Author Archive: Glamour

Sleeping Giant at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood

Posted on by

ROAD THEATRE COMPANY
Presents the Second Show of its 2024-2025 Season…

The West Coast Premiere of

SLEEPING GIANT

Written by Steve Yockey
Directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky

Limited Engagement Opens Friday, January 17
at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood

Previews: Tuesday, January 14 at 8pm; Wednesday, January 15 at 8pm &
Thursday, January 16 at 8pm
Opens: Friday, January 17 at 8pm (Press Opening)
Runs: Friday, January 17, 2025 – Sunday, February 23, 2025
Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm
There will be two captioned performances for the deaf and hard of hearing
communities on Saturday, February 1 at 8pm and Sunday, February 8
at 2pm.
The Road Theatre, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony,
10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood.

Tickets: $39.00 (General Admission)
$25.00 (Seniors)
$17.00 (Students)
$15.00 (Previews)
Tickets available online at:
ww.roadtheatre.org or call 818-761-8838.

Hamlet at Ensemble Theatre Company

Posted on by

ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY 

Presents the Third Production of its 46th Season,

A Thrilling New Look at One of the Greatest Plays Ever Written…

HAMLET

 By William Shakespeare

Adapted and Directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck

 

Limited Engagement begins Thursday, February 6 

at The New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara!

HAMLET

by William Shakespeare

Adapted and Directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck

 

Previews: Thursday, February 6 at 7:30pm & Friday, February 7 at 8:00pm

Opens: Saturday, February 8 at 8:00pm (Press Opening)

Runs: Thursday, February 6 – Sunday, February 23, 2025

 

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm.

 

Added performances on Tuesday, February 11 at 7:30pm, Saturday, February 15 at 3pm, Wednesday, February 19 at 2pm and Saturday, February 22 at 3:00pm.

 

Ticket Prices range from $25 – $94

 

All Patrons 35 and under are always $35. Student tickets are $25. Prices subject to change.

 

Ensemble Theatre Company at The New Vic
33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara 

Comedy at Laguna Playhouse

Posted on by

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS 

COMEDY NIGHT

at The Playhouse

START THE NEW YEAR WITH LAUGHTER!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 AT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE! 

January 10, 2025…Laguna Beach, CA… With the funniest lineup this side of the canyon, LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE starts the New Year with another night of hilarity with its ongoing series, COMEDY NIGHT AT THE PLAYHOUSE.  COMEDY NIGHT AT THE PLAYHOUSE will perform on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:30pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Dr. in Laguna Beach.  For mature audiences.

Hosted by Mark Christopher Lawrence, this evening of stand-up is sure to get you laughing. Tapping into his extensive list of talented comedian friends Mark Christopher Lawrence is joined by hilarious comedians from all over Southern California, in the Playhouse’s ongoing Comedy Night series. Audience members can grab drink specials and free small bites in the lobby. 

Lineup:

HEADLINER: TRENTON DAVIS

A seasoned comedian with over ten thousand hours of stand-up under his belt, is emerging as a rising star in the comedy scene. With a string of notable achievements and a unique comedic style, Trenton’s performances have captivated audiences across the nation. Trenton embarked on his comedy journey in the vibrant city of Chicago, IL. It was there that he honed his craft, drawing inspiration from his diverse experiences and perspectives. His ability to find humor in life’s nuances and his keen observational skills quickly set him apart as one of the best new comedic talents of our generation. Trenton’s comedic prowess was recognized early on when he was named the runner-up in the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 2016. His talent and wit further shone through as he clinched the runner-up spot in the renowned NBC Standup for Diversity program. In 2015, he secured victory at the Sacramento Comedy Festival, solidifying his status as a comedic force to be reckoned with. Trenton continues to captivate audiences with his sharp wit and relatable humor. His performances are a testament to his dedication and passion for the art of comedy, leaving audiences laughing and longing for more. As Trenton continues to make waves in the comedy world, his unique voice and comedic genius promise to entertain and delight audiences for years to come. 

