My passion as an actor, playwright, and director keep me quite busy and enjoying every minute. Please read on to learn more about the plays, projects and productions I am currently working on.

September 8, 2019 - At Theatricum Botanicum, two fine actors remind us why ‘The Gin Game’ won a Pulitzer

August 27, 2019 - Q&A with Alan Blumenfeld & Katherine James by Dan Berkowitz

August 23, 2019 - The Gin Game Triumphs at Theatricum

July 16, 2019 - The Gin Game

June 4, 2019 - An Enemy of the People

October 3, 2018 - The Gin Game

September 17 2018 - The Gin Game

Alan and Katherine perform in The Gin Game at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, September 7 - October 6, 2018.







Sierra Madre Weekly Review: "Who Will Win ‘The Gin Game’ At Sierra Madre Playhouse?", 9/17/18
Fran Syverson writes, "In this comedy/drama, who better to play Fonsia and Weller than a true-life married couple of 40 years, Alan Blumenfeld and Katherine James? They love acting together, and are delighted to be bringing to the stage a genre of storytelling that, says Alan, is too often neglected nowadays. After all, we will spend one-third of our years in old age if we live long enough, he reminds us!"
Read the Article

People's World Review: "‘The Gin Game’: Must aging in America depend on the luck of the draw?", 9/13/18
Eric Gordon writes, "What especially drew me to the Sierra Madre Playhouse were the actors Alan Blumenfeld (as Weller), whom I have admired in many Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum productions; aside from appearing in a great number of feature films, he is possibly most familiar to national audiences for his role as Maury Parkman in the TV series Heroes. And Katherine James (as Fonsia), who besides being a well-known actor in this area is also the author of numerous plays and a director. In addition, these two actors are married to each other, as were the originators of the roles, Cronyn and Tandy. It was high time I checked out this play."
Read the Article

Broadway World Review: “Sierra Madre Playhouse Offers Brilliant Production of THE GIN GAME”, 9/10/18
Don Grigware writes, “Don’t miss The Gin Game! You will love Katherine James and Alan Blumenfeld as Fonsia and Weller.”
Read the Article

December 29, 2017 - Ashes to Ashes

"Very much to their credit, director Katherine James and a comically able cast, including protean Michael Uribes in a multitude of roles, manage a briskly paced staging." - Kathleen Foley, LA Times.

December 26, 2017 - Ashes to Ashes

“We are living in challenging times,” says Culver City resident Katherine James. “Sometimes we just need to go to the theater to laugh and experience something positive and have a blast.”

And to that end, she has brilliantly directed the world premiere of ASHES TO ASHES.

What a pleasure that Ashes to Ashes was reviewed by the Culver City News! Please join me for this wonderful opportunity and read the review here.

If you haven't seen the play, you can still catch the upcoming showings until January 14. For show times and tickets, please visit https://ashestoashestheplay.com/.

December 18, 2017 - Ashes to Ashes

Ashes to Ashes has been captivating in so many ways. It is the perfect entertainment this holiday season to gather together for a good laugh with your friends and family. If you haven't seen the play yet, be sure to check out some of these rave reviews, and I hope to see you at the upcoming Ashes to Ashes shows. Now playing through January 14, 2018 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.

“Ashes to Ashes” is written in the tradition of classic film screwball comedies, but with a highly theatrical bent, says James. “You know from the minute you walk in that these two people are going to end up in love— yet how that happens is so surprising and the journey is so much fun that the audience is all in.” Read this review by Claire Fordham from Lucy PR.

"We are living in challenging times," says Culver City resident Katherine James. "Sometimes we just need to go to the theater to laugh and experience something positive and have a blast." And to that end, she has brilliantly directed the world premiere of ASHES TO ASHES. Read the Broadway World review by Shari Barrett.

"Director Katherine James has just the right airy touch to keep this frothy cocktail sparkling." Read the Splash Magazine review by Elaine Mura here.

December 13, 2017 - Ashes to Ashes

It was a pleasure for me to get interviewed by Joan Agajanian Quinn! We talked about my career and work history, my passion, and specifically my latest directorial work on Ashes to Ashes with The Athena Cats.

"Wildly imaginative direction by Katherine James." Thank you, Theatre Spoken Here Blog for a great review of Ashes to Ashes!

December 12, 2017 - Ashes to Ashes

Providing escapist fare at a time when escape is needed more than ever, Ashes To Ashes delivers enough laughs to make it a refreshing alternative both to the day’s headlines not to mention all the Christmas Carols and Nutcrackers playing round town this time of year.

