It’s Frasier Week at IndieWire. Grab some tossed salad and scrambled eggs, settle into your coziest easy chair, and join us. We’re listening.
Ask a few diehard “Frasier” fans to name the strangest moment from the show’s 11 season run and you’ll get a few different answers. Some will point to the infamous “Goth Freddie” scenes, in which Frasier’s bookish son shows up looking like a seat filler at a Nine Inch Nails concert. Others will single out the time Frasier stars in a TV commercial that sees his voice imposed on a talking version of Eddie in a nightmarish foreshadowing of TikTok A.I. And of course, someone will mention a stoned Martin Crane explaining that he put his trousers in the refrigerator because he had an idea for “Fridge Pants.” All three are perfectly defensible choices — and they all come from the same infamous episode.
Ask a few diehard “Frasier” fans to name the strangest moment from the show’s 11 season run and you’ll get a few different answers. Some will point to the infamous “Goth Freddie” scenes, in which Frasier’s bookish son shows up looking like a seat filler at a Nine Inch Nails concert. Others will single out the time Frasier stars in a TV commercial that sees his voice imposed on a talking version of Eddie in a nightmarish foreshadowing of TikTok A.I. And of course, someone will mention a stoned Martin Crane explaining that he put his trousers in the refrigerator because he had an idea for “Fridge Pants.” All three are perfectly defensible choices — and they all come from the same infamous episode.
- 10/10/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
BET+ has an exciting holiday slate.
The streaming service announced Monday it would launch 10 new movies, including family comedies, yuletide romances, and a little musical magic.
The flicks feature Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson, and Dorien Wilson, Ne-Yo, Serayah, Romeo Miller, LeToya Luckett, and Lala Milan.
Get all the details on the movies below.
A Wesley Christmas - November 3
Adult siblings Chris, Todd, and Cydney Wesley travel to their childhood home to celebrate Christmas with their parents and the entire Wesley family.
With everyone together and all their physical and emotional baggage in tow, the annual Wesley family holiday promises to be a festive, hot-mess of a Christmas with life-changing impacts on the whole family.
Cast: Dorien Wilson, Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson, Loren Lott, Terayle Hill, Mike Merrill
Director: Patricia Cuffie Jones
Writer: Bree West
Produced by: Octet Productions
The First Noelle - November 10
After twenty years of friendship, Terrance and...
The streaming service announced Monday it would launch 10 new movies, including family comedies, yuletide romances, and a little musical magic.
The flicks feature Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson, and Dorien Wilson, Ne-Yo, Serayah, Romeo Miller, LeToya Luckett, and Lala Milan.
Get all the details on the movies below.
A Wesley Christmas - November 3
Adult siblings Chris, Todd, and Cydney Wesley travel to their childhood home to celebrate Christmas with their parents and the entire Wesley family.
With everyone together and all their physical and emotional baggage in tow, the annual Wesley family holiday promises to be a festive, hot-mess of a Christmas with life-changing impacts on the whole family.
Cast: Dorien Wilson, Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson, Loren Lott, Terayle Hill, Mike Merrill
Director: Patricia Cuffie Jones
Writer: Bree West
Produced by: Octet Productions
The First Noelle - November 10
After twenty years of friendship, Terrance and...
- 10/10/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
After debuting eight new original holiday movies in 2021, BET+ is getting even more into the seasonal spirit this year with 10 more titles rolling out beginning Nov. 3, Variety has learned exclusively.
The 2022 slate features films starring Ne-Yo, Sereyah, Romeo Miller, LeToya Luckett and Lala Milan, as well as returning BET+ holiday movie staples like Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson and Dorien Wilson. The titles come from directors and writers including Victoria Rowell (who also appears in “A Christmas Gift”), Robin Givens, Bree West and Patricia Cuffie Jones.
“We’re committed to bringing quality Black stories to the screen and the holidays are no exception,” BET+ executive vice president and general manager Devin Griffin said. “Year after year, our members devour holiday programming; in fact, our original holiday films continue to out-perform, which is why we’re committed to growing our investment in this area of the service. But it’s not just about meeting demand,...
The 2022 slate features films starring Ne-Yo, Sereyah, Romeo Miller, LeToya Luckett and Lala Milan, as well as returning BET+ holiday movie staples like Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson and Dorien Wilson. The titles come from directors and writers including Victoria Rowell (who also appears in “A Christmas Gift”), Robin Givens, Bree West and Patricia Cuffie Jones.
“We’re committed to bringing quality Black stories to the screen and the holidays are no exception,” BET+ executive vice president and general manager Devin Griffin said. “Year after year, our members devour holiday programming; in fact, our original holiday films continue to out-perform, which is why we’re committed to growing our investment in this area of the service. But it’s not just about meeting demand,...
