07/16/2024
Another ! What’s your guess for this musical? Let us know in the comments.
Founded in 1982 by Mattachine Society pioneer Chuck Rowland, the award-winning Celebration Theatre
(67)
Another ! What’s your guess for this musical? Let us know in the comments.
Announcing our consultants for “Tales of the Transcestors” !
Stephanie Nohelani Teves (she/hers/‘oia) is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Women, Gender, and S*xuality Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she teaches courses on Indigenous feminisms and q***r theory. Her articles have appeared in American Quarterly, the American Indian Culture and Research Journal, The Drama Review, and the International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, received the Ford Foundation Postdoctoral and Dissertation Fellowships, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University in 2017. Teves is the author of Defiant Indigeneity: The Politics of Hawaiian Performance (2018) and co-editor of Native Studies Keywords (2015). Most recently, Teves is the PI of the LGBTQ Kupuna Oral History Project and is a Lead Researcher on a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Catalyst grant. She lives with her ʻohana in Honouliuli, Oʻahu.
Kieran Duhl (they/she) is a Black Q***r, non-binary artist, scholar and writer. They work at the intersection of education and organizing, with a passion for Islam, Black Feminist theory and praxis, and community building. Their appointments currently include managing a program for first-year underrepresented college students at Ohio State University and a position as one of the 2024 Sarah Hegazi Fellows for Q***r Crescent. As a Muslim revert, finding Q***r Muslim community has proved to be an incredibly valuable and meaningful resource to Kieran, and they are looking forward to supporting Celebration Theatre in bringing to life and uplifting stories of Q***r/Trans ancestors. BA in Journalism and Black Studies from Ohio State University.
Emma Pauly (they/she) is a PhD student in UCLA’s Department of Classics whose work centers on the q***r and divine body in Greek tragedy and archaic poetry, with a broader interest in antiquity’s reception, translation, reworking, and reclamation through contemporary theater and performing arts. They have also worked as a dramaturg, translator, and performer, obtaining an MA from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s International Acting Programme. Their translation of Euripides’ Bacchae (the focus of much of their research) has been published in The Mercurian and received staged readings in venues such as the University of Chicago’s Rhetoric and Poetics Workshop. The most recent iteration of this work is on display at this summer’s Celtic Classical Conference in Cardiff, Wales.
Announcing our selected writers and creative team developing new works for “Tales of the Transcestors”:
Azad Namazie (they/them)
Azad Namazie (they/them) is delighted to write for their first theatrical production after spending many years writing speculative poetry. Azad is a trans Iranian-Chilean multimedia artist and archivist from Los Angeles, CA. Their writing has appeared in or is forthcoming at Q/A Poetry, Rust & Moth, About Place Journal, and Mizna Journal. Azad also recently curated a pre-show archival exhibition of photographs, posters, zines, and related ephemera for A Third Space and works at the BLKNWS LibraryCafé. .epub
Blaire Battle (they/she)
Blaire Battle(they/she) is overjoyed to be back at Celebration Theatre after their debut in Billy to His Friends. As a writer, Blaire has been a Screencraft semi-finalist for their TV pilots with long-time creative partner Graham C. King. They have also written and co-written several works with their production company, The Stranger Kind. These include the space fantasy webcomic Song of the Rainbow Sea, the q***r sci-fi rock opera Dreamverse, and the post-apocalyptic transgender radio play The Transient Bliss of Death by Fallout. Keep up with Blaire’s q***r multimedia chaos on ig .battle or follow on all platforms.
Kaila Tacazon (they/he)
Kaila Tacazon (they/he) is a Native Hawaiian and Southeast Asian theatermaker. He has previously written for Aeneid Theatre Company's original show, "So Glad You Called," and multiple 24-hour play festivals with Modern Minority Theatre Company. This year, they directed an all-q***r and trans A Midsummer Night's Dream with Thespihonest Theatre Company. In addition, they directed Lane St. Sebastian's original q***r tragedy, apokalupsis, for the Hollywood Fringe Festival. He is a graduate of USC's School of Dramatic Arts and works as a teaching theatre artist.
