PHOTOS: The Fantasticks  Reprise Theater Company's limited engagement of The Fantasticks is currently playing at UCLA's Freud Playhouse from now until May 17th. Below you will find photos from the show.
The Fantasticks stars Eric McCormack (TV's Will & Grace) as El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel (Disney's High School Musical franchise) as Matt, triple-time Tony nominee Harry Groener as Bellomy, and Alison Woods as Luisa. The production is directed by film, television, stage star and artistic director or Reprise Jason Alexander.
The Fantasticks is an allegorical story about two parents who put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love, because they know that children always do what their parents forbid.
Where: UCLA's Freud Playhouse, located on campus in Macgowan Hall
When: Performances run until May 17th. Schedule is Tuesdays through Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, Sundays at 2pm & 7pm.
Tickets: Can be purchased at the UCLA Central Ticket Office (310) 825-2101 or online here. Tues-Thurs evenings are $70, Fri-Sun $75, Student/Senior rush tickets are $20 at the box office, available 15 minutes before showtime (subject to availability).
For more information on The Fantasticks and upcoming Reprise events, visit their website at www.reprise.org.
Eric McCormack as "El Gallo"
Eric McCormack and Lucas Grabeel ("Matt")
Alison Woods ("Luisa") and Eric McCormack
Eileen T'Kaye ("Hucklebee"), Eric McCormack, and Harry Groener ("Bellomy")
Eric McCormack and Alison Woods
Lucas Grabeel and Alison Woods
 BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO OPENS MAY 17 AT KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE
The world premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, presented by Center Theatre Group at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, opens May 17, 2009, and continues through June 7. Previews begin May 10.
Directed by Moisés Kaufman, the cast features (in alphabetical order) Glenn Davis, Brad Fleischer, Arian Moayed, Kevin Tighe, Hrach Titizian, Sheila Vand and Necar Zadegan.
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo is a lyrical, haunting new play set against the backdrop of the war in Iraq, in which the lives and, in some cases, the afterlives of two American soldiers, an Iraqi translator, the ghost of Saddam Hussein’s son Uday, and a Bengal tiger all intersect in a surreal, darkly humorous and gently balanced view of war and its aftermath.
Earlier this year it was announced that Bengal Tiger was selected as an NEA Outstanding New American Play as part of the National Endowment for the Arts New Play Development Program hosted by Arena Stage, and Rajiv Joseph also received the 2009 Kesselring Fellowship for his work on the play. His play Animals Out of Paper in New York recently received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Play. Joseph’s other plays include All This Intimacy, The Leopard and the Fox, and Huck & Holden, which was produced in Los Angeles by the Black Dahlia Theatre in 2006.
Tickets for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at http://www.centertheatregroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA90232.
On Sunday, April 26th, Lea Salonga made a special guest appearance during Tim Draxl's Upright Cabaret solo show. Below is video of her entire set, starting with the ballad "Promise Me", made famous by Beverly Craven.
Wasting no time, she immediately went for the 11 o'clock number next. After discussing the profound significance the song has taken now that she herself has become a mother, as opposed to when she first performed it at the age of 19 in Miss Saigon , Lea performed "I'd Give My Life For You".
A Disney princess two-times over, Lea gave the Disney fans in the audience a special treat and sang the uncut/extended version of "Reflection" from Mulan, which featured verses not seen in the actual film.
Lea has the distinction of having played both of Les Lemiserables' leading ladies, beginning her career as Eponine and closing the most recent Broadway revival as Fantine. Here is Lea singing "One My Own".
And finally, the moment everyone was waiting for, handsome Aussie Tim Draxl and Princess Jasmine herself perform "A Whole New World.
For more info on Lea Salonga and where's she's going next, visit her website at www.leasalonga.com.
To see what's next on Upright Cabaret's calendar (including their three spectacular Wicked Summer Nights concerts featuring Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, and Stephen Schwartz) visit www.uprightcabaret.com
 Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles Star in David Mamet’s Provocative Drama at the Mark Taper Forum May 28 – July 12
Rehearsals have begun for David Mamet’s Oleanna, which begins previews May 28 and continues through July 12 at the Mark Taper Forum (opening night is Friday, June 5). Oleanna stars Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles under the direction of Tony Award-winner Doug Hughes.
