Announcing: Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Announces 2013 Nominations

LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE
ANNOUNCES 2013 NOMINATIONS

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its 2013 nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre. The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 17, 2014 at The Colony Theatre, located at 555 N. Third Street in Burbank. Tickets are $40 (plus service fee) and are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/565317. Doors open at 6:30pm for pre-show appetizers and a no-host bar, and the ceremony begins at 7:30pm. For more information, visit www.ladramacriticscircle.com.

James Roday (Red Dog Squadron, Co-owner of the Circle Theatre) is currently scheduled to host. Performing at the event will be Constance Jewell Lopez (nominated for lead performance in Dreamgirls), and LA theatre favorites Beth Malone and Lowe Taylor. There will also be a special performance from LA Theatre Works, recipient of this year’s Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theatre. Presenters will include David Kurs (Deaf West), Gates McFadden (Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA), Nicole Parker (nominated for lead performance in Funny Girl), Stephen Sachs (Fountain Theatre), and Lisa Wolpe (LA Women’s Shakespeare Company). Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

The LADCC is grateful to the organizations who have graciously agreed to sponsor the special awards this year. Awards will be given in 19 categories, along with six special awards.

The 2013 special award recipients are as follows:

• The Ted Schmitt Award for the World Premiere of an Outstanding New Play will be awarded to Kemp Powers for One Night in Miami … The award is accompanied by an offer to publish by Samuel French, Inc.
• The Polly Warfield Award for an Excellent Season in a Small to Midsize Theatre will be awarded to Actors Co-op. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by the Nederlander Organization.
• The Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatre will be awarded to LA Theatre Works. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by The Knitting Factory Entertainment Company.
• The Joel Hirschhorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre will be awarded to David Elzer. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by an anonymous donor.
• The Milton Katselas Award for Career or Special Achievement in Direction will be awarded to Bart DeLorenzo. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by The Beverly Hills Playhouse.
• The LADCC is pleased to announce the creation of a new award, The Kinetic Lighting Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Design. Kinetic Lighting is an award-winning rental house that supplies and supports the theatre community throughout Southern California. The inaugural recipient of the Kinetic Lighting Award is Angela Balogh Calin for her sustained achievement in costume design.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle was founded in 1969. It is dedicated to excellence in theatrical criticism, and to the encouragement and improvement of theatre in Greater Los Angeles.

The 2013 nominees are:

Production

1. A Family Thing, Chris Fields and Lauren Bass, The Echo Theater Company at Stage 52
2. One Night in Miami…, John Perrin Flynn and Roxanne Hart, Rogue Machine Theatre
3. Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble, Atwater Village Theatre
4. The Nether, Center Theatre Group, Kirk Douglas Theatre
5. The Scottsboro Boys, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre
6. Walking the Tightrope, Debbie Devine and Jay McAdams, 24th Street Theatre
7. We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915, Joseph Stern and The Matrix Theatre Company, The Matrix Theatre

McCulloh Award for Revival

1. A View From The Bridge, Valerie Havey, Julianne Figueroa, Sara Newman-Martins, Robert Cannon, and Marilyn Fox, Pacific Resident Theatre
2. Dreamgirls, Mike Abramson and Dolf Ramos, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
3. The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
4. The Normal Heart, Deborah Lawlor and Stephen Sachs, The Fountain Theatre

Direction

1. T.J. Dawson, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
2. Amanda Dehnert, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
3. Nancy Keystone, Alcestis, The Theatre @ Boston Court
4. Jessica Kubzansky, R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court
5. Matthew McCray, Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble at Atwater Village Theatre
6. Todd Nielsen, Master Class, International City Theatre

Writing

1. Johnna Adams, Gidion’s Knot, Furious Theatre Company at Carrie Hamilton Theatre at Pasadena Playhouse
2. Allen Barton, Years to the Day, Skylight Theatre Company at Beverly Hills Playhouse
3. Stephen Adly Guirgis, The Motherfucker With the Hat, South Coast Repertory
4. Jennifer Haley, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre

Writing (Adaptation)

1. Richard Alger, Track 3, Theatre Movement Bazaar and Bootleg Theater at Bootleg Theater
2. Nancy Keystone, Alcestis, The Theatre @ Boston Court

Musical Score

1. John Kander and Fred Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys, Ahmanson Theatre

Music Direction

1. Eric Heinly, A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream, Troubadour Theater Company at Falcon Theatre
2. Corey Hirsch, A Man of No Importance, Good People Theater Company at Lillian Theatre
3. David Lamoureux, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
4. Chris Raymond, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
5. Ross Seligman, One Night With Janis Joplin, Pasadena Playhouse