June Carryl (she/her), Writer Mentor:
June Carryl was raised in Denver and attended Brown University, where she studied Political Science and English Literature. Her plays include N*GGA B*TCH (developed at Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre and the Vagrancy), THE WRONGED PARTY (2022 IAMA Theatre's Shonda Rhimes Unsung Voices Commission), COLOSSUS (2023 Ojai Playwright's Conference, semi-finalist 2021 O'Neill Playwrights Conference), BLUE (2023 Scotsman First Fringe Award, Edinburgh Fringe Festival), FLORENCE & NORMANDIE (Playwrights Arena and UCLA Diversifying the Classics) and GIRL BLUE (developed at CTG L.A. Writer's Workshop). An actor as well, her theater credits include Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret (Celebration Theatre), Gerty Fail in Failure: A Love Story (Coeurage Theatre), the Nurse in Romeo & Juliet (A Noise Within), A.C.T's Insurrection: Holding History, Berkeley Repertory's Civil S*x and Thick Description's Venus. Film and Television credits include: “Kemba," "Y: the Last Man,” “Helstrom,” and “Mindhunter.”
Nico Pang (they/he), Director:
Nico Pang (they/he) is a trans-Cantonese writer, director, and theatre artist crafting stories for liberated futures. Nico's artistry explores themes of ancestry, q***r and trans love, healing, and the ways we make and unmake family. Their work has been featured nationwide at East West Players, American Repertory Theater, LA Get Down Festival, and other venues. Most recently, Nico assistant directed a gender-expansive revival of A New Brain (Celebration Theatre) and acted in the world premiere of A Third Space: The Trans Conversation Project (Hollywood Fringe Festival). As a playwright, Nico's plays include Moonbow (Hantext at East West Players) and My Body Is a Season (SpeakEasy Stage). A facilitator and educator, Nico has coached poetry slam teams, developed q***r youth programming, and led trainings in the reproductive justice and trans liberation movements. They are based in Los Angeles through Boston, New Jersey, and the Chinese diaspora. IG:
. ***rbusiness
A wonderful time had by all at last nights HFF Discovery Fringe at Fringe Central
HFF24 DISCOVER FRINGE ARTS INDUSTRY
Panel: What’s Next After Fringe?
Panel (l-r)
Carly Barnhill -
Darren Lee Cole
Brittney S.Wheeler
Mohammed Ojarigi -
Larry Laboe -
We’re doing a PRIDE GIVEAWAY with some of our favorite q***r businesses and q***r focused events over on Instagram!
Swing on over to your insta app to enter!
Submit to our giveaway for a chance to win:
🏳️🌈 2 flex tickets to any Celebration performance for the 2024-2025 Season
🏳️🌈 A magazine from Feminist and LGBTQIA+ magazine of art, culture and feminism
🏳️🌈A hat from Gay Pride Apparel
🏳️🌈2 Tickets to the upcoming Ben Platt Concert at The Greek Theatre, July 20th - with special guest Brandy Clark.
🏳️🌈An arrangement from q***r woman owned Succ On This
🏳️🌈A pair of tickets to Bspokela’s film festival on July 17th, Short Stacks (open bar happy hour with pancakes, followed by a screening of short films, then a short Q&A with the filmmakers, and awards)
Here’s how you can enter the giveaway:
💕Follow all of the businesses and platforms involved, we check 😉 = 1 entry each
💕Comment with a ( q***r flag pride emoji) = 1 entry
💕Share this to your stories and tag us! = 1 entry
💕 Comment and tag a friend you’re taking with you to our shows and to see Ben Platt and Bspoke LA’s film fest event = 2 entries
💕The more entries you have, the more opportunities you get to win!
