2023 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration

From superbowlgospel.com/history

Originating at Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, the annual event joins together key NFL Players, top Gospel/Contemporary Christian and mainstream GRAMMY® Award-winning artists and special guests all on one stage to bring audiences an evening of uplifting music and inspirational messages.

Super Bowl Soulful Celebration (known as Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in previous years) is the First & Only inspirational concert and television special sanctioned by the NFL. For the past 24 years, only SBSC has created an inspirational Fusion of NFL Players with award-winning musical artists from the gospel and R&B Music Industry, along with key celebrities all on one stage to bring audiences an evening of uplifting music and messages of hope & faith at the Biggest Game On Earth!

Super Bowl Soulful Celebration returns during Super Bowl week with a live taping hosted by nationally syndicated radio host Willie Moore, Jr. on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona.

The only multicultural program and community event sanctioned by the NFL during Super Bowl weekend, the highly anticipated night of music, comedy, NFL Players, and soulful inspiration is themed “Unstoppable,” with featured performances from the legendary Patti LaBelleIsrael Houghton, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Tye Tribbett, and The Players Choir.

Big thanks to Rick Pizante for bringing me aboard this season!

More images at AZ: 2023 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration Show- Getty Images

Liwa Village- Abu Dhabi

In late 2022 I joined the experimental marketing company Avantgarde as Head of Technical in charge of architectural and theatrical lighting, audio, video and IT for Liwa Village– a first time event created held in Liwa, south of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The festival was conceived as cultural event and community gathering point for the nearby seasonal off road competition held at Moreeb Dune and featured live performances, an immersive dinner experience and F&B retail kiosks featuring the finest of local vendors.

The festival opened on 16 Dec 2022 and due to popular demand was extended till Sunday, 8th January 2023.

Shizuka

“Shizuka –静” – The Love Story in the Time of 12th Century Japanese Civil War

Produced by LoBeauH Entertainment and Alix Yumi Cho

“Shizuka”, written & directed by Tomoko Karina (“Camellia- Kerria- Pink” – Winner of the Best Foreign Mini-Movie at Brentwood and Pacific Palisades International Film Festival) will opens in Los Angeles, CA on Sep 16th, 2022, at the Zephyr Theatre


“Shizuka” is a drama based upon a true beloved historical tale in Japan. This tragic love story is both unapologetically romantic and epic. Introducing swirling flamy fate of bigger than life legendary historic characters in 12th century Japan to the audience in Los Angeles.


“Shizuka” will attract you with the aesthetic charm of traditional Japanese costumes, mannerisms, Japanese classical dance, and fierce combat scenes with innovative modern virtual reality theatrical design. It will be delivered with English dialogue by trained actors with diverse backgrounds in order for an American audience to feel the story viscerally. The perfect combination of glamorous exotism and emotionally heightened authentic storytelling. The origin of “Shizuka” was showcased in the summer of 2021 at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, earning the Best Play and Best Direction nomination at the Broadway World Regional Award. The play stars Yukari Black (“Letters from Iwo Jima”, “Flags of Our Fathers”), Alexander Collins, Tomoko Karina (“Cobra Kai”,” Hail, Caesar!” and “Balm in Gilead”), Tony Kim, and Jon Vasquez and others.


“Shizuka” takes you to the civil war era in 12th Century Japan. Shizuka-Gozen is the most popular Shirabyoshi dancer (entertainer who serves to the god.) in the capital of Japan, Kyoto, where the gorgeous court aristocratic culture is flourishing. Shizuka meets Yoshitsune of Minamoto, the younger brother of the supreme leader of Genji Samurai clan. Yoshitsune, a dashing war-hero who is taking Kyoto by storm. Shizuka, Kyoto’s No.1 dancer of reputed beauty. They fall fatally in love. Winter of 1185, their love story follows a tragic path.


Tickets are currently on sale available at Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shizuka–tickets-390712992077

“Shizuka–静” (2 Hours with an Intermission)

Date: Sep 16th – Oct 9th, 2022
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Live Streaming: 10/1(Sat) @ 8pmPST, 11pmEST, (10/2, Sun)12pm Japan, 4:00am EU
Ticket: $20-80
Venue: The Zephyr Theatre 7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

First Responders Live- Fox


First Responders Live- Dan Reed Lighting Design

Sunday in the Park with Friends- Hollywood Central Park Gala 2019

Sundays in the Park w/ Friends- Hollywood Central Park Gala 2019

Deck over and build a park on the 101 Freeway?   Yes please!