"Under Katherine James's effervescent direction, Boutron (in Luckille Ball meets Carole Lombard mode) and Young (Jack Lemon crossed with Tom Hanks) generate considerable romantic-comedic sparks, and Uribes steals every scene he's in in assorted wigs and accents and genders." — Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA.
Click here to read the review.

December 7, 2017 - Ashes to Ashes

Katherine: The holiday season is a perfect time to laugh, sigh, fall in love all over again and go for a great ride. And in this dark time in our country’s history, where better to do this than in the theater?

Click here for a full interview with Debbie Bolsky and Katherine James with the Los Angeles Female Playwrights Initiative on Ashes to Ashes -- The Very Merry Journey of Ashes to Ashes!

December 5, 2017 - ASHES TO ASHES

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

“That’s what makes it a true adventure.” Debbie Bolsky, Ashes to Ashes

How do you know when you’ve fallen in love forever and ever? And what if you screwed up and didn’t figure it out the first time around? Is it possible to have a true love “do over”? Poets, Playwrights and Incurable Romantics of every stripe have been trying to answer these questions since the dawn of time. Some answer them darkly (can you spell Silas Marner?). Thank heavens Debbie Bolsky joins forces with those who over the eons have answered them with laughter. I first fell in love with Sara, Jefferson, and The Guide in the summer of 2015 when Debbie was developing the play in Jennie Webb’s Dramaturgy Workshop at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Debbie’s madcap sense of humor, love of the great screwball comedies of the 1930’s, and heartfelt understanding of the journey of life had me at “hello”. Deep in my heart I knew I had fallen in love with this play and wanted to be a part of it. Forever and ever. With the undying support of The Athena Cats (of which I am a proud contributor) and the brilliant production team of Theatre Planners we were able to create a true theatrical collaboration. A million rewrites, a workshop, an inclusive rehearsal process that called on the big creative brains of actors, producers, designers, stage manager…the unique process of bringing Ashes to Ashes to life has been this theatre artist’s dream come true. Thanks forever to The Athena Cats’ founders, Debbie Bolsky and Laurel Wetzork, and their vision of a world filled with productions created by female playwrights and directors. Finally, gentle theatre goer, as the world has grown darker and less funny to many of us…we look to the theatre to give us a respite of a few hours where we can find hope, love, and a place where we can freely exercise our sense of humor. Kick back, relax and enjoy the ride!

November 1, 2017 - ASHES TO ASHES

Ashes to Ashes, written by Debbie Bolsky and directed by Katherine James, will open as a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre on December 9, 2017 through January 14, 2018. Presented by The Athena Cats, a collective of Southern California female playwrights and directors; it is the world premiere of a madcap romantic comedy that's a perfect escape for the holidays.

The Odyssey Theatre is located at: 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, 90025. For reservations and information, call 310-564-9410 or go to www.AshesToAshesThePlay.com.

Click here to read more. Visit this page today for tickets.

September 7, 2017 - THE GIN GAME

Alan and I will be reading a new staged reading, so join us for this month's Off The Page performance with The Gin Game, presented by the Sierra Madre Playhouse.

The Gin Game
Written by D.L. Coburn and Directed by Christian Lebano
Monday, September 18, 2017, 7:00 PM

Weller Martin tries desperately to retain some control over his life despite falling into ill health and becoming a reluctant resident of a nursing home. Fonsia Dorsey serves as the symbol of all gone wrong, and his battles with her, though over a simple game of gin, become not only a conflict with the woman but with divine will itself.

Donations are gratefully accepted, to help defray royalties.

Sierra Madre Playhouse
87 W Sierra Madre Blvd
Sierra Madre, California 91024
(626) 355-4318

Visit Sierra Madre Playhouse for more information.

September 6, 2017 - ASHES TO ASHES

In the Fall of 2017, I will be directing Ashes to Ashes, written by Debbie Bolsky. This play opens on December 8, 2017 and plays through January 14, 2018.

"Liberal SARA and right-winger JEFFERSON are polar opposites about everything except their love and devotion for their two, newly deceased, filthy-rich best friends. Trapped by the time-constraints of their friends' will and overseen by a mysterious character named DENISE/DENNIS, the ex-couple Sara and Jefferson are forced to spend the next sixteen days, twenty-one hours and thirty-two minutes together scattering ashes across Europe. Whether they make it or not, they are both in for a bumpy and funny ride."

September 6, 2017 - ZERO-SIX-TWO-EIGHT

Katherine's play, "Zero-Six-Two-Eight" is a finalist in Little Black Dress Ink National Women Playwrights Festival. It was played in Prescott, AZ July 6-8, 2017 and will play in Los Angeles in the fall, the date is TBA.