- 10/10/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
New York Times Best Selling writer Tawni O Dell will get an industry presentation of her newest play, Pay The Writer. With eyes on Broadway for the 2023-24 season, the special presentation will be directed by Broadway and Televisions Sheldon Epps and will star Tony-nominated and multi-Emmy Award winner Keith David, two-time SAG Award winner Bryan Batt, and three-time Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Marcia Cross. The event will take place on Thursday, July 21.
- 7/20/2022
- by Chloe Rabinowitz
- BroadwayWorld.com
Closing the Distance, author Tawni O’Dell’s audio drama series that’s featured such guest cast performers as Jason Alexander, Tony Danza, William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Kelli O’Hara, is being developed as a stage production called Windows, with plans for a spring 2022 Broadway debut.
To be directed by Sheldon Epps, Windows will feature set designs by Rob Bissinger and Anita Scala, and costumes by David Woolard. The production is described as including seven vignettes reflecting upon how ordinary people react to extraordinary circumstances. “Windows,” the announcement reads, “documents through art a period when the world was united by unprecedented circumstances and time stood still.”
The audio drama Closing the Distance is an episodic podcast series performed and recorded by actors during the early days of the Covid lockdown.
Casting for the stage production is currently underway and announcements are forthcoming.
To be directed by Sheldon Epps, Windows will feature set designs by Rob Bissinger and Anita Scala, and costumes by David Woolard. The production is described as including seven vignettes reflecting upon how ordinary people react to extraordinary circumstances. “Windows,” the announcement reads, “documents through art a period when the world was united by unprecedented circumstances and time stood still.”
The audio drama Closing the Distance is an episodic podcast series performed and recorded by actors during the early days of the Covid lockdown.
Casting for the stage production is currently underway and announcements are forthcoming.
- 10/27/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
After the television industry shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, multicam productions had an extra barrier when considering an eventual return: what to do about the live studio audience.
Traditionally, each episode would have a table read, followed by rehearsals and a day of pre-taped material before filming the bulk of the installment in front of a couple hundred people. But with no crowds allowed on set, how each show could approach filming changed.
“It was very much a logistical challenge, where I had to be working on [following the safety protocols] and at the same time make sure that the creative was getting serviced, as we are used to doing,” says James Widdoes, “Mom” director. “We didn’t want to present a worse version of the show because of Covid.”
An early speedbump? The discovery of how PPE, a necessity, impacted rehearsals. In addition to table reads being bumped to Zoom (where...
Traditionally, each episode would have a table read, followed by rehearsals and a day of pre-taped material before filming the bulk of the installment in front of a couple hundred people. But with no crowds allowed on set, how each show could approach filming changed.
“It was very much a logistical challenge, where I had to be working on [following the safety protocols] and at the same time make sure that the creative was getting serviced, as we are used to doing,” says James Widdoes, “Mom” director. “We didn’t want to present a worse version of the show because of Covid.”
An early speedbump? The discovery of how PPE, a necessity, impacted rehearsals. In addition to table reads being bumped to Zoom (where...
- 6/16/2021
- by Marisa Roffman
- Variety Film + TV
Ten years ago, only two black stage directors – and no black choreographers – were hired on Broadway under the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society’s contract. During the last Broadway season, the union says, only one black director was hired under its Broadway contract, and no black choreographers.
The union, which represents some 4,300 professional stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States, said today that the time has come “to own our responsibility and use our influence to end racist policies and practices in our field.”
The Sdc is the third entertainment union this week to own up to its role in the underemployment of members of color. On Monday, in the wake of nationwide protests over racism and police brutality, leaders of the WGA West urged its members – television showrunners – “to take their share of responsibility” for the lack of diversity in writers rooms. And on that same day, the...
The union, which represents some 4,300 professional stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States, said today that the time has come “to own our responsibility and use our influence to end racist policies and practices in our field.”
The Sdc is the third entertainment union this week to own up to its role in the underemployment of members of color. On Monday, in the wake of nationwide protests over racism and police brutality, leaders of the WGA West urged its members – television showrunners – “to take their share of responsibility” for the lack of diversity in writers rooms. And on that same day, the...
- 6/18/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Editors’ Note: With full acknowledgment of the big-picture implications of a pandemic that already has claimed thousands of lives, cratered global economies and closed international borders, Deadline’s Coping With Covid-19 Crisis series is a forum for those in the entertainment space grappling with myriad consequences of seeing a great industry screech to a halt. The hope is for an exchange of ideas and experiences, and suggestions on how businesses and individuals can best ride out a crisis that doesn’t look like it will abate any time soon.
Producer Brian Moreland waited well over a year for a Broadway theater to open up for his production of Charles Randolph-Wright’s 2000 dramedy Blue. It didn’t happen. Moreland, a producer on recent Broadway productions The Sound Inside starring Mary-Louise Parker, Sea Wall/A Life starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge, and the shutdown-interrupted American Buffalo with Laurence J. Fishburne, Sam Rockwell and Darren Criss,...
