Costa Mesa Theatre + Broadway News

Tony Bennett Returns to Segerstrom Center Tonight, 5/12

(5/12/2012) Legendary vocalist Tony Bennett returns to Segerstrom Center for a one-night-only performance tonight, May 12 at 8 p.m.

Theatre @ Boston Court Begins Student Rush Ticket Program with THE CHILDREN, Now thru 6/10

(5/12/2012) The Theatre @ Boston Court previously announced a new High School Student Rush Ticket Program. The program is simple: any unsold seat will be made available free of charge five minutes prior to the performance to any high school student who presents a current student ID.

Jerome Elliott Debuts SWEET NERD OF YOUTH in Palm Springs, 5/27

(5/11/2012) Local actor and singer Jerome Elliott will debut his latest cabaret one man show - Sweet Nerd Of Youth, his sixth show in the last four years, on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at the Arthur Newman Theatre in Palm Desert as part of the Sundays In Summer Series presented by Les Michaels' Life Is A Cabaret.

Win Tickets to See IL DIVO in Concert!

(5/11/2012) The world's foremost classical crossover quartet IL DIVO is set to embark on its 2012 world tour, the group's fourth, which follows the release of the quartet's latest album, Wicked Game (on Syco/Columbia Records) and provides a new mark of achievement for the signature vocal blend and unique operatic arrangements which have captivated millions and launched a classical-crossover sensation. To celebrate the kick-off of this much-anticipated world tour, BroadwayWorld invites you to enter for a chance to WIN ONE PAIR OF TICKETS to see IL DIVO live in concert!

AMERICAN IDIOT to Offer $30 Student Tickets at Segerstrom Center

(5/11/2012) Segerstrom Center for the Arts is offering $30 advance student discount tickets in the first two rows of the orchestra section for all performances of the national tour of Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT, which visits Orange County May 29 – June 3.

South Coast Rep Ends Season with August Wilson's JITNEY, Now thru 6/10

(5/11/2012) August Wilson’s Jitney, a play about a ragtag group of drivers of gypsy cabs—known as jitneys—closes out SCR’s 2011-2012 season, with an all-star cast led by Charlie Robinson, who last wowed SCR audiences in another Wilson hit, Fences. Ron OJ Parson, who has previously directed Jitney at St. Louis Black Rep, directs the show, which runs on the Segerstrom Stage from tonight, May 11 – June 10.

South Coast Rep's JANE OF THE JUNGLE Premieres May 25

(5/10/2012) Growing up is hard to do—especially if you wake up one day with spots and a tail. In the season’s final production of South Coast Repertory’s Theatre for Young Audiences series, Jane of the Jungle, a world premiere musical from playwright Karen Zacarias and composer Deborah Wicks La Puma, tells the story of an average girl who is about to undergo some big changes. The show will run on the Julianne Argyros Stage from May 25 – June 10.

Irvine Barclay Theatre Presents PSY, Now thru 5/13

(5/10/2012) Irvine Barclay Theatre presents PSY, the newest and largest production from the Montreal based circus troupe Les 7 doigts de la main which translates literally as “The seven fingers of the hand” for four performances only, tonight, May 10 through May 13. Les 7 doigts de la main is most known for their international hit Traces.

Roslyn Kind Comes to The Grove Theatre, 6/16

(5/8/2012) The Grove Theatre in downtown Upland presents an evening of popular songs with Roslyn Kind on June 16th at 8:00 pm.

OCHSA's Adam Levy Named 2012 John Raitt Awards for Youth Actor of the Year

(5/7/2012) The Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), a nationally recognized arts school that provides bright and talented students with a creative and challenging educational environment, has announced that Music and Theatre Conservatory senior, Adam Levy, of Cypress has been named Actor of the Year in the 2012 John Raitt Awards for Youth (JRAY) presented by Fullerton Civic Light Opera.

Early May 2012 Performance Opportunities on the California Central Coast

(5/7/2012) As we make our way into the Merry Month of May, I hope you are making plans to attend a number of the upcoming shows at the various live performance and theatre venues located here on the beautiful Central Coast of California!

