HOUSE OF JOY, written by Madhuri Shekar and directed by Sam Woodhouse, the theatre's Artistic Director, and Arpita Mukherjee, will run March 5 - 29, 2020, in San Diego REP's Lyceum Space Theatre, with previews March 5 - 10 and press opening on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Set in the 17th century, in a place like Delhi, India, House of Joy spins the tale of Hamida, one of the elite female bodyguards in the Emperor's Imperial Harem. When faced with an impossible ethical quandary, Hamida goes against everything she believes and risks her life to help abused Queen Mariyam escape the heavily guarded harem. Inspired by the epic legends of Indian history, Shekar has crafted a swashbuckling action-adventure romance centering on strong women who battle each other as well as a world threatening to enter their sacred space. This wildly entertaining story of palace intrigue and betrayal features sword fights, narrow escapes and sparks of revolution that culminates in a breathtaking conclusion!

"House of Joy is an action adventure ride that tells the stories of the women in a 17th century mughal harem. Like any great story, it has thrills, romance, suspense and heartbreak. It also reminds us that history is stranger than fiction," say directors Woodhouse and Mukherjee. "In this intimate production in the round, the audience is situated inside the story, where they can experience every twist and turn in a visceral way."

The ensemble cast of San Diego REP's production is led by Devereau Chumrau playing "Hamida." Chumrau received her MFA from Asolo Conservatory at Florida State University, and has trained internationally at the University of Ghana and the London Study Centre of the Arts. Select television and film credits include HBO's Dexter, Comedy Central's Key & Peele, OWN Network's Raising Whitely and 21st Century Fox's Alita: Battle Angel.

Joining Chumrau are Karthik Srinivasan (Orange at South Coast Repertory, Shiv at Theatre at Boston Court) as "Thermometer," Shaun Tuazon (Vietgone at San Diego REP, Girlfriend at Diversionary Theatre) as "Salima," TaiReikca L.A. (T.O.A.S.T and Body of Faith at Oregon Shakespeare Festival) as "Roshni," Mondis Vakili (A Thousand Splendid Suns at The Old Globe, Dust at Cygnet Theatre) as "Noorah," Tamara Rodriguez (KISS MY AZTEC, Up Here at La Jolla Playhouse) as "Mariyam," Ulka Simone Mohanty (The Moodys on Fox, Cutthroat Kitchen on Food Network) as "Gulal," Deepti Kingra (An Ideal Husband at Cranbrook Court Theatre Company, Border Grill at Scripps Ranch Theatre) as "Ensemble" and Ka'imi Kuoha (a 7th degree black belt) as "Ensemble."

The creative team features Yoon Bae (Scenic Design), Jennifer Brawn Gittings (Costume Design), David Cuthbert (Lighting & Projection Design), Kevin Anthenill (Sound Design and Compositions), Edgar Landa (Fight Director), Kendra Stockton (Stage Manager), Chelsea Smith (Production Manager) and Kim Heil (Associate Producer & Casting Director).

I didn’t get a chance to repost & thank the San Diego Critics Circle this incredible nomination. I LOVE the inclusive categories this year 👏. I’m just so honored to be amongst these exquisite performers.
​#Thankful #GirlfriendMusical
・・・
Here are the 2019 Craig Noel nominees for Oustanding Lead Performance in a Musical- Which have you seen? Tell us below!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

• Michael Louis Cusimano – “The Last Five Years,” Cygnet Theatre⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Colin Donnell – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Bella Gil – “West Side Story,” Moonlight Stage Productions⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Sophie Hearn – “Life After,” The Old Globe⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Casey Likes – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Cashae Monya – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Diversionary Theatre⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Solea Pfeiffer – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Shaun Tuazon – “Girlfriend,” Diversionary Theatre⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Racquel Williams – “The Last Five Years,” Cygnet Theatre⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Jeremy Wilson – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Diversionary Theatre

BWT is proud to announce the artists participating in our first project of 2020, THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY, a song cycle by Thomas Hodges, being presented on Wednesday, January 8th at Martinis Above Fourth Table + Stage in Hillcrest.

This is being presented on the 5th Anniversary of BWT's award-winning production at the 2015 San Diego International Fringe Festival, for which we created our first Original BWT Cast Recording. This one night only concert will feature members of that original BWT cast, two handfuls of additional returning and new Breakthrough Artists, as well as Thomas Hodges himself on the keys.

Tickets are already on sale at:

December 18, 2019 at 7pm 
Musican Direction & Keyboards by Kirk Valles
Produced by Chris Powell 

An evening to share with friends in support of Mamma Mia! to ease into the Holiday Spirit, emceed by the lovely Jennie Gray Connard, and performed by many of your favorite singers from Coronado Playhouse.  Please join us to celebrate the season and pass along cheer.

All ticket sales will go towards the Coronado Playhouse production of Mamma Mia! which will help cover the large costume and musician expense for such a big show.  Fun Fact: Shaun Tuazon designed the Set for Mamma Mia at Coronado Playhouse.

General Admission tickets are $20, or you can get a reserved table that seats up to 5 people for $100.
After you have purchased a table (5 tickets), Box Office will put your party at the best available table.

Donations will gladly be received at event or any time by visiting the link below. Please note Mamma Mia! in notes.
https://coronadoplayhouse.com/donate/

A donation of $50 or more will make you a member of Coronado Playhouse and eligible for membership benefits that come with your level of donation.