So proud to join Martha Dempson and the Open Fist Theatre Company for the Sunday in the Park with Friends performance at this years Hollywood Central Park Gala.    Donate @ https://hollywoodcentralpark.org/get-involved/donate for a better vision of the future!

 

Hollywood Central Park

 

 

 

Benefit for the Equal Rights Amendment: Harold Pinter’s The Lover

As of May 30th of 2018, when Illinois became the 37th state to ratify, the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is only one state away from ratification!  The ERA would provide basic civil and human rights to all Americans equally under Federal law, regardless of sex.

Equal Means Equal & the Heroica Foundation present five performances of Harold Pinter’s one-act play “The Lover” starring Kamala Lopez and Joel Marshall. Directed by Martha Demson.

Equal Means Equal is the only national organization focused on completing ratification of the original Equal Rights Amendment.  Please join us and support our work at www.equalmeansequal.org

All proceeds from the play will go to support Equal Los Angeles, CA Means Equal’s programs and campaigns to ratify the ERA and are 100% tax deductible.  Suggested donation: $100/person

Rita House is a private club; seating is limited and by invitation only.  Refreshments will be served. Special guests to be announced…

Where: Rita House 5971 W 3rd St, 90036

Illumination Advocates Inc.

Since 2013, Dan has been an associate Lighting Director with Illumination Advocates Inc. providing production rendering and CAD services for multi camera television and live events.  Recent productions with Lighting Designer Josh Hutchings include All in- Ricky Martin at the Park Theatre, Las Vegas, games shows such as Lets Make a Deal, $100,000 Pyramid, and Beat the Clock, and live productions such as America’s Got Talent at Radio City Music Hall, AGT Judgment Week NYC 2014, and iL Divo- A Musical Affair at the Marquis Theatre, NYC.

Christmas Under The Stars- Gladys Knight & Friends

“Christmas Under the Stars with Gladys Knight and Friends will be airing Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 at 7:30 pm (Mountain Time Zone) on BYUtv.
BYUtv is available on Dish (ch. 9403), DirecTV (ch. 68) and many other cable systems across the country, including Comcast (ch. 647 in many markets) so please check your local listings.  You can also watch a live stream of the program at byutv.org.
Thanks again to Ron Weisner Entertainment for bringing me on for such a wonderful show!

Welcome to Your Alternative Reality w/ the Open Fist Theatre Company

Written and Directed by: Catherine Butterfield & Ron West
Starring: Lane Allison, Josh Banday, Tisha Terrasini Banker, Kiley Eberhardt, Bjørn Johnson, Dylan Maddalena, Paul Mischeshin, Beth Robbins, Emily Tuñon, & Micah Watterson.

A liberal journalist working for a right wing news program. An octogenarian stressing about the future of the planet. High level government leakers in love. A dry cleaner who might be our next president. What do they have in common? They are all stuck in this strange new post-election world we live in. “Welcome to Your Alternative Reality” is: the antidote to the low level thrum of anxiety running through all our lives. A bracing tonic of laughter and lunacy that will take the edge off your week, it’s a series of interwoven one acts and sketches about this bizarre new reality we find ourselves in.

Opening night: June 30th, Runs: June 28th- August 12th
(No performances on
July 28th and 29th)
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. Sundays at 7 pm.
General Admission: $20  Students, Seniors, & Veterans: $15

The Complex at Atwater Village Theatre  3269 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039 

The Gary Plays

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Open Fist Theatre Company presents Mednick’s entire “The Gary Plays” series in one epic production beginning May 4 at Atwater Village Theatre. Longtime Mednick collaborator Guy Zimmerman directs.

The Gary Plays runs May 4 through June 4 with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 12 p.m.; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Preview performances take place April 26 through April 30 on the same schedule.

Part 1 (Tirade for Three, Girl on a Bed), Part 2 (Gary’s Walk, Out of the Blue) and Part 3 (DaddyO Dies Well, Charles’ Story) perform on a rotating basis on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with all three parts performed on Sundays. Go to www.openfist.org to view a complete schedule. Tickets are $30 for each two-play part, or $50 for a series pass (all three parts/six plays). Previews are $15 for each two-play part or $30 all three parts.

Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039. On-site parking is free. For reservations and information, call (323) 882-6912 or go to www.openfist.org.