Producer Brian Moreland waited well over a year for a Broadway theater to open up for his production of Charles Randolph-Wright’s 2000 dramedy Blue. It didn’t happen. Moreland, a producer on recent Broadway productions The Sound Inside starring Mary-Louise Parker, Sea Wall/A Life starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge, and the shutdown-interrupted American Buffalo with Laurence J. Fishburne, Sam Rockwell and Darren Criss,...
- 4/21/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
This just in The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Lythgoe Family Productions Lfp announces John O'Hurley 'Seinfeld,' Broadway's Chicago, 'Dancing With The Stars,' National Tour and Vegas production of Spamalot as Captain Hook, Chrissie Fit 'Pitch Perfect 2,' 'Teen Beach Movie' as Tinker Bell, and Parvesh Cheena NBC's 'Outsourced', 'A to Z' and 'Transformer Rescue Bots.' as Smee in this year's Panto at the Playhouse Peter Pan And Tinker Bell - A Pirates Christmas.
- 10/29/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse presents Breaking Through, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio, directed by Sheldon Epps and begins rehearsals this week. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015.Below, Alison Luff talks about her role, the show and more during the photo shoot for Breaking Through...
- 10/13/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps announced today full casting for Breaking Through, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio, directed by Sheldon Epps and begins rehearsals this week. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena.
- 9/23/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director announced today that legendary director, choreographer and producer Kenny Ortega will be the 2015 Diversity Award Artistic Honoree, and Abel Ramirez, founder of Pasadena's El Portal Restaurant and business and cultural leader of the Pasadena community, will be the Community Honoree at the 9th Annual Pasadena Playhouse's Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project fundraising benefit on Sunday, September 13, 2015, in honor of the opening of Josefina Lopez's Real Women Have Curves.
- 8/27/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps announced today that, Alison Luff Broadway Matilda the Musical, Scandalous, Ghost the Musical, Mamma Mia, and Constantine Maroulis Broadway Rock of Ages, Jekyll amp Hyde, The Wedding Singer, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, will lead the cast of Breaking Through, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena.
- 8/5/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director presents A Night With Janis Joplin,starring Mary Bridget Davies, following her Tony Award nominated Broadway run. Pasadena native Kacee Clanton, also from the Broadway production of A Night With Janis Joplin, will alternate the role of Janis Joplin with Davies. The production is conceived, written and directed by Randy Johnson, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and musical direction by Tyler Evans. Check out a first look below...
- 7/23/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Yesterday, February 25, author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide, War Horse, was joined by Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams Hallelujah Baby, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II, and acclaimed director Sheldon Epps Baby It's You, Blues in the Night, for a conversation with Tom Santopietro The Godfather Effect, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood at Barnes amp Noble, 150 East 86th Street, to discuss the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. Scroll down for photos from the event...
- 2/27/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today, February 25 at 7Pm, Barnes amp Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse, Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams Hallelujah Baby, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II, acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps Baby It's You, Play On, Blues in the Night, and author Tom Santopietro The Godfather Effect..., Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way.
- 2/25/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
On Wednesday, February 25 at 7Pm, Barnes amp Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide, War Horse, Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams Hallelujah Baby, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II, acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps Baby It's You, Play On, Blues in the Night, and author Tom Santopietro The Godfather Effect, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. This special Black History Month event celebrates the release of Lane's new book Black Broadway African Americans on The Great White Way.
- 2/24/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director presents Stop Kiss, the second production of its 2014-2015 Season. Written by Diana Son and directed by Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Seema Sueko, Stop Kiss stars Sharon Leal Bill Condon's Dreamgirls, Fox's Boston Public, and Lionsgate's Addicted, Angela Lin Broadway's Chinglish, John Sloan Fox's Happy Hour, Brandon Scott ABC's Grey's Anatomy, Amanda Carlin Liar Liar, and Jeff De Serrano AampE's Longmire. Stop Kiss performs through November 30, 2014.
- 11/10/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Kiss Me, Kate starring multi Emmy-Award Winning Wayne Brady Let's Make a Deal, Whose Line Is It Anyway as FredPetruchio, is in its final week, presented by The Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps and Executive Director Elizabeth Doran and closes October 12. The production also stars Merle Dandridge Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan as LilliKate and is directed by Sheldon Epps.
- 10/6/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse presents multi-Emmy Award winning Wayne Brady Let's Make a Deal, Whose Line Is It Anyway as FredPetruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate, directed by Sheldon Epps. The production also stars Merle Dandridge Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan as LilliKate. Kiss Me, Kate opened tonightperforms through October 12, 2014. The production opened last night, September 21, and Broadway's original 'Kate', Patricia Morison, visited the show - scroll down for a photo...