We will close the giveaway at midnight PST on Sunday, June 30th and announce the winner Monday, July 1st!
Happy Pride
We’re doing a PRIDE GIVEAWAY with some of our favorite q***r businesses and q***r focused events!
Prizes and how to enter will be announced tomorrow! 💕💕💕💕💕💕
***rbusiness 🌈 ***rartists
Brittney talks about the importance of supporting live theatre! Please consider donating to our Pride Giving campaign this month, so we can keep bringing these crucial artistic pieces to Los Angeles!
Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/06a37e9d-af7a-4d43-a270-b53b5d5b3f12
June means Pride, but at Celebration Theatre it’s also the end of our fiscal year. The live arts have gone through so much these past few years and we’d love your help to end ours strong. Our total funding goal in June is $15,000. Purchase one of our exclusive tees for $75 or more to show your support and your PRIDE!
These t-shirts, designed by company member David Adly Garcia (davidadlydesigns.com), are otherwise only available to company volunteers, staff, and board. But it can be yours, too, with your generous donation. The shirt front features Celebration’s dynamic logo, while the back illustration (with vintage 1960s flair, think Stonewall Era!) depicts theatre masks with a word cloud selected by our company members and highlighting our mission: Entertain. Inspire. Empower.
Net donation proceeds directly benefit Celebration Theatre’s General Fund to support operating costs for our LGBTQIA+ theatre programs. Please be as generous as you can. We need you and appreciate your participation to help us continue serving our community!
Link in the bio for more info!
Celebration Productions Corporation d/b/a Celebration Theatre is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law (EIN 82-1111453).
Ricky tells us some their favorite memories of impactful theatre!
If you agree that we NEED live theatre, please consider donating to our Pride Giving campaign ( link in bio). It’s more important than ever to invest!
We have extended our deadline for submissions for writers of TALES OF THE TRANSCESTORS. Nico (they/he) breaks down what we’re looking for in the video above! Submit by clicking the here: wkf.ms/4dqrkkR
Submissions due June 7th!
Our CT alums are the real MVPs of our events! Thank you, Michael, for working both last year and this year’s event!
💕
Love is magic y’all! Eric B. Anthony tells it like it is! While we have your attention, we’d like to brag a little on this CT alum! He made his Broadway debut in The Lion King, and went on to the Broadway casts of Hairspray and Mary Poppins. Recently he was in our hilarious reading of MANNIE.
Calling all theatre lovers! With your donation, we can continue to produce groundbreaking productions that challenge norms and inspire audiences. Give today and be a part of something extraordinary!
https://linktr.ee/celebrationtheatre
BILLY TO HIS FRIENDS
A Staged Reading
Written by Cassandra Rose (she/her)
Directed by L. Elleseg (they/them)
Produced by Nate Mathis (he/him) .mathis
Cast:
Mario Burrell (he/him) as Oliver “Billy” Sipple
Ethan Crenshaw (he/him) as Harvey Milk
Brooke Seguin (she/her) as Ensemble 1
Camila Camaleón (she/her/ella) .camaleon as Ensemble 2
June Carryl (she/her) as Ensemble 3
Tom Trudgeon (he/him) as Ensemble 4
John Colella (he/him) as Ensemble 5
Blaire Battle (they/she) .battle as Ensemble 6
Marine and war veteran Oliver Sipple, or “Billy” to his friends, stopped an assassin from killing President Gerald Ford in San Francisco on September 22nd, 1975. Two days later, Harvey Milk outed him as gay to the entire world. Years later, a diverse group of visitors at the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco are compelled to share Billy’s story as a reminder of what being outed has cost us...both then and now.
Running Time: 90 Minutes, No Intermission
Tix: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=237857 (link in bio!)
Celebrating New Works (CNW) is Celebration’s long-running new play reading series designed to shine a light on new and emerging voices within the LGBTQ+ community and the stories about/for them.
