Announcing: Impro Theatre Returns with ‘Shakespeare UnScripted’ – Opens March 30 at Carrie Hamilton Theatre

IMPRO THEATRE
PRESENTS
SHAKESPEARE UNSCRIPTED
DIRECTED BY BRIAN LOHMANN AND DAN O’CONNOR

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED COMPANY RETURNS
TO CARRIE HAMILTON THEATRE
BEGINNING MARCH 20

Impro Theatre has announced their newest production, Shakespeare UnScripted, directed by Brian Lohmann and Dan O’Connor. Shakespeare UnScripted begins preview performances on Thursday, March 20 at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre (upstairs at The Pasadena Playhouse) in Pasadena. Opening is set for Sunday, March 30, at 5pm. Performances will continue through May 4 only.

Shakespeare UnScripted is a completely improvised play in the style of William Shakespeare. The Impro Theatre ensemble starts with a single audience suggestion and builds improvised, full-length, never-before-seen plays inspired by Shakespeare’s poetry, colorful imagery and bawdy innuendo. Every show is totally unique and brings to life the monarchs, spirits, lovers and fools that make up Shakespeare’s world. Said Impro Artistic Director Dan O’Connor, “Brian Lohmann and I are very excited to roll up our sleeves, dive into the world of Shakespeare’s romantic Italian comedies, and bring this brand new production to the Carrie Hamilton Theatre.”

The cast is a rotating ensemble, including (in alphabetical order) Kari Coleman, Lisa Fredrickson, Kelly Holden-Bashar, Brian Jones, Stephen Kearin, Brian Lohmann, Nick Massouh, Dan O’Connor, Edi Patterson, Paul Rogan, Michele Spears, and Floyd Van Buskirk. The set and costumes are by Sandra Burns, the lighting design is by Leigh Allen, stage manager and lighting improviser is Michael Becker, and sound improviser is Alex Caan.

Critical reaction for Impro Theatre’s work has included the following praise: “First rate comedians … breathtaking wit” (LA Weekly); “Quite unbelievable, actually … an amazing comedy troupe spins an entire play into comedy gold right before your eyes … a stunning feat of performance” (Los Angeles Times); “Ingenuity, imagination, and hilarity … improv artists at the top of their field … must-see theatre” (StageSceneLA.com); and “Comic gold … a delectably smart, tasty treat” (San Diego News Network).

Impro Theatre is an Unscripted Repertory Company that has brought innovative, unscripted theatre to Los Angeles and the world. The company’s goal is to take core narrative and style elements of great playwrights and writers, and create a new play using no more than the essence of an author’s work and an audience suggestion. Most recently, unscripted explorations of great literary figures has included Shakespeare, Dickens, Stephen Sondheim, and Tennessee Williams. For more, visit www.ImproTheatre.com.

Shakespeare UnScripted begins preview performances on Thursday, March 20 at 8pm and continue through March 29 at 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2pm on Sunday. Opening is set for Sunday, March 30 at 5pm. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through May 4 only. Tickets are $20 for previews, and $30 for regular performances ($15 student tickets are available; student ID required at the door). Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org, or by calling (626) 356-7529.

The Carrie Hamilton Theatre is located upstairs at The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, in Pasadena, 91101. Lot and street parking are available.

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03-03-14

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Improtheatre
Twitter: twitter.com/improtheatre

Announcing: LA Drama Critics Circle Announces New Host for 45th Annual Awards Ceremony

LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE
ANNOUNCES NEW HOST
AND ADDITIONAL PERFORMERS
FOR 45th ANNUAL AWARDS SHOW
MONDAY, MARCH 17
AT THE COLONY THEATRE IN BURBANK

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced that Nicole Parker, nominee for Lead Performance in Funny Girl, will host its 45th Annual Awards ceremony (replacing the previously announced James Roday). Joining performers Constance Jewell Lopez (nominee for Lead Performance in Dreamgirls), Beth Malone, and Lowe Taylor will be Shannon Warne and Kim Huber. Gordon Clapp and Richard Schiff will also perform an excerpt from the LA Theatre Works production of Glengarry Glen Ross.

The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 17 at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. Doors open at 6:30pm for pre-show appetizers (with no-host bar) and a silent auction. The ceremony will begin at 7:30pm.

This year’s silent auction includes film and theatre memorabilia as well as a guitar donated by the Country Music Awards, signed by Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Lady Antebellum, Trisha Yearwood, Sheryl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill, Hunter Hayes, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Garth Brooks.

The LADCC is also running a Twitter contest for a pair of free tickets to the event on March 17, along with an opportunity to be invited onstage to co-present an award. For a chance to win, follow the LADCC @LADramaCC and retweet messages about the upcoming awards.

Tickets for the 45th Annual LADCC Awards are $40 (plus service fee) and are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/565317. The Colony Theatre is located at 555 N. Third Street in Burbank (corner of Third Street and Cypress Avenue). For more information, visit www.ladramacriticscircle.com.

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03-03-14

SIMPLY LIZA! and ON YOUR TOES (LAArtsOnline.com)

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