JITNEY, SNOW ANGEL and More Headline South Coast Rep's Summer 2012 Season

(5/4/2012) South Coast Repertory has announced its summer shows May 2012 – August 2012, including August Wilson's Jitney, Snow Angel by David Lindsay-Abaire and more. See details below.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 7/24-8/5

(5/3/2012) The critically acclaimed production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES starring George Hamilton and Christopher Seiber arrives in Orange County at Segerstrom Center for the Arts July 24 – August 5.

BWW Reviews: La Mirada Presents Impressive MISS SAIGON Revival

(5/3/2012) If you're looking for a good example of what great hidden gems are being produced at Southern California regional theaters these days, then look (and listen) no further than the enjoyable revival of the smash musical MISS SAIGON currently playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through May 6 (with three additional shows at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, CA starting May 11). Produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, this surprisingly full-scale production of the West End/Broadway hit is not only a feast for those with a penchant for big, grandiose theatrics, it will also please those seeking to hear a lovely, euphoric score performed by a talented ensemble.

Voting Opens for the 2012 BroadwayWorld.com Awards - Vote Now on the Best of the New York Season!

(5/3/2012) The TONY Awards Nominators had their say earlier this week and now it's your turn! We're pleased to announce that voting has now opened for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards!

Segerstrom Center Featured in New Exhibit at John Wayne Airport in Orange County

(5/2/2012) A full-color exhibition of imagery and information highlighting Segerstrom Center for the Arts is on display at John Wayne Airport (JWA) through July 2012.

BWW Reviews: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Rocks to Life in the O.C. through 5/6

(5/1/2012) Inspired by one fortuitous day that still resonates in the timeline of rock-and-roll history, the Tony Award-nominated Broadway hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET--now playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through May 6--is a genuinely enjoyable, musically-rich stage show that's high on marquee value but, as expected, quite lacking when it comes to having a viable narrative. It's a rousing old school concert disguised as musical theater--a forgivable sin thanks to the amazing performances turned in by four actors impersonating legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

BWW Reviews: SCR Stages World Premiere Musical CLOUDLANDS, Ends 5/6

(4/30/2012) Despite an intriguing premise and a lovely-sounding score delivered by a brilliant cast, CLOUDLANDS--the stirring but jumbled new Adam Gwon/Octavio Solis musical now having its commissioned World Premiere production at South Coast Repertory through May 6--just doesn't quite wow your socks off. Though it has the beginnings for a good stage piece, overall, it's a fairly thoughtful musical marred by its own well-meant aspirations.

May 2012 - May Matinees and MUCH More on the Central Coast of California!

(4/30/2012) As we bid farewell to April showers and look forward to May flowers, I hope you are planning on including attending some shows at any number of the theatre and live performance establishments that can be found here on the idyllic California Central Coast!

Orange County Musicians Play with Pacific Symphony, 4/30 & 5/1

(4/30/2012) Last season, Pacific Symphony asked “OC Can You Play With Us?” and got a resounding and positive response from community musicians across Orange County. This year, back by popular demand, the Symphony is offering four sessions over two nights for adult amateur musicians (ages 22 and older) to perform alongside the orchestra, under the direction of Music Director Carl St.Clair. Taking place tonight, April 30, and Tuesday, May 1, at 7 p.m., this year’s event offers twice the number of spots—bringing the number of musicians to 200—for a unique opportunity to rehearse and perform selections from Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” on the stage of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Although the program is considered full, the Symphony is pulling from a waiting list up until the event dates.

BWW Reviews: Funny Parodies Rule MTW's FORBIDDEN BROADWAY 2, Ends 4/29

(4/27/2012) Full of biting wit and hilarious parodies of various popular Broadway shows--and the famous actors that star in them--Musical Theatre West's cabaret-style send-up FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: GREATEST HITS, VOLUME 2 plays its final, laugh-filled set of performances this weekend ending April 29 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

BWW Reviews: Rousing BILLY ELLIOT Earns Worthy Cheers in L.A.

