I’m providing even more information on Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd for the simple reason that, well, I think this is America’s finest contribution to musical theatre. To be honest, though, it really is everywhere—from the giant poster on Santa Monica Blvd. and Highland Avenue to the multitude of posters lining the bus stops all over the greater Los Angeles area (I really don’t venture anywhere outside of L.A. unless I have to.) On top of that, Stephen Sondheim will be making a rare appearance at UCLA in March and the re-envisioned Broadway revival will be making a pit stop in downtown around that same time. So, for all those Angelinos looking to reacquaint themselves with the demon barber, or for the new fans that can’t get enough of it, mark your calendars!

Until them, let me break down the three versions now available:

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How does one in good conscience turn a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the difficult early 20th century lives of black women in particular and black people in general into a musical about love? Oprah Winfrey’s production of The Color Purple, which is currently at the Ahmanson Theatre, attempts to do just that. The fact that Oprah is able to sleep at night, basking in the glory of the musical’s success while ignoring its larger implications, is disturbing, but not surprising.

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Think of it as a crash course for Sondheim newbies. The recent release of Tim Burton’s version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is a streamlined version that has managed to translate beautifully to the screen, but not without its faults. As of yesterday, it has won two of the four golden globe nominations for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actor Johnny Depp in a Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy. Now, the Oscar speculation begins. Not bad for a dark story about revenge, murder, and human meat pies—all set, of course, to music.

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Not much happens during the period between Christmas and New Years, but there are a few exciting things that you can still do to entertain yourself during that lull. Here’s a few suggestions…

A Charlie James Brown Christmas

The Troubadour Theater Company presents a twisted look at the classic Peanuts Christmas cartoon. With the play set to the music of James Brown, this production is bound to entertain.

Tickets here.

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Last weekend I saw The Crucible at the Matrix Theatre. I knew that this play had been chosen for it’s political and social relevance, but I wasn’t entirely convinced at how its fifty year old allegorical message could be translated to the present date. However it did not take long for any of my doubts to disappear. I don’t know how I didn’t think of it before, but it is like peering through the looking glass and watching our lives being played out in front of us.

The play is running through December 23rd, and I recommend seeing it. The cast is stunning. I defy anyone to stay dry eyed as Jeffrey King (playing Proctor) weeps his final lines. Ashley Bell embodies the evil and fear in Abigail William, which drives the play forward. Collen Flynn breaks your heart as the ever strong, and almost always honest Elizabeth Proctor. The cast is huge and every actor was boiling over with energy, which helped to build up the overwhelming chaos that entrances the audience.

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The musical opens with lightening, thunder and smoke and a young Yankee soldier walking on stage singing a song with the chorus ‘As I walk through the valley of death,’ and no, for those of you thinking of Coolio’s rap song it wasn’t. Within the first 5 minutes I wanted to go home - a feeling I had not felt in the last 10 years of my going to the theatre. The first question that came to mind was (and in the words of my writing professor): What’s at stake? The second question was: Why was such a talented cast in this production?

It is a shame really; the story line seemed interesting but the lack of originality was too hard to overlook. When the ‘Oh Susannah’ song came on I literally turned to my mother, rolling my eyes like I was 15 again hoping she would pick up on my ‘I cannot sit through this for one more minute’ look, luckily she felt the same.

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This Friday, December 14th, Trey Nichols will be performing his hysterical holiday hit “A Lesson in Proper Bow Fluffing Technique.” At first glance one may look at this and think “huh?” Is this a play, a comedy act, a gift wrapping tutorial, or what? Well my friends I am hear to tell you that all of the above are correct! Cityzine had a chance to speak with Trey Nichols, the bow extraordinaire and ask a few questions about his bow fluffing experience and more.

CityZine: I know that the name says it all, but what exactly is this show about?

Trey Nichols: I like to describe the show as hilarious and heartbreaking. It’s about a character really struggling with his sense of humanity in the commercial crush of the Holiday season and I think that the retail environment, the Department store, is the perfect place to dramatize that. He’s torn between trying to be the nice person and really following the company line. It’s not just about the bows, it’s about those little acts of kindness that we perform on a daily basis. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

This Friday, December 14th, Trey Nichols will be performing his hysterical holiday hit “A Lesson in Proper Bow Fluffing Technique.” At first glance one may look at this and think “huh?” Is this a play, a comedy act, a gift wrapping tutorial, or what? Well my friends I am hear to tell you that all of the above are correct! Cityzine had a chance to speak with Trey Nichols, the bow extraordinaire and ask a few questions about his bow fluffing experience and more.

CityZine: I know that the name says it all, but what exactly is this show about?

Trey Nichols: I like to describe the show as hilarious and heartbreaking. It’s about a character really struggling with his sense of humanity in the commercial crush of the Holiday season and I think that the retail environment, the Department store, is the perfect place to dramatize that. He’s torn between trying to be the nice person and really following the company line. It’s not just about the bows, it’s about those little acts of kindness that we perform on a daily basis. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

Trey Nichols, established actor, teacher, poet, stand-up comic and solo performer, will be returning to the stage and is bringing his critically acclaimed, semi-auto-biographical, hysterical holiday show to The Santa Monica Playhouse for one night only, next Friday December 14th!

Nichols unwraps the truth about what goes on behind the scenes of the customer service department of an unnamed department store during the busiest shopping season of the year, simultaneously capturing the essence of our fast-paced consumer culture and exploring the question: “Can the holiday spirit survive the holiday season?” [ Read The Full Story -> ]

Ask a Ninja Live!

This Wednesday night, 12/5 at 7pm, Ask A Ninja (from askaninja.com) will be live at the El Rey Theatre (map) with special guest Patton Oswalt.

Ask all those questions you’ve been dying to ask! Should you divorce your wife? How much sewage is in the ocean? Or, will my family still accept me if they find out I…?

Be there or me lame!

The History Boys now playing through December 9th at the Ahmanson Theatre downtown, will have you wagging your tongue for a few nights to come. I have to tell you I really wasn’t expecting the mixed genre-esque presentation of the play. They have a huge screen in the background playing pre-made videos of the cast as they ‘moved’ from one location to the next as relevant to the play. A Monet like perspective of past and present happening in succession yet all inclusive in the outcome. The effects in some weird way worked and enhanced the play…it was the stretched out content that left me somewhat perplexed. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

All About Walken:
The Impersonators of Christopher Walken

I heard these people on a radio interview a few months ago when they were doing their last gig and I have to tell you, I was laughing my ass off. I tried to get tickets but they were sold out through their last performance.

Well the Walkens are back. All ten of them. The show stars Walken Impersonators Louis Allen, Paul Carafotes, Kate Frisbee, Aryiel Hartman, Dave Hoke, Lily Holleman, Amy Kelly, Kenzo Lee, Patrick O’Sullivan and Michelle Thorson. From what I can tell the show is a series of skits based on Christopher Walkens past roles, each character being a Walken. From what I heard on the radio, each actor is a pro at impersonating Christopher Walken, each with his or her own characteristic flair.

I have included a video clip of them for your enjoyment. I suggest you reserve tickets asap - these guys have snowballed in popularity and I believe tickets will go fast. [ Read The Full Story -> ]