To visit Little Black Dress Ink website, simply click here.

May 2, 2017 - THE ATHENA CATS NEW WORKS FESTIVAL STAGED READINGS

The photos below are from our super exciting and lively staged readings of 10 minute plays we (Alan and Katherine) participated in during The Athena Cats NEW WORKS FESTIVAL on April 8 2017. Please feel free to check out!


The Salmon Mousse, by Elisa Manzini
Directed by Katherine James

After a suicide murder, married couple Rich and Marion must deal with Dinah, the woman in charge of the Pearly Gates. (Rich/Alan Blumenfeld; Marion/D.J. Harner; Dinah/Katherine Griffith; Stage directions/Katherine James)

Chasing Sangha, by Marlan Warren
Directed by Katherine James

Sheila, after her divorce and a self-imposed exile, longs for sangha (the Buddhist concept of home). "If a mountain lion leaves her fellow lions – her sangha – and goes down to the village alone, she will be killed." After she meets Barb at a Buddhist ashram, Sheila impulsively offers to chaperone Barb on her quest in the wilderness. (Sheila/D.J. Harner; Barb/Katherine Griffith; Noh Player/Alan Blumenfeld; Stage directions/Katherine James).

Muse Me
written and directed by Katherine James

Muse Me examines the question of artistic inspiration: where does it come from? In this tale, twin sisters -- one born living and one born dead -- have spent 60 years intertwined in creating art. And life. Dedicated to the playwright's sister, Laura Ellen, who lived and died one day in 1955 but whose absence, influence and "what if-ness?" is with her always. (Artist/D.J. Harner; Muse/Katherine Griffith; Stage directions/Alan Blumenfeld)

March 30, 2017 - MUSE ME

Katherine's play, "Muse Me" was a part of the Athena Cats New Works Festival on April 8, 2017.

August 3, 2016 - LOVE THROUGH THE CRACKS OF TIME

We started the SPF7's First Night with my play, Love Through the Cracks of Time, at The Road Theatre. Such a memorable night!

July 8, 2016 - ELEEMOSYNARY

Katherine played Dorothea in Eleemosynary by Lee Blessing at the Sierra Madre Playhouse at 8pm on Monday, July 25. The play house is where Katherine just completed a wonderful run as Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, which was directed by the wonderful Christian Labano.

June 1, 2016 - THE GLASS MENAGERIE

KUCI INTERVIEW: Tune in for a wonderful on-location interview with Ashton Marcus from KUCI, interviewing the cast of The Glass Menagerie at The Sierra Madre Playhouse.

May 25, 2016 - THE GLASS MENAGERIE

The Ovation Recommended designation by LA STAGE indicates that a production has been scored by Ovation voters and placed in the top 20th percentile in the Overall Production category. Being Ovation Recommended is being recognized excellence in theatrical work throughout each Ovation Season. What an honor that The Glass Menagerie at The Sierra Madre Playhouse is one of the Ovation Recommended Productions for 2015-2016 Season!

I am very excited to share the news! To read more, click here.

May 9, 2016 - THE GLASS MENAGERIE

The Glass Menagerie's opening this weekend was a success! Find the exciting reviews on the play in the articles below.

BROADWAY WORLD REVIEW: "A Thoroughly Reinvented GLASS MENAGERIE Thrills in Sierra Madre" by Don Grigware, May 9, 2016. Don Grigware writes, "Under Lebano's superb direction, all the actors flesh out their characters magnificently and find their own breathing space within the confines of the limited scenario. James is marvelous as Amanda, the mother who lived to love her children." To read the full review, click here.

STAGE RAW REVIEW: "The Glass Menagerie, reviewed by Lyle Zimskind. Lyle Zimskind writes, "But fans of the play, and those curious to see it for the first time, will be amply rewarded by director Christian Lebano’s straightforward staging, which features a fine ensemble led by Katherine James’ bravura performance as the proud but emotionally stricken family matriarch, Amanda". To read the full article, click here.

SIERRA MADRE WEEKLY REVIEW: "Compelling ‘The Glass Menagerie’ Now at Sierra Madre Playhouse", by Fran Syverson, May 10th, 2016. Fran Syverson writes, "Amanda, with her constant ranting from frustration, countered by her coquettishness both past and present. Katherine James convincingly carries off that challenging role with aplomb." To read the full article, click here.

REVIEWPLAYS.COM REVIEW: "The Glass Menagerie, Sierra Madre Playhouse", by Jose Ruiz. Jose Ruiz writes, "Katherine James answers the call in an extraordinary performance that brings the audience to its feet at curtain time. She owns the very soul of Amanda and her interaction with the other characters creates a gripping, compelling and absorbing tale that carries a willing audience into their conflicted world." To read the full review, click here.

STAGE SCENE LA REVIEW: "The Glass Menagerie" by Steven Stanley, May 6, 2016. Steven Stanley writes, "James dazzles as Amanda, capturing her every facet, from her indomitable optimism to her grating querulousness to her still potent charm." To read the full review, click here.

COLORADO BOULEVARD REVIEW: "The Glass Menagerie" at Sierra Madre Playhouse by Melanie Hooks. Melanie Hooks writes, "Katherine James inhabits Amanda Wingfield completely. James brings transparency to the nagging and bragging, never far from the naked love of her children and anxiety about their futures". To read the full review, click here.

July 22, 2016 - BROKEN GLASS

Katherine appeared in a reading on July 22 as part of the American Dream: A Resident Artist Reading Festival, held at A Noise Within.

May 6 - June 19, 2016 - THE GLASS MENAGERIE

Katherine starred as Amanda Wingfield in THE GLASS MENAGERIE at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, May 6 to June 19.

Spring, 2016 - ROMEO AND JULIET

Katherine was nominated for Robby Award for dual role as Capulet & Sister Laurence. R&J was named Top of The Hollywood Fringe by StageSceneLA.

February 15, 2016 - LOVE THROUGH THE CRACKS OF TIME

Katherine’s play was featured as a staged reading at The Road Theater on February 25, 2016.

Spring 2016 - THE PLAN

Katherine’s play was produced this spring at El Camino High School in Oceanside, CA. THE PLAN was about two high school girls who must decide about their futures – hopes and dreams they have made for themselves versus hopes and dreams others have made for them. Blake McCarty tweeted about HALL PASS, the production of THE PLAN. To see his tweets, click here. THE PLAN was part of the HALL PASS Festival, played on May 23 at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, California. Be sure to check out the reading of THE PLAN, now finalist of Little Black Dress Ink’s 2016 Female Playwrights Onstage Semi-Finalist Readings in the National Women Playwrights Festival.

January 25, 2016 - LOVE THROUGH THE CRACKS OF TIME

Katherine’s play had a staged reading at The Road Theater January 25, 2016. It was a two hander about Claude and Alice Monet's relationship of 35 years.

December 12, 2015 - CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS

Katherine’s monologue was a part of the LAFPI Holiday MicroRead this year, read by Alan Blumenfeld.

November 6-14, 2015 - THE PLAN

Katherine’s play THE PLAN was produced by GLO Productions from November 6 - 14 in Los Angeles. To read Katherine's full article on THE PLAN click here.

November, 2015 - FREE ASSOCIATION THEATRE

Also in November Free Asociation Theatre produced a Women’s Festival of Microreads with LAFPI.

June 29, 2015 - ROMEO AND JULIET

Katherine, alongside her husband Alan Blumenfeld, finished their run in R & J, the gender-reversed Romeo & Juliet on June 27th at Mine Is Yours Theatre Company. R & J was named Top of the Hollywood Fringe, Best Production Overall in 2015 by StageSceneLA. The play can also be seen in the New York Fringe this Fall.

April 9, 2015 - THE OLD SALT

Katherine’s play THE OLD SALT, semi-finalist and finalist of Little Black Dress Ink’s 2014 Planting the Seed Fest, has been published with Indie Theater Now and will be available for download later in 2015. Katherine's Indie Theater Now Bio is also featured on the website.

March 19, 2015 - HOW I SAW IT

Katherine directed a comedy for the "Shorties" project for GLO Productions, Green Light’s one-act play festival of new plays written and directed by women. HOW I SAW IT by S.D. Tanner. Imagine that a woman producer who is suffering her own personal armageddon meets the man who wrote a screenplay based on The Book Of Revelations.

March 3, 2015 - ROMEO AND JULIET

In a revival of the gender bent R&J (Romeo and Juliet) Katherine repeated her role as Capulet and adds the role of Sister Lawrence. The Mine Is Yours Theater Company has further honed the play to 8 actors playing all the characters. The play has premiered at the The Hollywood Fringe Festival in June and may be seen in the New York Fringe in the Fall.

March 3, 2015 - THE PLAN

Katherine's short play THE PLAN has been presented in several high schools simultaneously in five different states. She is thrilled to be a part of this inaugural project supported by a grant through The NYU Theatre Education Department.