There's been considerable blowback from the L.A. Times' announcement on Tuesday of a panel (This coming Tuesday, 6 p.m. at the Colburn School), moderated by that paper's drama critic, Charles NcNulty, on “Is L.A. a Theater Town?” and “the city's place in the national scene.” The “range” of panelists includes producers Michael Ritchie, Sheldon Epps Marc Platt, playwright Beth Henley and — ostensibly representing the small theater scene — actor Tim Robbins. Much of the dismay, which you can find in the comments section on the Times' own Culture Monster blog, is the lack of any serious representation from the companies doing the overwhelming majority of the work here, i.e. L.A.'s small theaters. It's a akin to doing a panel on the state of Apartheid South Africa, and ignoring the blacks.
The selection of Robbins drew a hefty portion of the consternation. There may have been a time when his Actors' Gang represented L.A.'s small theater scene with a kind of artistic defiance and as a symbol for alternative perspectives, but that was a generation ago.
Colin Mitchell, who co-administers a theater blog, Bitter-Lemons.com was in top form last week, jumping all over the Culture Monster blog as well as devoting an item to the panel.
I was on the bus to the Geffen last week, when a item popped up on the the “Moving Transit” TV screen: “Question: How many stage theatres are there in L.A.?” Answer: “Well over 80.”
They're asking this on the bus! This led me to reflect further on the folly of the question, “Is L.A. a Theater Town?”
The larger issue is a clash of perceptions, not only on what and who is “important”, but on how the values espoused by theater leaders, including critics and producers, endorse or challenge the prevailing cultural values. Which leads to the question: how are we as a culture being conned? And if only larger “state supported” theater is going to be represented on such panels, the whole enterprise starts to look slightly Russian.
Playwright John Steppling is hosting a counter-panel to address just these issues on June 19th, 1 p.m. at the Lost Studio, with Travis Preston, Matthew McCray, Jay McAdams, Tina Kronis, Guy Zimmerman, Wes Walker, and Murray Mednick. It was Mednick who cut to the heart of the matter in the New York Times: “There are many successful plays that aren't very good. And there are many good plays that aren't very successful. Those are the ones we have to stand up for.”
Steppling can be heard on KCRW, 89.9, Thursday, June 16 at 2:30 p.m.
Check back tomorrow late night for Hollywood Fringe Reviews by L.A. Weekly and Back Stage.
For this coming week's COMPLETE THEATER LISTINGS, press the More tab.
COMPREHENSIVE THEATER LISTINGS FOR June 17-23, 2011
Our critics are Pauline Adamek, Paul Birchall, Lovell Estell III,
Rebecca Haithcoat, Martin Hernandez, Mayank Keshaviah, Deborah Klugman, Amy Lyons, Steven
Leigh Morris, Amy Nicholson, Tom Provenzano, Bill Raden, and Neal
Weaver. These listings were compiled by Derek Thomas
Productions are sequenced alphabetically in the following
cagtegories: Opening This Week, Larger Theaters regionwide, Smaller
Theaters in Hollywood, Smaller Theaters in the valleys , Smaller
Theaters on the Westside and in beach towns. You can also search for any
play by title, using your computer's search engine
OPENING THIS WEEK
All Beepers Go to Heaven Sketch revue by New Orleans comedy troupe Stupid Time Machine. Wed., June 22, 7 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 7 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 7 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 7 & 10 p.m. I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-7560.
Are We Not Human? Female clown duo Duckbits' surreal vaudeville show. Sat., June 18, 10 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 10 p.m., duckbitsladies.com. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 469-9988.
Askance Staged reading of Kerr Seth Lordygan's play about an elderly couple's sordid past coming to light. Sat., June 18, 2 p.m. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village, (818) 508-3003, eclecticcompanytheatre.org.
Barrie: Back to Back Two by J.M. Barry: 1912's Rosalind and 1917's The Old Lady Shows Her Medals. Starting June 18, Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through July 31. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice, (310) 822-8392, pacificresidenttheatre.com.
Beneath Rippling Water Sybyl Walker's three-act solo play. Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 2 p.m. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., (323) 856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
The Black and The Jew: Epstein and Hassan “She's Black, He's Jewish, They're Married, Oy Vey!” Sun., June 19, 7: 30 p.m.; Tue., June 21, 8 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m. M Bar, 1253 Vine St., L.A., (323) 856-0036, mbarhollywood.com.
Booze, Boys & Brownies: A Musical Journey Veronica Mannion's one-woman, 10-character play about a “busty, bubbly, binge-eating young actress.” Sun., June 19, 8:30 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 7 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8:30 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 2:30 p.m. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-1632.
Born Again Bohemian Written and performed by Summer “Rain” Sinclair. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 10 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 3 p.m., (310) 312-8988, BornAgainBohemain.com. Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., openfist.org.
Broadsword “Former members of Broadsword have to put aside 16 years of bad blood in order to uncover the chilling secret behind their lead guitarist's mysterious disappearance,” by Marco Ramirez. Starting June 18, Thursdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Continues through July 31, (800) 838-3006. Black Dahlia Theatre, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., www.thedahlia.com.
Charlie! The Death of Nancy Fullforce Jasten King's rock & roll comedy. Fri., June 17, 9:30 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 9:30 p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
Closet Land Radha Bharadwajs' story of a children's book author accused of treason. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through July 23, thevisceralcompany.com. NoHo Stages, 4934 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, noho-stages.us.
Crumbs From the Table of Joy Lynn Nottage's memory play about a Southern black family in 1950 Brooklyn. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through June 26, (323) 655-0108, plays411.com. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A..
D Is for Dog Rogue Artists Ensemble's multimedia mix of 1950s Americana and B-movie horror/sci-fi. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 2 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 4 & 8 p.m. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, (714) 708-5555, scr.org.
A Death in Columbia Katselas Theatre Company presents Shem Bitterman's world-premiere thriller. Starting June 18, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Continues through July 31, (702) 582-8587), ktctickets.com. Skylight Theater, 1816 1/2 N. Vermont Ave., L.A..
Diary of a Crackhead Stevie Mack's solo tragicomedy. Mon., June 20, 8:30 p.m. The Lab at Hollywood Improv, 8156 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 651-2583.
The Fix Staged reading of John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe's political musical. Mon., June 20, 7 p.m. International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 436-4610, ictlongbeach.org.
Get Me Out of Here! Adam Gropman's solo memoir of two months at summer camp. Thu., June 23, 6:45 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 6:15 p.m., summercampnightmare.weebly.com. Dorie Theater at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-0383, complexhollywood.com.
Girl Band in the Men's Room Robert A. Ford's grunge dramedy, set in a men's bathroom in 1994. Fri., June 17, 11 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 5 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 6:30 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 9:30 p.m., girlbandinthemensroom.com. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
Group Indie rock musical presented by The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble and It's Right Here Productions, book, music and lyrics by Adam Emperor Southard. Thu., June 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 8 p.m. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-4446.
I Do Card Tricks and I'm Funny Humor and illusion courtesy of magician Jon Armstrongs. Fri., June 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 7:30 p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
I Heart Hamas: And Other Things I'm Afraid to Tell You Jennifer Jajeh's life as a 30-something Palestinian-American woman. Fri., June 17, 2 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 7 p.m.; Tue., June 21, 7 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 12:30 p.m. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-1632.
The Interlopers Gary Lennon's transgendered love story. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Continues through July 17. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A., (213) 389-3856, bootlegtheater.com.
The Last Five Years Bright Eyes Productions presents Jason Robert Brown's musical about an ill-fated marriage, told from opposite perspectives in time. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 7 p.m., (323) 960-5770, plays411.com/lastfiveyears. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A..
Les Miserables Cameron Mackintosh's 25th anniversary production of Boublil and Schönberg's musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Continues through July 31. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A., (213) 628-2772, centertheatregroup.org.
Lost Moon Radio: Travels and Journeys Intergalactic rock & roll comedy show, with house band The Moon Units. Fri., June 17, 10 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 4 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8:30 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 10 p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
Lucky: A Burlesque Tragedy “Pseudo-solo musical play” by Minerva Vier. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 8 p.m. Paul G. Gleason Theatre, 6520 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (617) 899-4283, acmt.org.
The Many Women of Troy The Pallas Theatre Collective presents Michael John Boynton and Brian Allan Hobbs' musical inspired by Euripides' tragedy The Trojan Women. Fri., June 17, 10 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 6: 30 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 8 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 10:30 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 10:30 p.m. Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 882-6912, openfist.org.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Shakespeare's comedy, presented by Ark Theatre Company. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through July 17, (323) 969-1707, arktheatre.org. The Attic Theatre and Film Center, 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A., attictheatre.org.
My Mobster Joy Nash's true story of an American girl in Italy who falls for a French crook. Sun., June 19, 9 p.m.; Tue., June 21, 6 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 6 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 4 p.m. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 469-9988.
The Next Best Thing Antonio Sacre's solo show. Fri., June 17, 6 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., (323) 856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
Oscar Wilde's Salome The biblical tragedy, as presented by Zombie Joe's Underground and Fabulous Monsters Performance Group. Starting June 18, Fridays, Saturdays, 8:30 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through July 17. ZJU Theater Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 202-4120, zombiejoes.com.
Parable of the Asses Staged reading of Elaine Chekich's play set in a poor Mexican village. Sun., June 19, 1 p.m. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village, (818) 508-3003, eclecticcompanytheatre.org.
Poison Apple Sean Galuszka's “sexy psycho thriller.” Wed., June 22, 8 p.m. Celebration Theatre, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 957-1884, celebrationtheatre.com.
1776 Founding Fathers musical, book by Peter Stone, music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards. Starting June 23, Thursdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., July 10, 3 p.m.; Sun., July 17, 3 p.m. Continues through Aug. 13. Glendale Center Theater, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale, (818) 244-8481.
The Solid Gold Cadillac George S. Kaufman and Howard Teichmann's 1953 satire about a corrupt corporation. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Continues through July 30. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, (626) 355-4318, sierramadreplayhouse.org.
Spring Awakening Coming-of-age rock musical based on the 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind, music by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater. Fri., June 17, 10:30 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 2 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8:30 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10:30 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 2 p.m. Ruby Theater at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 960-5774, complexhollywood.com.
Third National Asian American Theater Festival The Consortium of Asian-American Theaters & Artists presents works featuring Asian-American performers and stories. Complete schedule at 2011.caata.net/festival/. June 23-25, 7 & 9 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 2 & 4 p.m., caata.net. National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 111 N. Central Ave., L.A., (213) 830-1880.
