BroadwayWorld.com Los Angeles Stories

Keena Ferguson Presents KEENA: UNBRANDED at The Hollywood Fringe Festival, 6/7-6/30

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:15:39 PST

Actress, Director and Producer Keena Ferguson, will showcase her one woman show KEENA: UNBRANDED The Solo Experience at the fourth annual Hollywood Fringe Festival, in Los Angeles. The festival is one of the largest uncensored performing arts festivals in the country, where performances are self-produced by local, national, and international arts companies and independent artists.

UNBRANDED written and produced by Ferguson, takes its audience on a journey into the many characters and facets of Ferguson's life that has shaped her as a person and a performer. Expressed in a non-linear way, its message is to live out loud without accepting the stereotypical branding labels often administered to ones background, personality and success. Ferguson describes the production as "A moving picture of evolved moments in my life, allowing personal growth beyond limited expectations of what others may have perceived to be barriers. I'm coming out of the "branded" box and showing the world who I really am."

Ferguson first debuted Unbranded March 2013, at the Lillian Theatre in Los Angeles. Audiences marveled at her creativity as she weaved personal experiences through raw storytelling and performances. Cynthia Kaye McWilliams of BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood says, "Keena boldly dances, poetically speaks and hilariously weaves this story of self-actualization in a unique style all her own." Debra Wilson of MAD TV, states "Unbranded is engaging, heart breaking and triumphant, and the storytelling is no less than grippingly soul bearing."

Despite, pushing herself to full exposure, Ferguson says, "through this platform the audience will hopefully experience the true brand of the human self; connecting with people through commonality."

Keena Unbranded: The Solo Experience will run on select dates at The Hollywood Fringe Festival June 7th-June 30th. www.hollywoodfringe.org

THE OTHER F WORD Presnted by Crooked Heart Theater, 6/9-6/23

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:18:35 PST

Crooked Heart Theater announced today that it will donate 100% of proceeds from the Hollywood Fringe Festival run of The Other F Word to Eve Ensler's V-Day, to help stop violence against women and girls.

"Eve Ensler has been a huge inspiration for me as a woman, an activist, and a writer," said playwright Alyson Mead. "The Vagina Monologues opened up a brand new way for all of us to look at theatre, as participatory instead of passive, and what she continues to do for women around the world made this an easy decision for us."

Inspired by the hilarious outpouring of citizen activism on Amazon after Bic decided to release a pen "for her," The Other F Word depicts four strangers who meet at a focus group on pens specifically designed for women. Daniella, Carol, Roxanne and Evie each have a unique story to tell, but what happens when people decide to put human beings before marketing? The Other F Word answers this question in a funny, moving and ultimately empowering comedy.

The play will have four performances at the Lounge Theater, on June 9th, 15th, 18th and 23rd. Information about tickets and performance times can be found at http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/1359.

Crooked Heart Theater was founded in 2011, as a Los Angeles-based ground zero and production haven for new American plays. Inspired by a line from W.H. Auden's poem "As I Walked Out One Evening" ("You shall love your crooked neighbor/With your crooked heart."), the group works with local communities to reflect, enlighten, and inform our lives together, planning one major production of a new American play each year, and holding a regular writing circle to hear new work read out loud during the workshop process. More information can be found at http://www.crookedhearttheater.org.

Richard 'Dickie' Long, Carol Channing's Cousin and Supporter of the Arts, Passes Away at 99

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:47:31 PST

California native, longtime Palm Springs resident and supporter of the arts, Richard "Dickie" Long passed away last night at home at 10:55pm at the age of 99.

"He was a man who knew how to live and enjoyed every aspect of life," said his wife, Sylvia Long. He had already been planning his 100th birthday for Dec 27th as a celebration of life. During a recent trip to the hospital, he told Carol that if anything happened, they were not to mourn, rather celebrate a life he felt was blessed from the start in 1913. For this reason, the family plans to continue with the celebration later in the year.

