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Dialogues Regina Carter James Carter Sonny Rollins Lee Ritenour Bryony Lavery Marcus Miller Amy Freed Laurie Woolery
Tierney Sutton Marsha Mason
Tierney Sutton Marsha Mason
CLOSES AUG 26 GEF RICKY JAY & HIS 52 ASSISTANTS created and performed by Ricky Jay, directed by David Mamet
No sleight-of-hand here; the peerless Ricky Jay will be bringing his internationally acclaimed show ‘Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants’ back to the Geffen
Playhouse for a limited run this summer. With only 36 performances before Ricky Jay disappears once again, Angelenos have a quick opportunity to
witness one of the best-known masters of the art of deception. SKED Weds, Thurs, Sat, Sun 8 p.m., Fri 8:30 p.m. TIX $75 to $115, VIP Package $250
at 310-208-5454 or online (Opens 7/9, Closes 8/26, NP)
CLOSES AUG 28 PLASTIC CRYSTAL by Jason Greenfield, directed by Abby Craden
Open Fist Theatre / 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
‘Plastic Crystal’ centers on Michael Miller, a 28-year-old textile salesman suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His struggle with anxiety begins
to wreak havoc between him and his fiancé. When he has a fateful encounter with Rachel, an unhappily married woman, a life-altering affair ensues.
Michael tries to put his life back together but what he doesn't know about Rachel brings about unexpected revelations and consequences. CAST
Lynette Coll, Courtney Decosky, Jason Greenfield, Stephen Rider and Steven Robert Wollenberg SKED Wed (7/30, 6, 13, 20, 27), Thurs (7/31, 8/7,
14, 21, 28) at 8 p.m. TIX $15 at 323-882-6912 or www.openfist.org (Opens 7/30, Closes 8/28, NP)
CLOSES AUG 29 DELEARIOUS Book by Ron West, music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West, directed by Ron West World Premiere
Open Fist Theatre / 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
The authors of the award-winning "The People vs. Friar Laurence:The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet" are together again to tell a riotous story of
Shakespeare, King Lear, King James and...the Bible? Great songs and a clever story guarantee a hilarious evening of fun. CAST Sarah Buster,
Parvesh Cheena, Michael Churvan, Nicole Disson, Bruce Green, Briga Heelan, Conor Lane, Derek Miller, Kerri-Anne Lavin, Scott Palmason, Robyn
Roth, Mark Swaner, Phil Swann, Ron West and Joe Zanetti SKED Fri (8/15, 29), Sat (8/2, 16) 8 p.m.; Sun 7 p.m. (7/20, 27, 8/10, 8/24), (8/3) 7 p.m. only
TIX $20 at 323-882-6912 or online (Previews 7/17, Opens 7/19, Closes 8/29)
CLOSES AUG 30 THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare, directed by Ron West
Open Fist Theatre / 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
A fast-paced rendition of Shakespeare's zaniest comedy, complete with mistaken identities, lost twins, found parents and even some lost minds, all set
in the beach community of Ephesus, circa 1964 CAST Jordana Berliner, Mathew Brenher, Tara Bopp, Sarah Buster, Caitlin Renee Campbell, Dylan
Fergus, Chad Fifer, Nicola Hersh, William B. Jackson, Conor Lane, Chris Erric Maddox, Ben Malloy, David May, Claire Mills, Matt Oehlberg, Andrew
Schlessinger, Kim Swennen, Stephanie Terronez, Jamie Weiss, Ron West SKED Fri (7/25, 8/1, 8, 22) Sat (7/26, 8/9, 23, 30) at 8 p.m., Sun (7/13, 8/17)
2 and 7 p.m., (8/3) 2 p.m. only TIX $20 at 323-882-6912 or online (Closes 8/30)
CLOSES AUG 30 THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS (Seven One-Act Plays) by Dave Barton, David Johnston, Steven Parker, Steve Patterson, Erika Tai,
Robert M. Tully and Ken Urban.
Rude Guerrilla, 202 North Broadway, Santa Ana World Premiere
Lust, Sloth, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Envy, and Pride meet their match in go-go boys reading Joyce, fat men sitting on couches, ravers texting while
snorting cocaine, African dictators facing justice in The Hague, community theater productions of The Odd Couple gone horribly wrong, demonic
justice at the end of a whip and Greek Mythology gone amok. Directed by a variety of RGTC directors. For Mature Audiences. SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m.,
Sun 2:30 p.m. TIX $25 ($20 seniors; $15 students) at 714-547-4688 (Opens 7/24, Closes 8/30, NP)
CLOSES AUG 31 THE TRAGICAL COMEDY OR COMICAL TRAGEDY OF MR. PUNCH by Sean T. Cawelti, Miles Taber and the Rogues,
directed by Cawelti
Rogue Artists Ensemble / Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Adapted from the graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, ‘The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch’ returns with new scenes
and effects followng a 2007 production. In his grandfather's failing seaside arcade, a young boy encounters a sinister Punch and Judy man with a
mysterious past. The Rogue Artists Ensemble performs a “hybrid of theater traditions, puppetry and digital media called ‘Hyper-theater.’ (Contains adult
themes and imagery; not recommended for young children.) SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sat-Sun 4 p.m. TIX $25 (s/s $18, PWYC 7/26-27 mat) at 800-838-
3006 or online (No perfs 8/8-10) (Previews 7/11, Opens 7/18, Closes 8/31)
CLOSES AUG 31 SOME KIND OF LOVE STORY by Arthur Miller, directed by Michael Arabian West Coast Premiere
The Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Tom, a hard-boiled private eye, finds himself bound to the prostitute Angela whom he believes holds the vital information he desperately requires to
resolve the case that has occupied him for years. Victimized by a traumatic childhood, the fragile and unstable Angela, will never reveal what she
knows for she is equally bound to Tom in the desperate hope of receiving the warmth and affection she has always been denied. CAST Beege
Barkette, Jack Kehler SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 7 p.m. TIX $20 at 323-960-4442 or online (Previews 7/30, Opens 8/16, Closes 8/24)
CLOSES AUG 31 LAG THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES written and directed by Roger Bean, choreography by Janet Miller, musical direction
by Allen Everman, orchestrations by Brian Baker
The Marvelous Wonderettes brings audiences back to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where they meet the Wonderettes: Betty Jean, Cindy Lou,
Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts—with voices to match! The Marvelous Wonderettes features favorite
songs from the fifties and sixties such as “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “It’s My Party,” “It’s In His Kiss,” and many
more. The Laguna Playhouse production features two original cast members and introduces two new Wonderettes, new costumes, and a new set that
retains the intimacy of the original El Portal production yet offers the opportunity for even more audience members to get in on the fun. (Previews 7/8,
Opens 7/12, Closes 8/31)
CLOSES AUG 31 NOCTURNE by Adam Rapp, Directed by Jay Michael Fraley
Rude Guerrilla, 202 North Broadway, Santa Ana
A young man--identified only as the Son--accidentally kills his sibling in an auto accident and then attempts to come to terms with what he has done.