FEATURE ACT: THE SHOW

The SHOW with Adam & Sean are a musical comedy duo that have performed over 900 shows all over the country. They are based in SoCal and have been seen on CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, Disney, Netflix,, Hulu, XBox, and many more. They are made up of Adam Chambers and Sean Durrie and the two of them have been best friends for over 20 years.

OPENING ACT: ALEX DUONG

Alex Duong is an LA-based comedian/actor/writer originally from Dallas, Texas. His most recent credits include Historical Roast on Netflix, Bluebloods, and The OnlyFans Roast of Whitney Cummings. When he’s not traveling on the road for standup, he works as a Door Guy at The World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Tickets range from $44 – $54 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-2787. Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229.  Prices subject to change. The box office is open Tuesdays – Sundays: 12pm to 4pm; Mondays open 2 hours prior to show time and until 15 minutes after curtain.  Open until showtime on all performance days.

Musical Review: Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical

Posted on by

A heartfelt musical story of romance during Regency England is in full display at the Chance Theater in Anaheim.

In this production directed by Casey Long, Emma Woodhouse (Mandy Foster) embodies the woman who enjoys being the matchmaker of other people while neglecting her own romantic needs. In a period known as Regency England, the role of women was limited to that of an obedient housewife prepared to satisfy her husband’s needs. The educational and professional opportunities for women were few and with that, their economical prospects were dictated by the men around them. Screenwriter Jane Austen was one of the very few women who excelled in writing, a field dominated by men at the time.

Drawing from her own experiences, Austen created characters that exhibited the virtues and defects of the people around her. A keen observer of people’s behaviours, Austen’s Emma is a case study of England’s gentry and their attitudes towards the lower classes.

As much as Emma is a musical, the play infers the elitist vision of the landowners during the Regency period. The most obvious contrast of classes is the relationship between Emma and Harriet Smith (Sadie Alexander). According to Emma, Harriet is a sweet but unsophisticated girl that needs an urgent makeover. The relationship is imbalanced, as Emma is the dominant figure. Emma is tutoring Harriet to become an attractive match to a fine gentleman. The tutelage, however, turns into a contentious issue between Emma and her friend George Knightley (Jeff Lowe), another member of the English gentry. As Harriet falls in love with Robert Martin (Luc Clopton), she is encouraged by Emma to reject his marriage proposal for considering him below Harriet’s level, proving that Emma’s influence on Harriet, although good-intentioned, gets in the way of Harriet and Martin’s feelings and happiness. This leads to an argument between Emma and George, risking the possibility of a romantic relationship between them.

Casey Long presents a lively and engaging production that explores the different layers inferred in the text and subtext of Austen’s superlative script. Something that Long translates effectively is the palpitating romantic aura of the story through the interactions among the characters. Although Emma exhibits the negative characteristics of a spoiled and flawed woman of the upper class, she experiences a transformation that makes her mature into a more tolerable person, accepting the reality and variety of the people surrounding her privileged environment.

The play is, after all, a touching story to warm the audience’s hearts in a musical setting. Something worth mentioning is that Long’s production relies mainly on the direction, music, and exceptional performance of the cast. The set design is minimalist, making the actor’s performances the center of attention. The music, directed by Lex Leigh, is an exceptional element that brings out the romance and playfulness of Austen’s witty writing.

The synergy created by the voices of Foster, Lowe, and Alexander intensify the emotional rollercoaster of their respective characters, adding that special touch to this production. “This is How Love Feels” interpreted by Foster and “Emma” interpreted by baritone Lowe exemplify the awakening of the main character’s feelings for each other; the essence of their existence.

Foster is the main engine of this musical, and she delivers a rich character that navigates the strict expectations of a patriarchal society. But she also exhibits splashes of rebellion and freedom, aspirational states of countless people living in England at the time, especially women. Likewise, Alexander does a fantastic job as Harriet, a character that due to her level in classist England, has limited exposure to the experience and sophistication necessary to be more independent, thus making her more susceptible to Emma’s manipulation.