Top That! Be Flat Productions' dark comedy about former child actors attending a cast reunion party, written by Brandon Baruch and the cast. Sun., June 19, 9 p.m.; Tue., June 21, 10 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 5 p.m., TopThatPlay.com. Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 882-6912, openfist.org.
An Unfinished Man Myron Ward's study of identity versus celebrity. Fri., June 17; Sat., June 18; Fri., June 24; Sat., June 25, AnUnfinishedMan.com. NoHo Actors Studios, 5215 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 761-2166, www.thenohoactorsstudio.com.
Voices from Chornobyl, Jr. Cindy Marie Jenkins' lesson on nuclear power, for kids 8 and up. Sat., June 18, 1 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 1 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 1 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 1 p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
Who Loves You, Baby? Telly Savalas returns in Tom DiMenna's surreal lounge act. Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 7 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 11 p.m. I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-7560.
CONTINUING PERFORMANCES IN LARGER THEATERS REGIONWIDE
D Is for Dog Rogue Artists Ensemble's multimedia mix of 1950s Americana and B-movie horror/sci-fi. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 2 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 4 & 8 p.m. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, (714) 708-5555, scr.org.
Diamonds Are Forever The Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey: Jennifer Leigh Warren is Shirley Bassey! Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7 p.m., uprightcabaret.com/events. Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Pl., L.A., (323) 860-7300, lagaycenter.org.
NEW REVIEW GO EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS
Incongruity
is both striking and informative. 3,000 people are killed by planes
crashing into buildings, and a global “War on Terror” ensues, creating a
new lens through which the world is observed with fear and suspicion.
Twenty-five years earlier and half a world away, two million people are
massacred, wiping out one-fifth of a country's population, but nary a
blip on the global consciousness. The latter scenario, in case you don't
recall, was the 1970s Cambodian genocide perpetrated by the Khmer
Rouge. Its aftermath in 2008 is the setting for this world premiere by
David Wiener. American telecom executive Carter (Mather Zickel) is taken
with Phnom Penh and its people, especially obliging guide Sopoan (Greg
Watanabe), but his wife Mara (Marin Hinkle) would rather be anywhere
else. The tension between the two creates a comic interplay that
highlights the incongruity of Carter's “mission” in Cambodia. This
disjointedness is further amplified in their first meeting with
“facilitator” Dr. Heng (Francois Chau), a surprisingly raw encounter
that's beautifully crafted by director Pam MacKinnon and rendered by
Chau. Once the confusion dissipates, Heng becomes instantly hospitable,
yet his wife Rom Chang (Kimiko Gelman) remains feisty and incisively
outspoken. Her attitude reflects the effects of genocide, and in
exploring them, the play becomes like a cave: the deeper you go, the
darker it gets. The cast is stellar across the board: from Zickel's
charisma and Hinkle's expressive body language, to Chau's ability to
turn on dime, Gelman's understated ferocity and Watanabe's embodiment of
an utterly broken man. MacKinnon potently molds Wiener's cleverly
subversive scenes into edgy drama that strikingly conveys the weight of
history. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le
Conte Ave., Wstwd.; Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2
& 7 p.m.; thru July 3. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.org. (Mayank Keshaviah)
The Fix Staged reading of John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe's political musical. Mon., June 20, 7 p.m. International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 436-4610, ictlongbeach.org.
GO Krunk Fu Battle Battle Why is it that we keep going back to that hole-in-the-wall restaurant around the corner, despite its hackneyed decor, lack of ambience and slow service? It's because the food is so damn good. Similarly, this world-premiere musical features a book (Qui Nguyen) that's amusing but a bit thin, lyrics (Beau Sia) that are clever but not stellar, and pleasant enough vocals (Marc Macalintal); however, the dancing — Rynan Paguio's music and Jason Tyler Chong's choreography — kills and keeps you coming back. The plot is basically The Karate Kid in Brooklyn, but instead of breaking boards, they're breaking it down b-boy style. “Daniel-san” Norman Lee (Lawrence Kao) and his mother, Jean (Joan Almedilla), are forced to move back from Connecticut to the mean streets she grew up on. “Mr. Miyagi” Sir Master Cert (Blas Lorenzo) takes Norman under his wing after Norman crosses reigning b-boy kings Three-Point (Leng Phe), Hype (Troy Terashita) and L.A. (Cesar Cipriano) in coming to the defense of his friend Wingnut (Matt Tayao). The battle is on and only ramps up when Norman falls for Three-Point's girl, the beautiful Cindy Chang (Liza B. Domingo). Director Tim Dang's clever use of projection screens and his lightning-fast transitions keep the show humming, but its tone remains uneven as Dang alternately plays the text earnestly and tongue-in-cheek. The dance tracks seamlessly incorporate a wide range of musical influences, and the dancers (especially the impressive Phe) contort their bodies in seemingly impossible ways. Highlighting their physical pyrotechnics is Dan Weingarten's nimble, kaleidoscopic lighting, which, combined with Adam Flemming's bold set, creates an amazing “glowffiti” effect that pops and locks. (Mayank Keshaviah). Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through June 26. East West Players, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., L.A., (213) 625-7000, eastwestplayers.org.
Les Miserables Cameron Mackintosh's 25th anniversary production of Boublil and Schönberg's musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 1 & 6: 30 p.m. Continues through July 31. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A., (213) 628-2772, centertheatregroup.org.
Lobby Hero L.A. Theatre Works presents Kenneth Lonergan's modern morality play, to be recorded for radio broadcast. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 2: 30 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 4 p.m., (310) 827-0889, latw.org. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood, skirball.org.
The Marvelous Wonderettes Welcome to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, courtesy of playwright Roger Bean. Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 & 7 p.m. Continues through June 19. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, (562) 944-9801.
The Method Gun Austin-based collective Rude Mechs are the “abandoned disciples of a questionable acting guru,” by Kirk Lynn. Wednesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 6: 30 p.m. Continues through June 26. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, (213) 628-2772.
NEW REVIEW MOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Back
in the 1950s, the Tappino family left their home in Calabria, southern
Italy, to search for work. They settled in Thunder Bay, in chilly
northern Ontario, Canada, where the temperature often drops to minus-40
degrees. By 2001, they have become a large and obstreperous clan, headed
by irascible paterfamilias Giuseppe (John Cygan) and his wife Maria
(Connie Mellors). Their children include studious Joseph (Nick McDow),
couch-potato Bruno and his Native American fiance Honabiji (Jemma
Bosch), touchy Carmela (Corinne Shor), her Anglo husband Darryl (Michael
Lorre), their young son Timothy (Grant Venable), and Giuseppe's other
daughter Gina (playwright Dina Morrone). Also present are Maria's
parents, garrulous Rodolfo (Jack Kutcher) and acerbic Pina (Laura
James), whose acid comments provide much of the comedy. Morrone's play
is clearly semi-autobiographical, inspired by her family, and the day a
moose wandered out of the bush and into a neighbor's backyard. Short on
plot, the play centers on a big family dinner, and Giuseppe's
ill-starred attempt to shoot the moose. It's a pleasantly old-fashioned
family comedy, affectionately but keenly observed, and deftly directed
by Peter Flood. Tom Badal plays both the talkative Moose and the local
chief of police. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Boulevard West, L.A.;
Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., thru July 10. (323) 851-7977. (Neal
Weaver)
Native Voices Festival of New Plays Public readings of four new works: Cikiuteklluku (Giving Something Away) by Holly Stanton; Ungipamsuuka (My Story) by Susie Silook; The Bird House by Diane Glancy; The Woman Who Was Captured by Ghosts by Julie Pearson-Little Thunder. Fri., June 17, 7: 30 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 1 & 4 p.m. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A., (323) 667-2000, autry-museum.org.
Night Must Fall Emlyn Williams' thriller about a charming psycho killer, an aging invalid and her beautiful daughter. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through July 16. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, (562) 494-1014, lbph.com.
The Old Settler John Henry Redwood's Harlem story circa World War II. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through June 26. International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 436-4610, ictlongbeach.org.
RADAR L.A. International Theatre Festival Diverse stage projects from Australia, Chile, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, San Francisco, Austin and Los Angeles. Through June 19. REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., L.A., (213) 237-2800, redcat.org.
1776 Founding Fathers musical, book by Peter Stone, music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards. Starting June 23, Thursdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., July 10, 3 p.m.; Sun., July 17, 3 p.m. Continues through Aug. 13. Glendale Center Theater, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale, (818) 244-8481.
Solitude Latino Theater Company presents Evelina Fernandez's take on Mexican culture in L.A. Through June 19, 8 p.m., (213) 237-2800. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A., thelatc.org.
GO Standing on Ceremony The Gay Marriage Plays: This highly acclaimed evening of short plays by award-winning playwrights, dealing with the subject of marriage equality, was first presented as a one-time benefit to support gay marriage. Now it's scheduled for a special series of Monday night performances, to benefit the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's efforts to promote marriage equality, with a different celebrity cast each week. All nine plays are winners — funny, clever, stylish and compassionate — and none is allowed to devolve into mere propaganda. This Marriage Is Saved, by Joe Keenan, concerns a Christian evangelist, caught in flagrante delicto with a gay hustler, who attempts to salvage his conservative credentials by writing a book called Now I Only Kneel to Pray. In Strange Fruit, writer Neil LaBute looks at a happy gay couple who plan to marry till grim reality intervenes. In On Facebook, Doug Wright adapts a real online exchange in which fur flies as six people, of widely differing views, tangle violently on the subject of gay marriage. Moisés Kaufman sets his moving London Mosquitos at a Jewish funeral, in which a man mourns the loss of his longtime lover to vicious gay-bashers. And Paul Rudnick's The Gay Agenda provides a funny and surprisingly sympathetic portrait of a hysterical member of Focus on the Family, who feels her whole existence is under siege by gays and lesbians. The other plays, by Wendy McLeod, Jenny Lynn Bader, Jordan Harrison and Jose Rivera, are equally sharp. If director Brian Schnipper can assemble celebrity casts as skillful as the one reviewed (Amy Aquino, John Getz, Harriet Harris, Peter Paige, Tom Everett Scott and Cynthia Stevenson), this production is a luxury item. (Neal Weaver). Mon., June 20, 8 p.m.; Mon., June 27, 8 p.m., StandingOnCeremony.net. Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Pl., L.A., (323) 860-7300, lagaycenter.org.
Superior Donuts Tracy Letts' drama set in a doughnut shop run by a former hippie radical and his African-American assistant. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 & 8 p.m. Continues through July 10. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, (310) 208-5454, geffenplayhouse.com.