- 9/23/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
A new grant has pumped $25,000 into the Stage Directors and Choreographers Workshop Foundation to help fund artist stipends and educational programs. The Sdcf, which announced Wednesday it received the cash, was one of 886 nonprofit organizations awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. "These Nea-supported projects will not only have a positive impact on local economies, but will also provide opportunities for people of all ages to participate in the arts, help our communities to become more vibrant, and support our nation's artists as they contribute to our cultural landscape," Nea Acting Chairman Shigekawa said in a statement. Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, who serves as chairman of the Sdc Foundation Committee, added, "Sdcf is uniquely positioned to provide access and support to directors and choreographers. That the Nea recognizes this is very meaningful and strengthens our capacity to make a difference in the lives of these central artists.
- 4/16/2014
- backstage.com
Pasadena Playhouse is partnering with the University of Southern California in a mentorship program for emerging playwrights. Greenhouse at The Playhouse, set to begin during the 2013-14 academic year, will develop and produce staged readings of Mfa works from USC's School of Dramatic Arts students. "I have always believed that it is both the pleasure and the responsibility of theatres such as The Playhouse to develop new work and to nurture young writers," Sheldon Epps, the long-time artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse, said in a statement. "This exciting incipient connection with USC will help us to further our sincere and gratefully successful efforts in both of those initiatives." Elizabeth Doran, executive director of the Playhouse, added: “It’s fantastic to know that USC shares our desire to give these students hands-on training in a process that will be a significant part of their professional life in the theatre.” Greenhouse...
- 10/16/2013
- backstage.com
Sleepless In Seattle - The Musical had its world premiere this June at the The Pasadena Playhouse, and according to the La Times, the show could have a future life over seas. Sheldon Epps, artistic director if the Pasadene Playhouse told Lat of a London transfer 'I'm feeling optimistic that it's going to happen. It could happen in the spring or fall of next year.'...
- 7/25/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran Executive Director announced their 2013-2014 season today. The season will include a revival of the longest-running Broadway musical revue, Smokey Joe's Cafe featuring the musical masterpieces of the legendary team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Stoneface The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton, by Vanessa Claire Stewart and starring French Stewart '3rd Rock From the Sun' which enjoyed a successful run at Sacred Fools Theatre Company this past summer Above the Fold a new drama by Bernard Weinraub, about the world of journalism in the digital age, which received a Hothouse at The Playhouse staged reading in 2012 Noel Coward's rarely produced A Song at Twilight, directed by Art Manke, who recently directed The Playhouse's hit revival of Coward's Fallen Angels and a theatrical surprise production that will be selected and directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps,...
- 3/22/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Turning a classic Nora Ephron film into a musical theater production has proven to be a difficult task, but Sleepless in Seattle — The Musical has finally set a date!
After recently acquiring a new composer and lyricist, Sleepless has also found a new director. The Pasadena Playhouse’s Artistic Director Sheldon Epps is replacing previous director Lonny Price. According to a press release, Price had to leave due to other commitments.
“I am pleased that a recent change in my own schedule allows me to take on the joy and excitement of directing this musical and working even more closely with Jeff,...
After recently acquiring a new composer and lyricist, Sleepless has also found a new director. The Pasadena Playhouse’s Artistic Director Sheldon Epps is replacing previous director Lonny Price. According to a press release, Price had to leave due to other commitments.
“I am pleased that a recent change in my own schedule allows me to take on the joy and excitement of directing this musical and working even more closely with Jeff,...
- 1/25/2013
- by Samantha Highfill
- EW.com - PopWatch
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director, in association with David Shor Productions, announced today that the world premiere of Sleepless In Seattle The Musical will now be directed by Artistic Director Sheldon Epps and is scheduled to perform May 24 June 23, 2013, with a press opening night on June 2, at 500 p.m. Lonny Price was previously announced to helm The Playhouse production, however, other commitments have not allowed him to continue with this engagement. A developmental workshop is also scheduled to take place in early March. Tickets are currently available with a 2012 2013 season subscription purchase. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.
- 1/24/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
A musical adaptation of "Sleepless in Seattle" has set its world premiere for May 24 at the Pasadena Playhouse with a new director in place. Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps will take over directing chores from Lonny Price, who was originally supposed to stage the show. Price was dropped because of "creative differences" with members of the creative team as well as other commitments, an individual with knowledge of the production told TheWrap. "Sometimes it seems that life in the theatre is all about change," Epps said in a statement. "I...
- 1/24/2013
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Two years ago, the future of the Pasadena Playhouse was very much in doubt. Weighed down by $2.3 million in debt, the 686-seat Los Angeles-area theater was forced to close briefly in February 2010 due to financial hardships and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a few months later.Soon after, though, the Playhouse, which was created in 1917, received an anonymous $1 million donation that saved the organization from ruin. The identity of this generous donor was kept secret, though, until now.Mike Stoller, half of the songwriting team Leiber & Stoller, and his wife, Corky Hale Stoller, made the donation that allowed the Playhouse to escape bankruptcy, the theater announced Jan. 23. The couple joined the Playhouse’s board in 2010 after their donation was made.“Although I had met with [Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director] Sheldon Epps on professional matters several years ago, it was only through reading that this wonderful theater was to close after 93 years that we decided...