Emma is an example of the relevant impact of Jane Austen as a writer and as an iconic agent of change. It would be fair to say that Austen was influenced by the seismic changes taking place around the world during her lifetime, such as the French Revolution and the American Revolution, events that gave birth to a new concept of freedom and justice. The subtlety of Austen’s radical ideas is present in her writings, but one must be able to read between lines to really find and enjoy the call for action. This particular staging of Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical is a celebration of the extraordinary life and the novelty of ideas of a female writer who exalted the resilience and ingenuity of Regency women.

Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical

Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center
5522 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA  92807

Opening Night: Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m.
Performances: November 29 – December 22, 2024
Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m., Thursdays at 7:45 p.m. Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. & Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets: chancetheater.com

Book, Lyrics, and Music by Paul Gordon. Based on the novel by Jane Austen. Directed by Casey Long. Music Direction by Lex Leigh. Show Producers: In Memory of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar (Executive Producer). Samuel & Tammy Tang (Associate Producer). Bette & Wylie Aitken (Executive Season Producer). The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar (Associate Season Producer).

Cast: Mandy Foster as Emma Woodhouse, Jeff Lowe as George Knightley, Sadie Alexander as Harriet Smith, Glenn Koppel as Mr. Woodhouse, Deva Marie Gregory as Miss Bates, Davide Costa as Mr. Elton, Cynthia Espinoza as Mrs. Elton, Blake Rhiner as Frank Churchill, Sierra Jimenez as Jane Fairfax, Luc Clopton as Robert Martin, Jonathon Lamer as Mr. Weston, and Elisabeth Hunter as Mrs. Weston.

Creative team: Masako Tobaru and James Markoski as Production Designers, Bruce Goodrich as Costume Designer, with Gwen Sloan as Associate Costume Designer, Jordan Jones as Stage Manager, Laurie Smits Staude as Dramaturg, Wyn Moreno as Dialect Coach, James Markoski as Audio Engineer, and Carina Leland as Assistant Stage Manager.

Pasadena Dance Theatre announces Jean Michelle Sayeg & Eric Shah as the newly appointed Co-Artistic Directors