Rapp's monologue is a stunning confrontation with truth that spares neither the character nor the audience. Dense, almost novelistic, in its approach to
a personal horror story, the play is also intensely lyrical, musical in its sounds and in its silences. SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 2:30 p.m. TIX $25 ($20
seniors; $15 students) at 714-547-4688 (Opens 8/2, Closes 8/31, NP)
CLOSES AUG 31 ASSASSINS music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, directed by Richard Israel
West Coast Ensemble / El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro, Hollywood
From the theatre company that brought you award-winning productions of Sunday In The Park With George, Merrily We Roll Along and Company
comes Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's bold, surreal and darkly humorous Assassins. This Tony Award-winning musical explores nine
individuals who assassinated or attempted to assassinate the President of the United States. (Read a Theater Times review of another theater’s
2007 production.) SKED Fri Sat 8 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. TIX $34 (s/s $30) at 323-876-9337 or online (Previews 7/8, Opens 7/11, Closes 8/31)
CLOSES SEP 7 EVITA by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice, directed by Jocelyn A. Brown
The Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim
In an intimate staging of the award-winning musical Evita, The Chance Theater explores one of the most controversial and influential political figures
in modern history -- Eva Peron. Told entirely through song and dance, this daring story follows Evita as she struggles to overcome the poverty and
despair of her youth and ultimately become the most powerful woman in South America. But is Eva‚s legacy to be remembered as a beloved saint of
Argentina, or the manipulative wife of a despised dictator? SKED Fri 8 p.m., Sat 3 & 8 p.m., Sun 2 & 7 p.m. TIX $27-$30 at 714-777-3033 or online
(Previews 8/1, Opens 8/2, Closes 9/7)
CLOSES SEP 21 SONA TERA ROMAN HESS by playwright Dennis Miles
New Pespectives Theatre Company / Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood world premiere
Named for its four main characters, SONA TERA ROMAN HESS is the story of a family struggling to reconstruct itself in the aftermath of a strange
infidelity, set against the backdrop of impending war. In the midst of this turmoil, circus cousins arrive bringing music, magic and a dark prediction of
the future. The play weaves together elements of magical realism and Greek tragedy as it explores a fantastic and deeply passionate world. In
language that is in turn grandiose and quietly poetic, playwright Dennis Miles has redrawn archetypal characters desperately grasping for purpose. This
is a story of surviving betrayal and rediscovering hope. SKED Fri Sat 8 p.m., Sun 7 p.m. TIX $20 ($10 preview, $25 opening) at 323-960-7864 or online
. (Previews 8/15, Opens 8/16, Closes 9/21)
CLOSES SEP 27 FABLES DU THEATRE by Brenda Varda and Marva Lewis, directed by Chris Covics
Unknown Theater, 1110 N. Seward Street, Hollywood
Succubae, princesses, and clowns collide in an entertaining feast for the senses. Delight in the wonder that unfolds as these two companies pull out all
the stops to bring you Fables Du Theatre, an intoxicating adaptation of three classic French fables for a modern world. With a touch of Jean de la
Fontaine and a pinch of Hermann Hesse, the cast weaves a magical night of sex, death, and clowns. CAST Anne Asland, Tulie Bouquess, Zoa
Cantatore,Caitlin Carleton, Ed Dyer, Wallis Herst, Kyle Ingleman, Marva Lewis, Dol Markowitz, Bareet Ross, Ramiq Sayer, Erika Stone, Diana Wyenn,
Phalke Zhou. SKED Thurs-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 6 p.m. TIX $18 online / $24 walk-up or by phone at 323-466-7781 (Opens 8/15, Closes 9/27)
CLOSES SEP 27 LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Heidi Helen Davis
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
Arguably the greatest American play by America's greatest playwright, Eugene O'Neill's searing autobiographical masterpiece about his home life
remains one of the most challenging and moving theatrical experiences. It earned O’Neill his third, albeit posthumous, Pulitzer Prize. SKED Fri Sat 8
p.m. TIX $20-$28 (s/s/union $15-$20) at 310-455-3723 or online (Opens 7/26, Closes 9/27, NP)
CLOSES SEP 27 THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, directed by Ellen Geer
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga Sheridan's 18th Century masterpiece is a sparkling comedy of
manners that made its debut in 1776 - but its comic look at human frailty and hypocrisy is as relevant today as it was then. Brimming with witty
dialogue, mistaken identities, supposed infidelity, eavesdropping and scandal, both real and invented, The School For Scandal is a delightful, madcap