- 1/24/2013
- backstage.com
Los Angeles theater executives are mulling whether a director’s artistic vision is compromised by a push for diversity. Critics have said Asian-American, African-American, and Latino actors have limited opportunities on American stages despite the country’s growing diversity. On Oct. 22, East West Players (Ewp), an Asian-American theater organization based in Los Angeles, held a forum on race politics which brought out some of the top artistic directors in Southern California. Tim Dang, Ewp’s producing artistic director, said those who attended, which included Christopher Ashley, Ad of the La Jolla Playhouse, Michael Ritchie, the Center Theatre Group’s Ad, South Coast Repertory Ad Marc Masterson, and Sheldon Epps, the Ad of Pasadena Playhouse, couldn’t reach a consensus about expanding opportunities for minority actors. “The artistic directors want to support whatever the vision is of the director,” Dang told Backstage. “We couldn’t find anyone to say, ‘Yes, I’m committed to diversity,...
- 10/24/2012
- backstage.com
Asian American actors need more opportunities on Los Angeles-area stages. That's the message that Tim Dang, producing artistic director at East West Players, hopes four artistic directors from major Southern California theaters take away from an upcoming forum. East West Players (Ewp), an Asian-American theatre organization, has organized “Why Not Asian? Why Asian?,” a forum on race politics in the American theatre for Oct. 22 at the David Henry Hwang Theater in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo neighborhood. Christopher Ashley, of the La Jolla Playhouse, Sheldon Epps, of the Pasadena Playhouse, Marc Masterson of South Coast Repertory, and Center Theatre Group’s Michael Ritchie are all slated to attend. Dang said he hopes the four will take away a desire to create programs that develop diversity within the casts of their productions. "If we look at television and film, they're getting a lot better at their diversity than theater is," Dang told Backstage.
- 10/10/2012
- backstage.com
The Pasadena Playhouse has named Elizabeth Doran as its new executive director, effective Sept. 17, and has renewed the contract of Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. Doran, who has been managing director of Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins' theater company, The Actors' Gang, since 2008. She will replace Charles Dillingham, former managing director of Center Theatre Group, who had been serving as interim executive director at the Playhouse. Also read: 'Book of Mormon' Premiere: From Neil Patrick Harris to Zoe Saldana, Stars Line the Red Carpet "I am inspired by the blend of tradition and...
- 9/14/2012
- by Lisa Fung
- The Wrap
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director and Lythgoe Family Productions, announced today casting and the creative team for A Snow White Christmas, featuring Ariana Grande Nickelodeons Victorious as Snow White, an on-screen appearance by Neil Patrick Harris as The Magic Mirror and Charlene Tilton Dallas as The Wicked Queen. This inaugural Panto at The Playhouse production of A Snow White Christmas will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe So You Think You Can Dance with choreography by Spencer Liff Emmy nominee So You Think You Can Dance and musical direction by Michael Orland American Idol. Performances will begin December 13 through December 23, with a gala press opening night on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 700 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse.
- 9/7/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director announced their 2012-2013 season today. The season will include the rescheduled world premiere of Sleepless in Seattle The Musical originally scheduled for this summer, the world premiere of the Broadway-bound comedy Under My Skin, Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottages Intimate Apparel, Nol Cowards comedy Fallen Angels and a surprise production to be announced. In a partnership with Lythgoe Family Productions, a special presentation of A Snow White Christmas will be offered for the holiday season. The 2012-2013 Season begins September 2012.
- 4/13/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Actors' Equity Association is hosting a free educational event for its members on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in Hollywood. Artistic directors Michael Ritchie (Center Theatre Group), Marc Masterson (South Coast Rep), Sheldon Epps (Pasadena Playhouse), and Randall Arney (Geffen Playhouse) will participate in a discussion, moderated by actress Sharon Lawrence.This event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6:30-8:39 p.m. at the L.A. Equity Office, 6755 Hollywood Blvd., 5th floor, Hollywood. Check-in starts at 6 p.m. You do not need to RSVP in advance, but availability is limited to 60 seats. The event is open to all paid-up Equity members and membership candidates.For more information about this event, visit ActorsEquity.org or view the full notice on BackStage.com. (Subscription required.)...
- 2/27/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Daniel Lehman)
- backstage.com
The musical adaptation of hit Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movie Sleepless In Seattle has been put on hold to allow producers to "get it right" before a big launch.
The production was expected to hit the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse in California this summer, but now theatre fans will have to wait a season to see it.