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REVIEWS AND PRESS-

BOTH: A Hard Day’s Silent Night

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BOTH: A Hard Day’s Silent Night will perform this year at 24th Street Theatre 1117 West 24th Street Los Angeles, CA  90007

(Exit 10 freeway at Hoover and head south a few blocks)

Limited parking available in theatre parking lot across the street- Additional street parking available

Wednesday, Dec 16; 8 pmThursday, Dec. 17; 8 pmFriday, December 18; 8 pmSaturday, Dec. 19; 3 pmOpen Fist Fundraiser Saturday, Dec. 19; 7 pmSunday, Dec 20; 3 pm Sunday, Dec 20; 7 pm

The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side

Thru May 24, 2015, Thurs- Sat 8pm, Sun 7PM @ the Matrix Theatre

7657 Melrose Ave. LA, CA 90046- tix at www.piedpipersla.com  

Reviews-

Overtone Industries ICELAND at the REDCAT New Original Works Festival

Overtone Industries presents the first half hour of ICELAND, an upcoming musical theatre work by Overtones’ artistic director/composer/actress O-Lan Jones and singer/songwriter Emmet Tinley, at REDCAT’s New Original Works Festival July 24-26, 2014.  ICELAND tells the story of Vaya (Cesili Williams – The Color Purple the Musical), a woman who plans an escape from her unfulfilling life by flying to northern Iceland, only to have her plane malfunction on the way. She escapes in a parachute, landing in a fanciful world full of “sea dragons, mermaids, monsters, fragments of life, and unfinished things.” Mundur (David O), the airline clerk who sent Vaya on her way, sets out to rescue her before the memories of her real life disappear. Featuring a twenty-person cast, including two soloists, a choir and chamber orchestra, ICELAND is “a modern love story, set in a mythical and timeless world, where elemental forces and ancient creatures challenge the hero and heroine on an archetypal journey.” The finished work is expected to premiere in 2016.This half hour preview of the multidisciplinary work will close each night of Program One of the NOW Festival, which includes the dance productions Saana/The Foreigner by Wilfried Souly and Still from Rosanna Gamson/Worldwide.

James Joyce’s The Dead- The Open Fist at the Greenway Court Theatre

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Lighting Design by Terry Enroth & Dan Reed
Limited Return Engagement! Six Weeks Only! Jan 18 – Feb 22 at the GREENWAY COURT THEATER 544 N Fairfax Hollywood, CA  (Just South of Melrose)  
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS  $25 | $20 Students/Seniors (WITH ID ONLY)

 REVIEWS

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at the San Francisco Playhouse

 

Photos by Jessica Palopoli

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo 

Regional Premiere

Written by Rajiv Joseph (Animals Out of Paper), Directed by Bill English

October 1th to November 16th, opens October 5th

In this Pulitzer Prize finalist, two US Marines and an Iraqi translator are thrust into a world of greed, mystery and betrayal after an encounter with a now-deceased but still very pissed-off tiger. The streets of war-torn Baghdad are filled with ghosts, riddles and wry humor in this groundbreaking play that explores the power and perils of human nature.

REVIEWS-

Abigail’s Party at the San Francisco Playhouse

By Mike LeighAbigal's Party at the SF Playhouse  Directed by Amy Glazer
May 21st to July 6th   Press Opening, May 25th
Tues/Wed/Thurs at 7pm Fri/Sat at 8pm, Sat Mat at 3pm

Momma told me not to come. This biting, hilarious, disco infused satire of British suburbia in the 70’s is a party only Mike Leigh could conceive. Stolen straight from real life, these friends test the strength of the ties that bind.

REVIEWS

 

2012 National Christmas Tree Lighting with Lighting Designer Matt Ford and Magic Lantern Creations Inc.

I would like to offer a very large thank you to Lighting Designer Matt Ford and Magic Lantern Creations Inc. for having me out as a Lighting Director on the 1st ever PBS broadcast of the 2012 National Christmas Tree Lighting from Washington DC.   Thanks aslo to Matt Hudson and Dave Mikutsky, and for hard workin’ gaffer Ronnie Skopac, Mike Smallman and John Ellar for being the pros the are, and to Kristi Foley and everyone at Bounce Inc for this tremendous honor and opportunity.

The entire show can be streamed from 90 Years Of Tradition | The National Christmas Tree.    Local broadcast schedules can be found at Broadcast Schedules | The National Christmas Tree.

Photos By Matt Ford

Foote Notes- Two Plays About Harrison, Texas at the Open Fist Theatre

DIRECTED BY SCOTT PAULIN

Produced by Martha Demson

Nov. 2 – Dec. 15, 2012

Reviews