Choreography

1. Matthew Bourne, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
2. Tina Kronis, Track 3, Theatre Movement Bazaar and Bootleg Theater at Bootleg Theater
3. Kelly Todd, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Chance Theater
4. Rae Toledo, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre

Lead Performance

1. Tony Abatemarco, Red, International City Theatre
2. Gigi Bermingham, Master Class, International City Theatre
3. Tim Cummings, The Normal Heart, The Fountain Theatre
4. Mary Bridget Davies, One Night With Janis Joplin, Pasadena Playhouse
5. Dana Delany, The Parisian Woman, South Coast Repertory
6. Constance Jewell Lopez, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
7. Perry Ojeda, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
8. Nicole Parker, Funny Girl, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
9. Jeff Skowron, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
10. Paige Lindsey White, Walking the Tightrope, 24th Street Theatre
11. Michael Yavnieli, Years to the Day, Skylight Theatre Company at Beverly Hills Playhouse

Featured Performance

1. Christian Barillas, The Motherfucker With the Hat, South Coast Repertory
2. Sabrina Elayne Carten, One Night With Janis Joplin, Pasadena Playhouse,
3. Nate Dendy, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
4. Michael Nehring, Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble at Atwater Village Theatre
5. Welton Thomas Pitchford, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
6. Elizabeth Regen, A Family Thing, The Echo Theater Company at Stage 52
7. Patrick Stafford, Red, International City Theatre

Ensemble Performance

1. One Night in Miami…, Rogue Machine Theatre
2. Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble at Atwater Village Theatre
3. The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
4. The Scottsboro Boys, Ahmanson Theatre
5. We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915, Matrix Theatre

Solo Performance

1. Lorenzo Pisoni, Humor Abuse, Mark Taper Forum

Set Design

1. Lez Brotherston, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
2. Danny Cistone, Cops and Friends of Cops, VS. Theatre
3. Adrian W. Jones, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre
4. Jeanine A. Ringer, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, A Noise Within

Lighting Design

1. Ken Booth, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, A Noise Within
2. Paule Constable, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
3. Christopher Kuhl, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre
4. Jeremy Pivnick, R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court

Costume Design

1. Lez Brotherston, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
2. Shon LeBlanc, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
3. Sharon McGunigle, A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream, Troubadour Theater Company at Falcon Theatre
4. Michael Mullen, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre

Sound Design

1. Peter Bayne, The Normal Heart, The Fountain Theatre
2. John Zalewski, R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court
3. John Zalewski, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre
4. John Zalewski, Walking the Tightrope, 24th Street Theatre

Video Design

1. Adam Flemming, The Normal Heart, The Fountain Theatre
2. Matthew G. Hill, Walking the Tightrope, 24th Street Theatre
3. Kaitlyn Pietras (Projection Design), R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court
4. Jason Thompson (Projection Design), Heart of Darkness, The Actors’ Gang

Movement/Fight Choreography

1. Ned Mochel, Cops and Friends of Cops, VS. Theatre
2. Nenad Pervan, Tender Napalm, SIX01 Studio

Illusions/Magic Design

1. Jim Steinmeyer, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
2. Johnny Thompson, Play Dead, Geffen Playhouse

Total Nominations by Production:

A Family Thing (2)
A Man of No Importance (1)
A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream (2)
A View From the Bridge (1)
Alcestis (2)
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (1)
Cops and Friends of Cops (2)
Dreamgirls (6)
Funny Girl (1)
Gidion’s Knot (1)
Heart of Darkness (1)
Humor Abuse (1)
Master Class (2)
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (4)
One Night in Miami… (2)
One Night With Janis Joplin (3)
Our Class (4)
Parade (4)
Pericles, Prince of Tyre (2)
Play Dead (1)
R II (4)
Red (2)
Tender Napalm (1)
The Fantasticks (6)
The Motherfucker With the Hat (2)
The Nether (5)
The Normal Heart (4)
The Parisian Woman (1)
The Scottsboro Boys (3)
Track 3 (2)
Walking the Tightrope (4)
We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915 (2)
Years to the Day (2)

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01-27-14

Announcing: A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines — December 18 at the Pasadena Playhouse

A RELIEF BENEFIT CONCERT
FOR THE PHILIPPINES
AT THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE

PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
PRODUCED BY PATTY ONAGAN AND RONN GOSWICK
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013 AT 7:30PM

In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross’ Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild.