Sleepless in Seattle - The Musical will be rescheduled and will now be added to the venue's 2012-2013 season.
Sheldon Epps, the Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse, tells BroadwayWorld.com, "Along with our producing partners, all of us at The Playhouse continue to be enormously excited about the long term potential for this new musical, both here at our theatre and beyond.
"Our belief in that, and our desire to get it right led us to the wise decision to give this project additional time for further creative development. We strongly believe that this will serve all involved, including most importantly our audiences."...
The production was expected to hit the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse in California this summer, but now theatre fans will have to wait a season to see it.
Sleepless in Seattle - The Musical will be rescheduled and will now be added to the venue's 2012-2013 season.
Sheldon Epps, the Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse, tells BroadwayWorld.com, "Along with our producing partners, all of us at The Playhouse continue to be enormously excited about the long term potential for this new musical, both here at our theatre and beyond.
"Our belief in that, and our desire to get it right led us to the wise decision to give this project additional time for further creative development. We strongly believe that this will serve all involved, including most importantly our audiences."...
- 2/23/2012
- WENN
The Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director announced the full cast and creative team for Art at The Pasadena Playhouse. Art, by Yasmina Reza stars Bradley Whitford, Michael O'Keefe and Roger Bart and will be directed by nine-time Emmy Award-winner David Lee. The production will perform January 24 - February 19 , with the official press opening on January 29, 2012.
- 11/11/2011
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Pasadena Playhouse's reorganization plan was approved yesterday after the theater filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy two months ago. The playhouse closed in February due to serious financial difficulties and is in the process of stabilizing itself after years of debt. Stephen Eich, the theater's executive director, said in a written statement, "We are deeply grateful for the collective support that has allowed the Playhouse to expeditiously move through this difficult and sometimes painful process." Earlier this year, Pasadena Playhouse received a matching pledge of $1 million from anonymous donors. In a statement, Sheldon Epps, the theater's artistic director, called the donation a "remarkably generous gift…. This care and concern for this theater and our work will allow the Playhouse to very soon get back to what it does best, which is filling our beautiful and glorious house with the art of the theater."...
- 7/8/2010
- backstage.com
New York – A musical celebrating Ray Charles is headed for Broadway this fall."Unchain My Heart" will open Nov. 7 with preview performances beginning Oct. 8.Producer Stuart Benjamin said Thursday the show would feature a book by Suzan-Lori Parks and direction by Sheldon Epps. Casting will be announced.Benjamin worked with the late singer for 15 years and produced "Ray," the hit movie about his life starring Jamie Foxx. Parks won a Pulitzer Prize for her play "Topdog/Underdog."An earlier version of the musical called "Ray Charles Live" was produced at California's Pasadena Playhouse in 2007.Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
- 3/12/2010
- backstage.com
Stuart Benjamin, a producer of the 2004 pic Ray, which helped Jamie Foxx win an Oscar, will bring Ray Charles’ life to Broadway in the fall.
Unchain My Heart, The Ray Charles Musical, featuring the music of Ray Charles with a book by Suzan-Lori Parks, will come to Broadway, with Sheldon Epps directing the production.
Set during Charles’ last live recording session, the musical “explores the strength, humor and musical genius of this legendary figure.” Unchain My Heart will feature some of Charles’ best-known hits including.
Casting will be announced at a later date, with previews set to begin October 8, with an opening on November 7.
For more information, visit www.UnchainMyHeartOnBroadway.com.
Unchain My Heart, The Ray Charles Musical, featuring the music of Ray Charles with a book by Suzan-Lori Parks, will come to Broadway, with Sheldon Epps directing the production.
Set during Charles’ last live recording session, the musical “explores the strength, humor and musical genius of this legendary figure.” Unchain My Heart will feature some of Charles’ best-known hits including.
Casting will be announced at a later date, with previews set to begin October 8, with an opening on November 7.
For more information, visit www.UnchainMyHeartOnBroadway.com.
- 3/12/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
(Director, writer, and filmmaker Floyd Mutrux, above.)
By Terry Keefe
It was the 1960s and a foursome took over the popular music charts in America, but they didn’t wear mop-tops. Right before the British Invasion, the girl group known as the Shirelles soared with hits such as “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Soldier Boy,” “Will You Still Me Tomorrow,” and “Baby It’s You,” amongst many others. The Shirelles were discovered by Florence Greenberg, an ambitious and very prescient New Jersey housewife who founded Scepter Records, and consequently changed the face of popular music forever. In her business life, Greenberg was a woman who dove right into the middle of a male-dominated record industry and created one of the most successful independent labels of the time, and on the personal side, she left her first marriage for a union with African-American songwriter Luther Dixon. The story of Greenberg,...