Join us and this incredible cast for a reading of BILLY TO HIS FRIENDS, A Staged Reading.
Wednessday, May 22nd at 7:30 PM
Davidson/Valentini Theatre
Los Angeles LGBT Center - ticket link in bio!
Written by Cassandra Rose (she/her)
Directed by L. Elleseg (they/them)
Produced by Nate Mathis (he/him)
Mario Burrell (he/him) as Oliver “Billy” Sipple
Ethan Crenshaw (he/him) as Harvey Milk
Brooke Seguin (she/her) as Ensemble 1
Camila Camaleón (she/her/ella) as Ensemble 2
June Carryl (she/her) as Ensemble 3
Tom Trudgeon (he/him) as Ensemble 4
John Colella (he/him) as Ensemble 5
Blaire Battle (they/she) as Ensemble 6
Link for tickets:
app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=237857
Marine and war veteran Oliver Sipple, or “Billy” to his friends, stopped an assassin from killing President Gerald Ford in San Francisco on September 22nd, 1975. Two days later, Harvey Milk outed him as gay to the entire world. Years later, a diverse group of visitors at the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco are compelled to share Billy’s story as a reminder of what being outed has cost us...both then and now.
We’re obsessed with this Baba Yaga creation by 🪺🌿
“In this look I sought to work through my frustrations with men and the societal obsession around youth. Realizing it’s all a perpetuated lie used to justify the predatory nature of men forced upon women. Baba Yaga will forever inspire me. As her story is loaded with parallels that we still deal with today. So here is my homage to the great Baba Yaga 🌿” -
BILLY TO HIS FRIENDS
A Staged Reading
Written by Cassandra Rose (she/her) Scripts by Cassandra Rose
Directed by L. Elleseg (they/them)
Produced by Nate Mathis (he/him) .mathis Nathaniel Mathis
Marine and war veteran Oliver Sipple, or "Billy" to his friends, stopped an assassin from killing President Gerald Ford in San Francisco on September 22nd, 1975. Two days later, Harvey Milk outed him as gay to the entire world. Years later, a diverse group of visitors at the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco are compelled to share Billy's story as a reminder of what being outed has cost us...both then and now.
Cast:
Mario Burrell (he/him) as Oliver "Billy" Sipple
Ethan Crenshaw (he/him) as Harvey Milk
Brooke Seguin (she/her) as Ensemble 1
Camila Camaleón (she/her/ella) as Ensemble 2
June Carryl (she/her) as Ensemble 3
Tom Trudgeon (he/him) as Ensemble 4
John Colella (he/him) as Ensemble 5
Blaire Battle (they/she) as Ensemble 6
Running Time: 90 Minutes, No Intermission
Tix: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=237857 (link in bio!)
Celebrating New Works (CNW) is Celebration’s long-running new play reading series designed to shine a light on new and emerging voices within the LGBTQ+ community and the stories about/for them.
Tales of the Trancestors is an interpretive theatrical telling of TGNC (trans and gender non-conforming) stories across history. Often utilizing music, poetry, and one-acts, our artists bring to life the diverse experiences of those who came before us.
This year’s iteration and theme explores and uplifts untold folklore, narratives, mythologies, and deities where the subjects transcend gender. Our focus is on q***r joy in all of its forms.
Seeking 3 TGNC2S Writers for an extended, guided writing process that will result in a full production with actors in August at the Los Angeles LGBT Center co-directed by Dean Grosbard (he/him) and Nico Pang (they/them)! Established writer mentors and religious/cultural scholars will be involved. Actor casting will occur in July.
This is a paid offer.
Instructions:
· Submit a Headshot/Resume.
· Submit a 3-5 page (maximum) Writing Sample of your best work.
· Submit a 1-2 minute video telling us about you, detailing a historical TGNC2S religious, cultural, or spiritual narrative or deity you admire and how you would bring the story to life on stage.