Posted on by
JEAN MICHELLE SAYEG & ERIC SHAH
Artistic Directors
PASADENA DANCE THEATRE
ANNOUNCES
JEAN MICHELLE SAYEG & ERIC SHAH
AS THE NEWLY APPOINTED CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
 THE BELOVED CLASSIC
“THE NUTCRACKER”
WILL BE THEIR FIRST PRODUCTION WITH THE ACCLAIMED ORGANIZATION
4 PERFORMANCES ONLY – DECEMBER 20 – 22, 2024
PASADENA, CA (November 21, 2024) – Pasadena Dance Theatre (PDT) announced today, after a wide-ranging, multiple year search, the PDT Board appointed Jean Michelle Sayeg and Eric Shah as the acclaimed dance organization’s Co-Artistic Directors.
 “We are confident that Jean and Eric will honor and build upon the more than 65-year legacy and foundation of Pasadena Dance Theatre as well as bring in new ideas and creative pursuits for the future. Jean received her pre professional training at PDT and throughout their professional careers, she and Eric have worked together extensively,” said Nancy Schmieder, Vice President of the Pasadena Dance theatre Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to seeing what they do with that synergy of past and future, together with their collaborative working relationship, here at PDT.”
Jean Michelle Sayeg, a proud PDT alum has a deep connection to the organization’s legacy. “Returning to PDT feels like coming home. I was fortunate to have excellent training from age eight to seventeen.” She went on to train further at San Francisco Ballet and spent several seasons performing as soloist and in principal roles at State Street Ballet and Smuin Ballet SF. Sayeg has performed on prestigious stages such as the War Memorial Opera House, Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Music Center. As she returns to lead PDT with co-director Shah, Sayeg is passionate about nurturing the next generation of students, just as her instructors did for her. “I’m so grateful to my mentors who developed our talents and gave us opportunities. They gave me the tools to have a successful career in dance, and now I’m driven to do the same for our students.
Eric Shah is excited to be co-directing this new production. Through his 20 years as a professional dancer and educator, he finds his greatest passion in the teaching, coaching, and mentoring of pre-professional and professional dancers. Together Eric and Jean will strive to connect and collaborate with local Pasadena arts organizations, and to grow and revitalize the legacy of the Pasadena Dance Theatre.
Alongside Sayeg & Shah, International Ovation Award Winning Lighting Designer Jared Sayeg will have full circle collaboration on the production, where his career began. “PDT embraced my eagerness as a young kid with a dream to work backstage: where I was fortunate to meet my mentor, lighting designer Liz Stillwell. The years I spent working on The Nutcracker and the relationships I made are some of my most memorable experiences that shaped my passion for design, dance, and theater. Coming back twenty-five years later with my sister and collaborating on the production where we got our start has been a gift. I hope the production continues to inspire audiences just as it did for us.”
In addition to announcing Sayeg and Shah’s appointment, Pasadena Dance Theatre announced that their annual holiday presentation of The Nutcracker will be the Co-Artistic Directors first production for the organization. The cherished tradition for families throughout southern California. Performances will take place at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse (320 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, California) on Friday, December 20th at 7:30 pm, Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 22nd at 2:00 pm. For information and tickets go to https://missionplayhouse.org.
Under their visionary leadership, this year’s Nutcracker will bring new life to the timeless tale. They have reimagined the production with fresh choreography and stunning design elements while honoring the classic Tchaikovsky score that has captivated audiences for generations. PDT’s Nutcracker tells the story of young Clara as she embarks on a magical journey to the Land of Sweets with her Nutcracker Prince. Filled with delightful characters, from the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Mouse King, and breathtaking performances by both world-renowned guest artists Aaron Smyth and Matisse Love.  The company includes PDT Alumni,  local professionals and the talented PDT conservatory dancers, this is a production that is not to be missed.
Added new elements, collaborations and cultural highlights will include The High Notes of the Pasadena Chorale singing live combined with the new choreography by Sayeg. In celebration of the Year of the Dragon, a time symbolizing good fortune, strength and power-two authentic Chinese Dragons will appear blending traditional movement with classical ballet.  Master Instructor Kin Lam will be coaching PDT dancers in the technical maneuvering of the Dragons. Arturo Fernandez, former Ballet Master Emeritus of Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet will be choreographing the sultry Arabian dance. Additionally, PDT is thrilled to collaborate with the U.S. National Men’s Four Acrobatic Gymnasts Team whose extraordinary athleticism will bring Russian dance to life with breathtaking skill.
Join Pasadena Dance Theatre for a spectacular holiday tradition and experience the magic of The Nutcracker. Proceeds from the performances will support PDT’s mission to enrich the cultural landscape of Southern California through exceptional dance education and performance.
Select a VIP ticket (available with any seat purchase and receive:
• A backstage tour
• Meet the dancers
• Photo opportunity on the Throne holding the Nutcracker
• A Sugar Plum Fairy gift bag
ABOUT PASADENA DANCE THEATRE:
Pasadena Dance Theatre (PDT) has been empowering and transforming lives through dance since 1958. As a vital cultural institution, PDT offers high-quality dance education and professional opportunities for dancers of all ages. Under the new leadership of Jean Michelle Sayeg and Eric Shah, PDT continues to inspire and enrich the community with dynamic programming and artistic excellence.
Follow PDT on Instagram and Facebook @pasadenadancetheatre
HEADSHOT AND ARTWORK COURTESY OF PASADENA DANCE THEATRE.
Note: Production Photos of The Nutcracker by Kirk Jackson.

Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles’ Holiday Concert at the historic Saban Theatre

Posted on by

Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles’
Holiday Concert
SUGARPLUM FAIRIES
is ONLY 3 weeks away
Featuring beloved classic melodies
on December 14 & 15 
at the historic Saban Theatre
Tickets are available at www.GMCLA.org!
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 21, 2024) – The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) lights up its 2024-2025 mainstage with SUGARPLUM FAIRIES in just three weeks! The nearly 200 member Chorus begins its 46th season of performances on December 14 and 15 at the historic Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills (8440 Wilshire Boulevard) in a program of song and dance conducted by Music Director & Conductor Ernest H. Harrison. Tickets are now on sale at www.GMCLA.org/SugarPlumFairies.
“GMCLA’s Holiday show always makes the Top Twenty LA Holiday Events List, and this year’s candy-coated edition will be no exception!” shared Executive Director & Producer Lou Spisto. “The Sugar Plum Fairy will come to life in a very special show filled with sweet holiday treats and pure fantasy. Our Fairy has summoned the Chorus to put on a show filled with candy coated hits and joyful confections that will bring us together, and we won’t stop until we’ve taken everyone to a world of ‘Pure Imagination’ with a tribute to the iconic music of the Wonka Films.”
Upcoming GMCLA Season 46 Schedule
RHINESTONE COWBOYS | March 22 & 23, 2025 
  DANCING QUEENS | June 21 & 22, 2025 
All concerts will take place at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. The GMCLA Season 46 three-concert subscription packages are $365 and are now on sale at www.GMCLA.org.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) 
GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES, under the leadership of Executive Director & Producer Lou Spisto and Music Director & Conductor Ernest H. Harrison, is in its 46th year of music and service. GMCLA continues to garner acclaim for artistic excellence while remaining deeply rooted in service to the Los Angeles community and beyond by promoting civil rights, tolerance, and acceptance through music. Founded in 1979 during the emergence of the gay rights movement, GMCLA spreads its message of love and acceptance with concerts across the globe and has raised its collective voice in the movement toward equality, social justice, the fight against the AIDS crisis, the fight for marriage equality, and all those seeking to find their own voice. GMCLA’s free community concert program has provided access to concerts to tens of thousands over the decades, and its research-based education programs have served over 90,000 young people throughout the Los Angeles region. In December 2023, GMCLA brought its beloved holiday concert to the Saban Theatre with Hooray for Holidays and returned in March 2024 with the pop-explosion We Love Boy Bands! In June 2024, GMCLA’s celebrated the Pride month with the Season 45 Finale, SOLID GOLD: Aretha, Dionne, & Whitney, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. In recent years, GMCLA has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl (with Hugh Jackman). Reaching global audiences, a GMCLA appearance at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards has gained more than 7 million online views. During the pandemic, GMCLA presented virtual concerts, special events, and school programs, reaching thousands of new and longtime fans. From Los Angeles and Ireland to Brazil and New Zealand, GMCLA’s streaming concerts were incredibly well received. Critics have proclaimed the Chorus “inspired” and “expressive, innovative and utterly moving,” and hailed GMCLA for presenting “meaningful entertainment.”
For more information about GMCLA visit:
www.GMCLA.org
Instagram: @GayMensChorusLA     TikTok: @GMCLA     Facebook: @GayMensChorusLA

It’s The Beatles! It’s Christmas! It’s Open Fist Theatre Company’s ‘BOTH: A Hard Day’s Silent Night’

Posted on by

It’s The Beatles! It’s Christmas! It’s Open Fist
Theatre Company’s ‘BOTH: A Hard Day’s Silent Night’

Charity concert benefits Heart Of LA
 

WHAT:
It’s The Beatles! It’s the Christmas story! It’s BOTH! Celebrate the holidays with Both: A Hard Day’s Silent Night, Open Fist Theatre Company’s annual holiday charity concert spectacular. A rockin’ choir and a swinging live band spread peace and joy, telling the Christmas story through effervescent Gospel arrangements of Beatles songs. Proceeds benefit Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), giving underserved kids an equal chance to succeed through a comprehensive array of after-school academic, arts, athletics and wellness programs.

WHO:
• Gospel Arrangements by Jason Paige
• Music Direction by Chris Wabich
• Choreography by Eboni Nichols
• Conceived by Mark Wilson

WHEN:
Seven performances Dec. 18 through Dec. 22::
• Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

WHERE:
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
• FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.