Tartuffe, ou l'Imposteur New adaptation of Molière's comedy, with songs by Ellen Geer and Peter Alsop. Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7: 30 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 3: 30 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 21, 7: 30 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 28, 7: 30 p.m.; Fridays, 8 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 1, 4 p.m. Continues through Sept. 30. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, (310) 455-3723, theatricum.com.
The Ugly Duckling Interactive kids' musical by Lloyd J. Schwartz and Adryan Russ. Saturdays, 1 p.m. Continues through July 9, (818) 761-2203. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A., theatrewest.org.
NEW REVIEW GO YEAR ZERO
Anyone
who thinks the Colony Theatre in Burbank only caters for the blue rinse
set with safe, theatrical selections will be pleasantly surprised and
refreshed by the first of this year's six-show season. Brilliantly
directed by David Rose, Michael Golamco's play about a young med student
and her teen-aged brother facing an uncertain and divided future is a
tender story filled with beautifully calibrated, incendiary performances
swirling around the psychological fallout from the Cambodian killing
fields. Newly orphaned, Ra (Christine Corpuz) and Vuthy (David Huynh,
giving a broad but convincing teen performance) are the offspring of a
recently deceased Cambodian refugee. It turns out these two knew little
of their mother's grim fight for survival. Running a store in the Long
Beach's Cambodian community, she concentrated on keeping her kids away
from gangs and teen pregnancy. Young, ripped and inked up gang member
Han (Tim Chiou) has just been sprung from prison, but he's no thug. Han
remembers the Mother's kindness over the years and wants to help his
neighbors, to “give back.” But Ra is proud and thinks she can cope by
sending her brother to live with an “Auntie” while she completes her
studies at Berkeley. Vuthy is being bullied at school and looks to Han
for advice. Succumbing to Han's fervent interest, Ra starts
contemplating a future minus her milquetoast Chinese boyfriend (Eymard
Cabling). Short but satisfying scenes glide by with the grace and
precision of a figure skating, effortlessly skirting stereotypes and
predictable outcomes, while a dynamic pace is fuelled by Peter Bayne's
contemporary, driving score. Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third St., Burbank;
Thurs.-Sun., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru July 3. (818) 558-7000. colonytheatre.org (Pauline Adamek)
CONTINUING PERFORMANCES IN SMALLER THEATERS SITUATED IN HOLLYWOOD, WEST HOLLYWOOD AND THE DOWNTOWN AREAS
Actor Under Fire James Gleason's one-man,
six-character show. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Fri.,
June 24, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 8 p.m. The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica
Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-0383, complexhollywood.com.
AfterMath Elliot Shoenman's comedic drama about a
widow trying to cope with her husband's suicide. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8
p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through June 26, (800) 595-4849,
aftermaththeplay.com. Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A..
All Beepers Go to Heaven Sketch revue by New
Orleans comedy troupe Stupid Time Machine. Wed., June 22, 7 p.m.; Thu.,
June 23, 7 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 7 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 7 & 10 p.m.
I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-7560.
American Addict Ricky Butler's study of New Yorkers
addicted to “drugs, fame, money, sex and broken dreams.” Fri., June 17,
8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 8
p.m. I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-7560.
Another Effing Family Drama World premiere of
Catherine Pelonero's dysfunctional family parody. Sat., June 18, 11
p.m.; Sat., June 25, 3 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 5 p.m., (323) 455-4585,
sharpcocktail.com. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica
Blvd., L.A., artworkstheatre.com.
Apocalypse, Not Now! End-of-the-world comedy,
written and performed by Clara York. Sat., June 18, 10: 30 p.m.; Sun.,
June 19, 6 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10: 30 p.m., (323) 455-4585. Artworks
Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.,
artworkstheatre.com.
Are We Not Human? Female clown duo Duckbits'
surreal vaudeville show. Sat., June 18, 10 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10 p.m.;
Sat., June 25, 10 p.m., duckbitsladies.com. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa
Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 469-9988.
Asleep at the Wheel Carl Kozlowski's show about his
life as a narcoleptic. See GoLA. Fri., June 17, 11 p.m.; Sun., June 19,
8 p.m., $10, hollywoodfringe.org/projects/503. I.O. West, 6366
Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-7560.
Attack of the 50 Ft. Sunday Jordan Black directs
the Groundlings Sunday Company. Sundays, 7: 30 p.m. Groundling Theater,
7307 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 934-9700, groundlings.com.
Bakersfield Mist World premiere of Stephen Sachs'
comedy inspired by true events. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2
p.m. Continues through July 31. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave.,
L.A., (323) 663-1525, fountaintheatre.com.
The Barking Pig Orgasmico Theatre Company presents
Michael Shaw Fisher's story of lowlifes in a dive bar. Fri., June 17, 8:
30 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 1 & 10 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 2: 30 p.m.;
Fri., June 24, 7 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 5: 30 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 2 p.m.,
(323) 960-7770, plays411.com/barkingpig. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa
Monica Blvd., L.A..
Bash'd! A Gay Rap Opera Hate-crime musical, written
by Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow, music by Aaron Macri.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through July 23. Celebration
Theatre, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 957-1884,
celebrationtheatre.com.
Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You Jay Alvarez's
one-man show about life as a Cuban-American. Tue., June 21, 10 p.m.;
Sat., June 25, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 26, noon. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N.
Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., (323) 856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
Beneath Rippling Water Sybyl Walker's three-act
solo play. Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24,
10 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 2 p.m. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd.,
L.A., (323) 856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
Between Us Chickens One-dimensional characters
become no less uninteresting when they reveal dark secrets in this
triangular love story set in present-day L.A. The setup to Sofia
Alvarez's play relies so heavily on the creation of stock characters
that it's painfully clear things are not what they seem from the get-go.
The problem is compounded by a situational dilemma that's hard to buy,
huge swaths of expository dialogue and nearly imperceptible stakes.
Sarah (Annabelle Bork) and Meagan (Amelia Alvarez) are Pennsylvania
transplants struggling to make meaning in L.A. The 20-something women
act out their acclimation anxiety in drastically different ways, Sarah
shutting herself in their apartment all day and Meagan hitting a new
club every night. Though the pairing of polar opposites can be the stuff
of great comedy and/or dramatic strife, Alvarez's hand is too clumsy to
make the contrast crackle. When Meagan brings home Charles (Ben Huber),
a homeless L.A. native who exhibits strange behavior (he answers
Sarah's phone and tells her mother he is Sarah's boyfriend, for
instance), things go from mildly inauthentic to entirely implausible.
With minimal protest from the exceedingly high-strung Sarah, Meagan
invites the wacko Charles to crash on the couch until he can find
another place to stay. The girls begin to reverse roles as Charles
puzzlingly becomes the object of their desire. A dark Internet scam
forces the plot into convoluted territory, while a tired viewpoint of
L.A. as a city where moral codes go to die is an ever-present drumbeat
of the play. (Amy Lyons). Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.
Continues through June 19. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave.,
L.A., (323) 644-1929, AtwaterVillageTheatre.com.
The Black and The Jew: Epstein and Hassan “She's
Black, He's Jewish, They're Married, Oy Vey!” Sun., June 19, 7: 30 p.m.;
Tue., June 21, 8 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m. M Bar, 1253 Vine St.,
L.A., (323) 856-0036, mbarhollywood.com.
Blackbird Los Angeles premiere by David Harrower.
Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 5 p.m.; Mon., July 11, 5 p.m.;
Mon., July 18, 5 p.m. Continues through July 25,
roguemachinetheatre.com. Theatre/Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd., L.A., (323)
422-6361, theatretheater.net.
The Booby Prize A “one-woman, two-booby comedy”
written and performed by Lizzie Czerner.R! Tue., June 21, 8 p.m.; Thu.,
June 23, 8 p.m., $10. I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323)
962-7560.
Booze, Boys & Brownies: A Musical Journey
Veronica Mannion's one-woman, 10-character play about a “busty, bubbly,
binge-eating young actress.” Sun., June 19, 8: 30 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 7
p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8: 30 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10 p.m.; Sun., June 26,
2: 30 p.m. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323)
962-1632.
Bordering on Love Evangeline Ordaz's comedy about a
drag queen beauty-pageant contestant on the verge of losing his Latina
stylist to deportation. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.
Continues through July 2. Company of Angels at the Alexandria Hotel, 501
S. Spring St., Third Floor, L.A., (323) 883-1717.
Born Again Bohemian Written and performed by Summer
“Rain” Sinclair. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 10 p.m.; Thu.,
June 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 3 p.m., (310)
312-8988, BornAgainBohemain.com. Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica
Blvd., L.A., openfist.org.
Broadsword “Former members of Broadsword have to
put aside 16 years of bad blood in order to uncover the chilling secret
behind their lead guitarist's mysterious disappearance,” by Marco
Ramirez. Starting June 18, Thursdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Continues through
July 31, (800) 838-3006. Black Dahlia Theatre, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., L.A.,
www.thedahlia.com.
GO Caught In the aftermath of Proposition 8
passing in November 2008, one of the regrets of those who fought
valiantly for gay marriage and against the proposition was that enough
wasn't done to “normalize” gay couples. And while the events in David L.
Ray's world-premiere play take place in July 2008, Caught furthers the
cause by dramatizing one of those healthy relationships. In it,
Angelenos Kenneth (Corey Brill) and Troy (Will Beinbrink) are on the eve
of their nuptials, a ceremony that will be officiated by their friend
Splenda (Micah McCain), who is ordained via the Internet. This blissful
scene is interrupted by a visit from Kenneth's estranged sister, Darlene
(Deborah Puette), who is very Southern and very Christian, as well as
her daughter, Krystal (Amanda Kaschak). In the interludes between
scenes, we also see Darlene's husband, T.J. (Richard Jenik), preaching
to his conservative congregation in Georgia. Secrets, lies and
surprising revelations fuel the drama. Director Nick DeGruccio deftly
takes Ray's strong and likable characters from page to stage, sparingly
playing up stereotypes for comedy without ever reducing the characters
to them. Adding to the authenticity are Adam Flemming's delightfully
detailed set and Katherine Hampton Noland's colorful couture. Adding to
the emotional investment in the story is a talented cast; standouts
include Puette, for her rich and intense portrayal of Darlene; McCain,
for balancing divalike comedy with deep sincerity; and Kaschak, for
combining fresh-faced innocence and a willfulness to create a very
believable teenager. (Mayank Keshaviah). Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.;
Sundays, 7 p.m. Continues through June 26, (800) 595-4849,
CaughtThePlay.com. Zephyr Theater, 7456 Melrose Ave., L.A..
