Robert Townsend News

The Marsh announces that Don Reed's autobiographical journey CAN YOU DIG IT? The '60s - Back Down East 14th will extend its run at The Marsh San Francisco through September 8, 2013. From the Beatles to the Black Panthers, James Brown to The Jerk, and MLK to JFK to the KKK - CAN YOU DIG IT? The '60s - Back Down East 14th offers a view the 1960s through the blinking eyes of an awkward kid who's just trying to fit in. Reed, an Oakland-born comedian, is currently the opening act/warm-up comedian forThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Reed's solo show, the third installment in his hilarious coming-of-age trilogy, continues at The Marsh San Francisco now through September 8, with shows on Saturdays at 8:30pm and Sundays at 7pm in the Main Stage Theatre. For tickets, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Theatre Planners presents Greeks 6 - Trojans 5, a world premiere comedy with music written by Chuck Faerber, directed by Rick Kuhlman, similar in style and spirit to 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' but whackier, involving Greek soldiers embedded in the fabled Trojan Horse. Although set in the ancient world, Greeks 6 - Trojans 5 is a hilarious, eccentric, and irreverent send-up of modern warfare, technology, and mores (yes - mores!). The play previews Saturday, August 10th at 8pm. Runs: August 11 - September 8. Saturdays at 8pm. Sunday Matinees at 3pm. Buy Tix/info: www.plays411.com or (323) 960-7774. Whitefire Theatre 13500 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks 91423.

BWW TV Los Angeles Correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans were back on the red carpet speaking to the stars last week for the official L.A. opening of SISTER ACT at Hollywood's historic Pantages Theatre. Among the many celebrities in attendance, Sterling chatted with Robert Townsend, Shoshana Bean, Ruta Lee, Jo Anne Worley, Jaden Betts, Kate Linder, Dmitry Chaplin (So You Think You Can Dance), Jonathan Buckley (Host of the new NBC reality series Siberia), and SISTER ACT'S Ta'Rea Campbell (Book of Mormon, Lion King) who stars as Deloris Van Cartier. Check out the video below!

Producers Whoopi Goldberg, Stage Entertainment and Troika Entertainment announce that SISTER ACT, the musical comedy smash direct from Broadway, play the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a 3 week engagement. Performances are now running through July 28, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a look at the opening night below!

Bill Cosby's first television concert special in 30 years, 'Far From Finished,' will air on COMEDY CENTRAL November 24, 2013. Robert Townsend directed the show, which will be compiled from material that Cosby performed at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center earlier this summer.

Yoshi's San Francisco announces updated calendar for club and restaurant through July 7, 2013.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, June 2, 2013 - Sunday, June 2, 2013.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Nick DeGruccio with musical direction by Darryl Archibald. NEXT TO NORMAL opened last night, June 1, and runs through Sunday, June 23, 2013. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening festivities and brings you photos from the curtain call, party and more!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT will present the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Nick DeGruccio. NEXT TO NORMAL will preview on Friday, May 31, 2013 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 1) and runs through Sunday, June 23, 2013 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Theatre Rhinoceros presents... A Lady and a Woman by Shirlene Holmes, starring Velina Brown* and Dawn L. Troupe*. Directed by John Fisher, the show will make its Bay Area premiere, tonight, March 7 - 24, 2013.

San Diego Musical Theatre presents its production of Kander & Ebb's "Chicago", February 15-March 3 at the Birch North Park Theatre! The show is Directed by Ron Kellum, Choreographed by Randy Slovacek with Musical Direction by Don LeMaster. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

In 2009, TIME magazine named Tavis Smiley to its list of 'The World's 100 Most Influential People.' Surely such an overachiever could never be labeled a failure. A successful small business owner, notable philanthropist, New York Times best-selling author, host of his own national television and radio programsthese aren't the descriptions we would normally hear about someone who'd been fired or arrested, who left college degreeless, or said 'no' to a dream-come-true opportunity in the profession he longed to break into.

More than 110 local and national theater artists representing more than 45 San Diego theatrical productions will compete for the 2012 Craig Noel Awards.

Theatre Rhinoceros presents... A Lady and a Woman by Shirlene Holmes, starring Velina Brown* and Dawn L. Troupe*. Directed by John Fisher, the show will make its Bay Area premiere, March 7 - 24, 2013.

As part of its growing aggressive program strategy, TV One will add the half-hour sitcom Family Time to its Friday night classic comedy block it was announced today by Maureen Guthman, SVP Programming Strategy and Acquisitions. The half-hour comedy created by Bentley Kyle Evans (The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin, Love That Girl) and produced by Evans and partner Trenten Gumbs, will premiere Friday, January 25 at 9:00 PM/ET with two episodes back to back and then settle into its regularly scheduled time slot of Fridays at 7:30PM/ET beginning February 1.

The choices I have made are based solely on the plays and performances that I actually saw. I cannot see all the great talent that is out there in LA; it is physically impossible, as there exist far too many theatre/cabaret performances for one person to cover. So if a choice of yours is not on my list, chances are, I did not see that play or performance...or, it just did not make the final cut. I also do not separate Equity from Equity waiver; I consider all the productions/performances I select to be of top-of-the-line quality/professionalism.

More than 110 local and national theater artists representing more than 45 San Diego theatrical productions will compete for the 2012 Craig Noel Awards, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle announced today.

Following its celebrated opening at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pullman Porter Blues travels across the country to sweep D.C. audiences along for a ride in its world-premiere co-production at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by her grandfather's work on the postal trains, playwright Cheryl L. West, whose work at Arena Stage includes Jar the Floor and Play On!, returns with the tale of three Pullman train porters whose journey is underscored by Midwest blues songs, including "Sweet Home Chicago" and "This Train." Directed by Lisa Peterson (Arena's The Rainmaker and The Quality of Life), Pullman Porter Blues runs November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

The 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival special event production of Really Bad Things plays the PTC Performance Space beginning this afternoon, July 12.

Casting has been announced for the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival special event production of Really Bad Things, which will play the PTC Performance Space beginning July 12.