Theatre Banshee, the Irish-oriented troupe currently producing Dolly West’s Kitchen, is up for the Ovation Award for best season at the Nov. 14 ceremony. Co-artistic director Leslie Baldwin and Dolly‘s director McKerrin Kelly explain how the Burbank company aims to start provocative conversations among theatergoers on the drive home after the show. READ MORE
Broadway’s Historic Theaters Among Topics on Nov. 9
by LA Stage Alliance | November 4, 2011
A public forum on the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which would re-vitalize the downtown LA street and many of its historic theaters, is taking place at one of those landmark theaters, the Orpheum, on Nov. 9. READ MORE
LA STAGE INSIDER
by Julio Martinez | November 3, 2011
Ed Asner revives FDR for Theatricum Benefit and Tanya Saracho’s El Nogalar premieres at Fountain Theatre. Will Manus’s Bridge moves to the Complex; Alfred Molina and David Krumholtz duel verbally in Copenhagen; Amanda Mauer gets all catty in Monkey Adored; and INSIDER History looks back at Gene Dynarski Theatre… READ MORE
New Ovation Awards Host Carolyn Hennesy and Presenters Announced
by LA Stage Alliance | November 3, 2011
LA stage veteran Carolyn Hennesy will host the Ovation Awards ceremony, stepping in for French Stewart, who had to withdraw because of a professional conflict. Also, here’s a list of the presenters who will announce the awards at the ceremony on Nov. 14 at the Orpheum. READ MORE
Dukakis and Barricelli — Together Again in Vigil
by Rachel Fain | November 3, 2011
Olympia Dukakis and Marco Barricelli are appearing in the only two roles in Morris Panych’s Vigil at the Mark Taper Forum. Barricelli talks during most of the play, and Dukakis mostly listens. But in a rehearsal room interview, they share the conversation just about equally, which comes naturally after appearing together in four plays. READ MORE
Life Could Be a Dream for Roger Bean and Original Cast
by Steve Julian | November 3, 2011
Since its initial appearance at the small Hudson Theatre, Roger Bean’s Life Could Be a Dream has graduated to bigger theaters for each of the last two years. Now it’s at La Mirada Theatre. Bean and actors Daniel Tatar and Jessica Keenan Wynn say it’s evolving and becoming better at each stop. What’s next — the Pantages? READ MORE
Sheryl Kaller Explores Faith vs. Family in Next Fall
by Deborah Behrens | November 2, 2011
Director Sheryl Kaller discusses her long bi-coastal journey with Geoffrey Nauffts’ Next Fall from first reading to Off-Broadway sensation to Broadway Tony Award nominee. She gleaned new insights exploring its theme of faith versus family with a new Geffen Playhouse cast featuring playwright Nauffts. And she tells why she’s grateful for what the experience taught her. READ MORE
The Gracious Tenacity of Gil Cates
by Steve Julian | November 2, 2011
Alan Alda, Gordon Davidson, Michael Ritchie, Susan Loewenberg and Sheldon Epps recall the warmth and versatility of Gil Cates, the Geffen Playhouse producing director who died Monday. READ MORE
The Long Hello for Ovation Nominee Stefan Marks
by A.R. Cassell | November 2, 2011
As a young man, Stefan Marks was struck speechless by a young woman he encountered, but he did nothing about it — until he wrote Hello, which tells his imaginary story of what might have been between the two of them. It impressed Ovation voters enough last fall to earn six nominations for the upcoming awards, including a Best Play nod and individual honors for Marks as writer, director and actor. READ MORE
Biller Family Foundation Honors Six LA Theaters
by LA Stage Alliance | November 1, 2011
The Biller Family Foundation has opened a new source of private funding for smaller LA theater companies with its annual BEST awards. The first batch of grants has provided $47,500 to a total of six companies, and the foundation would like to expand the awards next year. READ MORE
Geffen Playhouse’s Gil Cates Dies
by LA Stage Alliance | November 1, 2011
Gilbert Cates, the founder and producing director of the Geffen Playhouse, died Monday at the age of 77. During his tenure, Geffen productions earned 119 Ovation Award nominations and won 27. READ MORE
Connie Chats On Opening Night at A Noise Within’s New Home
by Connie Danese | November 1, 2011
A Noise Within threw a big bash for the opening of its new home in Pasadena, and Connie chatted with Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and other supporters before and after the company performed Twelfth Night. READ MORE