and malicious romp. After all, slander and gossip never go out of style. TIX $20-$28 (s/s,eq $15-$20) at 310-455-3723 or online (Opens 6/28, Closes
9/27, NP)
CLOSES SEP 28 MACBETH by William Shakespeare, directed by Ellen Geer and Chad Jason Scheppner
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
William Shakespeare's thrilling supernatural tragedy is also a brilliant political thriller about the rise and fall of a brave warrior who would be king at any
price. Full of murder, treason, ambition and greed, Macbeth is a journey into the very heart of evil. The outdoor amphitheater at The Will Geer
Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and
bring cushions for bench seating. Snacks are available at the Hamlet Hut, and picnickers are welcome before and after the performance. CAST Susan
Angelo, Aaron Hendry, William Dennis Hunt, Jim LeFave, Melora Marshall, Michael McFall, Mike Peebler, Elizabeth Tobias SKED Fri (8/15) 8 p.m.;
Sat (7/5, 12, 19, 26, 8/2, 9, 23, 30) 4 p.m. or (6/7, 14, 21) at 7:30 p.m.; Sun (6/29, 9/7, 14, 28) 7:30 p.m. TIX $20-$28 (discounts for children, students,
Iraqi War Vets, Equity) at 310-455-3723 or online (Opens 6/7, Closes 9/28, NP)
CLOSES SEP 28 AND AWAAAY WE GO TO WONDERLAND written and directed by Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo
Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica
Kids 2 to 102 take a musical journey to save the fairytale world. SKED Saturdays & Sundays at 12:30 and 3:00pm TIX $10.50-$12.50 at 310-394-9779
ext 2 or online (Opens 6/21, Closes 9/28, NP)
No sleight-of-hand here; the peerless Ricky Jay will be bringing his internationally acclaimed show ‘Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants’ back to the Geffen
Playhouse for a limited run this summer. With only 36 performances before Ricky Jay disappears once again, Angelenos have a quick opportunity to
witness one of the best-known masters of the art of deception. SKED Weds, Thurs, Sat, Sun 8 p.m., Fri 8:30 p.m. TIX $75 to $115, VIP Package $250
at 310-208-5454 or online (Opens 7/9, Closes 8/26, NP)
CLOSES AUG 28 PLASTIC CRYSTAL by Jason Greenfield, directed by Abby Craden
Open Fist Theatre / 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
‘Plastic Crystal’ centers on Michael Miller, a 28-year-old textile salesman suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His struggle with anxiety begins
to wreak havoc between him and his fiancé. When he has a fateful encounter with Rachel, an unhappily married woman, a life-altering affair ensues.
Michael tries to put his life back together but what he doesn't know about Rachel brings about unexpected revelations and consequences. CAST
Lynette Coll, Courtney Decosky, Jason Greenfield, Stephen Rider and Steven Robert Wollenberg SKED Wed (7/30, 6, 13, 20, 27), Thurs (7/31, 8/7,
14, 21, 28) at 8 p.m. TIX $15 at 323-882-6912 or www.openfist.org (Opens 7/30, Closes 8/28, NP)
CLOSES AUG 29 DELEARIOUS Book by Ron West, music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West, directed by Ron West World Premiere
Open Fist Theatre / 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
The authors of the award-winning "The People vs. Friar Laurence:The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet" are together again to tell a riotous story of
Shakespeare, King Lear, King James and...the Bible? Great songs and a clever story guarantee a hilarious evening of fun. CAST Sarah Buster,
Parvesh Cheena, Michael Churvan, Nicole Disson, Bruce Green, Briga Heelan, Conor Lane, Derek Miller, Kerri-Anne Lavin, Scott Palmason, Robyn
Roth, Mark Swaner, Phil Swann, Ron West and Joe Zanetti SKED Fri (8/15, 29), Sat (8/2, 16) 8 p.m.; Sun 7 p.m. (7/20, 27, 8/10, 8/24), (8/3) 7 p.m. only
TIX $20 at 323-882-6912 or online (Previews 7/17, Opens 7/19, Closes 8/29)
CLOSES AUG 30 THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare, directed by Ron West
Open Fist Theatre / 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
A fast-paced rendition of Shakespeare's zaniest comedy, complete with mistaken identities, lost twins, found parents and even some lost minds, all set
in the beach community of Ephesus, circa 1964 CAST Jordana Berliner, Mathew Brenher, Tara Bopp, Sarah Buster, Caitlin Renee Campbell, Dylan
Fergus, Chad Fifer, Nicola Hersh, William B. Jackson, Conor Lane, Chris Erric Maddox, Ben Malloy, David May, Claire Mills, Matt Oehlberg, Andrew
Schlessinger, Kim Swennen, Stephanie Terronez, Jamie Weiss, Ron West SKED Fri (7/25, 8/1, 8, 22) Sat (7/26, 8/9, 23, 30) at 8 p.m., Sun (7/13, 8/17)
2 and 7 p.m., (8/3) 2 p.m. only TIX $20 at 323-882-6912 or online (Closes 8/30)
CLOSES AUG 30 THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS (Seven One-Act Plays) by Dave Barton, David Johnston, Steven Parker, Steve Patterson, Erika Tai,
Robert M. Tully and Ken Urban.
