Jenna Gillespie News

Veteran Broadway actor Stu James (Benny in RENT, national tour of The Color Purple) will reprise the role of black entrepreneur and music mogul John Dolphin when last season's smash hit musical RECORDED IN HOLLYWOOD gets an all-new production at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Previews began July 8, with the press opening was held on July 16. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The name of the game in show biz is never to settle for greatness, but rather to go that extra mile and make it better. Such is the case with Recorded in Hollywood. In its transferal from a smaller Hollywood space to the Kirk Douglas Theatre,  the show provides a book by Matt Donnelly and Jamelle Dolphin that opens up even more than before to tell the true story of record producer John Dolphin. The story takes place from 1948 to 1958 in South Central, Los Angeles, when blacks were arrested for the slightest infractions of the law. Since I did not see the initial production, I am basing my opinions on this newer version. It is slick, a very slick show with a dynamic, triple threat ensemble headed by Stu James, directed superbly by Denise Dowse and choreographed to the max by Cassie Crump. The bad feature is that it only runs through August 7.

On Sun, July 10, 2016, Chris Isaacson Presents the 4th annual Broadway Under the Stars celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Tony Award-winning musical, Dreamgirls --- a complete sellout at the newly remodeled Ford Theatres in Hollywood, CA. 

In 1948, a decade before Motown, John Dolphin opened his soon-to-be world famous Dolphin's of Hollywood record store in South Los Angeles, just off legendary Central Avenue, but his contributions to music and the formative years of rock 'n' roll have often been overlooked. Based on the book "Recorded In Hollywood: The John Dolphin Story," this new musical features 16 original songs by Andy Cooper to match the musical era of the 1950s, as well as hit cover songs associated with the story including Sam Cooke's "You Send Me," The Penguins' "Earth Angel" and "Wheel Of Fortune" by The Hollywood Flames.

In 1948, a decade before Motown, black businessman and entrepreneur John Dolphin opened his soon-to-be world famous Dolphin's of Hollywood record store in South Los Angeles, just off legendary Central Avenue. Bringing this little-known slice of L.A. history to life on stage, the world premiere of Recorded in Hollywood opens at the Lillian Theatre tomorrow, April 11. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

In 1948, a decade before Motown, black businessman and entrepreneur John Dolphin opened his soon-to-be world famous Dolphin's of Hollywood record store in South Los Angeles, just off legendary Central Avenue. Bringing this little-known slice of L.A. history to life on stage, the world premiere of Recorded in Hollywood opens at the Lillian Theatre tonight, April 11.

In 1948, a decade before Motown, black businessman and entrepreneur John Dolphin opened his soon-to-be world famous Dolphin's of Hollywood record store in South Los Angeles, just off legendary Central Avenue. Bringing this little-known slice of L.A. history to life on stage, the world premiere of Recorded in Hollywood opens at the Lillian Theatre on April 11. Scroll down for photos of the real Dolphin family and their iconic business!

In 1948, a decade before Motown, black businessman and entrepreneur John Dolphin opened his soon-to-be world famous Dolphin's of Hollywood record store in South Los Angeles, just off legendary Central Avenue. Bringing this little-known slice of L.A. history to life on stage, the world premiere of Recorded in Hollywood opens at the Lillian Theatre on April 11.

In 1948, a decade before Motown, black businessman and entrepreneur John Dolphin opened his soon-to-be world famous Dolphin's of Hollywood record store in South Los Angeles, just off legendary Central Avenue. Bringing this little-known slice of L.A. history to life on stage, the world premiere of Recorded in Hollywood opens at the Lillian Theatre on April 11.

3-D Theatrical's opened RAGTIME at the Plummer Auditorium. Check out a first look at the opening night press night curtain call and stage door below!

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

SHREK THE MUSICAL opened at the Louis E Plummer Auditorium on July 19, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the opening night curtain call below!

Musical Theatre West presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, which opened last night, February 16, and continues through March 3, 2013. Davis Gaines (LA's Phantom of the Opera, Ovation Award winner for Musical Theatre West's Man of La Mancha) makes his Los Angeles-area directorial debut with this production. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, OKLAHOMA! is locally-produced in Long Beach with professional actors from Broadway, national tours, film and television, including the best in local talent. BroadwayWorld's Lily Lim was at the opening and brings you photos from the event below!

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer of Musical Theatre West, has announced the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, previewing February 15, opening February 16 at 8pm, and continuing through March 3. Davis Gaines (LA's Phantom of the Opera, Ovation Award winner for Musical Theatre West's Man of La Mancha) makes his Los Angeles-area directorial debut with this production. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, OKLAHOMA! is locally-produced in Long Beach with professional actors from Broadway, national tours, film and television, including the best in local talent.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer of Musical Theatre West, is proud to announce the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, previewing February 15, opening February 16 at 8pm, and continuing through March 3. Davis Gaines (LA's Phantom of the Opera, Ovation Award winner for Musical Theatre West's Man of La Mancha) makes his Los Angeles-area directorial debut with this production. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, OKLAHOMA! is locally-produced in Long Beach with professional actors from Broadway, national tours, film and television, including the best in local talent.

4@15: Four New Fifteen-Minute Musicals, performed in conjunction with University of California, Irvine, will commence performances Friday, April 20, for three performances only at Roy Arias Theatre Center. Tammy Holder serves as Music Director; Brian Blythe directs.