I have long been a fan of playwright Richard Greenberg’s work and had heard of and knew of The Violet Hour from its roots at South Coast Repertory. I had yet to read or see the play when approached by Hollywood Food Chain this summer to direct it. READ MORE
Submissions for CTG’s Sherwood 2011 Award
by LA Stage Alliance | February 9, 2011
Center Theatre Group (CTG) is now accepting submissions for the 2011 Richard E. Sherwood Award, an annual $10,000 fund to support Los Angeles artists. The award is presented each year at the Ovation Awards ceremony produced by LA Stage Alliance. READ MORE
Arts Can be Funded Through State Tax Returns
by LA Stage Alliance | February 9, 2011
Californians May Contribute to Arts Statewide via Annual State Tax Refunds. READ MORE
The Dangerous Beauty Diaries
Part III: Change & Commitment
by Deborah Behrens | February 9, 2011
Dangerous Beauty Director Sheryl Kaller has a favorite mantra she likes to impart after making adjustments or giving notes: That is a change and change is good. The phrase could easily be a de facto motto for the musical’s 10-year journey from first note to its February 13 Pasadena Playhouse premiere. READ MORE
Marsha Mason and Emily Bergl Team Up in Becky Shaw
by Steve Julian | February 8, 2011
Marsha Mason is back at LA Theatre Works’ radio theater series at the Skirball Center for Becky Shaw, after last year’s turn in ex-husband Neil Simon’s California Suite. READ MORE
A Letter to a Teacher Who Made a Difference
by Todd Susman | February 8, 2011
You are so long dead; it’s hard to believe you’re alive in me and now in my plays. If you’d prefer to rest, I apologize. Todd Susman, ma’am: Class of ’65; you threw me out of “Honors English?” Of course I deserved it; I deserve it every time I defile a keyboard. Essay in hand, you said, “Tawd, you’re better than this. You don’t demonstrate sufficient hunger to learn.” I responded, “I would, Mrs. Hollander, but where does one find the hunger to hunger?” My previous hair rippled in the wake of your slamming door. READ MORE
Dance Scholarships for Emerging Artists
by LA Stage Alliance | February 7, 2011
The Princess Grace Foundation USA announces availability of the 2011 Dance (Scholarships and Fellowships) and Choreography Fellowships in all forms dance, theater and film. One unique aspect of the Foundation is its life-long commitment to 450+ Princess Grace Awardees with recipient-only funding. READ MORE
Whitefire Becomes a Friday Night Firehouse
by Bryan Rasmussen | February 4, 2011
After 25 years in the acting/directing business in LA, I was presented with the opportunity to purchase the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks, at a price even I could afford. So I sacrificed everything to make it successful, even converting the upstairs office to a temporary makeshift residence. READ MORE
Atwater Sex, Sister’s Audience, Furious Farewell
by Don Shirley | February 4, 2011
The new Atwater Village Theatre and Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA offer two views of sex-besotted characters in Mlle. God and Crack Whore Galore–Live. Why can’t Sister’s audiences ask tougher questions? And glances at the Furious/Pasadena split and The Break of Noon. READ MORE.
The Dangerous Beauty Diaries
Part II: Couture Costumed Courtesans
by Deborah Behrens | February 4, 2011
Legendary costume designer Theoni Aldredge died on Jan. 21. The next day, Soyon An began technical rehearsals for the premiere of the musical Dangerous Beauty at the Pasadena Playhouse, which features An’s haute couture attire. Sheldon Epps, artistic director of the Playhouse, saw it as a passing of the torch. READ MORE
LA STAGE Insider: February 2, 2011
by Julio Martinez | February 3, 2011
Westside news, more premieres, and a new play about Obama’s mother in this edition of LASTAGEInsider. READ MORE
Supply and Demand in the Arts
by Rocco Landesman | February 3, 2011
Last week, as part of a gathering at Arena Stage in Washington DC, I was able to finally spark a conversation that I have been wanting to have for more than a year now. READ MORE