(4/26/2012) Charming and unabashedly buoyant, BILLY ELLIOT--which danced away with 10 fairly well-deserved Tony Award wins including Best Musical back in 2009--is a smile-inducing, pleasingly-staged musical based on the 2000 film. The stage musical version's national tour has finally stopped in Los Angeles for a five-week engagement at the Pantages Theatre through May 13.

Late April Live Performances on the California Central Coast

(4/24/2012) As we come to the end of April, I trust you will want to include taking in at least a couple of shows at one or more of the live performance and theatre venues that make their home here on the ever lovely Central Coast of California!

Theatre @ Boston Court Announces High School Student Rush Ticket Program

(4/24/2012) The Theatre @ Boston Court announces a new High School Student Rush Ticket Program. The program is simple: any unsold seat will be made available free of charge five minutes prior to the performance to any high school student who presents a current student ID.

BWW Interviews: DEREK KEELING of 'Million Dollar Quartet' Answers Our Silly Query

(4/23/2012) Now traveling the country playing real-life legend Johnny Cash ("The Man in Black") for the first national tour of the Tony Award-winning MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET--finally landing in Southern California at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from April 24 through May 6--actor Derek Keeling, best known as a top 3 contender on NBC's Grease: You're The One That I Want, is no stranger to playing well-known icons from the 20th Century. Before arriving to rock the O.C., BroadwayWorld subjected him to a few silly, rapid-fire questions.

STAGE TUBE: Inside Pacific Symphony's CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE and Schubert's Ninth

(4/23/2012) This May, California's Pacific Symphony features "Cirque de la Symphonie," a fusion of Cirque acts and classical and pops favorites and its upcoming concert, Schubert's Ninth. Get a sneak peek of the preparations for these two events in the videos below!

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS Returns to the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 7/12-15

(4/23/2012) THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, the provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view, will return to Irvine by popular demand for a limited engagement at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, adjacent to University of California Irvine, from July 12 through July 15. The production sold out five performances at the same venue in July 2011.

Pasadena Playhouse's Sheldon Epps Releases Statement on New CA Theater Ticket Sales Tax

(4/21/2012) Sheldon Epps, artistic director of Pasadena Playhouse, released a statement regarding a California tax code amendment for sales tax on tickets to live theatre productions, which goes before legislature Monday, April 23.

Photo Flash: South Coast Rep's New Musical CLOUDLANDS Now on Stage

(4/21/2012) Love, secrecy and their consequences are the subject of Cloudlands, a new SCR-commissioned musical drama by Octavio Solis and Adam Gwon, directed by Amanda Dehnert. See photos of the production, which opened last night, April 20, below!

Full Cast Announced for South Coast Rep's JITNEY, 6/21-7/15

(4/20/2012) The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, interim Executive Director) and South Coast Repertory, announced today the full casting and creative team for JITNEY. Single tickets are also now on sale to the public. South Coast Repertory’s (SCR) production of August Wilson’s JITNEY, directed by Ron OJ Parson with an all-star cast led by Charlie Robinson, will transfer to The Pasadena Playhouse immediately following its SCR engagement. Performances will begin June 21 through July 15, with an official press opening on Sunday, June 24, 2012, at 5:00 p.m at The Pasadena Playhouse.

South Coast Rep Ends Season with August Wilson's JITNEY, 5/11-6/10

(4/20/2012) August Wilson’s Jitney, a play about a ragtag group of drivers of gypsy cabs—known as jitneys—will close out SCR’s 2011-2012 season, with an all-star cast led by Charlie Robinson, who last wowed SCR audiences in another Wilson hit, Fences. Ron OJ Parson, who has previously directed Jitney at St. Louis Black Rep, will direct the show, which will run on the Segerstrom Stage from May 11 – June 10.

South Coast Repertory Presents New Musical CLOUDLANDS, Opens April 20

(4/20/2012) Love, secrecy and their consequences are the subject of Cloudlands, a new SCR-commissioned musical drama by Octavio Solis and Adam Gwon, directed by Amanda Dehnert.