Charlie! The Death of Nancy Fullforce Jasten King's
rock & roll comedy. Fri., June 17, 9: 30 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 9: 30
p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.,
(323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
Chela Dulce Maria Solis' biography based on stories
from her mom. Fridays, Saturdays, 7: 30 p.m. Continues through June 25,
thechelawebsite.com. Dorie Theater at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica
Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-0383, complexhollywood.com.
Come Together: A Beatles Cabaret This homage to
the music of John, Paul, George and Ringo has some terrific moments, but
director John Carey and his cast have some rough edges to smooth. The
show is all about the Fab Four's love songs, and Carey has selected a
cross-section of songs that are fit for the occasion. The music is
provided via recording and incorporates a range of musical styles. The
cast of three men and three women (Scott Charles, Barret Crake, Sheryl
Kramer, Amy Tanya Shuster, Heather Stewart and John Szura) do many of
the songs justice, but there are a number of instances where the singing
isn't up to par. Inconsistency is the glaring fault with this show,
with two of the cast members either struggling to hit the notes or not
singing loudly enough to project the lyrics. The gender balance in the
ensemble makes for some wonderful duets — none more so than Szura and
Kramer teaming up for “In My Life” and Crake and Shuster's “And I Love
Her” — amidst other impressively rendered songs. (Lovell Estell III).
Fridays, Saturdays, 10: 45 p.m. Continues through June 20. The Attic
Theatre and Film Center, 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A., (323) 525-0661,
attictheatre.org.
Cowboy Mouth San Diego's Hungry River Theatre
Company presents Sam Shepard's one-act study of desire. Sat., June 18,
2: 30 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 5: 30 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8: 30 p.m.; Fri.,
June 24, 5: 30 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 5: 30 & 11: 30 p.m.; Sun., June
26, 4: 30 & 8: 30 p.m. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., (323) 962-1632.
Crumbs From the Table of Joy Lynn Nottage's memory
play about a Southern black family in 1950 Brooklyn. Fridays, Saturdays,
8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through June 26, (323) 655-0108,
plays411.com. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A..
A Death in Columbia Katselas Theatre Company
presents Shem Bitterman's world-premiere thriller. Starting June 18,
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Continues through July 31,
(702) 582-8587), ktctickets.com. Skylight Theater, 1816 1/2 N. Vermont
Ave., L.A..
Deity Clutch Gus Krieger's new play, presented by
The Porters of Hellsgate. Sat., June 18, 4: 30 p.m., (818) 325-2055,
portersofhellsgate.com. Ruby Theater at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica
Blvd., L.A., complexhollywood.com.
Diary of a Crackhead Stevie Mack's solo
tragicomedy. Mon., June 20, 8: 30 p.m. The Lab at Hollywood Improv, 8156
Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 651-2583.
Em O'Loughlin Was a Big Fatty Boombah A fatso tale
by Emily O'Loughlin. Sat., June 18, midnight; Sat., June 18, 4 p.m.;
Sun., June 19, noon. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A.,
(323) 856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
Fact & Fiction William Nedved recalls his year
as an exchange student in Brazil. Mon., June 20, 8 p.m.; Thu., June 23,
10 p.m., 6avenue.org. Elephant Space Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., (323) 962-0046, elephantstages.com.
Feeling Feeling Sarah Doyle's story of two friends
turned lovers with opposite emotional temperaments. Sat., June 18, 11:
59 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 6: 30 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., June
24, 11: 59 p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., (323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
NEW REVIEW FIFTH OF JULY
It's
11 years after the Summer of Love and a band of former hippies are
protesting – grouching, really — about the fast-approaching decade of
1980s greed-based capitalism. They've got a patriotism hangover that
stretches back further than last night's booze binge: During the Vietnam
war, Ken Talley (Scott Victor Nelson) lost his legs, his sister June
(Jennifer Sorenson) lost her optimism, and their childhood friend John
(Christopher Carver) lost, well, nothing since he married a daffy copper
heiress and folk singer (Jen Albert) who whisked him to Europe and far
away from the reach of the draft. For two days, they're reuniting in
Lebanon, Missouri at Ken's 19-room family estate (or asylum, given all
the eccentrics) where for one and a half acts, they talk about nothing
much, and then at the climax talk about everything all at once. At least
in Lanford Wilson's dramedy, the first in his Talley Trilogy, their
chatter about Eskimos and flowers and UFOs is just as interesting as the
secrets they're keeping from each other. (Especially when Rob Herring's
hilarious guitarist pontificates between puffs of weed.) At stake is
what — or who — is up for sale, a list that includes the Talley
mansion, June's daughter (Margaret Dwyer), and the happiness of Aunt
Sally (Judy Nazemetz) and Ken's botanist boyfriend Jed (Johnny Patrick
Yoder). At times, director August Viverito coaxes nice moments from his
ensemble, but more often there's a lot of screaming. The Production
Company at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8
p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru June 25. (800) 838-3006. theprodco.com (Amy Nicholson)
Five Uneasy Pieces Todd Waring's study of diverse
characters, including an elderly Southern woman, an Aussie art teacher
and a French singer. Thursdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. Continues
through June 25, fiveuneasypieces.com. Elephant Stages' Lillian Theatre,
1076 N. Lillian Way, L.A..
Four Clowns: Romeo and Juliet The Four Clowns'
adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy. Sat., June 18, 5: 30 p.m.; Fri.,
June 24, 10: 30 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 7: 30 p.m., (562) 508-1788,
fourclowns.org. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., artworkstheatre.com.
Full Frontal Music Solo show written and performed
by James Schneider. Sun., June 19, 8: 30 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 10 p.m.;
Wed., June 22, 8: 30 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 1 p.m., fullfrontalmusic.com.
Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-1632.
Get Me Out of Here! Adam Gropman's solo memoir of
two months at summer camp. Thu., June 23, 6: 45 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 6:
15 p.m., summercampnightmare.weebly.com. Dorie Theater at the Complex,
6476 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-0383, complexhollywood.com.
Girl Band in the Men's Room Robert A. Ford's grunge
dramedy, set in a men's bathroom in 1994. Fri., June 17, 11 p.m.; Sat.,
June 18, 8 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 5 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 6: 30 p.m.;
Sat., June 25, 9: 30 p.m., girlbandinthemensroom.com. Artworks Theatre
& Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 871-8382,
artworkstheatre.com.
Godspell The 1971 hippy-dippy biblical musical,
conceived by John-Michael Tebelak, music and lyrics by Steven Schwartz.
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through July 3.
Knightsbridge Theater, 1944 Riverside Dr., L.A., (323) 667-0955,
knightsbridgetheatre.com.
Groundlings State Penitentiary All-new sketch and
improv, directed by Jim Rash. Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 & 10
p.m. Continues through July 9. Groundling Theater, 7307 Melrose Ave.,
L.A., (323) 934-9700, groundlings.com.
Group Indie rock musical presented by The Los
Angeles Theatre Ensemble and It's Right Here Productions, book, music
and lyrics by Adam Emperor Southard. Thu., June 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., June
24, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 8 p.m. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood
Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-4446.
GO Gypsy With its huge cast, multiple settings,
book by Arthur Laurents, score by Jules Stein and catchy lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim, this show has become a quintessential Broadway
musical, making demands that are hard to meet in a 99-seat theater.
Director Richard Israel proves it can be scaled down without losing its
pizzazz. And Jan Sheldrick, as the bullying, possessive Mama Rose, takes
a role that has been played by the likes of Ethel Merman, Angela
Lansbury, Rosalind Russell and Bette Midler, and makes it triumphantly
her own, with quiet moments as well as brassy ones. Stephanie Wall
provides a fine performance as Rose Louise — the future Gypsy Rose Lee —
marred only by the fact that she's not always audible. The large cast,
headed by Michael Matthys as Mama Rose's browbeaten swain, Eric Allen
Smith as the young song-and-dance man Tulsa and Kelly Swanson as Mama
Rose's other daughter, Dainty June, provides fine support, along with
veteran performers Larry Lederman and Tony Pandolfo. Sara J. Stuckey,
Kelly Jean Cuir and Jessica Schatz score as the strippers who sing “You
Gotta Get a Gimmick.” Johanna Kent's music direction and John Todd's
choreography keep things lively. (Neal Weaver). Fridays, Saturdays, 8
p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through July 3. Arena Stage at Theater
of Arts (formerly the Egyptian Arena Theater), 1625 N. Las Palmas Ave.,
L.A., (323) 595-4849.
The House of Yes Wendy MacLeod's comedy about “the
ultimate dysfunctional family.” Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues
through July 2. Theatre 68, 5419 Sunset Blvd., L.A., (323) 960-5068,
theatre68.com.
I Do Card Tricks and I'm Funny Humor and illusion
courtesy of magician Jon Armstrongs. Fri., June 17, 7: 30 p.m.; Sat.,
June 18, 7: 30 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7: 30 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 7: 30
p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.,
(323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
I Heart Hamas: And Other Things I'm Afraid to Tell You
Jennifer Jajeh's life as a 30-something Palestinian-American woman.
Fri., June 17, 2 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 7 p.m.; Tue., June 21, 7 p.m.;
Sat., June 25, 12: 30 p.m. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., (323) 962-1632.
iGhost This new musical, with book by Doug Haverty
and music by Adryan Russ, is loosely inspired by Oscar Wilde's short
story “The Canterville Ghost.” In an effort to update the material,
they've given the Ghost a taste for Internet porn. The songs are
pleasant enough, and the orchestrations by music director Richard Berent
sometimes have an engaging Renaissance lilt, but Haverty's book is
contrived, formulaic and patently implausible. In Wilde's original, the
Ghost, Sir Simon (Peter Welkin), murdered his wife, Lucinda (Dorie
Braun), who placed a deathbed curse on him. Here, he's guilty only of
refusing to investigate the imaginary night noises that alarmed Lucinda,
so she had to go prowling herself, and fell down the stairs to her
death. A young art student, Virginia (Rebecca Johnson), is touched by
Simon's plight and sets out to lift the curse that dooms his spirit.
Along the way, she wins the heart of the current Lord Canterville,
Trevor (Zachary Ford). Director Jules Aaron's efforts are inhibited by
the predictable book, but Welkin is a stylish and vocally strong Sir
Simon, Johnson's Virginia is spunky and lively, Ford's Trevor offers
diffident charm and Braun brings sweet dignity to the ghostly Lucinda.
Despite their best efforts, the piece seems much ado about nothing.
(Neal Weaver). Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through June 18,
(626) 695-8283, brownpapertickets.com/event/169940. Lyric Theatre, 520
N. La Brea Ave., L.A., lyrictheatrela.com.
The Interlopers Gary Lennon's transgendered love
story. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Continues through
July 17. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A., (213) 389-3856,
bootlegtheater.com.
