The Celebration Theatre has found a replacement for its long-time artistic director, Robert Schrock, who resigned earlier this year. Richard Israel will move over from the West Coast Ensemble to assume Schrock's duties at the gay and lesbian theatre center.

During his five-year tenure at WCE, Israel directed and produced numerous award-winning shows, including Company and Cabaret. He also headed up an original musical development program.

Joining his management team will be another WCE alumnus, staff producer Jill Moore. Like Israel, she is a graduate of the University of Arizona.

"With more than one hundred gay and lesbian plays produced in Los Angeles every year, the Celebration Theatre has distinguished itself as a permanent home for work by, for, and about our community," said Celebration's board president Bruce W. Zisterer in a statement. "Richard Israel has the energy and dynamism to lead us into the new millennium and strengthen our already outstanding artistic reputation."

Presently the Celebration is housing two long-running shows, Naked Boys Singing! and Too Old for the Chorus. The mini-musicals will conclude their runs on July 31 and Aug. 1, respectively.Naked Boys is set to re-open July 22 at the Actors Playhouse in New York. Schrock conceived and directed the show.

The Celebration Theatre is located at 7051 Santa Monica Blvd.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent