The Fighting Quaker Brings America’s 250th Birthday to the Stage in a One-Night Benefit Event at El Portal Theater

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Historic Live Drama Honors the Man Who Hand-Wrote the Declaration of Independence, Benefiting the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — Producers Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis, Dale Fabrigar, and Nicole Mendez announce The Fighting Quaker, a landmark theatrical event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the iconic El Portal Theater, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Directed by Bryan Rasmussen and written by the late Ann Matlack DeLaurentiis and Tricia Aurand, the 40-minute drama brings to life the remarkable and largely forgotten story of Timothy Matlack — the man who hand-inscribed the final official copy of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The evening is a fundraiser benefiting the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF), which raises awareness for kidney disease and organ donation. The event will include a festive food and drinks reception, gift bags, a VIP gifting suite, and an exclusive meet-the-cast experience following the performance. Attire is cocktail and business.

The Fighting Quaker traces Matlack’s journey from debtor’s prison to the halls of the Second Continental Congress, where — on the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin — he took quill in hand and preserved the most important document in American history. A colonel who crossed the Delaware, and later championed the abolition of slavery, Matlack was a man whose convictions grew stronger even as his world grew harder. The play’s message resonates far beyond the 18th century: studies show that writing by hand activates more brain circuits than typing, strengthening memory, comprehension, and language development — and in today’s digital world, Matlack’s act of penmanship stands as both legacy and call to action.

“I hope we can inspire audiences not only to reflect on our nation’s history but also reconnect with this simple, powerful act of writing,” says producer Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis, herself a descendent of Timothy Matlack and the daughter of playwright Ann Matlack DeLaurentiis, who first brought this story to the stage in 1968.

The production is sponsored by the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation.

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Location: El Portal Theater, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
  • Tickets: MNITF.org
  • Attire: Cocktail & Business

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About Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis Productions
A Hollywood producer with more than 100 productions and four decades of experience, Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis is the first filmmaker to receive a civilian accommodation medal from the United States military for her service to veterans. She was honored with a second medal by the Order of Saint Maurice in 2025. She is a descendant of Timothy Matlack and the daughter of the play’s original author, Ann Matlack DeLaurentiis. https://suzannedelaurentiisproduction.com/

About MNITF:
The Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation advances research, education, and awareness around organ donation and kidney disease. For more information, visit https://mnitf.org/.

Grammy Nominated, Long Time Spiritual Music Leader Jai Uttal Releases His Version of the Hanuman Chalisa

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Fairfax, CA – November 14, 2024 – Jai Uttal’s majestic musical setting for the ancient Hindu prayer, the Hanuman Chalisa, is a tour-de-force of devotional musical artistry. The 16-minute composition moves dynamically through myriad moods, bringing to vivid life the epic story of the shape-shifting Hindu monkey deity Hanuman—avatar of Shiva and embodiment of universal love (bhakti) and service (seva) to one’s fellow beings.

The Hanuman Chalisa text was composed by the 16th-century Indian poet and saint Tulsidas. He adapted earlier Sanskrit sources to sing Hanuman’s praises in the vernacular Awadhi language—the language of his people and time period. The Hanuman Chalisa is a life-affirming prayer for all times and places.

“Now, in this time of global crisis,” says Jai, “I offer you my version, entitled Hanuman Chalisa for World Peace.”

Jai Uttal first learned the Chalisa at the feet of his gurus, Neem Karoli Baba and Sri Siddhi Ma, in India in the 1970s. It has been a part of his daily, personal spiritual practice ever since. He decided to share the Chalisa with a wider audience when theater director David Kersnar approached Jai about turning it into an opera for the stage. Early GarageBand demos—Couch Potato Productions as Jai calls them—soon blossomed into a gloriously rich studio recording with longtime Jai Uttal collaborators, the Pagan Love Orchestra and producer Ben Leinbach.

The result is a work of multi-hued, many-faceted splendor. A wistful Doha, or invocation to the gurus, gives way to jubilantly melodic verses—40 in all—punctuated by resplendent recurrences of the root mantra “Jay Sita Ram, Jay Sita Ram, Jay Jay Hanuman.” The music moves with the story—through major and minor modes, deeply-rooted grooves, and moments of floating timelessly in space. A stirring sense of pageantry informs Peter Apfelbaum’s triumphant horn arrangements. Backing vocalists Sandy and Natalie Cressman and Prajna Vieira evoke the feminine energy of Sita, the divine heroine of the saga. Their voices lend an angelic glow to the music.

And throughout, the voice of Jai Uttal—imbued with a lifetime of devotional chanting—guides us deep into the Hanuman Chalisa’s many subtle shades of Divine Love.

“I wanted to make a musical arrangement that expresses the dynamic and brilliantly shining personality of Hanuman,” says Jai, “and something that also reflects the many facets of my long musical, human, and spiritual journey.”

With its joyful, uplifting artistry, the Hanuman Chalisa for World Peace is a balm for our troubled times.
– Alan DiPerna, October 2024

Celebrate Ella Fitzgerald’s Centennial with Jane Monheit at the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’s 15th Anniversary Concert May 7 at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach

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Los Angeles, CA – February 9, 2017 – On Sunday, May 7, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra will celebrate its 15th Anniversary with a special tribute to Ella Fitzgerald’s centennial birthday. This 7pm concert will feature guest vocalist Jane Monheit performing with the SJO’s 67-member jazz orchestra, the only ensemble of its kind in the United States.

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Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) Announces Executive Director Thor Steingraber’s 2015-2016 Inaugural Season

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Valley Performing Arts Center

Valley Performing Arts Center

Stewart Copeland, Linda Ronstadt, Yuja Wang, Bobby and Taylor McFerrin, Nancy Cartwright, David Sedaris, Megan Hilty and John Pizzarelli are among the performing artists taking the stage for the upcoming Valley Performing Arts Center’s (VPAC) 2015-2016 season. The season gets started September 19 and 20, 2015 with two performances by Diavolo/Architecture in Motion and ends on a high note with McCoy Rigby’s production of Dreamgirls, the first Broadway musical to run at VPAC.

Tickets for initial series offerings are on sale now; additional series go on sale Monday, June 22.  Single ticket sales begin Monday, July 6.  For ticket and subscription information, visit valleyperformingartscenter.org or call (818) 677-3000.  … Read More

Julian Sands Brings A Celebration of Harold Pinter Directed by John Malkovich to Valley Performing Arts Center February 26

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Julian Pinter 1In a humorous and fascinating solo performance, the Oscar-nominated actor Julian Sands, best known for his romantic lead in A Room with a View, presents an intimate portrait of the Nobel Prize-winning poet, playwright and man – Harold Pinter. Directed by acclaimed actor, producer and director John Malkovich, A Celebration of Harold Pinter comes to Valley Performing Arts Center’s intimate Plaza del Sol Concert Hall on February 26 at 7:30pm.

British actor Julian Sands is frequently seen world-wide in films, on stage, and on television. He trained in London at The Central School of Speech and Drama and has appeared in over 100 films including; The Killing Fields, A Room With A View, Impromptu, Leaving Las Vegas, Oceans 13, and The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo. On television, he is best known for his recent role on 24 but has also been seen on Smallville, Ghost Whisperer, Dexter and Banshee.

In 2005 Mr. Sands was approached by the Nobel Prize-winning playwright and poet Harold Pinter himself and asked to prepare a set of Pinter’s poems for a special presentation in London. Working closely with Pinter, he was granted a rare insight into his personality, life, and work. This extraordinary collaboration evolved into a wonderfully humorous and fascinating solo show directed by John Malkovich titled, A Celebration of Harold Pinter. … Read More

The Consulate General of Spain and Theatre Raymond Kabbaz Present Casa Patas Flamenco with Karen Lugo November 8 & 9

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The performance space at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in partnership with the Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles is pleased to bring a Flamenco troupe from Madrid’s celebrated Fundación Conservatorio Flamenco Casa Patas to Los Angeles as part of its public performing arts series for a presentation of The DeMente Territory directed and choreographed by rising flamenco star Karen Lugo. The show will take place at the Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90064 on Thursday November 8 and Friday November 9 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at .

Karen Lugo is a wonderful blow to the purists. She is a maximum beauty wrapped in a minimalist form. She has all the volcanic strength of her homeland, Mexico. Lugo has directed and choreographed The DeMente Territory, which will be performed by Lugo with three musicians, two singers and a male dancer delivering flamenco in its most authentic and glorious form. Her volcanic energy is a force to behold.

Karen Lugo brings her volcanic flamenco to Los Angeles on November 8 & 9

Karen Lugo brings her volcanic flamenco to Los Angeles on November 8 & 9

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Puppet State Theater Company Performs The Man Who Planted Trees at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz October 23

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The performance space at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, Theatre Raymond Kabbaz is pleased to bring the Puppet State Theater Company to Los Angeles as part of its public performing arts series for a performance of their acclaimed show, The Man Who Planted Trees. The show will take place at the Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90064 on Tuesday October 23 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 or $15 for students. Tickets are available at .