Please apply at https://wkf.ms/4dqrkkR (link in bio)
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 24, 2024, 11:59pm
Start your week off right 🥰 then grab your tickets for our parody reading on Tuesday, May 14th. More details below.
Original video TT: Wibble Wobbs
LIVE UNAUTHORIZED PARODY READING:
MOMMIE DEAREST
“TINA! BRING ME THE AX!”
From the folks who brought you last year’s sold-out smash “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane,” join Celebration Theatre for the second edition of its outrageous new series “Camp Classics!”
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30pm
Stache WeHo
8941 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
SAM PANCAKE is Faye Dunaway is Joan Crawford, JONNIE REINHART as Christina with DANIELE GAITHER and NATHAN FRIZZELL as Ensemble.
Directed by ALLI MILLER
Adapted by NATHAN FRIZZELL
Produced by COREY LYNN HOWE
Graphic by David Adly Garcia
Tickets: https://celebrationtheatre.org/mommie
Latino Theater Company’s Jose Luis Valenzuela directs this big-hearted, feel-good comedy with live music about familia, amor and tradición. It’s the 1970s and women can’t be mariachis…or can they? Lucha spends her days caring for her mother and yearning for more. Defying expectations, Lucha...
“Fat Ham” at The Geffen Theatre closes next week! See why it’s been extended twice, get your tickets and use our code CTHAM for a free drink and it benefits Celebration Theatre!
www.geffenplayhouse.org/shows/fat-ham
LIVE UNAUTHORIZED PARODY READING:
MOMMIE DEAREST
"TINA! BRING ME THE AX!"
From the folks who brought you last year's sold-out smash "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane," join Celebration Theatre for the second edition of its outrageous new series "Camp Classics!"
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30pm
Stache WeHo
8941 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
SAM PANCAKE Sam Pancake is Faye Dunaway is Joan Crawford, JONNIE REINHART as Christina with DANIELE GAITHER and NATHAN FRIZZELL as Ensemble.
Directed by ALLI MILLER Alli Miller
Adapted by NATHAN FRIZZELL Nathan Frizzell
Produced by COREY LYNN HOWE Corey Lynn Howe
Graphic by David Adly Garcia
Tickets: https://celebrationtheatre.org/mommie
We know that courtyard! A resounding congratulations to Raven for your Bayard Rustin Award! Regram
Joining us in celebration of , honoree accepts the Center’s Bayard Rustin Award for her trailblazing career as a Black q***r entertainer. She proudly shared: “That’s So Raven was filmed right across the street. I’ve been looking over at this [Center] building since I was 15 years old, when I had not said I was gay…So it feels like a dream to be able to come here today and stand here and say, ‘I’m GAY!’” 🌈💜🖤
We can’t unhear it. It’s just SO GOOD. Regram
According to co-executive producer Debra Martin Chase, “It was Atlantic [Records] that didn’t want to do it. Clive Davis at Arista was like, “We should do it just because it’s so great. It just deserves to be released.” He really tried to convince Atlantic, but Atlantic thought that it would hurt Brandy’s recording career. Because it was so poppy and mainstream, and they were really focused on selling her as an Urban artist.”
“Fat Ham” at Geffen Playhouse is extended until May 11th! Don’t forget@to use our code CTHAM so Celebration can benefit from your sale! Plus each ticket gets a free drink! Link in bio: https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/shows/fat-ham/
Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30pm Celebrating New Works presents a reading of “Billy To His Friends” by Cassandra Rose at the Davidson/Valentini Theatre, Los Angeles LGBT Center - tickets available on our website soon!