TICKETS:
$30
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), giving underserved kids an equal chance to succeed through a comprehensive array of after-school academic, arts, athletics and wellness programs: www.heartofla.org

VIDEO:
Click here to watch members of the BOTH choir sing “We Can Work It Out”

HOW:
www.openfist.org
(323) 882-6912

Ritch Shydner at the Odyssey

Posted on by

Ritch Shydner’s hilarious ‘History of Stand-Up’
comes to ‘Comedy Night’ at the Odyssey

One performance only: Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.
 

LOS ANGELES (November 22, 2024) — Everything is funnier at the Odyssey Theatre, where the company’s “Comedy Night” series is fast becoming one of the top spots to see stand-up in Los Angeles. Next up: the wildly funny Ritch Shydner presents his Ritch Shydner’s History of Stand-Up Comedy on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. Come see this hilarious celebration of this most American of art forms — and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. Stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments- and a cultural weathervane.  Come see this hilarious celebration of this most American of art forms — and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. Stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments- and a cultural weathervane.

The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, 90025. All tickets are $20, with an additional $3 per ticket fee if using a credit card.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 477-2055 or go to OdysseyTheatre.com.

International City Theatre honored as ‘Long Beach Legacy Business’

Posted on by

I N T E R N A T I O N A L   C I T Y   T H E A T R E

International City Theatre honored as
‘Long Beach Legacy Business’

LONG BEACH, Calif. (November 18, 2024) – International City Theatre has been honored as a “Long Beach Legacy Business” by the City of Long Beach’s Long Beach Heritage, a title conferred on organizations that contribute to a sense of history in the surrounding neighborhood, support the cultural life, diversity or identity of Long Beach, and actively work to create a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable community.

International City Theatre has been part of the Long Beach community since 1985, when Shashin Desai opened a 99-seat black box theater on the campus of Long Beach City College where he was chairman of the drama department. From the beginning, the fledgling company attracted critical acclaim and multiple awards – including the Los Angeles Drama Circle’s prestigious Margaret Harford Award for “Sustained Excellence in Theater.” In 1996, determined to build a high quality professional, mid-size theater company in the City of Long Beach, Desai began producing simultaneous seasons on the college campus and at the Center Theater in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. In 1999, the Long Beach City Council proclaimed International City Theatre the “Professional Resident Theater Company” at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. A year later, ICT made the choice to invest entirely in the downtown, mid-size theater with an annual five-play season. When Desai retired in 2011, ICT’s board of directors unanimously approved caryn desai, ICT’s general manager since 1990, to take the reins as producing artistic director.

In 2025, ICT will celebrate its 40th anniversary in what is now known as the Beverly O’Neill Theater in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. The season of five premieres will include the Los Angeles premiere of Desperate Measures, a foot-stompin’, knee-slappin’ musical inspired by Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, with a score by David Friedman and book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg; the American premiere of The Violin Maker by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum and Ronda Spinak, a powerful and uplifting new play,based on the stories of Violins of Hope, that tells the true story of Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein who gathered and restored violins damaged during the Holocaust; the Los Angeles premiere of The Angel Next Door, a screwball romantic comedy by Paul Slade Smith; the world premiere of Masala Dabba, the newest family drama by Los Angeles playwright Wendy Graf; and the Los Angeles premiere of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson–Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill, an irreverent, darkly comic, modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth and sidekick that re-examines the world’s most famous detective story through a bold new feminist lens.

In addition to its professional theater productions, ICT offers six community and educational outreach programs each year. The company’s commitment to the community also includes ongoing collaborations with Long Beach’s African American community and other groups and organizations. Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe called ICT “a cultural treasure.”