Julius Caesar Theatre Unleashed's all-female
version of the Shakespeare tragedy, set in an American community coping
with the domestic effects World War II. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Continues through June 18. Studio/Stage, 520 N. Western Ave., L.A.,
(323) 463-3900, studio-stage.com.
Keep it Clean Comedy Hosted by JC Coccoli. Mondays, 10: 30 p.m., Free. 1739 Public House, 1739 N. Vermont Ave., L.A., (323) 663-1739.
GO La Razon Blindada (The Armored Reason) How does
a prisoner survive without hope? Writer/director Aristides Vargas drew
inspiration for this poignantly horrific black comedy from the
experience of his brother, a political prisoner in Argentina during that
country's military dictatorship. Confined in solitary, prisoners were
permitted a brief respite on Sunday, when they could meet and talk,
albeit while remaining seated and with their hands on the table. That
setup provides the physical framework for this luminously surreal
80-minute one-act in which two incarcerated men come together to
role-play — one calling himself De La Mancha (Jesus Castanos Chima), the
other Panza (Arturo Diaz de Sandy). The actors remain seated
throughout, navigating across the stage on wooden chairs with wheels.
Within these loosely assumed personae, the pair frolic through a
hallucinatory landscape, clowning their way through speculations about
madness, sanity, heroism and human bonding, and conjuring an elaborate
fantasy of regency over an island that brilliantly mocks the nature of
power. In the end, the aim of the game is survival — not as rational
beings, because reality would be too painful, but as madmen whose lunacy
frees them from the shame of powerlessness. The performances are
consummate and the staging, as eloquent as the text, features a
videographed landscape over which their sunken shadows pass, and Faure's
Elegie for Violoncello and Orchestra to underscore the pathos. (Deborah
Klugman). Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through June 25. 24th Street
Theater, 1117 W. 24th St., L.A., (800) 838-3006,
www.brownpapertickets.org.
The Last Five Years Bright Eyes Productions
presents Jason Robert Brown's musical about an ill-fated marriage, told
from opposite perspectives in time. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June
18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25,
8 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 7 p.m., (323) 960-5770,
plays411.com/lastfiveyears. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A..
NEW REVIEW LAVENDAR LOVE
Swanky
period costumes lend luster to Odalys Nanin's indifferent comedy about
a struggling actress who time travels back to 1920s Hollywood. Just
split from her girlfriend, Alas (Lidia Ryan) is on the run from the
police for stealing McNuggets; desperate, she dives into a secret
passageway under the pavement and emerges into the luxurious digs of
silent screen glamour queen, Alla Nazimova (Nanin). A closeted
lesbian, Nazimova is frolicking with her latest amour (Stephanie Ann
Saunders) while her just-for-show lover Paul Ivano (Drew Hinckley) gads
about with Rudolf Valentino (Kristian Steel). The Roaring '20s folks
are startled at Alas' appearance, and she soon panics about getting back
to the present, even after Nazimova dresses her in as her new-found
pet. Nanin ekes flaccid humor from a past vs. present clash of both
culture and attitudes: Nazimova and company are perplexed by Alas' cell
phone, while Alas is amazed at Nazimova's flamboyant manner and
promiscuous proclivities. The one hour piece obviously is intended to
be silly fantastical fun – but isn't. A bared female breast and a
display of hot and heavy girl-on-girl sex hardly compensates for humdrum
characters and dialogue. Co-directors Nanin and Ilmar Taska do stage
the shenanigans effectively on designer John Toom's appealing set, but
among the ensemble, only the under-utilized Saunders has a handle on the
camp. The other performances are uninspired. Macha Theatre, 1107 N.
Kings Road, W. Hlywd;. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru June 18.
(323) 960-4429 . plays411.com/lavendrlove. (Deborah Klugman)
Life in the Middle Ages World premiere of Steve
Ochs' one-man middle-age lament. Warning: Rated NC-30. Sat., June 18, 7
p.m.; Mon., June 20, 7 p.m.; Tue., June 21, 7 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 2:
30 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 7 p.m., (323) 960-7612, plays411.com/middleages.
Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A..
Lights Up on the Fade Out Padraic Lillis'
world-premiere drama about love and dementia. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8
p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through July 10, (323) 331-5123.
Elephant Stages' Lillian Theatre, 1076 N. Lillian Way, L.A..
Lost Moon Radio: Travels and Journeys
Intergalactic rock & roll comedy show, with house band The Moon
Units. Fri., June 17, 10 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 4
p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 8: 30 p.m.; Sat., June 25,
10 p.m. Artworks Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.,
(323) 871-8382, artworkstheatre.com.
LoveSick “A love story set a dream-world,” written
and directed by Larissa Wise. Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.
Continues through June 24. Loft Ensemble, 929 E. Second St., No. 105,
L.A., (213) 680-0392, loftensemble.com.
Lucky: A Burlesque Tragedy “Pseudo-solo musical
play” by Minerva Vier. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.;
Sun., June 19, 8 p.m. Paul G. Gleason Theatre, 6520 Hollywood Blvd.,
L.A., (617) 899-4283, acmt.org.
Magic Strings Bob Baker's marionette variety revue,
featuring puppet horses on a merry-go-round, an opera diva on roller
skates, a “Day at the Circus,” and an all-American grand finale.
Saturdays, Sundays, 2: 30 p.m.; Tuesdays-Fridays, 10: 30 a.m. Bob Baker
Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., L.A., (213) 250-9995,
www.bobbakermarionettes.com.
The Many Women of Troy The Pallas Theatre
Collective presents Michael John Boynton and Brian Allan Hobbs' musical
inspired by Euripides' tragedy The Trojan Women. Fri., June 17, 10 p.m.;
Sun., June 19, 6: 30 p.m.; Mon., June 20, 8 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 10: 30
p.m.; Sat., June 25, 10: 30 p.m. Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica
Blvd., L.A., (323) 882-6912, openfist.org.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Shakespeare's comedy,
presented by Ark Theatre Company. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2
p.m. Continues through July 17, (323) 969-1707, arktheatre.org. The
Attic Theatre and Film Center, 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A.,
attictheatre.org.
Mommy With a Penis Hutchins Foster's journey into
gay motherhood. Sat., June 18, 2 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 6 p.m.; Tue., June
21, 8 p.m. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., (323)
856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
My Mobster Joy Nash's true story of an American
girl in Italy who falls for a French crook. Sun., June 19, 9 p.m.; Tue.,
June 21, 6 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 6 p.m.; Sun.,
June 26, 4 p.m. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323)
469-9988.
The Next Best Thing Antonio Sacre's solo show.
Fri., June 17, 6 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N.
Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., (323) 856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
GO 100 Saints You Should Know All the characters
in Kate Fodor's play, now receiving its West Coast premiere, are
searching for some sort of validation, though they seek it in
counterproductive ways. Single mom Theresa (Cheryl Huggins) cleans
houses to support her randy teenage daughter, Abby (Kate Huffman). When
she takes a job at the local Catholic church, her rudimentary faith is
revived and she becomes convinced that the priest, Father Matthew
(Brendan Farrell), can provide some answers. But Matthew has problems
too: He's finding it impossible to pray, and he's been suspended from
his parish because of some George Platt-Lynes photos of male nudes found
in his room. He takes refuge in the home of his mother, Colleen (Pamela
Roylance), a conventionally devout Irish Catholic. There he encounters
Garrett (Marco Naggar), the touchingly naive young man who delivers
Colleen's groceries. Garrett fears he might be gay, and seeks out
Matthew because his dad said Matthew's a fag. When skeptical Abby (she
equates Bible stories with Babar the Elephant,) meets up with Garrett
and a bottle of hooch, the stage is set for disaster. Director Lindsay
Allbaugh deftly mines the rich comedy provided by Fodor's quirky
characters and elicits lovely performances from all her actors. (Neal
Weaver). Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Continues through
June 26, (877) 369-9112. Elephant Space Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica
Blvd., L.A., elephantstages.com.
Paint Imagining a Love Story of Robert Rauschenberg
& Jasper Johns: Blue Rose Theater presents Dan DeNicola's
speculative romance. Sun., June 19, 1 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 7 p.m.; Fri.,
June 24, 7 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 7 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 1 p.m. Flight
Theater at The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-0383,
complexhollywood.com.
GO Point Break Live! Jaime Keeling's merciless
skewering of the 1991 hyper-action flick starring Keanu Reeves and Gary
Busey is loaded with laughs, as well as surprises, like picking an
audience member to play Reeves' role of Special Agent Johnny Utah. It's
damn good fun, cleverly staged by directors Eve Hars, Thomas Blake and
George Spielvogel. (LE3). Fridays, 8: 30 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 p.m., (866)
811-4111, www.theatermania.com. Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., thedragonfly.com.
Poison Apple Sean Galuszka's “sexy psycho
thriller.” Wed., June 22, 8 p.m. Celebration Theatre, 7051-B Santa
Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 957-1884, celebrationtheatre.com.
GO Re-Animator: The Musical Re-Animator: The
Musical is based on Stuart Gordon's 1985 film, and Gordon is on hand to
direct the new musical. The centerpiece is a love story (of course)
that's a joke on every love story ever written. Idealistic young
hospital intern Dan Cain (Chris L. McKenna) has a poor time accepting
the death of patients. Standing by a gurney, over the body of a woman
who has flatlined, Dan administers CPR in vain, prodding her with
electro pads, until the chorus of medics has to sing, “She's dead,
Dan/Get it through your head, Dan.” His distress over the cessation of
life becomes an obsession that threatens his impending marriage to
beautiful Meg Halsey (Rachel Avery), daughter of the local university's
dean (George Wendt). Big Dean Halsey is an amiable, conservative fellow
who's accepting of Dan as a potential son-in-law, despite his lack of
old-money social credentials. Well, amiable until he's accidentally
murdered, as he later interrupts a gooey romantic interlude between Meg
and Dan by crashing through the door as a psychotic zombie. The romance
is wrapped around a conflict between dueling scientists:
self-proclaimed plagiarist Dr. Hill (Jesse Merlin, in a mop wig, whose
pinched facial expressions would creep out the most openhearted social
worker) and a newcomer to Hill's lab, Herbert West (Graham Skipper,
possessing the salty charm — and costume — of an embittered undertaker).