Oleanna tells the gripping account of a power struggle between a male university professor (Pullman) and one of his female students (Stiles).
With an expansive career in stage, film and television, Bill Pullman is perhaps best known for his roles in the films Independence Day, Lost Highway, Sleepless in Seattle, Ruthless People, While You Were Sleeping, The Grudge, Spaceballs, Scary Movie 4 and the recent Bottle Shock and Noble Son. On stage, Pullman received a 2002 Drama Desk Award nomination when he starred opposite Mercedes Ruehl in Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? on Broadway, and a second Drama Desk nomination for his appearance in Albee’s Peter and Jerry in 2007 at Second Stage in New York. He was also nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for the 2006 Kennedy Center production of The Subject Was Roses.
Julia Stiles earned rave reviews in a previous production of Oleanna in London’s West End in 2004. She began her career in the theatre at a young age in New York City and her additional stage credits include the 2002 Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night (Viola), James Lapine’s Fran’s Bed at Playwrights Horizons and The Vagina Monologues. She made her cinematic debut at age 15 in I Love You, I Love You Not with Claire Danes. She followed this with many films, most notably, 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance, Mona Lisa Smile, two David Mamet films – State and Main and Edmond, and all three films of the Bourne franchise.
David Mamet is the author of numerous plays including Glengarry Glen Ross (1984 Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award, 2005 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play), American Buffalo, Boston Marriage, Romance (which was presented at the Taper in 2005), Keep Your Pantheon and The Duck Variations (presented at CTG’s Kirk Douglas Theatre in 2008 as Two Unrelated Plays by David Mamet), November, and Speed-The-Plow. He has written the screenplays for such films as The Verdict, The Untouchables and Wag the Dog, and is a two-time Academy Award nominee. He has written and directed 10 films including Homicide, The Spanish Prisoner, State and Main, House of Games, Spartan and Redbelt. He is co-creator and executive producer of the CBS television series The Unit, and is a Founding Member of The Atlantic Theater Company.
Doug Hughes won the 2005 Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lortel and Callaway Awards for his direction of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt. His other Broadway credits include A Man for All Seasons, Mauritius, and Inherit the Wind (Tony nomination). His many off-Broadway productions include The Grey One (Obie Award), Flesh and Blood (Callaway Award), Farragut North, Howard Katz and The Paris Letter, and he has also directed numerous productions for most of the nation's leading theatre companies. He is the resident director of New York's Roundabout Theatre Company and in 2005 he won an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence.
Tickets for Oleanna start at $20 and are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at http://www.centertheatregroup.org or in person at the CTG box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center.
Hey y'all, so I know its a little bit after-the-fact, but here are some performance highlights from Miss Haviland Stillwell's solo show at Upright Cabaret on April 23rd. I could write on and on about why this girl is so lovely, talented, and fabulous, but why take my word for it when you can see for yourself!!
Here she is singing Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again". What you can't hear in the audience is how dead-on perfect she nails Dolly's vibrado.
Haviland also performed the song "Paper Planes" from VOTE! the Musical. (Click link to get more information on the show, listen to other songs from the soundtrack and watch videos.)
Don't let the pretty white princess dress fool you. Haviland's pretty hardcore. Here the West Coast Debutante rocks out to Heart's "Crazy on You". Incidentally, that's singer/songwriter Kristy Hanson playing the acoustic guitar. For more of Kristy's music and her collaborations with Haviland, go to her website: www.kristyhanson.com
And last, but certainly not least...Haviland fulfills the promise she made to us in her Q & A and performs a...well...orgasmic rendition of the aria "Glitter and Be Gay" from Candide. This girl's range is incredible. Country, rock, Broadway standards...opera. What CAN'T she do?
For the latest updates on Miss Haviland, check out her website www.havilandstillwell.com. You can also subscribe to her YouTube channel here.
 And the nominees are...