For more information about ICT’s 2025 season and to purchase subscriptions or single tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org

German short films competing for the 97th Oscars® 2025

Posted on by

German short films competing for the 97th Oscars® 2025

11 German and German-international short films have been submitted to the competition for the 97th Oscars® in the categories “Animated Short Film”, “Live Action Short Film” and “Documentary Short Film”, after winning a qualifying award or theatrical exhibition in the USA between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024:

Documentaries

AT THAT VERY MOMENT (EN EL MISMÍSIMO MOMENTO) by Rita Pauls, Federico Luis (12 min, 2023, AR/DE, Ruido, IDFA Award for Best Short Documentary International Documentary Festival Amsterdam 2023)
Festival screenings include: Zagreb Dox 2024, São Paulo 2024, Belo Horizonte 2024

I MAY ALWAYS ASK HER ANYTHING (ICH DARF SIE IMMER ALLES FRAGEN) by Silke Schönfeld (15 min, 2023, German Short Film Award 2023 – Documentary)
Festival screenings include: Oberhausen 2023, Dresden 2024

THOSE NEXT TO US by Bernhard Hetzenauer (30 min, 2023, DE/MX/AT/CH, Theatrical Run USA)
Festival screenings include: Telluride 2023, Diagonale Graz 2024, Vienna Shorts 2024, Guadalajara 2024

Live Action

ALEX IN THE FIELDS (ALEX IN DEN FELDERN) by Marie Zrenner (19 min, 2023, University of Television and Film Munich HFF, German Short Film Award 2023 – Fiction 10-30 Minutes)
Festival screenings include: Dresden 2024 (Goldener Reiter National Competition)

CRUST (KRUSTE) by Jens Kevin Georg (26 min, 2023, Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, ZDF/3sat, Narrative Grand Prize Indy Shorts Indianapolis 2024, Best International Short Film Award Odense Film Festival 2024 & Student Academy Award Narrative Silver Medal 2024)
Festival screenings include: Dallas 2024, Mecal Barcelona 2024, Durban 2024

Animation

BAIGAL NUUR – LAKE BAIGAL by Alisi Telengut (9 min, 2023, DE/CA, Best European Animation Film Go Short Nijmegen 2024)
Festival screenings include: Annecy 2023, Toronto 2023, Sundance 2024

JOKO by Izabela Plucinska (16 min, 2024, PL/DE/CZ, Claytraces, Wait a Second!, Grand Prix International Competition Animator – International Animated Film Festival Poznań 2024)
Festival screenings include: Krakow 2024, Annecy 2024 (Best Original Music), Sitges 2024, PÖFF Shorts Tallinn 2024

PACIFIC VEIN by Ulu Braun (12 min, 2024, Studio Ulu Braun, ASIFA Austria Award – Best Film International Competition Animation Avantgarde Vienna Shorts 2024)
Festival screenings include: Berlinale 2024, Guanajuato 2024, Sarajevo 2024, Uppsala 2024, Winterthur 2024

THE WILD-TEMPERED CLAVIER by Anna Samo (7 min, 2024, Tiger Unterwegs Filmproduktion, Theatrical Run USA)
Festival screenings include: Annecy 2024, Guanajuato 2024, Woodstock 2024 (Best Animated Short)

XANH by Thi Dang An Tran (12 min, 2022, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, German Short Film Award 2023 – Animation)
Festival screenings include: Interfilm Berlin 2023

ZOO by Tariq Rimawi (8 min, 2022, JO/DE, studioNICE, Theatrical Run USA)
Festival screenings include: Red Sea Film Festival 2022, Tangier 2023, Beirut 2023, Olympia 2023

On December 17, 2024, the “shortlists” of up to 15 titles each will be announced. The five nominated titles will be announced on January 17, 2025. The Oscar® ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025.

Qualifications for submission:
To be eligible to submit a short film to the Oscar competition, the film must have won a main prize at an international festival approved as “qualifying” by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Student Academy Award, or a national film award (e.g. German Short Film Award). Short films that haven’t been produced at film schools may alternatively qualify for submission through a minimum 7-day commercial theatrical release in the United States. The respective “qualifier” is indicated in parentheses.

The Academy doesn’t publish the titles of all submitted short films, so German Films can’t guarantee this listing is complete.