in the gut under director Michael Matthews sure-handed guidance of his talented cast. Two moments of RAINBOW rate as the must, MUST-see moments for any Judy Garland aficionados - when the astonishing Angela Ingersoll totally morphs into Judy Garland singing 'The Man That Got Away' and, when Ingersoll channels Judy Garland in 'Over the Rainbow.' Ingersoll has Judy Garland down pat.

REPRISE 2.0, led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson, in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, announces Dawnn Lewis (This Is Us, Major Crimes and IZombie), Valerie Perri (LA Shubert Theatre Evita, Jerome Robbins' Broadway) Larry Cedar (Deadwood), Kelley Dorney (Annie at Hollywood Bowl) and Michael Starr (Bright Star national tour) for its production of The World Goes 'Round with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson. It will play September 5 through September 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.  

Somewhere in the world tonight there are 7 performances of the hit musical MAMMA MIA! onstage entertaining audiences. In fact, the show based on the music by Swedish pop group ABBA, has become so popular that the only continent where a regional or touring production has not occurred is Antarctica, and the show has set the record for premiering in more cities faster than any other musical in history. And after seeing the current 3-D Theatricals production, it's easy to see why audiences continue to fill theaters to experience the fun, spectacle, great music, and overall happy atmosphere generated by this feel-good musical.

Moonlight Stage Productions presents THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, the epic musical retelling of Victor Hugo's novel about love, passion, and hope. Performances are August 15 through September 1 at 8:00 p.m. at the Moonlight Amphitheatre. The third production of Moonlight's 38th summer season will feature a company of nearly 60 with actors, an onstage choir, and live orchestra in the pit making for an emotionally charged theatre experience. Tickets range in price $17-$57 and are on sale now through VisTix at (760) 724-2110 and online at moonlightstage.com.

REPRISE 2.0, led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson, in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, announces its production of The World Goes 'Round with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson. It will play September 5 through September 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.  The World Goes 'Round will be directed by Richard Israel with choreography by John Todd, and musical direction by Gerald Sternbach.

Ryan McCartan (recent Fox remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie, Off-Broadway's Heathers: The Musical) will head the cast of a fun and furry musical tale for animal lovers of all ages. The world premiereof Mutt House will play at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from July 15 through Aug. 5. Previews begin July 10.

3-D Theatricals of Los Angeles concludes its 2017-2018 Season with the international smash hit Mamma Mia!, dazzling audiences on stage from August 3 - 12 (with an official press opening August 4) at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and August 17 - 26 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

Featuring 18 original songs and a cast of ten (6 dogs and 4 humans), the world premiere of MUTT HOUSE: THE MUSICAL at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City recounts the story of quirky outsider Eddie Corbin (Ryan McCartan) who has managed to find a place to call home in a neglected downtown animal shelter. But when the city threatens to close the shelter, Eddie must do something he's never done before - stand up for himself and fight for what's right. With the help of six zany mutts, he faces his fears and makes an unexpected human connection in the process. It's a fun and furry musical tale for animal lovers of all ages!

Ryan McCartan (recent Fox remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie, Off-Broadway's Heathers: The Musical) will head the cast of a fun and furry musical tale for animal lovers of all ages. The world premiereof Mutt House will play at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from July 15 through Aug. 5. Previews begin July 10.

The world premiere of a new musical for animal lovers of all agesis set to open at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Ryan Bergmann (Die, Mommie, Die! at CTG Block Party) will direct the furry tale of fun created by Tony Cookson, with a book by Cookson and music and lyrics by John Daniel, Tony Cookson, Robb Curtis Brown and David O. Anthony Lucca will musical direct, and the choreographer is Janet Roston. Previews begin July 10, with the press opening set for July 15. Performances will continue through Aug. 5.

REPRISE 2.0 (led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson), in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, presents its inaugural production of Sweet Charity.  Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, the classic Broadway hit plays through July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Take a look at photos from the show's opening night below!

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce that their smash-hit third and final show of its 2017-2018 season, CABARET, is extending through Sunday, August 5 at Celebration Theatre @ the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles (now known as the Kit Kat Klub!).

Directed and choreographed by musical theatre whiz Kathleen Marshall with Musical Direction by Gerald Sternbach who brilliantly directs a full orchestra seen onstage as part of the staircase set designed by Stephen Gillford, SWEET CHARITY stars Laura Bell Bundy who brings the joy and wonder of Charity Hope Valentine energetically to the Freud Playhouse stage. With her heart literally worn on her sleeve, the musical follows the dance hall hostess as she searches around the mean streets of New York City in 1966 in her attempt to be loved, not just for sex but for her generous heart and giving nature.

REPRISE 2.0 in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater presents its inaugural production of Sweet Charity. Get a look at the all-star cast below!

This show is a classic in every sense of the word. Its sustained dark & forboding atmosphere of pre-Nazi Berlin and its celebrated Kander & Ebb score are but two glowing attributes. One, of course, cannot deny Bob Fosse's brilliant 1970 film, but, it was totally different from the Broadway show, as it became more of a showcase for Liza Minnelli's unique talent. And, the stage version has taken on a brand new look since the Roundabout Theatre revamped it in the 90s. This is not the original 60s Cabaret that had Joey Gray as MC onstage only for his musical numbers. Now the MC takes center stage and when he is not speaking or singing, lurks around, ecchanging glances with the other members of the ensemble.

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY and Taylor Gilbert, Founder/Artistic Director together with Sam Anderson, Artistic Director, present the fourth and final show of its 2017-2018 season, the Southern California premiere of RED SPEEDO, written by Lucas Hnath and directed by Joe Banno. RED SPEEDO will preview on Saturday, May 6 at 8pm; Sunday, May 7; Tuesday, May 8 at 8pm; Wednesday, May 9 at 8pm & Thursday, May 10 and will open on Friday, May 11 at 8pm and run through Sunday, July 1 at the Road Theatre on Magnolia, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood.

The full cast for The 5th Avenue Theatre's spectacular new production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which stars Deaf actorJoshua Castille as Quasimodo, has been announced. Castille will use American Sign Language (ASL) throughout his performance, bringing new life and perspective to Quasimodo, who is deaf in the novel by Victor Hugo.