We will offer special desserts and a hot traditional Chai Tea at our bar that night.
You can also opt for one of our Mamma Mia! Specialty Drinks ~

DIVERSIONARY THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
OF THE SAN DIEGO PREMIERE MUSICAL
GIRLFRIEND

It’s 1993 and mixtapes are the language of love. Set in the American heartland during the summer between high school and whatever comes next, college-bound jock Mike and self-assured but aimless Will find themselves drawn to each other. Their rush of first love full of excitement, confusion, and passion, forges an unlikely bond neither were expecting. Told to the power-pop precision of Matthew Sweet’s seminal rock album, Girlfriend is a vibrant new musical about the terror and thrill of discovering yourself, and the life you want to lead.​

WHAT: Diversionary announces the cast of the San Diego Premiere of GIRLFRIEND
WHO: Stephen Brotebeck will direct this San Diego Premiere by Matthew Sweet and Todd Almond.
WHEN: Performances run September 12 – October 13. Performances run Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Opening Night is Saturday, September 21st. 
TICKETS: Are on sale ($15 – $55). Discounts are available to Groups, Students, Educators, Seniors and Military.  To be notified of ticket sales, please sign up for the Diversionary Theatre Email List: http://diversionary.org/mailinglist/

​SPECIAL EVENTS:
Performances run Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. More information can be obtained by calling our box office at 619-220-0097.
Low Cost Previews………….Thursday, September 12th – Friday, September 20th

First Fridays…………………………………..Friday, September 13th at 8pm
To say thank you to those that serve, Diversionary offers complimentary tickets. Email jenny@diversionary.org for more information.

GSA/Youth Nights………………….Friday, September 13th & September 20th at 8pm
Calling all High Schoolers! Join us on either Friday night during Previews for our GSA/Youth nights and get tickets for only $5.00! Call the Box Office for more details!

Opening Night……………………………Saturday, September 21st, at 8pm
Pre and post show festivities – celebrate with the cast and company!

Designer Spotlight………………………..Thursday, September 27th at 6pm
Join us in Fritz’s Lounge before the show to meet the Design Team, see a display of the concepts used in producing the show and hear the influences and process involved. Hosted hors d’oeuvres round out a fun pre-show experience! The party starts at 6pm before the 7pm performance.

Industry Night………………………………..Monday, September 30th, at 7pm
Theatre Professionals enjoy a special discount to our only Monday evening performance!
Pay-What-You-Can at the door, or $10 in advance.

Director Happy Hour ………………………………………………October 3rd at 6pm
Join Director Executive Artistic Director, Matt M. Morrow and Director Stephen Brotebeck in Fritz’s Lounge for hosted hors d’oeuvres and a chance to chat before the show! Pre Show reception at 6pm, performance at 7pm.

Next Act!……………………………………Thursday, October 10th at 6pm
Join Director Executive Artistic Director, Matt M. Morrow and Director Anthony Methvin for a discussion about the next show, Santaland Diaries in Fritz’s Lounge for hosted hors d’oeuvres and a chance to chat before the show! Pre-Show reception at 6pm, performance at 7pm.

​OB Playhouse & Theatre Co. presents Green Day’s:
AMERICAN IDIOT

September 6th - October 6th, 2019

Music by Green Day
Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong
Book by Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer
Direction (& co-choreography) by Juztine Tuazon
Choreography by Michael Mizerany
Music Direction by Kirk Valles
Scenic Design by Shaun Tuazon
Lighting Design by Jack Connard
Costumes by Joanna Pearson
Props by Darian Beckstrand
​Stage Management by Lynneah Mojica

OB Playhouse & Theatre Co. presents the high-octane punk rock musical, AMERICAN IDIOT.  Based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album and featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Holiday” and the hit title track, American Idiot boldly took the American musical in a new direction, capturing not just the sound of a generation, but also the frustrations, fears, dreams and challenges of becoming an adult in the media-saturated, new millennial world.

With a book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, American Idiot tells the story of three lifelong friends who are grappling with the decision to either challenge the status quo and break out of their aimless rut or to remain in the safe confines of their suburban existence. Their quest for true meaning in a new millennial world leads them on a journey of self-discovery, heartache, and revelation. 

At the helm of this production is director, Juztine Tuazon, who staged OB Playhouse’s hit musicals/plays, Reefer Madness, I Love You Because, and Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead. Juztine Tuazon collaborates with acclaimed choreographer, Michael Mizerany, on bringing this punk rock score to life in a brand new staging, that aims to fully immerse the audience in a truly experiential piece that will move and sock you at your core. 

“A pulsating portrait of wasted youth that invokes all the standard genre conventions — bring on the sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, please! — only to transcend them through the power of its music and the artistry of its execution, the show is as invigorating and ultimately as moving as anything I’ve seen on Broadway…”
– The New York Times


“…the furious, alienated and unshowered youth of Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ comes to explosive life on the Broadway stage in a heart-pounding, punk-rock opera that sounds the unmistakable siren of a generational shift.”
– The Chicago Tribune

The rockin’ cast includes:

Andrew: Andrew Aguilar 
St. Jimmy: Amanda Blair (*Juztine Tuazon at select performances)
Whatshername: Tyra Carter 
Joshua: Diego Castro 
Theo: Mario Arambla-Damian 
Libby: Sydney Joyner 
Johnny: Wade Kilbarger 
Chase: Levani Korganashvili 
The Extraordinary Girl: Sutheshna Mani 
Alysha: Megan Mattix 
Aurie: Roxie Peters 
Tunny: Kevin Phan 
Will: Dakota Ringer 
Heather: Doniella Sebastian 
Lesli: Kaitlyn Summers