Acclaimed by The Guardian as “Laughs, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented breezes, sparkling wit and the best dog puppet ever. Perfect for children and grown-ups. Terrific,” The Man Who Planted Trees is a multi-sensory theatrical adaptation of French author Jean Giono’s environmental classic that tells the inspiring story of a shepherd who plants a forest, acorn by acorn, transforming a barren wasteland. As much a touching tale as it is a hilarious puppet show, The Man Who Planted Trees shows the difference one man, and his faithful dog, can make to the world. This show is suitable for adults and encouraged for children over seven. It is presented in English with a little French. The company has performed in French at the 2011 Charleville-Mézières World Puppetry Festival and in Montreal in 2012.

The Man Who Planted Trees by the Puppet State Theater Company Comes to Theatre Raymond Kabbaz October 23.

The Man Who Planted Trees by the Puppet State Theater Company Comes to Theatre Raymond Kabbaz October 23

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Michel Jonasz’ Abraham Premiers in Los Angeles to Open the 2012/2013 Season at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz

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The performance space at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz is pleased to open the 12th season of its public performing arts series with the LA premiere of noted French chanson star Michel Jonasz’ acclaimed one man show Abraham. The shows will take place at the Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90064 on Friday September 21 and Saturday September 22. Tickets for the Friday show include an opening reception and are $75 or $50. Tickets for the Saturday event are $65 and $40. Tickets are available at .

Michel Jonasz has been a beloved figure on the French music scene since his breakthrough hits “Du blues du blues du blues” and “J’veux pas qu’tu t’en ailles” in 1977. His success continued in the 80’s with his Tristesse album that produced a string of hit singles “Minuit sonne,” “Rock à gogo” and Jonasz’s version of “Lucille,” and earned the singer another gold disc. His 1984 greatest hits album also went gold and in 1985 he won three “Victoires de la Musique” awards, the French Grammys, for Best Singer and Best Producer, and Best Single of the Year for “La boîte de jazz”. Through the 90’s and 00’s Jonasz continued to release popular albums, tour extensively and appear in over 35 films. One of his most acclaimed roles was in Un amour à taire, a drama about the persecution homosexuals during World War II which won the Audience Award for Best Feature at five of the top LGBT film festivals in the US, including LA’s Outfest.

In 2008 Michel Jonasz got down to a project close to his heart by writing a dramatic play centered on the story of his maternal grandfather, a Hungarian cantor who perished in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. On stage Jonasz embodies Abraham, a Polish Jew, and famous cantor with a unique voice, who just before dying, recalls his deepest memories: his childhood, the escape from Poland, the arrival in Hungary, meeting his wife, his joys and sorrows…until exile and deportation to the camps. Moments of humor and emotion follow one another, acting and singing are intertwined. Jonasz puts Tzigane or gypsy music under the spotlight with inspired original compositions. Jonasz directed the work himself and went to Hungary to record the soundtrack. From September 2009 to April 2010, he presented the one man show at the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse in Paris. He has also performed Abraham throughout France and in Israel. The show will be in French with projected English subtitles. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz is honored to bring this emotional and stunning work to Los Angeles for its first performance here.

Michel Jonasz premieres his acclaimed one man show Abraham in LA September 21 and 22.

Michel Jonasz premieres his acclaimed one man show Abraham in LA September 21 and 22

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How to Survive the Apocalypse: A Burning Opera returns to Los Angeles November 20, 2011; Original Cast Recording released

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Burning Opera KingKing Flier

Flyer for the Burning Opera at King King November 20

Returning to Los Angeles for a one-night performance event following a successful run this summer, How to Survive the Apocalypse: a Burning Opera presents an extravaganza of evolution and transformation. Inspired by the origins and ongoing mutation of the notorious Burning Man festival, the show follows two newbies at the desert festival, whose story unfolds through shadow-puppets, projections, dancers, and a sizzling live rock ensemble. The LA Weekly called the show a “rousing, mythic rock pageant,” and wrote that “The evening’s stars are the polished, 15-member musical ensemble, which collectively boasts one of the best sets of pipes heard on any stage in LA this year.”

How to Survive the Apocalypse takes place on November 20, 2011 at the popular Hollywood nightclub King King, 6555 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90028. Doors open at 7:00pm with the show starting at 8:00pm. General admission is $20, reserved Seating is $30, and VIP seating with table service is $40. Tickets are available here. The event is 21 and over. For a video preview of the show please see this Burning Opera @ King King preview.

This special LA event also celebrates the release of the Original Cast recording of How to Survive the Apocalypse: a Burning Opera on November 15, 2011. Presenting an abridged one-disc version of the show, the album was recorded and produced shortly after the 2009 Original Cast run. The music is available digitally through iTunes, Amazon, and other fine media providers. The physical album, with full libretto, is also available as a CD on CDBaby.com and through brick and mortar retailers including Amoeba. For more on the Original Cast recording and performance please see www.burningopera.com.… Read More