By Terry Keefe
It was the 1960s and a foursome took over the popular music charts in America, but they didn’t wear mop-tops. Right before the British Invasion, the girl group known as the Shirelles soared with hits such as “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Soldier Boy,” “Will You Still Me Tomorrow,” and “Baby It’s You,” amongst many others. The Shirelles were discovered by Florence Greenberg, an ambitious and very prescient New Jersey housewife who founded Scepter Records, and consequently changed the face of popular music forever. In her business life, Greenberg was a woman who dove right into the middle of a male-dominated record industry and created one of the most successful independent labels of the time, and on the personal side, she left her first marriage for a union with African-American songwriter Luther Dixon. The story of Greenberg,...
- 12/3/2009
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced today that Laughing Matters, a world premiere musical featuring a book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart (author of the international best-selling novel "Beaches"), music by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe's Café) and Artie Butler (Feelin' Alright by Joe Cocker), and directed by Leonard Foglia (Broadway's Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne), will be the final production of the 2009 Season entitled Women: The Heart and Soul of Theatre.
- 11/4/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Stephen Eich, Executive Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the West Coast Premiere of The Night Is A Child, a new play by Charles Randolph-Wright. Sheldon Epps (Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse's production of Ray Charles Live!, directs a cast of six led by JoBeth Williams (The Big Chill and Poltergeist). Preview performances begin August 28 with the official press opening set for Friday, September 4 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).
- 8/17/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Stephen Eich, Executive Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the West Coast Premiere of The Night Is A Child, a new play by Charles Randolph-Wright. Sheldon Epps (Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse's production of Ray Charles Live!, directs a cast of six led by JoBeth Williams (The Big Chill and Poltergeist). Preview performances begin August 28 with the official press opening set for Friday, September 4 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).
- 7/11/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Stephen Eich has been named executive director of the Pasadena Playhouse. Stepping into the new post July 1, he will work with artistic director Sheldon Epps and will manage all business and administrative functions of the theater.
His appointment was announced by Pasadena Playhouse board of directors chairman Michele Dedeaux Engemann and vice-chairman Sheila Grether-Marion.
At the Pasadena Playhouse, Eich steps into a post that opened several months ago when Brian Colburn resigned as managing director to take a new position at Seattle's Intiman Theatre.
A producer, manager, teacher, and director, Eich has spent 30 years in both the commercial and not-for-profit professional theater. From 1979 to 1995, he was the managing director of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
He produced Steve Martin's award-winning "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at Steppenwolf before taking it to Los Angeles' Westwood Playhouse, then to New York, Chicago, San Francisco and England.
He was co-producer of Paul Simon...
His appointment was announced by Pasadena Playhouse board of directors chairman Michele Dedeaux Engemann and vice-chairman Sheila Grether-Marion.
At the Pasadena Playhouse, Eich steps into a post that opened several months ago when Brian Colburn resigned as managing director to take a new position at Seattle's Intiman Theatre.
A producer, manager, teacher, and director, Eich has spent 30 years in both the commercial and not-for-profit professional theater. From 1979 to 1995, he was the managing director of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
He produced Steve Martin's award-winning "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at Steppenwolf before taking it to Los Angeles' Westwood Playhouse, then to New York, Chicago, San Francisco and England.
He was co-producer of Paul Simon...
Blues In The Night is a delightful compilation of material that celebrates the many styles associated with the music known as the blues. As conceived by Sheldon Epps, this musical follows three women and a saloon singer as they recall memories from their past in song form. The Black Rep's current production showcases four superb vocalists who bring their own unique talents to the work, creating a marvelous and uplifting experience, filled with enough genuine warmth and good humor, that it may well redefine how you feel about the blues.
- 6/13/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman?s The Little Foxes, which began rehearsals this week. Dámaso Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse?s critically-acclaimed production of Orson?s Shadow, directs a cast of ten led by Kelly McGillis as Regina Giddens (Top Gun and Broadway?s Hedda Gabler) and Julia Duffy as Birdie Hubbard (CBS?s ?Newhart?). Preview performances begin May 22 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).
- 4/30/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes, which began rehearsals this week. Dámaso Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse's critically-acclaimed production of Orson's Shadow, directs a cast of ten led by Kelly McGillis as Regina Giddens (Top Gun and Broadway's Hedda Gabler) and Julia Duffy as Birdie Hubbard (CBS's "Newhart"). Preview performances begin May 22 with the official press opening set for Friday, May 29 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).
- 4/30/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced today that Laughing Matters, a world premiere musical featuring a book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart (author of the international best-selling novel "Beaches"), music by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe's Café) and Artie Butler (Feelin' Alright by Joe Cocker), and directed by Leonard Foglia (Broadway's Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne), will be the final production of the 2009 Season entitled Women: The Heart and Soul of Theatre.