Spotlight on the playwright: Cassandra is proud to be a playwright, screenwriter, and narrative designer— often at the same time. Originally from Rockford, IL (go Peaches!), her sordid past includes growing up doing historical reenactment, giving tours in a science museum’s coal mine, and working in a literacy nonprofit. As a playwright, she followed up a BA in Playwriting at Columbia College Chicago with her self-produced The Dictionary Project, Chicago Dramatists’ Tutterow Fellowship (The Amen Trilogy), Stage Left Theatre’s Downstage Left Residency (The Volunteer), and Broken Nose Theatre’s The Paper Trail (Billy to His Friends). Most recently, a workshop production of the start of her q***r steampunk play, Skyflint, was part of Haven Chicago’s Director’s Haven 7. As a screenwriter, she won the Scripted Digital Series award at Austin Film Festival in 2022 with Walk Into A Bar. And as a narrative designer, she shipped 3 titles for the romance video game Chapters: Interactive Stories. Cassandra is repped by Jacob Hayman at Citizen Skull. Find her at linktr.ee/scriptsbyrose
Congratulations to our friends and community members on your respective awards! ***r
Socks Whitmore Boni Alvarez David Tran Mayor John M. Erickson Ph.D
No notes! Please give us a full production of “Chicago” based on this number! Repost
6320 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
90038
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Another #musicalmonday ! What’s your guess for this musical? Let us know in the comments. . . . . #gayweho #musicals #broadway #broadwaymemes #broadwayworld #broadwaymusical
Brittney talks about the importance of supporting live theatre! Please consider donating to our Pride Giving campaign this month, so we can keep bringing these crucial artistic pieces to Los Angeles! Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/06a37e9d-af7a-4d43-a270-b53b5d5b3f12
Ricky tells us some their favorite memories of impactful theatre! If you agree that we NEED live theatre, please consider donating to our Pride Giving campaign ( link in bio). It’s more important than ever to invest!
POV: You’re about to produce a Gala to support one of the oldest queer theatre companies in the world!
We have extended our deadline for submissions for writers of TALES OF THE TRANSCESTORS. Nico (they/he) breaks down what we’re looking for in the video above! Submit by clicking the here: wkf.ms/4dqrkkR Submissions due June 7th!
Happy Pride Month! 🌈 As one of the country’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ theatres, Celebration Theatre is proud to have a rich history of creating award-winning, inspiring, and entertaining productions celebrating the LGBTQIA+ experience. From new voices to reimagined classics, we continue to grow and evolve with our vibrant community. Join us in celebrating love, diversity, and the power of theatre this Pride Month! 🎭✨ #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #CelebrationTheatre #LoveIsLove
Love is magic y’all! Eric B. Anthony tells it like it is! While we have your attention, we’d like to brag a little on this CT alum! He made his Broadway debut in The Lion King, and went on to the Broadway casts of Hairspray and Mary Poppins. Recently he was in our hilarious reading of MANNIE. Calling all theatre lovers! With your donation, we can continue to produce groundbreaking productions that challenge norms and inspire audiences. Give today and be a part of something extraordinary! https://linktr.ee/celebrationtheatre
We’re obsessed with this Baba Yaga creation by @mmcustomart 🪺🌿 “In this look I sought to work through my frustrations with men and the societal obsession around youth. Realizing it’s all a perpetuated lie used to justify the predatory nature of men forced upon women. Baba Yaga will forever inspire me. As her story is loaded with parallels that we still deal with today. So here is my homage to the great Baba Yaga 🌿” - @mmcustomart #babayaga #sfxmakeup #creepy #folklore