While Hill drools over Meg, West rents a room from Dan (since Meg won't
move in until they're wed). When the romantic couple's pet cat
disappears, then ghoulishly reappears post-mortem via West's experiments
(props by Jeff Rack), Dan enters a Faust-like partnership with West,
seeing the potential fulfillment of his God-defying desire to harness
the science of immortality. Mark Nutter's music and very witty lyrics
(recalling songs by Tom Lehrer) careen from modern opera to light opera,
from melodramatic wailing to — when the story gets really gruesome —
Gilbert and Sullivanstyle patter songs. The special effects (by Tony
Doublin, John Naulin, John Buechler, Tom Devlin and Greg McDougall),
such as a body decapitated with a shovel and intestines unstrung from a
corpse, are about as good as it gets — gory without being so
naturalistic as to bypass parody. The keys to this kingdom, however, are
the combination of the brilliant comic ensemble and Gordon's pristine
craftsmanship as a director, supplemented by Jeff Ravitz's lighting and
musical director/arranger Peter Adams' building of suspense. Adams
performs the score on a synthesizer tucked into the side of the hall,
creating the slightly cheesy ambiance that's the life force of Grand
Guignol. (Steven Leigh Morris). Fridays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Continues
through June 26, (800) 595-4849. Steve Allen Theater, at the Center for
Inquiry-West, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A..
The Rich and the Reckless Improvised soap opera by
Stage 10 Theater Company. Saturdays, 7: 30 p.m.; Sat., July 9, 7: 30
p.m.; Sat., July 16, 7: 30 p.m. Continues through June 25,
stage10theatrecompany.com. Skylight Theater, 1816 1/2 N. Vermont Ave.,
L.A..
Rollerblading in Gaza Maude Klochendler as cabaret
singer, aspiring New York actress, and soldier in the Israeli army.
Sat., June 18, 10 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 5: 30
p.m.; Sat., June 25, 5: 30 p.m., rollerbladingingaza.com. Dorie Theater
at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-0383,
complexhollywood.com.
PostModern Family Sketch comedy by Rob Belushi,
Andy Cobb, Celeste Pechous, David Pompeii and Katie Neff. Fridays, 8
p.m. Continues through June 24. Second City Studio Theater, 6560
Hollywood Blvd., Second Floor, L.A., (323) 464-8542.
Ser: L.A. vs. B.A. Karen Anzoategui's queer
transnational solo show. Fri., June 17, 8: 30 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8: 30
p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8: 30 p.m., brownpapertickets.com/event/175015.
Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-4446.
Spring Awakening Coming-of-age rock musical based
on the 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind, music by Duncan Sheik, book
and lyrics by Steven Sater. Fri., June 17, 10: 30 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 2
p.m.; Thu., June 23, 8: 30 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 10: 30 p.m.; Sun., June
26, 2 p.m. Ruby Theater at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.,
(323) 960-5774, complexhollywood.com.
GO Streep Tease If you're a fan of Meryl Streep
you'll like director Ezra Weisz's campy homage to the academy award
winning actress. The show debuted two years ago and is the brainchild of
stand-up comedian Roy Cruz, who has added a few tweaks without altering
any of its ticklish appeal. The show uses seven male actors who perform
monologues from a sampling of Streep's oeuvre.. This reviewer is a big
fan and has seen all of the movies selected (which helps in appreciating
the saucy humor on display), although even if you're not familiar with
Streep's work, Streep Tease offers lot of fun and laughs. In addition to
the performances, Cruz picks audience members to participate in a
contest to test their “Streep Wise,” worthiness, with a gift going to
the winner. Matthew Nouriel, does a riotously funny take on Sara
Woodruff, from the French Lieutenant's Woman (complete with the foggy
backdrop), and then does an even funnier version set in a Muslim country
with all the customary restraints. Miranda Priestly from The Devil
Wears Prada is brought to life by Cruz, who does a wickedly bitchy turn
salted with just the right tinge of icy detachment. And who could forget
the nun from hell, the bossy, fussy bullying Sister Aloysius Beauvier
from Doubt, here fully realized with knuckle-busting ruler, two rosaries
and bonnet, by Bryan T. Donovan. (Lovell Estell III). Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Bang, 457 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A., (323) 653-6886, bangstudio.com.
The Sum of My Parts Michael Mullen's journey from
girly-boy to girly-man. Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.;
Sun., June 19, 7 p.m.; Thu., June 23, 10 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 8 p.m.,
plays411.com/somp. Elephant Space Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., (323) 962-0046, elephantstages.com.
Super Sidekick Theatre Unleashed's superhero
musical, by Gregory Crafts with music by Michael Gordon Shapiro.
Saturdays, Sundays, 1 p.m. Continues through June 26, (818) 849-4039,
theatreunleashed.com. Actors Circle Theatre, 7313 Santa Monica Blvd.,
L.A., actorscircle.net.
Ten West: Ineffable Sketch comedy about “life,
death and hayfever.” Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 10 p.m.;
Fri., June 24, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 10 p.m. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N.
Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., (323) 856-8611, theatreofnote.com.
Top That! Be Flat Productions' dark comedy about
former child actors attending a cast reunion party, written by Brandon
Baruch and the cast. Sun., June 19, 9 p.m.; Tue., June 21, 10 p.m.;
Sun., June 26, 5 p.m., TopThatPlay.com. Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa
Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 882-6912, openfist.org.
The Trouble With Words Coeurage Theatre Company
presents the world premiere of Gregory Nabours' song cycle. Fridays,
Saturdays, 9 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through July 16.
Actors Circle Theatre, 7313 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 882-8043,
actorscircle.net.
Uranium Madhouse Two short plays: Rick Burkhardt's
Conversation Storm and Charles Mee's The House of Cards.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through June 25,
brownpapertickets.com/event/171485. El Centro Theatre, 804 N. El Centro
Ave., L.A..
Voices from Chornobyl, Jr. Cindy Marie Jenkins'
lesson on nuclear power, for kids 8 and up. Sat., June 18, 1 p.m.; Sun.,
June 19, 1 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 1 p.m.; Sun., June 26, 1 p.m. Artworks
Theatre & Studios, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., (323) 871-8382,
artworkstheatre.com.
What's Up, Tiger Lily? Maria Bamford and Melinda
Hill bring excellent standups every week — really, like Blaine Capatch,
Patton Oswalt, Matt Besser — you get the idea. Mondays, 8 p.m., Free.
Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill, 6122 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., (323)
466-9917.
Who Loves You, Baby? Telly Savalas returns in Tom
DiMenna's surreal lounge act. Sat., June 18, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 19, 7
p.m.; Mon., June 20, 7 p.m.; Wed., June 22, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 24, 11
p.m. I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 962-7560.
NEW REVIEW WORKING: THE MUSICAL
A
relentlessly patronizing tone nearly ruins all the fun in Steven
Schwartz's musical about average Joes and Janes on the job, though some
authentic moments of human experience manage to slip through the
condescending cracks. The cast, however, isn't always up for the
challenging task of taking the sentimental songs and monologues to
humanizing heights. As a whole, the ensemble has too many ham-fisted
moments to usher the stereotypical characters – a boorish iron worker
(Tim Borquez) with a supposedly ironic love of books; a self-loathing
housewife (Judi Stewart) chained to her laundry basket; a valet (Tyrone
Washington) who, by golly, refuses to let car parking rob him of his
plainspoken pluck – to more meaningful ground. But a few stand-out
performers spin their snatches of sloppily stitched material into
meaningful musings on time-clock punching. Jill Kocalis Scott, for
instance, successfully seeks out the joyful motivation of a
sophisticated waitress in “It's an Art.” Amanda Celine Miller goes from
hooker to receptionist to cleaning lady with ease, crafting
flesh-and-blood characters defined by toil. There's an undeniable
pleasure in seeing everyday people take center stage, but the real blue
collar trenches are certainly filled with more interesting men and
women. The Tribe Productions at The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Hlywd.; Fri.-Sun., 8 p.m.; thru July 10. (323) 960-5774. thetribeproductions.org. (by Amy Lyons)
Young Playwrights Festival Twelve plays by some of
the nation's brightest teenage playwrights aged 14-19.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through June 27.
Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 465-4446.
CONTINUING PERFORMANCES IN SMALLER THEATERS SITUATED IN THE VALLEYS
Askance Staged reading of Kerr Seth Lordygan's play
about an elderly couple's sordid past coming to light. Sat., June 18, 2
p.m. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley
Village, (818) 508-3003, eclecticcompanytheatre.org.
Closet Land Radha Bharadwajs' story of a children's
book author accused of treason. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues
through July 23, thevisceralcompany.com. NoHo Stages, 4934 Lankershim
Blvd., North Hollywood, noho-stages.us.
Departures Travelers share stories, by Michael
Catlin, Effie Hortis, Jim Lunsford, James J. Mellon, Duane Poole,
Penelope Richards, Jed Schlanger and Mark Wyrick. Fridays, Saturdays, 8
p.m. Continues through July 23. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd.,
North Hollywood, (818) 508-7101, thenohoartscenter.com.
Diary of a Mid-Life Crisis Written, directed and
produced by Susan Lee, this indulgent and tedious autobiographical play
chronicles a woman's recovery as she rebuilds her life in her 40s. Lee
has fashioned a navel-gazing show based on her 6-year-old blog, where
she tried to make sense of the conclusion of her 16-year emotionally
abusive marriage and the quest to regain her voice. In what is
essentially a one-woman act, Lee has Eileen O'Connell playing Jane while
four other frumpy actors in jeans and black T-shirts illustrate the
monologue Greek chorus-style, occasionally playing clowns with red noses
or sock puppets to represent the undermining voices in Jane's head. Lee
clearly is striving for whimsy, but it all plays out like bad improv
with poorly constructed props. Lee sledgehammers her point home with an
astounding lack of insight, such as the occasional waving of red flags
that grow in size when aggression rears its head. The genuinely
terrifying husband is reduced to three repetitive yet sinister
catchphrases: “You have so much to learn,” “I will never hurt you” and
“I will never leave you.” Fragments of girly pop tunes occasionally
blast out and amateurish slides play on a screen upstage. When the
screen (along with Jane) announces, “Time for Bad Poetry Corner,” your
heart plummets. At 70 minutes sans intermission, this shallow exercise
in soul-searching is actually shorter than it seems. (Pauline Adamek).
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Continues through July 4.
Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village,
(818) 508-3003, eclecticcompanytheatre.org.
The Diviners Jim Leonard Jr.'s haunting drama about
the relationship between a young boy and a former preacher, set in
Depression-era Indiana. Directed by RoZsa Horvath. Fridays, Saturdays, 8
p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through June 19. Secret Rose Theater,
11246 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, (877) 620-7673, secretrose.com.