Rude Guerrilla, 202 North Broadway, Santa Ana World Premiere
Lust, Sloth, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Envy, and Pride meet their match in go-go boys reading Joyce, fat men sitting on couches, ravers texting while
snorting cocaine, African dictators facing justice in The Hague, community theater productions of The Odd Couple gone horribly wrong, demonic
justice at the end of a whip and Greek Mythology gone amok. Directed by a variety of RGTC directors. For Mature Audiences. SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m.,
Sun 2:30 p.m. TIX $25 ($20 seniors; $15 students) at 714-547-4688 (Opens 7/24, Closes 8/30, NP)
CLOSES AUG 31 THE TRAGICAL COMEDY OR COMICAL TRAGEDY OF MR. PUNCH by Sean T. Cawelti, Miles Taber and the Rogues,
directed by Cawelti
Rogue Artists Ensemble / Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Adapted from the graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, ‘The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch’ returns with new scenes
and effects followng a 2007 production. In his grandfather's failing seaside arcade, a young boy encounters a sinister Punch and Judy man with a
mysterious past. The Rogue Artists Ensemble performs a “hybrid of theater traditions, puppetry and digital media called ‘Hyper-theater.’ (Contains adult
themes and imagery; not recommended for young children.) SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sat-Sun 4 p.m. TIX $25 (s/s $18, PWYC 7/26-27 mat) at 800-838-
3006 or online (No perfs 8/8-10) (Previews 7/11, Opens 7/18, Closes 8/31)
CLOSES AUG 31 SOME KIND OF LOVE STORY by Arthur Miller, directed by Michael Arabian West Coast Premiere
The Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Tom, a hard-boiled private eye, finds himself bound to the prostitute Angela whom he believes holds the vital information he desperately requires to
resolve the case that has occupied him for years. Victimized by a traumatic childhood, the fragile and unstable Angela, will never reveal what she
knows for she is equally bound to Tom in the desperate hope of receiving the warmth and affection she has always been denied. CAST Beege
Barkette, Jack Kehler SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 7 p.m. TIX $20 at 323-960-4442 or online (Previews 7/30, Opens 8/16, Closes 8/24)
CLOSES AUG 31 LAG THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES written and directed by Roger Bean, choreography by Janet Miller, musical direction
by Allen Everman, orchestrations by Brian Baker
The Marvelous Wonderettes brings audiences back to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where they meet the Wonderettes: Betty Jean, Cindy Lou,
Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts—with voices to match! The Marvelous Wonderettes features favorite
songs from the fifties and sixties such as “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “It’s My Party,” “It’s In His Kiss,” and many
more. The Laguna Playhouse production features two original cast members and introduces two new Wonderettes, new costumes, and a new set that
retains the intimacy of the original El Portal production yet offers the opportunity for even more audience members to get in on the fun. (Previews 7/8,
Opens 7/12, Closes 8/31)
CLOSES AUG 31 NOCTURNE by Adam Rapp, Directed by Jay Michael Fraley
Rude Guerrilla, 202 North Broadway, Santa Ana
A young man--identified only as the Son--accidentally kills his sibling in an auto accident and then attempts to come to terms with what he has done.