Best Play
Dividing the Estate
God of Carnage
Reasons to Be Pretty
33 Variations
Best Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek The Musical
Best Book of a Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical: Lee Hall
Next to Normal: Brian Yorkey
Shrek The Musical: David Lindsay-Abaire
[Title of Show]: Hunter Bell
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Billy Elliot, The Musical: Music: Elton John, Lyrics: Lee Hall
Next to Normal: Music: Tom Kitt, Lyrics: Brian Yorkey
9 to 5: The Musical: Music & Lyrics: Dolly Parton
Shrek The Musical: Music: Jeanine Tesori, Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire
Best Revival of a Play
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Mary Stuart
The Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot
Best Revival of a Musical
Guys and Dolls
Hair
Pal Joey
West Side Story
Best Special Theatrical Event
Liza's at The Palace
Slava's Snowshow
Soul of Shaolin
You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini, God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski, Reasons to Be Pretty
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Hope Davis, God of Carnage
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish ‚ Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gavin Creel, Hair
Brian d'Arcy James, Shrek The Musical
Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
John Glover, Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier, 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland, Reasons to Be Pretty
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson, Hair
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey
Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Rob Howell, The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane, 33 Variations
Michael Yeargan, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Scott Pask, Pal Joey
Mark Wendland, Next to Normal
Best Costume Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Jane Greenwood, Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregory Gale, Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald, Hair
Best Lighting Design of a Play
David Hersey, Equus
David Lander, 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams, Hair
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Howell Binkley, West Side Story
Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Best Sound Design of a Play
Paul Arditti, Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke, Equus
Russell Goldsmith, Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Acme Sound Partners, Hair
Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan, Next to Normal
Best Direction of a Play
Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests
Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair
Best Choreography
Karole Armitage, Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner, Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Best Orchestrations
Larry Blank, Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, Next to Normal
Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Jerry Herman
Regional Theatre Tony Award
Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.
Isabelle Stevenson Award
Phyllis Newman
Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre
Shirley Herz
Nominations by Production
Billy Elliot, The Musical - 15
Next to Normal - 11
Hair - 8
Shrek The Musical - 8
Mary Stuart - 7
The Norman Conquests - 7
God of Carnage - 6
Joe Turner's Come and Gone - 6
Rock of Ages - 5
33 Variations - 5
Exit the King - 4
9 to 5: The Musical - 4
Pal Joey - 4
West Side Story - 4
Reasons to Be Pretty - 3
Waiting for Godot - 3
Blithe Spirit - 2
Dividing the Estate - 2
Equus - 2
Guys and Dolls - 2
Irving Berlin's White Christmas - 2
Liza's at The Palace - 1
Slava's Snowshow - 1
Soul of Shaolin - 1
Speed-the-Plow - 1
[Title of Show] - 1
You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush - 1
*The 2009 Tony Awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall June 7. CBS will broadcast the event live. For more information visit http://www.tonyawards.com.
 The cast has been announced for the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre engagement of Monty Python’s Spamalot which will open Center Theatre Group’s 2009-2010 season at the Ahmanson Theatre of the Los Angeles Music Center, July 7-September 6, 2009.
Joining the previously announced John O’Hurley (King Arthur) are Merle Dandridge(The Lady of the Lake), James Beaman (Sir Robin), Ben Davis (Sir Dennis Galahad), Jeff Dumas (Patsy), Rick Holmes (Sir Lancelot until August 2), Matthew Greer (Sir Lancelot after August 2), Christopher Gurr (Sir Bedevere), Christopher Sutton (Not Dead Fred, Prince Herbert), Matt Allen, Graham Bowen, Nigel Columbus, Timothy Connell, Cara Cooper, Lenny Daniel, Alexa Glover, David Havasi, Erik Hayden, Sarah Lin Johnson, Carissa Lopez, Jennifer Mathie, Lyn Philistine, Tera-Lee Pollin, Darryl Semira, Vanessa Sonon and Paula Wise.
Directed by Mike Nichols, Spamalot features book and lyrics by Eric Idle, and is based on the screenplay of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Monty Python creators Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The music for Spamalot is music by the Grammy Award-winning team of John Du Prez and Idle. Casey Nicholaw is the choreographer.
Spamalot is the winner of three 2005 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director, as well as the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical. The original cast recording of Spamalot won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
Spamalot recounts the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail, featuring a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits, and an armless and legless knight.
Monty Python is a group of British actors and writers (there is one American) who performed the famous comedy show Monty Python’s Flying Circus on the BBC from 1969 to 1974, with subsequent international fame and success.
Tickets for Monty Python’s Spamalot start at $30 and are available by calling (213) 972-4400 or online at http://www.centertheatregroup.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Music Center. For the deaf community, call TDD (213) 680-4017 for tickets and information.
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