'Secret In Their Eyes' Opens November 20

OPENING DATE:                   Friday, November 20, 2015 – in theaters nationwide.                                                           

MPAA RATING:               PG-13 “parents strongly cautioned, a rating in the Voluntary Movie Rating System indicating that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.”

SYNPOSIS:  From director Billy Ray (“The Hunger Games” and “Shattered Glass”) comes “Secret in Their Eyes”, an American thriller film that recounts the horrific murder case of an investigator’s daughter, based on the Argentinian novel La pregunta de sus ojos. A tight-knit team of rising investigators - Ray and Jess, along with their supervisor Claire - is suddenly torn apart when they discover that Jess's teenage daughter has been brutally and inexplicably murdered. Now, thirteen years later, after obsessively searching every day for the elusive killer, Ray finally uncovers a new lead that he's certain can permanently resolve the case, nail the vicious murderer, and bring long-desired closure to his team. No one is prepared, however, for the shocking, unspeakable secret that will reveal the enduring, destructive effects of personal vengeance on the human soul.  Billy Ray directed “Secret in Their Eyes” based on the novel “La pregunta de sus ojos” by the Argentinian author, Eduardo Sacheri.  The film was produced by Mark Johnson and Matt Jackson.

(l-r) Julia Roberts and Chiwetel Ejiofor

The film stars Oscar winner, Julia Roberts (“Erin Brokovich”), as Jess; Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman (“The Hours”) as Claire; and Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years A Slave”) as Ray. 

Rounding out the cast are Lyndon Smith (“The Forger”) as Kit; Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”) as Bumpy; Michael Kelly (“Now You See Me”) as Siefert; Joe Cole (“Now is Good”) as Marzin; and Don Harvey (“Taken 3”) as Fierro.

Ray’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes producer Mark Johnson (“Breaking Bad” and “The Notebook”); producer Matt Jackson (“Snitch”); executive producer Matt Berenson (“The Place Beyond The Pines”) and Academy Award winner Juan José Campanella (“El secreto de sus ojos”).

STX Entertainment presents a Billy Ray film, “Secret in Their Eyes”, set fora nationwide release on November 20, 2015.

'The Wiz Live!' Cast Sings 'Ease On Down The Road'

The upcoming release of THE WIZ LIVE! is premiering on NBC December 3rd. Take a look at the cast singing the iconic song, "Ease On Down The Road."  

“Ease On Down The Road”

http://www.nbc.com/the-wiz-live/video/the-wiz-live-cast-sings-ease-on-down-the-road/2936180

'Hershey Felder As Irving Berlin' Set For 2015-16 Season At Pasadena Playhouse

PASADENA, CA (November 16, 2015) – The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director) announces a special presentation for the 2015-2016 Season. Los Angeles Times Critics’ Choice HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN will play July 19 - August 7, 2016. The director is Trevor Hay who collaborated with Hershey Felder, performer and creator, on An American Story, Abe Lincoln’s Piano, Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt and The Pianist of Willesden Lane.  The production features lyrics and music by Irving Berlin and book by Hershey Felder. Tickets for this special presentation are now on sale. 

Hershey Felder brings to life the remarkable story of Irving Berlin, “America’s Composer.” From the depths of anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia to New York’s Lower East Side, and ultimately all of America and the world, Berlin’s story epitomizes the American Dream.  

Featuring the composer’s most popular and enduring songs from “God Bless America” and “Always” to “White Christmas” and beyond, Hershey’s masterful creation of character and musical performance is an unforgettable journey. As Jerome Kern famously said, "Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music." 

Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse, says, “Hershey has appeared in various guises several times on the stage of The Playhouse.  The success of those previous engagements has made for consistent requests for his return to our venue.  I am pleased to welcome him back to our stage, this time recreating the persona and the work of one of America's greatest and most popular songwriters.  The ‘Cheek to Cheek’ combination of Mr. Berlin and Mr. Felder filling our summer nights with their distinctive music will, I am sure, take our audience to Heaven!”

Hershey Felder adds, “The Pasadena Playhouse is a national treasure and historic theatre with a lovely acoustic. Being in that space and sharing the music and story of America’s greatest songwriter - with a very special audience - will be a way to go back in time to the Hollywood and New York of a very magical time.”

The Los Angeles Times designated the production a Critics’ Choice and said it is “Richly entertaining and ultimately touching,” Broadway World said “You do not want to miss a delicious moment of it,” and The Huffington Post praised creator and performer Hershey Felder who “dazzles as Irving Berlin.”

The creative team for HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN includes Hershey Felder and Trevor Hay (Scenic Design), Richard Norwood (Lighting Design), Andrew Wilder and Lawrence Siefert (Projection Design), and Erik Carstensen (Sound Design & Production Manager).