Start your week off right 🥰 then grab your tickets for our parody reading on Tuesday, May 14th. More details below. Original video TT: Wibble Wobbs LIVE UNAUTHORIZED PARODY READING: MOMMIE DEAREST “TINA! BRING ME THE AX!” From the folks who brought you last year’s sold-out smash “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane,” join Celebration Theatre for the second edition of its outrageous new series “Camp Classics!” ONE NIGHT ONLY! Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30pm Stache WeHo 8941 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 SAM PANCAKE @thesampancake is Faye Dunaway is Joan Crawford, JONNIE REINHART @jonniereinhart as Christina with DANIELE GAITHER @daniele_gaither and NATHAN FRIZZELL @nathanfrizzell as Ensemble. Directed by ALLI MILLER @allithrillermiller Adapted by NATHAN FRIZZELL Produced by COREY LYNN HOWE @coreylynnhowe Graphic by David Adly Garcia @davidadlygarcia Tickets: https://celebrationtheatre.org/mommie
Start your week off right 🥰 then grab your tickets for our parody reading on Tuesday, May 14th. More details below. Original video TT: Wibble Wobbs LIVE UNAUTHORIZED PARODY READING: MOMMIE DEAREST “TINA! BRING ME THE AX!” From the folks who brought you last year’s sold-out smash “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane,” join Celebration Theatre for the second edition of its outrageous new series “Camp Classics!” ONE NIGHT ONLY! Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30pm Stache WeHo 8941 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 SAM PANCAKE @thesampancake is Faye Dunaway is Joan Crawford, JONNIE REINHART @jonniereinhart as Christina with DANIELE GAITHER @daniele_gaither and NATHAN FRIZZELL @nathanfrizzell as Ensemble. Directed by ALLI MILLER @allithrillermiller Adapted by NATHAN FRIZZELL Produced by COREY LYNN HOWE @coreylynnhowe Graphic by David Adly Garcia @davidadlygarcia Tickets: https://celebrationtheatre.org/mommie
We know that courtyard! A resounding congratulations to Raven for your Bayard Rustin Award! Regram @lalgbtcenter Joining us in celebration of #BHM, #HighlyFavored honoree @ravensymone accepts the Center’s Bayard Rustin Award for her trailblazing career as a Black queer entertainer. She proudly shared: “That’s So Raven was filmed right across the street. I’ve been looking over at this [Center] building since I was 15 years old, when I had not said I was gay…So it feels like a dream to be able to come here today and stand here and say, ‘I’m GAY!’” 🌈💜🖤 #gay #imgay #RavenSimone #thatssoraven #lgbtqia
We can’t unhear it. It’s just SO GOOD. Regram @goldenerastories According to co-executive producer Debra Martin Chase, “It was Atlantic [Records] that didn’t want to do it. Clive Davis at Arista was like, “We should do it just because it’s so great. It just deserves to be released.” He really tried to convince Atlantic, but Atlantic thought that it would hurt Brandy’s recording career. Because it was so poppy and mainstream, and they were really focused on selling her as an Urban artist.” #brandy #whitneyhouston #musicaltheatre
No notes! Please give us a full production of “Chicago” based on this number! Repost @jnbldwn #chicagomusical #chicagothemusical #broadwaymusical #wehonightlight
Iconic! #MusicalMondays Regram @watching_classicmovies Rest in Peace, Chita Rivera. I know she lived for the stage, but I'm grateful there are lots of TV show appearances where she can be admired forever. And there's Sweet Charity (1969). This number with Shirley MacLaine and Paula Kelly is a guaranteed mood lifter. #musical #musicaltheatre #broadway #broadwaytheatre
Last month, we had a gorgeous gala honoring our own! Thanks so much to everyone who attended, performed and those who supported us! We love our community. #theatre #weho #gayweho #hollywoodlife
West Hollywood Drag Story Hour! We love it! Repost @wehocity Did you *miss* Miss Barbie-Q for Drag Story Hour? Here's a quick recap of the event! Drag Story Hour is a series of Saturday-morning story time readings by drag performers for children of all ages presented by the City of West Hollywood in partnership with the West Hollywood Library. The program aims to create a safe and welcoming space for children and their families to explore the beauty of diversity, acceptance, and self-expression! ❤️ Book 📚 your calendar for the next Drag Story Hour on Saturday, April 13 at 11 AM and we'll see you at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard! #dragqueens #drag #dragstoryhour #storytime #weho
How could we forget these stars of “A New Brain”? These talented performers lent their voices to our Gala last month, and we are so grateful! We adore you!
