Ann Closs-Farley News

BOOTLEG THEATER is thrilled to announce the Los Angeles premiere (second half of a rolling world premiere) of I CARRY YOUR HEART, written by Georgette Kelly and directed by Jessica Hanna (as part of the Hope & Optimism Initiative's "Hope On Stage" playwriting prize project (www.hopeoptimism.com). I CARRY YOUR HEART will preview on Thursday, May 18 at 7pm; will open on Friday, May 19 at 7pm and run through Saturday, June 10 at 7pm at the Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.  

Center Theatre Group is now accepting submissions for the 2018 Richard E. Sherwood Award. The deadline to submit an application is June 5, 2017, at 11:59 p.m.

BOOTLEG THEATER is thrilled to announce the Los Angeles premiere (second half of a rolling world premiere) of I CARRY YOUR HEART, written by Georgette Kelly and directed by Jessica Hanna (as part of the Hope & Optimism Initiative's "Hope On Stage" playwriting prize project (www.hopeoptimism.com). I CARRY YOUR HEARTwill preview on Thursday, May 18 at 7pm; will open on Friday, May 19 at 7pm and run throughSaturday, June 10 at 7pm at the Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director Franz Welser-Möst announce further details of their new production of Debussy's Pelléas and Mélisande, including the complete three-part series of behind-the-scenes production videos.  The impressionistic French opera, with its luminous and hypnotic score, is being presented at Severance Hall May 2, 4, and 6, 2017.  The creative team for this brand-new, made-for-Cleveland production is being led by Director Yuval Sharon working with Set Designer Mimi Lien, Lighting and Projection Designer Jason Thompson, Choreographer Danielle Agami, and Costume Designer Ann Closs-Farley.

Let's get one thing perfectly clear from the get.go. Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit which premiered at the Mark Taper Forum and on Broadway in 1978, is a milestone. Broadway had not seen anything quite like it up to that point. First of all, it put Mexicans into the mainstream ... and their Pachuco culture, including their music and dance. In form it's a serious play about the Zoot Suit murders of 1942 in Southern California, but it is laced with humor, song and dance, classifying it in both realms of fact and fantasy. Now, after 39 years, in the 50th anniversary year of Center Theatre Group, Zoot Suit returns in an all new revival, once again directed by the brilliant Valdez. It has a fantastic cast, is high on entertainment value...and its issues do indeed mirror those present in today's politically ruthless world.

Due to extraordinary ticket sales, Center Theatre Group's 'Zoot Suit' has announced a second one-week extension. Performances will now continue through March 26, 2017, at the Mark Taper Forum. Previews for 'Zoot Suit' began January 31; the show officially opened on Sunday, February 12. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, 'Zoot Suit' is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Due to extraordinary ticket sales, Center Theatre Group's 'Zoot Suit' has announced a second one-week extension. Performances will now continue through March 26, 2017, at the Mark Taper Forum. Previews for 'Zoot Suit' began January 31. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, 'Zoot Suit' is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino. BroadwayWorld has photos from Sunday's opening festivities below!

Currently in previews, Center Theatre Group's 'Zoot Suit' opens February 12 at the Mark Taper Forum. This legendary play with music will continue through March 19, 2017, (extending one week from the originally announced closing date). Written and directed by Luis Valdez, 'Zoot Suit' is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino. 

The legendary play with music, 'Zoot Suit,' just kicked off rehearsals at Center Theatre Group. 'Zoot Suit' begins previews January 31, opens February 12 and continues through March 12, 2017, at the Mark Taper Forum. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, 'Zoot Suit' is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino. BroadwayWorld has a peek at the company in rehearsal below!

"Zoot Suit" begins previews this Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. The legendary play with music opens February 12 and will continue through March 19, 2017, (extending one week from the originally announced closing date). Written and directed by Luis Valdez, "Zoot Suit" is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents COLLECTIVE RAGE: A PLAY IN 5 BOOPS, A West Coast Premiere written by Jen Silverman and directed by Lindsay Allbaugh. Collective Rage is presented on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena, CA.

Center Theatre Group recognizes and celebrates the recipient of the 2017 Richard E. Sherwood Award, Pablo Santiago, for his exceptional contribution to the Los Angeles theatre landscape and his work as innovative and adventurous artist.

Rehearsals have barely begun and Center Theatre Group is already announcing a one-week extension for 'Zoot Suit,' due to strong ticket sales.

The legendary play with music, 'Zoot Suit,' just kicked off rehearsals at Center Theatre Group. 'Zoot Suit' begins previews January 31, opens February 12 and continues through March 12, 2017, at the Mark Taper Forum. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, 'Zoot Suit' is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino. BroadwayWorld has a peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Three finalists have been selected for Center Theatre Group's 2017 Richard E. Sherwood Award: Jenny Foldenauer, Pablo Santiago and Keith Skretch. Center Theatre Group recognizes and celebrates this year's finalists for their exceptional contributions to the Los Angeles theatre landscape and their work as innovative and adventurous artists.

The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director Franz Welser-Möst announce further details of their new production of Debussy's Pelléas and Mélisande.  The impressionistic French opera, with its luminous and hypnotic score, is being presented at Severance Hall this coming spring, with performances May 2, 4, and 6, 2017.  The creative team for this brand-new, made-for-Cleveland production is being led by Director Yuval Sharon working with Set Designer Mimi Lien, Lighting and Projection Designer Jason Thompson, Choreographer Danielle Agami, and Costume Designer Ann Closs-Farley.

Scott Carter's DISCORD is more akin to an extended SNL sketch ~ longer to the tune of ninety minutes, comprised of a series of XV scenes, and made thoroughly bearable thanks to the whirlwind performances ~ albeit caricatures ~ of its original cast, Larry Cedar (Jefferson), Mark Gagliardi (Dickens), and Armin Shimerman (Tolstoy).

The cast is set and rehearsals are underway for the West Coast premiere of Sheila Callaghan's madcap new play WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD, opening March 13, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre. Directed by Neel Keller and choreographed by Ken Roht, previews for WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD begin March 6 and performances continue through April 3, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Nice workshop presentation of the world premiere of Diana Amsterdam's THE DODGERS. Maybe, joints should have been passed out along with the programs, so that the audience could be on the same plane as the characters in the opening scenes - as Dave Solomon directed - in a most relaxed, lethargic state of being high.  

Circle X Theatre Co. is thrilled to announce the world premiere of a new play, DEATH PLAY, written by Lisa Dring and directed by Jessica Hanna. DEATH PLAY will preview on Thursday, March 17 & Friday, March 18 and will open on Saturday, March 19 at 8pm and run through Saturday, April 23 at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles, 90039.