Legendary actress Carol Channing wrote about her Long, who was her cousin and close friend, in her memoir "Just Lucky, I Guess" - an excerpt appears below:

My cousin Richard Long came to live with us because my aunt Elsa, his mother, my mother's only sister, read a book on free love, decided she liked it, but apparently didnt think it was the right atmosphere for children. Dickie loved my parents, and when the girl down the road asked my mother if she was expecting a child, my mother said, "Yes." Dickie couldnt wait until I got there. Therefore, my first word was "Dickie," and I have adored him ever since. He was seven years old when I was born. He's the most attractive, gorgeous-looking human being since my father, maybe. My mother lived to be a hundred, but was gorgeous before that. Dickie tells me my mother had a talk with him. She said, "George and I are trying to build a life together, so Carol will have to be your ward. You must help and look after her." Now, Dickie is a born dare-devil. He never could stop taking chances. He once told me that he hitched my babe carriage onto the back of his tricycle and we went careening around the streets on "terror rides." To this day his hobby is getting into a glider, to the consternation of the inhabitants of Southern California. He steers just clear of jagged California mountains. He's always lived in the fast lane, but it is part of his devastating charm.

HUMOR ABUSE Joins CTG Lineup, Replacing WHAT THE BUTLER SAW

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:56:09 PST

"Humor Abuse," described as the hilarious and heartfelt story of growing up in a circus, created by Lorenzo Pisoni and Erica Schmidt, directed by Schmidt and featuring a tour de force performance by Pisoni, will be presented at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, September 17 through November 3, 2013. The opening is set for September 21.

"Humor Abuse" replaces the previously announced production of "What the Butler Saw," which is being postponed to another season at the Taper.

"It's unfortunate that we had scheduling conflicts that will delay our production of 'What the Butler Saw' until a later season," said CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, "but it is highly fortunate that we were able to secure 'Humor Abuse' as a replacement in our schedule. Lorenzo Pisoni is one of the most charming, entertaining and unique artists I have had the pleasure of seeing, and I am sure that Los Angeles audiences will feel the same as I do after seeing his performance."

Pisoni took to the stage at age two as the youngest clown in the Pickle Family Circus, the much beloved one-ring circus founded by his parents in San Francisco. He signed his first contract as a performing partner at age six, all under the eye of his exacting father, who taught him that comedy is a deadly serious business.

In "Humor Abuse" through reminiscences and a whirlwind of juggling, pratfalls, double-takes, dodging sandbags and flinging himself in and out of a trunk, Pisoni delivers a tender homage to his perfectionist father, to the art and the discipline of comedy, and to the magic of the circus.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times said, "Physically, Mr. Pisoni's performance is breathtaking." Robert Hurwitt of the San Francisco Chronicle called the show "... 90 minutes of nonstop hilarity ... a probing, affecting look at a child's relationship with a father who was mentor, clown partner and boss."

"Humor Abuse" was originally presented in the spring of 2009 at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Pisoni won the 2009 Obie Award for Performance, and the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards.

After 20 years as a juggler, acrobat, and clown in circuses like The Pickle Family Circus and Cirque du Soleil, Lorenzo Pisoni ran away from the circus to New York City where he began working as an actor. He has appeared on Broadway in "Equus" (with Richard Griffiths and Danielle Radcliffe) and in "Henry IV" (with Kevin Kline and Ethan Hawke), and off-Broadway, most recently, in "Golden Age" (with Lee Pace, Bebe Neuwirth and F. Murray Abraham). On film he has been seen in "The Adjustment Bureau," "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," and the indie films "South of Pico" and "Company Retreat." On TV he recurred as DA Andrew Willis on "All My Children," and has guest-starred on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "The Good Wife."

Erica Schmidt's credits include "Invasion!" (The Play Company; Obie Award), "Humor Abuse" (Manhattan Theatre Club, Seattle Repertory Theatre; Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Obie Awards), "Rent" (Tokyo), "Carnival" (Paper Mill Playhouse), "People Be Heard" (Playwrights Horizons), "Trust" (The Play Company; Joe A. Callaway Award nomination), "As You Like It" (The Public Theater NYSF, chashama and The New York International Fringe Festival 2000 winner for Best Direction), "Debbie Does Dallas," which she adapted and directed (off-Broadway's Jane Street Theatre), "Spanish Girl" (Second Stage Theatre Uptown) and "Imaginary Invalid" (Bard Summerscape). Schmidt is a 2001 recipient of the Princess Grace Award.

Tickets for "Humor Abuse" will go on sale June 2, and can be purchased by calling (213) 628-2772, visiting online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $20 - $70 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

Mark Taper Forum subscribers will be mailed new tickets for the "Humor Abuse" performances.

