Lauren Oppelt

Lunar River in association with Mack Sennett Studios has announced the world premiere of Salome, a radically queer reinvention of the ancient tale, written by Christopher Adams-Cohen and directed by Patrick Kennelly. Salome will run for four weeks only with two preview performances on January 31 and February 4 at 8pm. Opening is set for Friday, February 5 at 8pm. Salome will run through February 28 at The Basement at Mack Sennett Studios. 

Back in the early 70s I was enthralled by the majestic overture of Jesus Christ Superstar and by the gripping power of the lyrics.This is operetta at its best, where the entire story must come to fruition through the singing. When done well, these Bibilical characters come off the pages as real human beings with raw emotions; because of this musical endeavor, we more clearly understand the motivations of Christ, the adoration of his disciples and Mary Magdalene, the bewilderment of Pontius Pilate and Herod and try to see how one friend may betray another. I was so moved that as a Catechism teacher, I played the Webber/Rice score for my classes to stimulate their critical thinking. Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman provided sterling vocal interpretations that made the whole process so richly rewarding. But, religious or not, audiences across the board are deeply moved by the elegant score, and DOMA's re-envisioned production now onstage at the MET is splendiferous with a terrific cast that can all really sing and move.

The musical that launched the careers of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice and ushered in a new era in musical theater will open DOMA Theatre Company's 2015 season. Helmed by director Marco Gomez and musical director Chris Raymond, the duo behind DOMA productions of Dreamgirls (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and LA Weekly Awards, L.A. Times 'Critic's Choice') and Young Frankenstein (L.A. Times 'Critic's Choice,' BroadwayWorld 'Best of 2014'), Jesus Christ Superstar opens Feb. 13 for a 6-week run at the MET Theatre in Hollywood.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT announce the complete cast as they present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 16, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

The musical that launched the careers of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice and ushered in a new era in musical theater will open DOMA Theatre Company's 2015 season. Helmed by director Marco Gomez and musical director Chris Raymond, the duo behind DOMA productions of Dreamgirls (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and LA Weekly Awards, L.A. Times 'Critic's Choice') and Young Frankenstein (L.A. Times 'Critic's Choice,' BroadwayWorld 'Best of 2014'), Jesus Christ Superstar opens Feb. 13 for a 6-week run at the MET Theatre in Hollywood.

Wilson Milam directs the West Coast premiere of DATES AND NUTS, a romantic comedy by Gary Lennon ("Orange is the New Black" and "Justified"), about Brooklyn animal rights activist Eve who has just been dumped by her fiance - for a man. Angry at the male species, she becomes increasingly frantic as she searches for love in the dating jungle of New York City. Will she ever find the man of her dreams? Can she learn to keep her mouth shut and not scare all of them away?

An animal rights activist in Brooklyn searches for love in the dating jungle of New York City. Wilson Milam (The Lieutenant of Inishmore on Broadway, for the RSC and at the Taper) will direct the West Coast premiere of Dates and Nuts, a romantic comedy by Gary Lennon (Orange is the New Black for Netflix, Echo Theater Company's A Family Thing). Opening night is set for May 31 at the Bootleg Theater.

A revival of The Actors' Gang's 1992 hit show Klüb continues The Gang's 25th Anniversary Season tribute to its artistic roots, and reunites the company with writer Mitch Watson, director Michael Schlitt and songwriter David Arnott.

Carnage, A Comedy, The Actors' Gang's raucous satire about televangelism and the state of religion in America, co-written by Adam Simon and Tim Robbins, has extended at The Gang's Ivy Substation home in Culver City. Performances continue Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM through March 29.

The Actors' Gang plunges into 2008 with a revival of its 1987 hit production, Carnage, A Comedy, to open February 2 with performances through March 8.