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PRESS RELEASE — COEURAGE THEATRE COMPANY PARTNERS WITH DIANE HAITHMAN AND HER NEW NOVEL “DARK LADY OF HOLLYWOOD”

COEURAGE THEATRE COMPANY
PARTNERS WITH LA BASED NOVELIST
DIANE HAITHMAN AND HER NEW NOVEL
DARK LADY OF HOLLYWOOD

LA’s ‘PAY WHAT YOU WANT’ THEATRE COMPANY
WILL RECEIVE A PORTION OF BOOK SALES
DURING RUN OF THE COEURAGE PRODUCTION
OF SHAKESPEARE’S
ANDRONICUS

Coeurage - Dark Lady of Hollywood - AndronicusCoeurage Theatre Company, LA’s ‘Pay What You Want’ Company, and novelist Diane Haithman have announced a unique partnership in honor of the Bard. During the run of the company’s bold production of Shakespeare’s Andronicus — adapted and directed by Coeurage artistic director Jeremy Lelliott — Haithman will donate a portion of book and Kindle e-book sales of her new critically acclaimed comic novel Dark Lady of Hollywood to the brash young theatre company. This special offer will continue through September 1 only.

A finalist for the William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition and published by Harvard Square Editions, Dark Lady of Hollywood is a merry mashup of the worlds of Shakespeare and the television industry that tells the story of a dying TV executive’s murderous search for a soul mate like Shakespeare’s mysterious Dark Lady of the Sonnets. Raves Jill Allen of ForeWord Reviews, “It takes a special kind of talent to simultaneously skewer Hollywood and Shakespeare while writing a thought provoking novel, and Dark Lady of Hollywood proves Diane Haithman has this genius.” And Ellen Dostal of BroadwayWorld.com said, “Dark Lady of Hollywood is a dream for any lover of Shakespeare with a secret desire to see behind the curtain of show biz. Capitalizing on Haithman’s unique point of view and savvy intellect, it has ‘deadly guilty pleasure’ written all over it.’”

Autographed copies of the book that purchased at the Lyric-Hyperion Theatre & Cafe on performance nights or via the Coeurage website [www.coeurage.org] as well as Amazon Kindle e-book sales are included in this special promotion.

Coeurage company member and director of development Mark Jacobson called Haithman’s novel the perfect match for Lelliott’s streamlined adaptation of Shakespeare’s original horror play. “As a company, we’re always looking for partnerships, and anyone with a passion for Shakespeare would catch our eye,” said Jacobson of Coeurage, which is committed to presenting one Shakespeare production each year.

Said Haithman, “I’m delighted to support a company that has the nerve to take on Andronicus, Shakespeare’s first tragedy and most violent play. Coeurage is serious about finding the humor in Shakespeare’s darkest moments.” Arts and entertainment journalist Diane Haithman, a longtime Studio City resident, was a Los Angeles Times staff writer for more than two decades. She is a frequent contributor to the Deadline Hollywood industry website and Deadline’s print publication Awardsline, among others. She has also served on the adjunct faculty of USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism.

In Andronicus, deliciously twisted humor gives way to unexpected poignancy in this bold take on William Shakespeare’s original horror play The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus. Reveling in the darkest corners of human nature, Andronicus is a streamlined adaptation of Shakespeare’s most violent play; the bard’s masterful dramatic structure and brutal tale of revenge have been carefully preserved. Of the Coeurage production, Jason Rohrer at StageAndCinema.com said, “Director Jeremy Lelliott understands and makes clear pretty much all that may be found in the text to disgust and to amuse … he packs [the theatre] with bodies and action that threaten to overspill the [playing] area … this is a good thing in a highly emotional show. It’s an exciting and worthwhile production.”

The running schedule for Andronicus is as follows — Fridays, July 18, 25 and August 1, 8, and 15 at 8pm; Saturdays, July 26 and August 9 at 8pm; Sundays, July 20 and August 3 and 17 at 7pm. All seats are available on a ‘Pay What You Want’ basis, and may be reserved online at www.coeurage.org/tickets or by calling (323) 944-2165.

The Lyric-Hyperion Theatre & Cafe is located at 2106 Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles, 90027. Street parking is available.

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07-18-14

PRESS RELEASE: LA JEWISH SYMPHONY WILL CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY ON SUNDAY 9/7 WITH SPECIAL GUEST HERSHEY FELDER AT FORD AMPHITHEATRE

THE LOS ANGELES JEWISH SYMPHONY
CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
WITH THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED
HERSHEY FELDER

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 AT 7:30PM
AT THE JOHN ANSON FORD AMPHITHEATRE

Los Angeles Jewish Symphony

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony has announced a celebratory concert to commemorate the orchestra’s 20th Anniversary on Sunday, September 7 at 7:30pm at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. LAJS will be joined by award-winning and critically acclaimed pianist, actor, playwright, producer, and composer Hershey Felder, who has written an overture specifically for this occasion. With the anniversary concert, LAJS will be making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Ford Summer Partnership Concert Series.

“I am thrilled that Hershey will be joining us onstage for this exciting milestone,” said Dr. Noreen Green, LAJS Artistic Director and Conductor. “In the orchestra’s early days, he had a tremendous influence on its direction and development. At that time, we were both starting out on our individual journeys … I am so proud of his accomplishments and I know Hershey is proud of ours. I am deeply touched that he is coming back to celebrate with us.”

The LAJS 20th Anniversary Concert will offer something for everyone. The program’s highlights will include Yiddish theatre songs; Felder’s new composition for this occasion, featuring some of the established principal musicians of LAJS — Mark Kashper (concertmaster), Barry Gold (cello), and Zinovy Goro (clarinet); “Aliyah,” Felder’s concerto for piano and orchestra which celebrates the founding of the State of Israel; and selections by legendary composers Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and George Gershwin including the beloved “Rhapsody in Blue.”