BWW Reviews: The West Coast Premiere of LONG WAY GO DOWN Examines the Borders People Cross to Find a Better Life

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:35:46 PST

The Art of Acting Studio's professional company, The Harold Clurman Laboratory Theater Company, presents the West Coast Premiere of Long Way Go Down by Zayd Dohrn, directed by Don K. Williams and produced by Johnny Patrick Yoder, through June 7, 2013 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8PM at The Art of Acting Studio, 1017 N Orange Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90038.

The Art of Acting Studio is a nonprofit acting school in Los Angeles. It is the official west coast branch of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting New York City. The Studio's mission is to create an environment with the purpose of nurturing theatre artists who value humanity, their own and others, as their first and most precious priority while providing art and education to the greater community.

The group certainly has succeeded magnificently with Zayd Dohrn's Long Way Go Down, a fast-paced and often brutal story with hyper-realistic dialogue in English and Spanish. With evocatively moody original music by Jared Swanson and an incredible multi-level and location set by Michael Allen, effectively lit by the show's producer Johnny Patrick Yoder, the intense one-act tells the story of four people from two Americas, each hell-bent on finding a better life and willing to cross any border, both physically and emotionally, to do it.

Nini (Orlando Chavez) and his pregnant girlfriend Violetta (Michelle Ramos) are two people desperate for a new beginning north of the imaginary line carved out by generals, politicians, settlers and presidents that separates Mexico and the United States. Chavez and Ramos display constant, in-the-moment acting skill, pulling on heart strings with their sad tale, and then dragging you down into their world of brutality, sexuality, and manipulation of others to achieve their end result of a better life north of the border.

Like so many others, Nini and Violetta's only way out is through is an expensive and dangerous journey in the bottom of a semi-truck piloted by Billy (Michael Keith Allen), a cagey and hawkish smuggler who expects payment on the other side for his services. Billy May be the coyote, but Nini is the wolf willing to bite off his own foot to escape the trap he is in when he cannot pay for Violetta's freedom. Dragged into this struggle is the smuggler's seemingly innocent son Chris (Dan Evans) who finds himself caught in a web from which there seems to be no escape.

Moments of brilliance occur throughout the play including when Chavez turns on Evans after they share a joint and bottle of tequila, Evans and Ramos when he realizes she can speak English, in the truck when Chavez changes from innocent victim to wolf against Allen's coyote, and Ramos' change of heart when she believes her lover is dead and Evans is her only way left to freedom. Each actor's physical and emotional transformations certainly reflect the act of acting to it zenith.

Long Way Go Down by Zayd Dohrn

Directed by Don K. Williams

The Art of Acting Studio

1017 North Orange Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90038

12 Performances, May 17 - June 7, 2013 Tickets $18

For more information please visit: www.artofactingstudio.com

Photos by Johnny Patrick Yoder

Dan Evans as Chris and Micheal Keith Allen as Billy

Orlando Chavez as Nini and Michelle Ramos as Violetta

Dan Evans as Billy and Orlando Chavez as Nini

Michelle Ramos as Violetta and Dan Evans as Chris

Midnight Drive Creative Tribe's MARSHALL'S LAW to Debut at Hollywood Fringe, 6/7

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:10:10 PST

Sarah Maloney and Shadley Grei present The Midnight Drive Creative Tribe's premiere production, Marshall's Law, written by Shadley Grei and directed by David Avcollie.

When Abby (Dannielle Taddei) arrives at the house of Zach (Grei) she finds him working in the basement. Brought by a phone call Zach claims he never made, things get interesting when the basement door slams shut and they find themselves trapped together. You see, Abby's son, Marshall, is tired of the animosity between these former best friends and has decided to take matters into his nine year old hands.

Zach's partner - who also happens to be Abby's ex-husband and Marshall's father - was recently killed in a car accident that may or may not be Zach's fault and Abby wants answers. The details, secrets and pain of their strained relationship - as well as the joyful memories of their lifelong friendship - are revealed aS Marshall sits on the other side of the basement door, silently slipping them notes as he waits for them to give up the secrets he knows each of them holds.

Brutal, funny, tragic, heartbreaking and hopeful, Marshall's Law explores the way fact gets confused with perception and the damage we can do to the ones we love even when our intentions are pure.

The Midnight Drive Creative Tribe was formed at the end of 2012 and has several projects in active development, including a feature film slated to go into production at the end of July.