GO The Emancipation of Alabaster McGill After a
startling revelation is made in Act II of Jeff Goode's funny new comedy,
two dumbstruck boys freeze as one says to the other, “Don't say
anything; maybe it'll just disappear.” The setting might be Kentucky,
1863, but that good ol' Southern methodology prevailed even in
free-lovin' California 2008, when Goode's editorial on Proposition 8 was
rejected by a major publication because it wasn't election coverage.
That dismissal became the springboard for this world premiere, which
uses a 19th-century discussion over the imminent Emancipation
Proclamation to draw parallels between slavery and homosexuality.
Goode's got a knack for clever innuendo: Self-pleasure is thinly veiled
as “whittling,” and Jude Evans' Klansman/Deputy has a tiny pocketknife.
Director Eric Curtis Johnson has found a cast with impeccable comic
timing: In the Huckleberry Finn/Tom Sawyer tradition, Brett Fleisher
and Matt Valle puzzle over problematic situations before announcing the
most logical solutions. With a static setting and a few too-frequent
occasions of pedantic dialogue, as Deacon Chickory (a scene-stealing
Nathaniel Stanton) takes a slippery slope into preachiness, the play
should lose a good half-hour in order to deliver its message more
strongly. “We ain't got time to debate this or think about what we're
doin'!” Frank Ensenberger's Grocer Baggot sputters on the eve before the
Proclamation takes effect. You might be for or against Proposition 8,
but kudos to Goode for taking that time. SkyPilot Theater at T.U.
Studios, 10943 Camarillo St., N. Hlywd.; Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.;
thru June 19. (800) 838-3006, skypilottheatre.com. (Rebecca Haithcoat).
Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 7 p.m. Continues through June 19,
skypilottheatre.com. T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo St., North Hollywood.
Encounter World premiere of Ari Blake Wintraub's
story a couple thrown together in the wake of 9/11. Thursdays, Fridays, 9
p.m.; Sat., July 2, 9 p.m. Continues through July 2. Lineage Performing
Arts Center, 89 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, (626) 844-7008,
lineagedance.org.
Hamlet, Prince of Darkness Zombie Joe's
Underground's Shakespeare-inspired “dark adventure-comedy-thriller,”
written by Richard Nathan . Fridays, 11 p.m. Continues through June 24.
ZJU Theater Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (818)
202-4120, zombiejoes.com.
Iceberg Ahead! Jay Parker's backstage farce.
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m. Mosaic Lizard
Theater, 112 W. Main St., Alhambra, (626) 457-5293, lizardtheater.com.
I'm Just Wild About Harry Gary Lamb and William A.
Reilly's musical adaptation of Brandon Thomas' Charlie's Aunt. Fridays,
Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through
July 17. Crown City Theatre, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood, (818)
745-8527, nohoartsdistrict.com/theatreweb/crowncity.htm.
It's Just Sex Jeff Gould's comedy takes the
underpinnings of sexual fantasy, fidelity and money and puts all of
those nuances onstage in a contemporary comedy about three married
couples. The wife-swapping plot is straight out of Hugh Hefner's pad,
circa 1975. That the play resonates today, in the ashes of the sexual
revolution, is one indication of how little has changed, despite how
much has changed. (Steven Leigh Morris). Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.;
Sundays, 7: 30 p.m. Two Roads Theater, 4348 Tujunga Ave., Studio City,
(818) 762-2272, tworoadsgallery.com.
GO The Malcontent Malevole (Bo Foxworth), the
scruffy misanthrope at the nub of John Marston's 17th-century satire, is
the proud possessor of a scathing tongue. A frequenter of aristocratic
circles, he's tolerated by the reigning Duke of Genoa, Pietro (Mark
Doerr), for his bawdy wit and for the lacerating barbs that furnish
welcome relief from the dull obsequiousness of the court. Not the
plebeian jester he strives to appear, Malevole is really a duke — in
fact, he is the Duke of Genoa, Altofronto, the city's legitimate regent
before being maneuvered from office by a lecherous rapscallion named
Mendoza (Ramón DeOcampo). Labeled a “tragicomedy” by scholars, the play
is an outraged ethicist's critique of corruption and deceit (the tragedy
lies in the world's moral morass, I guess, since in the story itself no
one actually dies or suffers gruesomely). The plot, with its slapdash
details, spins out in intricate metaphor-studded syntax whose handling
requires enormous skill. Adapted from the original and directed by
Elizabeth Swain, this spirited production does not disappoint. While
Foxworth's splenetic cynic is all fire and spit, it is DeOcampo as the
treacherous toadying villain — utterly contemporary in his sociopathic
me-ism — who drives the comedy. In addition to Doerr's artfully finessed
Pietro, the accomplished ensemble includes Lynn Milgrim as an
unprincipled procuress and John Achorn as a clueless courtier prepared
to pimp his wife and daughter-in-law. Designer Tom Buderwitz's handsome
set replicates the Blackfriars Theater in which the play first
premiered, while A. Jeffrey Schoenberg's costumes add dashing flavor to
the farce. (Note: The show is double-cast.) (Deborah Klugman).
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2: 30 p.m. Continues through June
19, antaeus.org. Deaf West Theatre, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North
Hollywood, (818) 762-2998, deafwest.org.
New Eyes Yafit Josephson gives an accomplished
performance in her solo show about a Jewish actress facing down
Hollywood's cultural stereotypes. It's marred only by a poorly designed
slide show. Josephson slips easily into various personae, combining
characters with caricatures to good comedic effect. The opening has her
switching from a formidable military officer to her nervous young self
on her first day of compulsory military training in the Israeli army.
Highlights include a hilarious mime sequence where she uncomprehendingly
attempts yoga and another scene where she gives a goofy impression of a
macho guy in an Israeli nightclub. Josephson's tall, slender build,
piercing eyes and chiseled face lend her a commanding presence, but it's
her prominent proboscis that relegates her to the usual gamut of
villainous roles, from terrorist to evil witch — “And no, they didn't
have to use a fake nose,” she jokes. Her adult journey takes her from
the New World back to Israel, where she touches base with her culture,
returning to Hollywood with newfound strength of character. Beneath the
comedy lies a serious undercurrent stemming from the ongoing war in the
Middle East: Land equals identity. (Pauline Adamek). Thursdays,
Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through June 26, (310) 500-0680,
neweyesplay.com. Whitefire Theater, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.
No Word in Guyanese for Me Is there a word to
describe the paradoxical human yearning to belong to the club that won't
have you? If you're an Indo-Guyanese immigrant living in Astoria,
Queens, and you're also an observant Muslim and an out lesbian
struggling to retain your Islamic identity, that word might be
“conflicted.” Or so it might seem in playwright Wendy Graf's somewhat
hagiographic, single-character study of a woman torn between Western
tolerance and religious orthodoxy. Anna Khaja portrays the orphan Hanna
Jokhoe, who is raised by her nurturing Aunty Mommy and cabdriver uncle
in her family's Muslim faith. With the onset of puberty comes the
religious head-covering that also marks her as different from her
American classmates. But it is her deeper stirrings, first for a best
friend, later for a sympathetic high school art teacher, that signal a
more profound difference. It all comes to a peak when Hanna is married
off to her Muslim cousin; betrayed by her visceral repugnance of her
husband, she is both outed and made an outcast. Director Anita
Khanzadian's intimate staging (nicely accented by Matthew Richter's
lights, sound and projections) cleverly choreographs Hanna's
transformation with the various scarves of the hijab — a conceit
mirrored in the draperies lining Davis Campbell's set — which she dons
as a girl but strips off as a woman. Khaja skillfully and convincingly
navigates the 20-year journey with compelling pathos. And yet, one
cannot avoid the suspicion that in her simple, unblemished and almost
otherworldly guilelessness, Graf's heroine is less a portrait of a
plausibly flawed, complex woman than an airbrushed LGBT poster child for
gay pride. (Bill Raden). Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 5 p.m.
Continues through June 25. Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Dr.,
Burbank, (818) 558-5702.
Oscar Wilde's Salome The biblical tragedy, as
presented by Zombie Joe's Underground and Fabulous Monsters Performance
Group. Starting June 18, Fridays, Saturdays, 8: 30 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.
Continues through July 17. ZJU Theater Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd.,
North Hollywood, (818) 202-4120, zombiejoes.com.
Parable of the Asses Staged reading of Elaine
Chekich's play set in a poor Mexican village. Sun., June 19, 1 p.m.
Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village,
(818) 508-3003, eclecticcompanytheatre.org.
NEW REVIEW THE POOR OF NEW YORK
Dion
Boucicault'a classic 19th century melodrama follows the travails of the
Fairweather family, whose sea-captain patriarch is robbed of $100,000
and then his life by the dastardly banker Gideon Bloodgood. Twenty years
later Bloodgood's crime is about to catch up to him. In program notes,
director Larry Eisenberg explains his choice to avoid the contemporary
mocking tone that melodramas are so often treated with, in favor of an
honest reenactment of the emotion and sentiment – borrowing from the
style of early silent film tear-jerkers. Unfortunately this, a pastiche
of 19th century text, early 20th century sentimentality and 21st century
acting styles keep clashing as the performance rolls by. A few of the
actors take the plunge into deep pathos, most notably Kate O'Toole and
Juliana Olinka as mother and daughter Fairweather; and Van Boudreaux,
who nearly channels Edward G. Robinson in a role both comic and heroic.
Others, such as Max Bunzel as Alex Parker, try to mold themselves into
similarly noble figures, but can't escape their young Hollywood
hunkiness, which exposes a certain artifice. So the style keeps shifting
away from any kind of unifying propulsion. Interesting projections
mimicking '20s silent films keep the story grounded in a black and white
past, but the accompanying old time movie theater music (sound design
by Steve Shaw) that underscores the entire production seems haphazard
and distracting rather than providing period and emotional cues. Of the
designs, only Liz Nankin's costumes actually help the production. Lonny
Chapman Group Repertory Theater, 10900 Burbank Blvd., N. Hlywd.;
Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru July 10. (818) 700-4878. thegrouprep.com. (Tom Provenzano)
GO Pursued by Happiness Sensible shoes and
charmingly dorky delivery aside, Frank Orlis (Mark St. Amant) cuts a
dashing figure during the courtship dance. “I have zero recollection of
any day but the day at hand,” he tells the object of his single-minded
pursuit, fellow biochemist Julie Moore (Avery Clyde), while
simultaneously informing her he's been watching her. The layup works,
even if Frank couldn't be less of a Romeo; women, even stoic, serious
ones like Julie, respond to feeling like they alone are worth
remembering. Keith Huff's new play wriggles in these insights
unobtrusively, even if the big-picture ideas (“We're not pursuing
happiness as much as happiness is biologically pursuing us”) are a
little too obvious. But the play is a nice change of scenery from
traditional rom-coms: The whirlwind romance is actually a practical
plot, and the measured Frank and Julie don't ride off into a fairy-tale
sunset. Family visits give the design team a chance to show off (Craig
Siebels' set, Adam Flemming's projection, and Jocelyn Hublau's costumes)
are so evocatively detailed, but they do feel a little device-y, and
leave too many unanswered questions, including one that leaves the
audience squirming as well. Still, agile in their double duty as both
sets of parents, Elizabeth Herron and Tom Knickerbocker easily could've
been Huff's sole motivation for writing the ultimately unsatisfying
scenes. Robin Larsen directs. (Rebecca Haithcoat). Fridays, Saturdays, 8
p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through June 26, RoadTheatre.org.
Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (818)
752-7568.
SEX AND EDUCATION
Lissa
Levin's West Coast premiere about a high school English teacher versus a
jock. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 4 p.m. Continues through
July 10. Victory Theatre Center, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, (818)
841-5421, thevictorytheatrecenter.org.
See Stage feature.
The Solid Gold Cadillac George S. Kaufman and
Howard Teichmann's 1953 satire about a corrupt corporation. Fridays,
Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2: 30 p.m. Continues through July 30. Sierra
Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, (626)
355-4318, sierramadreplayhouse.org.
South of Delancey Forty years before The People's
Court first packaged binding arbitration proceedings for daytime reality
TV, the Jewish-American Board of Peace and Justice was adjudicating the
domestic disputes of New York City's Lower East Side faithful over the
airwaves of Yiddish radio. Director-creator Karen Sommers has sifted
through the original acetate recordings and selected three woefully
irreconcilable couples from the rabbinical court's cases, interweaving
their stories — and her invented backstories — into a persuasive evening
of re-enactment and speculative docudrama. Abigail Marks and Michael
Rubenstone are Faye and Marty, a war bride and her combat-scarred
husband, who are unable to negotiate a postwar peace for their rash and
precipitous marriage. Jordana Oberman and Kal Bennett play Helen and
Lenore, roommate sisters whose blood ties can no longer take the strain
of personalities divided by dysfunction and temperament. Barry Alan
Levine and Jodi Fleisher provide comic relief with mismatches Herman and
Lilly, whose marital mix of business and pleasure behind a dry-goods
counter proves an unmitigated disaster. The show's most fascinating
moments occur when Sommers incorporates the original recordings and the
Yiddish-speaking judge can be heard feebly throwing rabbinical bromides
and blandishments at cases of such hopelessly intractable
incompatibility. Sommers' tight staging (with Carol Doehring's crisp
lights and period-perfect costumes by Lois Tedrow) and a powerful
ensemble lend the proceedings considerable polish, with the exception of
Dove Huntley's sprawling apartment set, which has more in common with a
Van Nuys split-level than any tenement north or south of Delancey.
(Bill Raden). Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues
through June 26, (866) 811-4111. Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont
Ave., South Pasadena, fremontcentretheatre.com.
GO Turbo Tartuffe! Director Denise Devin certainly
wasn't kidding when she dropped “Turbo” into the title of her
adaptation of Molière's timeless attack on moral hypocrisy. Happily, it
is the only thing about this rollicking, supercharged commedia staging
that isn't played strictly for laughs. In radically boiling down
Molière's five-act farce to a head-spinning 55 minutes, Devin has lopped
off subsidiary subplots and eliminated enough of the text's
footnote-mandatory, 17th-century erudition to give any self-respecting
French classicist heart palpitations. For the rest of us, however, she
has delivered a concise, inventive and deliriously ribald slapstick
worthy of Hal Roach, and one that deftly conjures Molière's anarchic,
subversive comic spirit. Roger K. Weiss portrays Orgon as just the kind
of befuddled, moralistic dunderhead capable of being gulled out of
family and fortune by the transparent posturing at piety practiced by
Tartuffe (a lecherous Tegue S. DeLeon). As the hard-pressed object of
his lust, Ashley Fuller plays Orgon's voluptuous wife, Elmire, with
equal notes of sauciness and cunning. Sofia Ruiz's spoiled princess of a
daughter, Mariane, is a burlesque of pampered, tempestuous privilege.
Mike Angelo is all heat and little head as the impetuous son Damis,
while Jonica Patella (who is quickly emerging as one of this town's most
versatile comic talents) is hilarious as the household's exasperated,
clear-eyed maid Dorine. Costumer Jeri Batzdorff's elegant collection of
silks, velvets, brocades, ruffles and jabots effectively flavors the
period setting. And Sean Curran steals every scene he's in, channeling
Charley Chase as the powder-wigged brother-in-law Cléante. (Bill Raden).
Fridays, 8: 30 p.m. Continues through June 24. ZJU Theater Group, 4850
Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 202-4120, zombiejoes.com.
An Unfinished Man Myron Ward's study of identity
versus celebrity. Fri., June 17; Sat., June 18; Fri., June 24; Sat.,
June 25, AnUnfinishedMan.com. NoHo Actors Studios, 5215 Lankershim
Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 761-2166, www.thenohoactorsstudio.com.
Urban Death Horror show by Zombie Joe's
Underground. Saturdays, 11 p.m. Continues through July 9. ZJU Theater
Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 202-4120,
zombiejoes.com.
CONTINUING PERFORMANCES IN SMALLER THEATERS SITUATED ON THE WESTSIDE AND IN BEACH TOWNS
Barrie: Back to Back Two by J.M. Barrie: 1912's
Rosalind and 1917's The Old Lady Shows Her Medals. Starting June 18,
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Continues through July 31.
Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice, (310) 822-8392,
pacificresidenttheatre.com.
Bedtime Stories Roadkill Productions presents 10
short plays that all take place in a bed. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Psychic Visions Theatre, 3447 Motor Ave., L.A., (310) 535-6007,
psychicvisionstheatre.com/.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum The
Ancient Rome comedy, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt
Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.
Continues through July 10. Theater Palisades' Pierson Playhouse, 941
Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, (310) 454-1970.
L.A. Cafe Plays Ruskin Group Theatre concocts five
short plays in 10 1/2 hours. Third Sunday of every month, 7: 30 & 9
p.m. Continues through Dec. 18. Ruskin Group Theater, 3000 Airport Dr.,
Santa Monica, (310) 397-3244, ruskingrouptheatre.com.
GO Locked and Loaded Ever hear the joke about the
two guys with terminal brain tumors who decide to beat death to the
punch? A Jew and a WASP dress up in tuxes, rent a presidential suite
stocked with their favorite booze and call some hookers to help them go
orgasmic into that good night. OK, so the subject matter and setup of,
and even the quietly heartbreaking backstories in, actor-playwright Todd
Susman's play are a little derivative — Leaving Las Vegas and Marsha
Norman's play 'Night, Mother spring to mind — but some very clever
writing and smart performances make this West Coast premiere much
funnier and more mystical than the approach its predecessors took.
Particularly interesting is Susman's deliberate trafficking in
stereotypes. Old-monied Dickie Rice (Andrew Parks) is haughty as he
hurls three strikes in quick succession at an African-American hooker,
sniffing, “Do you know who I am?” and referring to her “Aunt Jemima”
style of speaking. Sad-clown sitcom writer Irwin Schimmel (Paul Linke)
turns his poison pen on himself and his Jewish heritage, and Catorce
Martinez's (Terasa Sciortino) inability to understand English subtleties
is the source of many jokes. But in electing Princess Lay-Ya (a very
sharp Sandra Thigpen) queen pin, Susman gives the underdog the upper
hand, which Lay-Ya uses to force the superficialities aside to reveal
the very real, raw pain coursing beneath. After such deep diving, the
resurface at play's end is a little easy; nevertheless, the whole
shebang is a much more entertaining evening than the premise portends.
Chris DeCarlo directs. (Rebecca Haithcoat). Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.;
Sundays, 3: 30 p.m. Continues through June 26. The Other Space at Santa
Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica, (310) 394-9779.
Luv Murray Schisgal's spoof of avant-garde drama.
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues
through June 26. Theatre 40 at the Reuben Cordova Theater, 241 Moreno
Dr., Beverly Hills, (310) 364-0535, theatre40.org.
Margo Veil Len Jenkin's noir fantasy about a young
actress' surreal adventures. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2
p.m. Continues through July 31. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda
Blvd., L.A., (310) 477-2055, odysseytheatre.com.
Much Ado About Nothing Presented by Shakespeare by
the Sea. Thu., June 23, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 25, 8 p.m.; Fri., July 1, 8
p.m., shakespearebythesea.org. Point Fermin Park, 807 Paseo del Mar, San
Pedro, (310) 548-7705.
The Naked Army Adaptation of Aristophanes'
Lysistrata by Matthew James Weedman. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Continues through July 2, latensemble.com. Powerhouse Theatre, 3116
Second St., Santa Monica, (310) 396-3680.
Nazi Hunter – Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust survivor
Simon Wiesenthal was a controversial figure — a hero to many, a liar to
some. Unlike most European Jews, who resettled on other continents after
World War II, Wiesenthal remained in Austria, working to relocate and
reunite Jewish families and track down Nazi criminals, even as the U.S.
government and other official entities were preparing to bury the past.
But Wiesenthal had enemies: those who challenged his veracity and who
cast especial doubts on his integrity when, in 1995, he defended
Austrian Chancellor Karl Waldheim from allegations of complicity in war
crimes. Writer-performer Tom Dugan sets his solo biopic in 2003, on a
hypothetical day when the retiring Wiesenthal is shuttering his humble
office after 58 years. A visit from a group of students prompts the
indefatigable nonagenarian to recount his colorful past, periodically
interrupted by calls from his wife (don't forget the milk, dear) and by
communications about his latest quarry, a guy named Bruner who now
tortures for the Syrians. A compact and solid chronicle, Dugan's script
is particularly effective when it takes a position against vigilantism —
Wiesenthal strongly supported courtroom justice — and most eloquent
when it calls upon us to join him in remembering the dead. The
production's cardinal problem, under Jenny Sullivan's direction, is
Dugan's kitschy rendering of his subject; under 50, the performer has
ably transformed his appearance to add nearly half a century, but his
old-man shuffle and other benign Yiddisher mannerisms are laid so
heavily over the narrative that they distract from and dilute its power.
(Deborah Klugman). Mondays, Tuesdays, Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Continues
through June 21. Theatre 40 at the Reuben Cordova Theater, 241 Moreno
Dr., Beverly Hills, (310) 364-0535, theatre40.org.
Sylvia A.R. Gurney's comedy about a man, his wife
and his dog. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 5 p.m. Continues
through July 10. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa
Monica, (310) 399-3666, www.edgemarcenter.org.
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