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.  The performance schedule is Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets, priced from $25 to $125, are available online at PasadenaPlayhouse.org; by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529; or visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday – Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates.  On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Sunday.  For more information, visit PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

HERSHEY FELDER (Irving Berlin/Playwright/Scenic Co-Design) Mr. Felder created and performed George Gershwin Alone, which played on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre, in the West End at the Duchess Theatre, and in theatres around the country. His Composers Sonata—George Gershwin Alone; Monsieur Chopin; Beethoven, As I Knew Him; Maestro Bernstein; Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt in Musik, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin—has been presented at dozens of theatres across the U.S. and around the world. His compositions and recordings include Aliyah, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra; Fairytale, a musical; Les Anges de Paris, Suite for Violin and Piano; Song Settings; Saltimbanques for Piano and Orchestra; Etudes Thematiques for Piano; and An American Story for Actor and Orchestra. As director, he premiered Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane at the Geffen Playhouse in 2012 and produced and created scenic design for Taylor Hackford’s Louis and Keely ‘Live’ at the Sahara.  Mr. Felder has been a scholar-in-residence at Harvard University’s Department of Music and is married to Kim Campbell, the first female Prime Minister of Canada.

TREVOR HAY (Director/Scenic Co-Design) directed the world premieres of An American Story For Actor and Orchestra, Abe Lincoln's Piano and Hershey Felder As Franz Liszt In Musik.  He is Associate Director for Mona Golabek's The Pianist of Willesden Lane.  Former member of the historic Old Globe Theatrein San Diego where, at the age of nine, his first position was selling Old Globe memorabilia. Over the next 32 years, Mr. Hay went on to various aspects of production on more than 80 presentations, including the Broadway productions of Jack O'Brien's Damn Yankees, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Twyla Tharpe's The Times They Are A-Changin'. Included in his 23 seasons at the Old Globe were eleven seasons of the Summer Shakespeare Festival Repertory, as well as work on Tracy Letts' August: Osage County, directed by Sam Gold, and Hershey Felder's George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin and Maestro Bernstein.

'Straight White Men' Opens Sunday, November 22

“Straight White Men,” written and directed by Young Jean Lee, opens this Sunday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre. The West Coast premiere of the production, presented in collaboration with Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, will have two previews on Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. and will run through December 20, 2015.

In “Straight White Men,” Young Jean Lee offers a traditionally structured take on the classic American father-son drama. Ed and his three adult sons come together to celebrate Christmas. They enjoy cheerful trash-talking, pranks and takeout Chinese, but find themselves confronting a problem that even being a happy family can’t solve: when identity matters, and privilege is problematic, what is the value of being a straight white man?

The four-man cast features Frank Boyd, Richard Riehle, Brian Slaten and Gary Wilmes.

Raqiyah Mays' New Novel 'The Man Curse'

[New York, NY, November 16, 2015] – The highly anticipated debut fiction novel, “The Man Curse,” (Simon & Schuster) by author, journalist, radio personality, and activist Raqiyah Mays is on sale today. 

Currently in the midst of a 9-city book reading tour with The Limited, Mays − featured in The Limited’s “New Look of Leadership” Campaign embracing female empowerment and leadership − has already visited four stores in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Her remaining dates take her to The Limited stores in Jersey City, NJ; Yonkers, NY; Long Island, NY; Woodbridge, NJ; and Columbia, SC. Mays blogs and documents each stop on social media with pictorials showing diverse demographics of women gathering to hear an excerpt from “The Man Curse,” followed by style sessions conducted by The Limited with gift card giveaways and store discounts. 

 “The Man Curse,” is described as “self-help fiction,” discussing generational curses and cycles in the lives of women through the voice of Meena Butler, a professional woman who tries to break The Man Curse that has prevented the women of her family from marrying.

Reaction to “The Man Curse” has been overwhelming:  

“I love The Man Curse. So many gems. I related to so much of it, and I think it will resonate with women everywhere. Raqiyah Mays has always had a powerful voice, but now we know that she is also a seriously talented writer.” —Jennifer Schram Maxwell, casting director of The Limited "New Look of Leadership"

“Funny, poignant, and deeply engaging, "The Man Curse" cuts right to the heart of every longing soul out there. Raqiyah writes with uncompromising honesty, exploring the complexities of relationships—romantic and familial alike. She weaves together a captivating tale that moves with a kind of mysticism. Don’t miss this wonderfully written debut.” —Stacy Gueraseva, author of "Def Jam, Inc." and founder of kombuchahunter.com

“As women, we need to take The Man Curse seriously. It validates our common journey and makes room for an open and honest dialogue that can lead to healing. Awesome read.” —Jineea Butler, president and founder of Hip Hop Union

Mays has always lived her life out loud.  She uses her various platforms to discuss topics that most are afraid to address.  Her uninhabited style comes across in her new book.  While we know its fiction, the book takes readers on a self-help journey that leaves you no choice but to self-reflect.  