The show will play The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd, LA, CA Price: $10. Dates: June 7th @ 8pm; June 15th @ 6pm; June 21st @ 6pm; June 23rd @ 8pm; June 28th @ 6pm; and June 30th @ 2pm.

Village Idiom Productions to Debut with [TITLE OF SHOW], 6/7-30

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:27:56 PST

"[title of show] speaks to every young professional trying to realize a dream while also struggling to maintain the balance of being a responsible adult...and it's funny as hell!" said director Corey Lynn Howe.

It was for those reasons that the show received a Tony Award nomination in 2009 and why the folks at Village Idiom Productions thought it would fit right in with the spirit of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. As such, [title of show] will take the stage for 10 performances from June 7-30 at first The Elephant Theater (June 7 and 9) and then Theatre Asylum.

Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi and Larry on the eighty-eights. With the cast in place, Jeff and Hunter begin a conversation on what they should write. Eventually, Jeff Suggests they write about...what to write about! They make a pact to write up until the festival's deadline and dream about the show changing their lives. [title of show] -- taken from the space on the festival's application form which asks for the [title of show] -- follows Hunter and Jeff and their friends on their journey through the gauntlet of creative self-expression. In the span of 90 minutes they write and perform their show at the festival and learn lessons about themselves as people, friends and artists.

"It's an adventure; four friends, stuck on their own respective versions of a creative plateau, looking to take that much desired step up, find their momentum and eventual success simply by telling their own story," Howe said. "It's a beautiful telling of how we make our own happiness and success in life, all the while, battling to overcome self-doubt as the biggest and most consistent antagonist."

Because of the nature of the material and Howe's vision, Theatre Unleashed was eager to help co-produce this run for the Fringe.

"We couldn't be happier to support this new company, founded by one of our own members," said Carlos Martinez, TU's artistic director. "This is going to be a show that will make some noise at this year's festival."

Theatre Unleashed is also staging their hit show 25 Plays Per Hour at this year's festival. Plus, TU will once again offer another of its 24-Hour Theatre Events called Go Ahead, Make My..."

[title of show], directed by Corey Lynn Howe, features Book written by Hunter Bell and Music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen. Produced by Village Idiom Productions and Theatre Unleashed.

DATES AND TIMES: *June 7, 10 p.m. - preview; *June 9, 5:30 p.m. - preview; June 13, 9:30 p.m., June 15, 5 p.m., June 18, 9:30 p.m., June 20, 11:30 p.m., June 22, 5:30 p.m., June 26, 10 p.m., June 29, 8:30 p.m., and June 30, 2 p.m. *These performances are at The Elephant Theater.

Theatre Asylum is located at 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif.

Ticket prices: $12 for general admission. Bring new school supplies to donate to 826LA and name your ticket price. Check for a list of needs at http://826la.org/donate/826la-wishlist/. Other discounts available; see website for more details.

For more information, visit www.theatreunleashed.com and www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/1180.

AT THE FLASH Extends Through June 1 at Celebration Theatre

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:14:30 PST

Due to popular demand, Celebration Theatre has announced that the Los Angeles Premiere of a new play, AT THE FLASH, written by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, performed by David Leeper and directed by David Zak is EXTENDING through Saturday, June 1 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood.

AT THE FLASH - Like pulses of light, our stories illuminate the past and light the way towards the future. AT THE FLASH takes you on a fast-paced journey that juxtaposes five different decades whose stories collide and blend, bringing them all together one night in a dynamic, comedic and touching way.

David Leeper is very proud to see AT THE FLASH in production with Celebration Theatre. His background includes leading roles in David Mamet's Oleanna, Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July, Tom Dudzick's Greetings, and smaller productions of Christopher Durang's Titanic and Bobby Gould in Hell.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST:

David LeePER (Co-Playwright & Performer) recently completed the World Premiere run of At The Flash in Chicago. David's background includes leading roles in David Mamet's Oleanna, Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July, Tom Dudzick's Greetings, Christopher Durang's Titanic and Bobby Gould in Hell. He studied at the Portland Actor's Conservatory, South Coast Repertory Theater and CSU

Fullerton as well as private coaching. He is a former Artist in Resident of the Vanguard Theatre Ensemble. Writing works beyond At The Flash include, Kissing the Frog Prince and Make Mine a Double! (www.davidwleeper.com)