With the encouragement of renowned maestro Murry Sidlin, Dr. Noreen Green founded the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony in 1994. It is the only symphony orchestra in America dedicated to the performance and preservation of music reflective of the Jewish experience. The mission of LAJS is to perform orchestral works of well known as well as not commonly recognized Jewish composers; establish opportunities for the presentation of new compositions by Jewish artists; serve as a professional resource for aspiring Jewish and non-Jewish musicians; act as an educational medium for Jewish music and composers; and provide multicultural opportunities for diverse populations of school age children.

Dr. Noreen Green is a widely recognized lecturer on Jewish music, a conductor, and an accomplished educator. She is known worldwide for her knowledge and skills. Earlier this year, she created and launched a new choir at American Jewish University; for two decades Green served as Music Director for Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Encino, CA where she is their Music Scholar-in-Residence. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to the multicultural music scene in Los Angeles. Green has been guest conductor at Jewish music concerts around the world, and under her baton LAJS has performed in concert with such notable personalities as Billy Crystal, Tovah Feldshuh, Melissa Manchester, Theodore Bikel, Valerie Harper, Pat Boone, Lainie Kazan, Fyvush Finkel, Dave Koz, Marvin Hamlisch, Roslyn Kind, and many others.

Hershey Felder has enjoyed international success in many disciplines. A Broadway star and virtuoso pianist, Felder has created several stage plays (with music), including George Gershwin Alone (winner of 2007 Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards for Best Actor and Best Musical), Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him, and Abe Lincoln’s Piano. His plays, musical compositions, and concerts have won acclaim on Broadway, in London’s West End, and around the world. Felder is a Steinway Concert Artist.

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony 20th Anniversary Concert with special guest artist Hershey Felder will take place at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard East, in Hollywood on Sunday, September 7 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30, $40, and $50, with student discounts available. Tickets are available at FordTheatres.org or by calling (323) 461-3673. To learn about discounts for groups of eight or more, call (323) 769-2147. For information on LAJS program advertising and sponsorship packages, call (818) 436-5260.

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07-15-14

ABOUT THE FORD THEATRES

The Ford Theatres are located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway between Hollywood Blvd. and Barham Blvd. in the Cahuenga Pass. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows and $1 per vehicle for morning family shows. FREE nonstacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City/Studio City Metro Station parking lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the “kiss and ride” area. Please allow an extra 30 minutes if taking the shuttle.

This event is part of the Ford Theatres 2014 Summer Amphitheatre Season, a multidisciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County based arts organizations. A complete season schedule, directions to the amphitheatre and parking information can be found at FordTheatres.org.

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony. Photo by Guy Madmoni.

PRESS RELEASE: “THE PROTAGONIST” SET FOR LA PREMIERE JULY 24 — AUGUST 9 AT LILLIAN THEATRE

THE PROTAGONIST
BY TIM LIVINGSTON
DIRECTED BY JEREMY GUSKIN

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE
SET FOR LIMITED THREE WEEK RUN
OPENS JULY 25 AT THE LILLIAN THEATRE

The Protagonist posterCarthay Films has announced the Los Angeles premiere of The Protagonist, a new comic play by Tim Livingston, directed by Jeremy Guskin. There will be one preview performance on Thursday, July 24 at 8pm and opening is set for Friday, July 25 at 8pm. The Protagonist will run through August 9 only.

The Protagonist is a comedy that audaciously attempts to inspire its audience. It wants to make people laugh, make people think, and balance profundity with levity in a unique poetic style. The story focuses on two brothers living their own version of the American dream — one with a lucrative job in finance, the other striving to be creative, both unable to understand the rationale of the other. As they trek along their disparate paths, they realize how far they’ve drifted apart, how much they’ve changed, and finally, how much they need each other.

The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Libe Barer, Keenan Jolliff, Joey Livingston, and Christian Roberts. The design team includes Grant Gorrell (set and lighting), Alyson Wheeler (costumes), and Jaymes Wheeler (sound).

Playwright Tim Livingston is a Los Angeles-based writer who has garnered success in television where he has been commissioned to write several pilots, and in sports journalism where his articles have gained national attention and led to interviews with some of the biggest names in basketball, baseball, and football.

Director Jeremy Guskin is an actor, director, and writer. His film credits include Art School Confidential, Pulse, The Hero Of Color City, Get Dead, and Simone. On television — Rizzoli & Isles, ‘Til Death, General Hospital, Roswell, Raising Hope, The Mentalist, The Finder, Life, NCIS, Alias, NYPD Blue, Angel, Six Feet Under, E.R., and King Of Queens. Theatre in Los Angeles and New York — Shakespearience (Alex), The Curse Of Ravensdurn (Barnsdall Gallery), Nothing Sacred (South Coast Rep), You Can’t Take It With You (Antaeus), The Lower Depths (MXAT), Basketball Jones (New Victory). Guskin currently teaches and directs at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

There will be one preview performance of The Protagonist on Thursday, July 24 at 8pm and opening is set for Friday, July 25 at 8pm. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm through August 9 only. Tickets are $19 and may be purchased online at www.theprotagonist.ticketleap.com, or via phone at (323) 571-2288. For more information, go to www.theprotagonistplay.com. Visit The Protagonist on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theprotagonistplay and follow us on Twitter @protagonistplay.

The Lillian Theatre at the Elephant Stages is located at 1076 Lillian Way, (off Santa Monica Boulevard, one block west of Vine), in Hollywood. Street parking is available.

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07-14-14