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About Raqiyah Mays:

With 2015 marking her 20th year in the media business, Raqiyah has written for everyone from Ebony and Essence to The Associated Press & Billboard throughout her career. A radio personality on New York’s 107.5 WBLS, in 2009, she was featured in VH1’s “Future Leaders of Black History” campaign. Featured in The Limited clothing store’s 2015 nationwide “New Look of Leadership” campaign, she’s been chosen as a female leader for her passionate work as an author, journalist, radio personality, stepmother, and activist. 

Nyong'o On 'Star Wars The Force Awakens' Poster

Lupita Nyong’o is featured on the poster for STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS. 

In STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS, Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o plays Maz Kanata whose eyes have special meaning and power. “I had some specific ideas about how she would work and what she would do,” director JJ Abrams says. “I had this pitch about these goggles that she wore. Her eyes are an important aspect of her character, and you’ll see how it plays out.”

“As an actor for films, your eyes are a lot of the way you communicate anyway,” says Nyong’o. “So it was definitely a gift to have that be the means to her magic as a motion-capture character.”

Abrams also shared some backstory on Maz’s character stating, “Her history is that she was a pirate for a long time,” he says. “She’s lived over a thousand years. She’s had this watering hole for about a century, and it’s like another bar that you’d find in a corner of the Star Wars universe.”

STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS hits theaters nationwide on December 18.  Tickets on sale now!

Pasadena Playhouse Brings Panto To Students

PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL

 A PIRATES CHRISTMAS

PANTO AT THE PLAYHOUSE

PASADENA, CA (Nov 2, 2015) –The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director) announced today that the opening night celebration of this year’s Panto at the Playhouse PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 will be dedicated as a benefit event with proceeds supporting student matinee performances over the holiday season. 

The benefit will be chaired by Julietta Perez. Benefit Committee members also include Kris Lythgoe, Rebecca Lythgoe, Kathryn Hamilton, Cherol Nellon, Amy LoCascio, Michelle Mendez, Melissa Tyson, Christine Franke, Emilie Lanstra, Christine Chorba, Lily Lee, Cristina Perez Gonzalez, Jennifer Rogers, and Pam King. 

The benefit includes a VIP pre-show reception in the Makineni Library, including delicious hors d’ oeuvres, tasty kid treats, desserts, beverages and cocktails, and a post-show celebration with the cast of PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS.

Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse, says, “Our presentation of Panto at The Playhouse makes for one of the most festive and delightful times of our theatrical season.  Not only do we have a magical show on our stage, but we also have the privilege of introducing masses of young people to the joy of going to the theatre.  Many of them for the first time!  The opening night benefit performance also provides much needed funding to make this kind of programming possible during the holidays and throughout the year.  I am grateful to all who join in on this festive celebration.”

Julietta Perez, Panto Benefit Chair, says, “"I look forward to opening night of this year's Panto to support our local Pasadena Playhouse and student matinee performances! It's always an amazing and fun evening for the entire family!"

Last year, thanks to the generosity of The Pasadena Playhouse donors and the strong mission of The Pasadena Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Productions, over 1,200 elementary school students were able to experience and share in the magic of live theatre, many for the very first time at special performances of the Panto at the Playhouse production of SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT, starring Olivia Holt, Lucy Lawless, Garrett Clayton, David Engel, and Patrick Cassidy, presented by Lythgoe Family Productions and The Pasadena Playhouse. 

This year’s Panto at the Playhouse benefit will coincide with the opening night of the Panto at the Playhouse production of  PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS, starring Sabrina Carpenter, Parvesh Cheena, Chrissie Fit, Corey Fogelmanis, August Maturo , John O’Hurley, Kevin Quinn, and Nikki SooHoo.

PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS opens December 9, 2015 and plays through January 3, 2016 at The Pasadena Playhouse. 

Returning from last year’s hugely successful Panto at The Playhouse production of Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight, will be director Bonnie Lythgoe (“So You Think You Can Dance”), choreographer Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee “So You Think You Can Dance”) and musical director Michael Orland (“American Idol”).  The book is by Kris Lythgoe, scenic and costume design by Lythgoe Family Productions, and the LFP producers include Becky Baeling Lythgoe and Kris Lythgoe.

Lythgoe Family Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together.  Past Panto at The Playhouse productions include: Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, A Snow White Christmas starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris and Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Bruce Vilanch, and Ashley Argota.    

·         This year’s Panto at the Playhouse benefit will take place on Opening Night of PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015.

·         Pre‐show reception begins at 6:00 p.m. in the in the Makineni Library of The Pasadena Playhouse.

·         Curtain is at 7 p.m.

·         Post show party immediately following.

·         Opening Benefit tickets range from $100-$320

·         Purchased Benefit tickets directly send elementary school students to one of the two PANTO Student Matinees and gives the gift of theatre to a child. 

·         For more information, or to become a Patron of the 2015 Panto at The Playhouse benefit, contact Mary Reitz, Events and Corporate Giving Manager, at (626) 204-7383 or mreitz@pasadenaplayhouse.org.