A sparkling who’s who of Los Angeles and Broadway talent will be coming together to show their support, entertain, and help raise money to assist with relief efforts in the Philippines. The performers, in alphabetical order, include Joan Almedilla (Les Misérables/Miss Saigon), Michael Arden (bare: a rock musical/FX Network’s Anger Management), Sharon Catherine Blanks (Dreamgirls) and Billy Blanks, Jr. (Fame), Yvette Cason (Dreamgirls), LaVance Colley (Smokey Joe’s Cafe), Loretta Devine (Dreamgirls/ABC-TV’s Grey’s Anatomy), Danny Gurwin (The Scarlet Pimpernel/Little Women), Cliffton Hall and Deedee Magno Hall (Wicked), Sam Harris (The Life/The Producers), Dawnn Lewis (Sister Act: The Musical/NBC-TV’s A Different World), Andy Mientus (Spring Awakening/Les Misérables), Nicole Parker (Funny Girl/Wicked), Jennifer Paz and Anthony Federov (Miss Saigon/Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Valerie Perri (Evita/Gypsy/Man of La Mancha), Kelli Provart (Aida), Joan Ryan (Ruthless/TV’s Saved By The Bell), Gwen Stewart (Rent), Lea Thompson (Cabaret/NBC’s Caroline in the City), and Nita Whitaker (cabaret and concert star). All appearances are subject to availability.

Said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, “The Playhouse is always honored to support important efforts in our beautiful theatre, and that is certainly the case here. As always, theatre artists are ever generous with their time and talents when there is a great need. It is our pleasure to support that generosity by hosting this valuable event.”

“The devastation in the Philippines is horrific and unfathomable,” said co-producer Patty Onagan. “How can we not do everything possible to assist in the clean-up and recovery?” Added co-producer Ronn Goswick, “We are overwhelmed by the response from the entertainment community. Performers have literally been lining up to join our effort.”

A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse will be directed by Jeffrey Polk with (in alphabetical order) Abdul Hamid Royal, Todd Schroeder, Gerald Sternbach, and John Gentry Tennyson serving as musical directors. Tickets range in price from $35 — $100, with a $250 VIP ticket that includes premium seating and a pre-show meet and greet with the performers. Tickets can be purchased online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org, by calling (626) 356-7529, or in person at The Playhouse box office.

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena.

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11-27-13

Announcing: Broadway Dreams Foundation Presents ‘Circle of Dreams’ at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse on Sat 6/22 at 7:30pm

THE BROADWAY DREAMS FOUNDATION
PRESENTS “CIRCLE OF DREAMS”
AT FREUD PLAYHOUSE ON UCLA CAMPUS
SATURDAY, JUNE 22 AT 7:30PM

ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR STAFFORD ARIMA DIRECTS
WITH CHOREOGRAPHY BY EMMY AWARD-NOMINATED SPENCER LIFF

The Broadway Dreams Foundation will present Circle of Dreams, a unique Broadway concert open to the public, at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse on Saturday, June 22 at 7:30pm. This culmination of a week-long Summer Performing Arts Intensive will be directed by Olivier Award-nominated Stafford Arima (bare, Altar Boyz, Ragtime), choreographed by Emmy Award-nominee Spencer Liff (So You Think You Can Dance, Smash), and will feature veteran Broadway performers alongside a talented roster of LA area BDF students.

Broadway favorites Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Craig D’Amico (Annie Get Your Gun), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime), Andrew Palmermo (Wicked), Nicole Parker (MadTV, Wicked), and Ryann Redmond (Bring It On: The Musical) are scheduled to perform, and the evening will feature selections from Side Show, The Who’s Tommy, Moulin Rouge, The Music Man, the 2013 Tony Award-winning revival of Pippin, among others.

Ticket prices for Circle of Dreams range from $20—$55 and are available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B004ACB9278691B, or by calling the UCLA Central Ticketing Office at (310) 825-2101 (M-F, 10am-4pm).

The Broadway Dreams Foundation is the country’s premier performing arts education program dedicated to ongoing engagement, inspiration, and access regardless of a student’s ability to pay. With a faculty of Broadway stars, directors and agents committed to giving back to the theatrical community, BDF provides invaluable training to anyone who aspires for a career in the performing arts. The unique program offers students highly personalized and supportive mentorship, an exciting and collaborative learning environment and ongoing networking to build confidence and life skills. The Broadway Dreams Foundation provides a life changing experience. For more information on The Broadway Dreams Foundation, please visit www.mybroadwaydreams.com or call 347-927-4233.

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06-17-13