SEAN CHANDLER (Co-Playwright) Works include At The Flash (PFP Great Gay Play and Musical Contest Winner, Jeff Recommendation), Radical Morality (Nicholl Fellowship Quarter-Finalist, Creative World Awards Semi-Finalist, PFP Great Gay Screenplay Contest Semi-Finalist), Kissing The Frog Prince (Scriptoid Writers Challenge, All Access Screenwriters Competition & The Screenplay Festival Semi-Finalist), Projects in the works include The Pack (Creative World Awards Semi-Finalist), Grand Matriculation, Benji Boomer- Life Coach, and Running: A New Musical. www.seanwchandler.com

David Zak (Director) His work has been won 7 Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago, including 4 for Directing (Animal Farm, Dr. Sex, Parade, Pope Joan), 2 for writing (The Hiroshima Project, The Count of Monte Cristo) and a special Jeff for "Fostering Diversity in Chicago Theater." He has directed in Boston (Sin: A Cardinal Deposed), Los Angeles (Dr. Sex) and New York (Marlowe, Poseidon: An Upside Down Musical). In Europe his work has been seen in London (The Irish Curse) and Dublin (Oh, Holy Allen Ginsberg), and he has directed and taught non-English speaking actors in Seoul, Korea (Dollhouse, Fanta Stick). He cultivates new LGBT screenplays and scripts in his roles as Executive Director of Pride Films and Plays, Chicago, and Artistic Director of Summer Pride Fest at Chandler (VT).

David spent 27 years as Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, garnering Best Musical awards for his productions of Dennis DeYoung's Hunchback of Notre Dame, Jerry Springer - The Opera and Sir Peter Hall's Animal Farm (both American premieres), Parade and Pope Joan. His recent projects have ranged from a one-man show (At the Flash) to a 100-actor epic (Evita). David is also an accomplished photographer, educator and journalist.

AT THE FLASH features Lighting Design by Matthew Denman. The stage manager is Sean Lambert.

AT THE FLASH is EXTENDING through Saturday, June 1 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd (1/2 block east of La Brea) in Hollywood. Tickets are $15-$25 for all performances. For tickets, call (323) 957-1884 or visit www .celebrationtheatre .com to purchase tickets online or to view a complete schedule or for further details.

Photo Flash: First Look at Lorenzo Pisoni in HUMOR ABUSE at Mark Taper Forum

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:14:55 PST

"Humor Abuse," the hilarious and heartfelt story of growing up in a circus, created by Lorenzo Pisoni and Erica Schmidt, directed by Schmidt and featuring a tour de force performance by Pisoni, will be presented at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, September 17 through November 3, 2013. The opening is set for September 21. Get a first look at Pisoni onstage below!

"Humor Abuse" replaces the previously announced production of "What the Butler Saw," which is being postponed to another season at the Taper.

Photo Credit: Mark Gavin

Lorenzo Pisoni

MOVIE MUSICAL, Starring Aunt Cassie Rolle, Begins Today

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Do you love movie? You love Musicals? When the Movie Musical show starring Aunt Cassie Rolle come see the movies which never should have a musical score. Movie Musical runs Memorial Day Weekend: Today, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 at 9pm.

The Movie Musical show has Aunt Cassie Rolle and her pals Stella Review, Dale Bread and her niece Eunice as they take to The Cavern Club Theater to reminisce about the old place in it's hay day 30 years ago. When word gets out that developers want to knock down the Theater and pave paradise, these gals show up to save their former stomping ground. How you may ask? With a good old fashion telethon. It's "Follies meets "The Jerry Lewis Telethon". These ladies create musicals from movies that shouldn't be attempted. They even point out some that have and shouldn't have.

The show is written and directed by Kurt Koehler. Koehler is best known for directing/producing/co-creator of Chico's Angelsand most recently the hugely successful stage musical, Invincible, The Legend of Billy Jean.

Movie Musical: The Musical stars: Aunt Cassie Rolle, Chris Farah, Doreen Calderon and Jaci Pund.

Movie Musical: The Musical will run May 24 & 25 (Memorial Day Weekend) at 9pm at the Cavern Club Theater inside Casita Del Campo Restaurant, 1920 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, Calif. Tickets: $15 PRE-SALE ONLINE; $20 CASH AT THE DOOR. Buy Tickets: www.cavernclubtheater.com or http://cavernclubtheater2.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=3678.