- 4/16/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Pasadena Playhouse
Through Feb. 22
British playwright Tom Stoppard has developed a sort of brilliant and brainy drawing-room comedy-drama that is his unmistakable signature. From the enigmatic "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" in 1967 to his latest, "The Invention of Love" (playing at London's National Theatre), Stoppard has managed to blend an inordinate amount of research, dazzling language and fascinating ideas. Along the way, he's managed to win a couple Tonys and New York Drama Critics Awards.
All this is vital preamble to Stoppard's "The Real Thing" (written in 1982). At best, it's solid stuff -- still a far cry from a Stoppard production at its best. Somehow, director Sheldon Epps has let the production flatten out and become much too academic and preachy.
Stoppard is never meant to be preachy. He's clever, biting, witty, passionate, ironic, enigmatic and full of incredible language and questions about the nature of writing (Stoppard is one of theater's great wordsmiths in the tradition of Shakespeare) and tenuous and ever-changing human relationships. With Stoppard, you really have to lean in, listen and ultimately work.
When the show was first staged more than a decade ago, it was done swiftly with a series of shifting panels, which blended past and present into a continuum -- part of Stoppard's conceit. With the revolving set of scenic designer James Leonard Joy and the lighting of Michael Gilliam, "The Real Thing" seems slower and set in an onstage world of reality instead of Stoppard's world of poetic leaps and bounds, where anything goes.
"The Real Thing" centers on playwright Henry (the apt Jeff Allin) and his search for the core of relationships, especially with his former actress-wife Charlotte (the solid Colette Kilroy), his current actress-wife Annie (the lovely Christina Haag) and teenage daughter Debbie (Annie Meisels, who is quite good). Scott Ferrara, David Purdham and David Mann add able support.
Against this backdrop of backstage relationships is the onstage business of Henry's plays, in which actors appear to act out their backstage relationship. As such, we get to see it both ways, once as theater and once as life, hence "the real thing." Soon the fact and the fiction blend, and we are left with the task of sorting things out for ourselves. It's not a simple task but well worth the effort.
THE REAL THING
Pasadena Playhouse
Director: Sheldon Epps
Playwright: Tom Stoppard
Scenic design: James Leonard Joy
Lighting design: Michael Gilliam
Costume design: Marianna Elliott
Sound design: Jeff Ladman
Cast:
Henry: Jeff Allin
Billy: Scott Ferrara
Annie: Christina Haag
Charlotte: Colette Kilroy
Brodie: David Mann
Debbie: Annie Meisels
Max: David Purdham...
Through Feb. 22
British playwright Tom Stoppard has developed a sort of brilliant and brainy drawing-room comedy-drama that is his unmistakable signature. From the enigmatic "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" in 1967 to his latest, "The Invention of Love" (playing at London's National Theatre), Stoppard has managed to blend an inordinate amount of research, dazzling language and fascinating ideas. Along the way, he's managed to win a couple Tonys and New York Drama Critics Awards.
All this is vital preamble to Stoppard's "The Real Thing" (written in 1982). At best, it's solid stuff -- still a far cry from a Stoppard production at its best. Somehow, director Sheldon Epps has let the production flatten out and become much too academic and preachy.
Stoppard is never meant to be preachy. He's clever, biting, witty, passionate, ironic, enigmatic and full of incredible language and questions about the nature of writing (Stoppard is one of theater's great wordsmiths in the tradition of Shakespeare) and tenuous and ever-changing human relationships. With Stoppard, you really have to lean in, listen and ultimately work.
When the show was first staged more than a decade ago, it was done swiftly with a series of shifting panels, which blended past and present into a continuum -- part of Stoppard's conceit. With the revolving set of scenic designer James Leonard Joy and the lighting of Michael Gilliam, "The Real Thing" seems slower and set in an onstage world of reality instead of Stoppard's world of poetic leaps and bounds, where anything goes.
"The Real Thing" centers on playwright Henry (the apt Jeff Allin) and his search for the core of relationships, especially with his former actress-wife Charlotte (the solid Colette Kilroy), his current actress-wife Annie (the lovely Christina Haag) and teenage daughter Debbie (Annie Meisels, who is quite good). Scott Ferrara, David Purdham and David Mann add able support.
Against this backdrop of backstage relationships is the onstage business of Henry's plays, in which actors appear to act out their backstage relationship. As such, we get to see it both ways, once as theater and once as life, hence "the real thing." Soon the fact and the fiction blend, and we are left with the task of sorting things out for ourselves. It's not a simple task but well worth the effort.
THE REAL THING
Pasadena Playhouse
Director: Sheldon Epps
Playwright: Tom Stoppard
Scenic design: James Leonard Joy
Lighting design: Michael Gilliam
Costume design: Marianna Elliott
Sound design: Jeff Ladman
Cast:
Henry: Jeff Allin
Billy: Scott Ferrara
Annie: Christina Haag
Charlotte: Colette Kilroy
Brodie: David Mann
Debbie: Annie Meisels
Max: David Purdham...
- 1/21/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.