Pacific Symphony Kicks Off Symphonic Voices with LA BOHEME, 4/19,21,24

(4/19/2012) Before “Rent”—there was “La Bohème”—and now it’s back for the kick-off of Pacific Symphony’s new opera-vocal initiative, “Symphonic Voices.” For three nights, the orchestra comes out of the pit and onto the stage for the presentation of one of Puccini’s most popular and heartbreaking operas. Led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, “La Bohème’s” timeless tale of carefree Bohemians and star-struck lovers features a cast of world-class opera singers, Pacific Chorale and the Southern California Children’s Chorus—filling the stage with their astonishing voices. Inspired by St.Clair’s successful career as an opera conductor in Europe, “Symphonic Voices” continues next season with another Puccini masterpiece of high emotion, grand tragedy and gorgeous music: “Tosca.”

Post-Tax Day Shows on the Central Coast of California!

(4/18/2012) As we move past the middle of April (did you get your taxes done on time?), I hope your plans include attending a few productions at any number of the theatre and live performance establishments here on the beautiful California Central Coast!

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and More Highlight Pacific Symphony's 2012 Summer Festival

(4/17/2012) The Pacific Symphony’s 24th Summer Festival, presented by Hoag Hospital, offers an exciting variety of music, beginning with a celebratory July 4th extravaganza, featuring the iconic music of The Eagles and culminating in a dazzling fireworks display. Enjoy an evening of Broadway magic that combines the cachet of “The Phantom of the Opera” with three extraordinary performers, and a night of Ludwig van Beethoven’s greatest hits. Then, get a bang out of summer at the annual, all-new program for “Tchaikovsky Spectacular,” with cannons and fireworks! The series concludes with Disney Live in Concert, featuring the Symphony performing the soundtrack to “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”—as it is shown on the big screen.

3-D Theatricals to Present A CHORUS LINE, Beginning 5/11

(4/16/2012) 3-D Theatricals is thrilled to present the second show of its 2012 season with the Pulitzer Prize & 9-time Tony Award-winning musical, A CHORUS LINE, music by Marvin Hamlisch lyrics by Edward Kleban, book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, musical direction by Julie Lamoureux, choreography re-staged by Linda Love Simmons and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson.

BWW Reviews: SCR Stages Funny Debut Play THE PRINCE OF ATLANTIS

(4/13/2012) In THE PRINCE OF ATLANTIS, Steven Drukman's funny new play set in the heavy-accented neighborhood of Nonantum, Massachusetts, the characters all seem to believe that the key to good relations with others and living a good life (or at least a nicer-than-average one) is to make things appear better than they really are for everyone else...and, perhaps, even extend the delusion for themselves as well. The comical, sometimes touching play is currently enjoying a fully-staged World Premiere production at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through April 29.

SCR Announces PPF Directors

(4/13/2012) As the 15th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival draws near, South Coast Repertory announces the directors for this years’ staged readings. They include Evan Cabnet (Warrior Class), Matt Shakman (You Are Here), Meredith McDonough (I And You), Casey Stangl (The Few) and Anne Kauffman (Smokefall).

Irvine Barclay Theatre Presents PSY, 5/10-13

(4/13/2012) Irvine Barclay Theatre presents PSY, the newest and largest production from the Montreal based circus troupe Les 7 doigts de la main which translates literally as “The seven fingers of the hand” for four performances only, May 10-13. Les 7 doigts de la main is most known for their international hit Traces.

TICKLED PINK Gets World Premiere at The Laguna Playhouse April 24 - May 20

(4/11/2012) Award-winning comedian Rita Rudner began her show business career on stage in the national company of Zorba with Chita Rivera and John Raitt at the tender age of fifteen. After appearing in several Broadway shows, including Follies and Mack and Mabel, Rita made her last pre-comedian Broadway appearance in 1980 as Lily St. Regis in Annie. Rita returns to her acting roots with the 13-member ensemble cast of The Laguna Playhouse’s production of Tickled Pink, making its World Premiere debut from April 24 – May 20, 2012.