Don’t miss the chance to be interviewed by our social media marketing specialist, Sarah. She’s fun and certainly not biased. ;) Last chance to grab your ticket to the Gala happening tomorrow!!! Don’t miss fun in the courtyard and incredible performances from special guests, company members, and cast members! #theatre #weho #westhollywood
From the Playbill vault! Which number are you most excited to see in person? Book your tickets in advance: https://linktr.ee/celebrationtheatre @playbill #musicaltheatre #broadwayshow #theatrearts #wehonights🍸 #wehonightlife
Founded in December 1982 by gay rights pioneer Chuck Rowland (co-founder of the historic Mattachine Society) when he leased a storefront in Silverlake, the nonprofit was expressly organized as a community theatre "of, by, and for gay and le***an people and their friends."
In 1992, the company moved to a 64-seat Equity waiver space in West Hollywood. The theatre’s vision became more audience-focused and quickly achieved major artistic recognition as an incubator for new works. Many shows have enjoyed success beyond Los Angeles, most notably the Public Theatre production of Chay Yew's A Language of Their Own and the international musical comedy hit, Naked Boys Singing! Other productions have played Off-Broadway, including Men on the Verge of a His-Panic Breakdown (Guillermo Reyes) and Play It Cool (Larry Dean Harris), with Pinafore! (adapted by Mark Savage) winning Best Production at the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival. The Ballad of Little Mikey (Mark Savage) also toured a dozen U.S. cities. In 1999, the theatre was granted permission by Stephen Sondheim for the only gay version of Marry Me A Little, conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene.
Since then, our Los Angeles-based company has consistently mounted theatrical productions representative of, and in support of, the q***r community: always with a sharp focus on inclusion, visibility, and pride. Our theatre and artists – performers, writers, directors, designers, musicians, producers – have been recognized by GLAAD, NAACP, LA Ovation Award and other benchmarks for excellence.
Many writers, performers, and LGBTQ luminaries have graced our stages over the years, including: Leslie Jordan, Michael Kearns, Linda Lavin, Robert O'Hara, Tom Jacobsen, Robert Patrick, Patricia Loughrey, Adam Bock, Jim J. Bullock, Alexandra Billings, Sammy Williams, Shangela, Willam, Chad Allen, Michael Grant Terry, Rick Cosnett, Thomas James O'Leary, LaToya London, Drew Droege, Tom Lenk, Matt Wilkas, and many more.
Celebration leadership through the years has included former artistic directors Robert Schrock, Richard Israel, Derek Charles Livingston, John Michael Beck, and Michael Matthews. From 2008-2019, the organization was under the executive leadership of Executive Director Michael C. Kricfalusi, with long-running support from Managing Director Michael O’Hara. Currently, the nonprofit is led by Executive Director Christopher Maikish and Artistic Director Michael A. Shepperd. Our company-led management team has made an extraordinary contribution of volunteer hours since the organization's inception.
Beyond our main stage season (which garnered a Best Season award in 2009 from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle), we present a range of "off-night" and "late night" stage programs throughout the year. For several years, we’ve partnered with the City of West Hollywood for our "Celebrating New Works" reading series. The theatre also has engaged in community partnerships with q***r youth at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Congregation Kol Ami, among others.
In 2015, Celebration relocated to The Lex Theatre in Hollywood after two years of roaming Los Angeles. At that time, some in our community were questioning if q***r theatre was still needed/relevant in a post-marriage equality environment. Needless to say, we believe the current national discourse (and the resulting uptick in anti-q***r violence) demonstrates that our loud voices are more relevant and necessary than ever before. Celebration continues to provide a safe and supportive forum for professional and emerging LGBTQ writers, directors, designers, and performers, giving voice to the full experience of q***r culture. We plan to celebrate our community through entertaining, inspiring, and empowering art into the next forty years and beyond.
This is an evolving narrative. If you feel we have made an omission, please contact us at [email protected]
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