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Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for the murder mystery musical spoof "SOMETHING'S AFOOT" on Saturday, September 12 from 1 pm through 4 pm, and Sunday, September 13 from 6 pm through 9 pm. Callbacks, if needed, will be Monday, September 14 at 7 pm. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Catherine Rahm with choreography by Alison Mattiza, produced by Lori A. Marple Pereslete by special arrangement with Samuel French. Performance dates are November 13 to December 19, 2015...
It’s a mix and match weekend at the movies with something for everyone’s taste. And while there is some sweetness to be had, some of the tastes are proving a bit bitter. KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET A soulful and contemplative film of real beauty is the animated KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET. Based on nine of Gibran’s 26 philosophies set out in the best selling “The Prophet”, director Roger Allers taps into the talents of nine different animators, each with a different style, to create a mont...
It’s a big week for documentaries! Although showing on perhaps only one screen within a multiplex theatre and in specialty theatres like The Landmark which cater to these indie gems, each of this week’s documentaries are more than worth your attention. Informative, educational, eye-opening and entertaining, all are high on my “Must See” list for the year. BEST OF ENEMIES The 1968 presidential race forever changed the way television would provide election coverage; not to mention saving a lagging...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter There was a surprise at The Fabulous Forum on Saturday night at the Chicago/Earth, Wind & Fire – Heart & Soul concert. Both bands took the stage together for the first 20 minutes of the show and for the finale to wow the crowd. Having both lead singers – Philip Bailey (EWF) and Robert Lamm (Chicago) – sharing vocals on “Beginnings” was a real treat. Both highly distinctive voices. I’m sure the fans wished that both bands, 20 total musicians, would have...
These are the weeks when tentpoles are out, you’ve seen them at least once, and now you have a chance to see some new and overlooked gems. Not to be missed (and we’ll talk about them on my weekly show “Behind The Lens” and in my online reviews) are gems like the masterful and exquisitely crafted MR. HOLMES starring Sir Ian McKellan, Woody Allen’s IRRATIONAL MAN which is one of his most satiric, funniest and delightful romps to come around in a long while with a cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix...
It’s long been said that the best gifts are the ones in little packages; uh, or for the ladies out there, those little “Tiffany Blue” boxes (you know what I mean!). Well, Marvel has now joined the ranks of giving one of its biggest and best gifts in the smallest power-packed package ever - ANT-MAN. The film may be smaller scale than what we’ve seen in recent years from Marvel/Disney with “The Avengers”, “Iron Man” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchises, but it has the biggest heart I’ve...
“Girlfriend” opens at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City Sunday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. Featuring a book by Todd Almond and music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet, the rock musical about first love will continue through August 9. Previews began on July 12. Reprising their roles from the 2013 Actors Theatre of Louisville production of “Girlfriend” are Ryder Bach (Randy Newman’s “Harps and Angels” at the Mark Taper Forum) and Curt Hansen (“Parade” at the Taper and “Next to Normal” at the Ahmanson). The director is Les Waters, w...
Kentwood Players presents Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" from July 10 through August 15 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester. The production is directed by Valerie Ruel, produced by Heather Barnett and Kathy Dershimer by special arrangement with Samuel French. Featured in the cast are Veronica Alicino, Harold Dershimer, Lori Kaye, Louis Politan, Katie Rodriguez, Matthew Van Oss and Laura Wiggins...
In an effort to identify and nurture new talent, Richard Clar recently announced a $1000 award to help support young artists who are striving to further their careers as professional jazz musicians. The Mimi Melnick Double M Award for Young Jazz Talent has been established to honor Clar’s sister. In 1996 Mimi began hosting intimate jazz salons at her Encino home to support L.A.’s jazz community. Since her passing, this tradition has continued at the Mayme Clayton Library & Museum in Culver City. Mr. Clar said, “Mimi loved jazz more than anyth...
With summer in full swing and the kids out of school and parents looking for some entertainment for not only the kids, but themselves and something they can do as a family, movies are a traditional respite. The problem becomes, however, finding that family friendly entertainment beyond the guaranteed awesomeness of Disney and Pixar which, by the way, is in top form this summer with “Inside Out.” (If you haven’t seen “Inside Out” yet, run to your nearest theatre as fast as you can). But this...
Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for Don Nigro's Gothic thriller "Ravenscroft" on Saturday, July 11 from 10 am to 3 pm and on Sunday, July 12 from 7 pm to 10. Callbacks will be held on Monday, July 13 at 7 pm. Auditions and performances will take place at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester. Performance dates are September 11 to October 17 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by S...
The world premiere production of "How to be a Rock Critic" opened Wednesday, June 17 at 8 p.m. and continues through June 28 in a limited engagement of 12 performances at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Based on the writing of Lester Bangs, the rock critic who reached iconic status in the 1970s with his passionate, intellectually honest writing, "How to be a Rock Critic" will be performed in the theatre's rehearsal space, Upstairs@KDT. Presented as part of...
Pixar Animation Studios has done it again. Not only have they delivered what should prove to be the indisputable Best Animated Feature Academy Award winner come February 28, 2016, but a hot contender as an overall Best Picture nominee with INSIDE OUT. Breaking new ground with storytelling and technology, while retaining the hallmarks of what makes Pixar great, director Pete Docter and the Pixar team boldly go where no one has gone before - into the mind of an 11-year old girl. To say that...
Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie has set the 12th season at the CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. "I am pleased to announce a season with the range and imagination and talent that have come to define the Kirk Douglas Theatre," said Ritchie. "In 2005, Center Theatre Group opened the Kirk Douglas Theatre with the promise of adventurous, boundary-pushing fare – tantalizing, thought-provoking, moving and witty work that is making its mark on the local and national t...
Hard to believe that LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is entering its third decade as one of the crown jewels of film festivals but, officially running June 10th through 18th after a couple pre-fest sneak peaks at DOPE and Pixar's upcoming INSIDE OUT, that's exactly what's happening. And right along with LAFF, is my 21st year of bringing you opening day "Must See Festival Films" coverage. Kicking off the 21st LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is none other than Lily Tomlin and her latest film GRANDMA. Tomlin,...
There really is something for everyone this weekend at the movies with the release of some of the most anticipated films of the summer - INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3, LOVE & MERCY and SPY. SPY SPY is a balls-to-the-wall, mile a minute laugh fest starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law and Bobby Cannavale. Setting SPY apart from other McCarthy comedies which, let's face it, have been less than funny of late, SPY is smart and smartly written with a tightly crafted story and comedy,...
While I never wish ill on anyone or anything (except perhaps an annoying sibling or two), if "the big one" hits California and the San Andreas earthquake fault splits wide open, I won't shed any tears if every print, Blu-ray, DVD, digital coding and anything else that could ever replicate SAN ANDREAS the movie, falls into the abyss. (Joining that can be everything related to the concurrent VOD release, "San Andreas Quake" which is almost a mirror film but with a mother seismologist predicting...
People often complain that today's generation is so "uninspired", or there is nothing in the world today to inspire us to move forward with global unity to better the world in which we live in today or boldly venture forth into new worlds of the future. We have the technology. We have the skills. But where are the dreamers? One need look no further than Brad Bird's TOMORROWLAND for all that is needed to inspire the dreamer in each of us. Inspiring and hopeful, as much a visionary wonder of the...
While my love and admiration for Joss Whedon and the World of Whedon (not to mention the "Avengers" and that irascible Tony Stark aka Robert Downey, Jr.) knows no bounds, when it comes to AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, I have to admit that from a story standpoint and the execution thereof, the Russo Brothers still reign as the current kings in the Marvel world thanks to their inspired direction of "Captain America: Winter Soldier". I know, I know. Shocker to hear from this lover of Whedon and I can't...
Casting is set for "Girlfriend," which will begin previews at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City on July 12 with the opening slated for July 19. Featuring a book by Todd Almond and music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet, the rock musical about first love will continue through August 9. Reprising their roles from the 2013 Actors Theatre of Louisville production of "Girlfriend" will be Ryder Bach (Randy Newman's "Harps and Angels" at the Mark Taper Forum) and Curt Hansen...
As a part of their new partnership PLAY LA, Center Theatre Group and Humanitas will be accepting submissions starting June 1 for the Humanitas/CTG Playwriting Prize, which supports Southern California playwrights. Submissions will be accepted until June 30. Three finalists will be notified in mid-December and the winner will be announced at the 41st Annual Humanitas Prize Awards Luncheon in February of 2016. This is the first year Humanitas and CTG are awarding this annual prize. The annual Humanitas/CTG Playwriting Prize will be awarded to...
Boulevard Music will present six free concerts on Thursday evenings at 7 pm from July 9 through August 13 in the palm-lined courtyard of Culver City City Hall. Curated by producer Gary Mandell of Culver City’s Boulevard Music, Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival offers something for everyone: Latin and Flamenco rhythms with pop/rock/funk and electronic elements from Calé plus salsa, cumbia, and Latin jazz from Conganas (July 9); Classic Jazz/Blues with a superb trio of vocalists fronting the George Kahn Jazz & Blues Revue plus the loo...
The Culver City Chamber Orchestra will present "Family Concert, on Sunday June 14 at 4 p.m. at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City The concert will be presenting PETER AND THE WOLF" with special guest Alan Chapman, KUSC host as well as The Collenette School of Dancing, and Young Artist, Noelle Cho (15) who will be performing Vivaldi cello concerto. Tickets are now available through www.ccchamberorchestra.org or for information by calling (310) 397-2490. We accept...
Rehearsals began May 26 for the world premiere production of "How to be a Rock Critic," based on the writing of Lester Bangs, the rock critic who reached iconic status in the 1970s with his passionate, intellectually honest writing. Performances at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre begin June 17 and continue through June 28 in the theatre's rehearsal space, Upstairs@KDT. Presented as part of DouglasPlus, "How to be a Rock Critic" is a co-production with South Coast Repertory....
The 4th "Affair of The Arts" will take place on May 30 from 11 am to 7 pm and May 315 from 11 am to 6 pm in downtown Culver City at the intersection of Culver Blvd. and Main Street. The free outdoor festival showcases 60 of Southern California's premiere painters, photographers, sculptors, and glass, ceramics and jewelry artists. Visitors can shop the artists or just view. The Affair also features two days of live music, interactive activities for children, snacks and sweets. Downtown Culver City restaurants will be welcoming festival...
