Stephen Gifford News

Actors Co-op presents ANNA KARENINA by Helen Edmundson, adapted from the novel by Leo Tolstoy, directed by Heather Chesley, produced by Kay Bess. Helen Edmudson's ANNA KARENINA is an upside-down telling of Leo Tolstoy's classic tale. A story wrapped in temptation, passion and moral conflict, this eight-person dramatic event is a fast-paced examination of love, adultery and marriage. ANNA KARENINA will run February 8 - March 17. Todays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. Sunday Matinees at 2:30 pm. Saturday Matinees February 16 and February 23 at 2:30 pm. The play is recommended for ages 13 and older.

Having seen the musical HAMILTON when it was in Los Angeles, like many others I learned more important details about the founding fathers while watching it than I felt I had ever learned in school. Lin-Manuel Miranda who created that uber-successful musical in 2015, has said that 1776 THE MUSICAL, written in 1969, during another time of political and social unrest in the United States, has 'one of the best books-if not the best-ever written for musical theatre.' And now I can say I certainly agree with him. In fact, The perfect way to prove the arts can teach valuable history lessons to its audiences is by encouraging everyone to see 1776 THE MUSICAL, presented by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and impeccably directed & staged by Glenn Casale through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts or at The Soraya at CSUN from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10.

A brilliant cast and production highlights McCoy Rigby Entertainment's '1776,' with bravura performances from Andy Umberger (John Adams), Peter Van Norden (Benjamin Franklin) and John Barbour (Edward Rutledge).

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya), February 8 through 10. 1776 THE MUSICAL, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical (1969) and has music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone. It is directed by Glenn Casale with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo.

Celebration presents the first show in its 2019 season, Drew Droege (Die, Mommie, Die!) and Matthew Wilkas starring in the Los Angeles premiere of BORN TO WIN, written by Matthew Wilkas and Mark Setlock, choreography by Janet Roston and directed by Michael Matthews.

Actors Co-op presents ANNA KARENINA by Helen Edmundson, adapted from the novel by Leo Tolstoy, directed by Heather Chesley, produced by Kay Bess. Helen Edmudson's ANNA KARENINA is an upside-down telling of Leo Tolstoy's classic tale. A story wrapped in temptation, passion and moral conflict, this eight-person dramatic event is a fast-paced examination of love, adultery and marriage. ANNA KARENINA will run February 8 - March 17. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. Sunday Matinees at 2:30 pm. Saturday Matinees February 16 and February 23 at 2:30 pm. The play is recommended for ages 13 and older.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary at the theatre) are thrilled to present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and directed & staged by Glenn Casale. 1776 THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 11, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.  

LaMirada and McCoy Rigby Entertainment will present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and directed & staged by Glenn Casale. 1776 THE MUSICAL will begin previews on Friday, January 11, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Due to sold out houses, Actors Co-op Theatre Company has added two additional performances,  Today-December 8 at 2:30 pm and Today-December 15 at 2:30 pm. The Tony Award-Winning Musical She Loves Me, with book by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, based on the 1937 play Perfumerie by Miklos Laszlo directed and choreographed by Cate Caplin, Musical Direction by Anthony Lucca, produced by Crystal Jackson, tells the beloved story of two feuding shop clerks who are unaware that they are the recipients of each other's love letters. 

Due to sold out houses, Actors Co-op Theatre Company has added two additional performances,  Today-December 8 at 2:30 pm and Today-December 15 at 2:30 pm. The Tony Award-Winning Musical She Loves Me, with book by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, based on the 1937 play Perfumerie by Miklos Laszlo directed and choreographed by Cate Caplin, Musical Direction by Anthony Lucca, produced by Crystal Jackson, tells the beloved story of two feuding shop clerks who are unaware that they are the recipients of each other's love letters. 

Due to sold out houses, Actors Co-op Theatre Company has added two additional performances,  Saturday-December 8 at 2:30 pm and Saturday-December 15 at 2:30 pm. The Tony Award-Winning Musical She Loves Me, with book by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, based on the 1937 play Perfumerie by Miklos Laszlo directed and choreographed by Cate Caplin, Musical Direction by Anthony Lucca, produced by Crystal Jackson, tells the beloved story of two feuding shop clerks who are unaware that they are the recipients of each other's love letters. 

The nominees for the 29th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were announced this week.

She Loves Mebook by Joe Masteroffmusic by Jerry Bocklyrics by Sheldon Harnickbased on a play Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlodirected & choreographed by Cate CaplinActors Co-opDavid Schall Theatrethrough December 16 Classic plays and musicals usually hold up well if the book and music are strong and relevant. She Loves Me has its corny moments and is dated, but is so bent on love and the romantic side of life, we buy into its premise and come away entertained. Currently onstage at Actors Co-op through December 16, She Loves Me receives flawless direction from Cate Caplin and may boast a deliciously inviting ensemble of players.

Actors Co-op Theatre Company presents the three-time Tony Award-Winning Musical She Loves Me, with book by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, based on the 1937 play Perfumerie by Miklos Laszlo directed and choreographed by Cate Caplin, Musical Direction by Anthony Lucca, produced by Crystal Jackson, tells the beloved story of two feuding shop clerks who are unaware that they are the recipients of each other's love letters.

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 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.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the third show in its 98th season with the perfect show for Halloween, the Tony Nominated Best Play, THE SEAFARER

Somewhere between its opening of SWEET CHARITY in late June and the end of July, Reprise 2.0 postponed its second scheduled production of its inaugural season, VICTOR/VICTORIA. In its place, the company has mounted a revival of Kander & Ebb's musical revue, THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, and, while it isn't a rarely revived book musical, which has always been Reprise's focus in the past, it does contain a score derived from some of the best songs in the classic Kander & Ebb catalogue (think CHICAGO and CABARET).

Moonlight Stage Productions invites you to spend a summer evening in 15th century Paris, with their production of HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Who doesn't want to go to Paris in the summer?

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