INTERVIEW: TONY SPINOSA A new musical is making its world premiere in LA this winter. Presented by Dreamtone Productions in association with NewYorkRep, the new musical Singing Revolution: The Musical sets a tale of star-crossed lovers against the beautiful, moving and timeless true story of Estonia’s 1987 peaceful uprising against the Soviet Union. Featuring a crowd-pleasing Europop score by Tony Spinosa, who […]

INTERVIEW: KAROLE FOREMAN It’s a new season for theatre in LA—winter is over…mostly. And while the theatre scene is not quite the same as before, it is on the rise. So, now is the perfect time to get back out there and support local theatre starting with Blues in the Night at International City Theatre. […]

REVIEW: WEED SHOP THE MUSICAL BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO We are currently in a renaissance of new musicals—it’s a new golden age of musical theater. Perhaps, like Oklahoma was in 1942, Hamilton was the shot heard ‘round the world announcing that musicals are cool again. It also let producers know that there’s money to be made if […]

INTERVIEW: ANTHONY GRUPPUSO BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO Storybook Theatre is in its 35th consecutive season of providing wholesome family entertainment, produced under a union (Actors Equity) contract, making it the oldest local company to do so. All of its shows are tailored to young children (ages 3 to 9) and their families. Currently playing is The […]

INTERVIEW: JAKE LEVY & SAREEN TCHEKMEDYIAN BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO Following its run at the Pantages in October, Broadway’s Anastasia is now playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. In this Tin Pan L.A. exclusive performers Jake Levy and Sareen Tchekmedyian discuss what it’s like to be in the national touring cast of […]

INTERVIEW: CASEY CHRISTENSEN AND JENNIFER GOODMAN BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO Ten years in the making, conceived by Jennifer Goodman, Casey Christensen (book and lyrics), celebrity vocal coach Rachael Lawrence’s (music) musical Life in Boobs will have its debut at Second City Hollywood. The musical deals with the journeys many women face with their boobs, from training […]

REVIEW: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO 1964 was a great season for Broadway—it included Funny Girl, Hello Dolly!, Man of the Manchaand Fiddler on the Roof, the revival of which is having its Orange Country debut at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. It’s hard to believe that Fiddler is now fifty-five years old. Yet even so, […]

REVIEW: MATILDA BY RYAN LUÉVANO Matilda the musical is now on stage at 5-Star Theatricals with a splendid production that’s a treat for the whole family. This British import plays like a delicious British cake—it’s chock full of hilarious physical comedy, witty and charming songs, and storytelling that so perfectly from the across the pond. […]

BOOK REVIEW: DEFYING GRAVITY BY CAROL DE GIERE 512 pp. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. Paper, $29.99 By Ryan M. Luévano At seventy years young Stephen Schwartz is still dancing through life as one of the most prolific composer/lyricists of our time. This is means that Schwartz’s biographer, Carol de Giere has lots of ground to cover. […]

REVIEW: DEAR EVAN HANSEN BY RYAN LUÉVANO I remember when, the now six Tony-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen first appeared on my radar when it inconspicuously opened Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre in 2016. Within a short time the musical started creating a profound buzz, followed by winning a profusion of theatre awards. Then just the next […]