Rapp's monologue is a stunning confrontation with truth that spares neither the character nor the audience. Dense, almost novelistic, in its approach to
a personal horror story, the play is also intensely lyrical, musical in its sounds and in its silences. SKED Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 2:30 p.m. TIX $25 ($20
seniors; $15 students) at 714-547-4688 (Opens 8/2, Closes 8/31, NP)
CLOSES AUG 31 ASSASSINS music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, directed by Richard Israel
West Coast Ensemble / El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro, Hollywood
From the theatre company that brought you award-winning productions of Sunday In The Park With George, Merrily We Roll Along and Company
comes Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's bold, surreal and darkly humorous Assassins. This Tony Award-winning musical explores nine
individuals who assassinated or attempted to assassinate the President of the United States. (Read a Theater Times review of another theater’s
2007 production.) SKED Fri Sat 8 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. TIX $34 (s/s $30) at 323-876-9337 or online (Previews 7/8, Opens 7/11, Closes 8/31)
CLOSES SEP 7 EVITA by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice, directed by Jocelyn A. Brown
The Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim
In an intimate staging of the award-winning musical Evita, The Chance Theater explores one of the most controversial and influential political figures
in modern history -- Eva Peron. Told entirely through song and dance, this daring story follows Evita as she struggles to overcome the poverty and
despair of her youth and ultimately become the most powerful woman in South America. But is Eva‚s legacy to be remembered as a beloved saint of
Argentina, or the manipulative wife of a despised dictator? SKED Fri 8 p.m., Sat 3 & 8 p.m., Sun 2 & 7 p.m. TIX $27-$30 at 714-777-3033 or online
(Previews 8/1, Opens 8/2, Closes 9/7)
CLOSES SEP 21 SONA TERA ROMAN HESS by playwright Dennis Miles
New Pespectives Theatre Company / Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood world premiere
Named for its four main characters, SONA TERA ROMAN HESS is the story of a family struggling to reconstruct itself in the aftermath of a strange
infidelity, set against the backdrop of impending war. In the midst of this turmoil, circus cousins arrive bringing music, magic and a dark prediction of
the future. The play weaves together elements of magical realism and Greek tragedy as it explores a fantastic and deeply passionate world. In
language that is in turn grandiose and quietly poetic, playwright Dennis Miles has redrawn archetypal characters desperately grasping for purpose. This
is a story of surviving betrayal and rediscovering hope. SKED Fri Sat 8 p.m., Sun 7 p.m. TIX $20 ($10 preview, $25 opening) at 323-960-7864 or online
. (Previews 8/15, Opens 8/16, Closes 9/21)
CLOSES SEP 27 FABLES DU THEATRE by Brenda Varda and Marva Lewis, directed by Chris Covics
Unknown Theater, 1110 N. Seward Street, Hollywood
Succubae, princesses, and clowns collide in an entertaining feast for the senses. Delight in the wonder that unfolds as these two companies pull out all
the stops to bring you Fables Du Theatre, an intoxicating adaptation of three classic French fables for a modern world. With a touch of Jean de la
Fontaine and a pinch of Hermann Hesse, the cast weaves a magical night of sex, death, and clowns. CAST Anne Asland, Tulie Bouquess, Zoa
Cantatore,Caitlin Carleton, Ed Dyer, Wallis Herst, Kyle Ingleman, Marva Lewis, Dol Markowitz, Bareet Ross, Ramiq Sayer, Erika Stone, Diana Wyenn,
Phalke Zhou. SKED Thurs-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 6 p.m. TIX $18 online / $24 walk-up or by phone at 323-466-7781 (Opens 8/15, Closes 9/27)
CLOSES SEP 27 LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Heidi Helen Davis
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
Arguably the greatest American play by America's greatest playwright, Eugene O'Neill's searing autobiographical masterpiece about his home life
remains one of the most challenging and moving theatrical experiences. It earned O’Neill his third, albeit posthumous, Pulitzer Prize. SKED Fri Sat 8
p.m. TIX $20-$28 (s/s/union $15-$20) at 310-455-3723 or online (Opens 7/26, Closes 9/27, NP)
CLOSES SEP 27 THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, directed by Ellen Geer
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga Sheridan's 18th Century masterpiece is a sparkling comedy of
manners that made its debut in 1776 - but its comic look at human frailty and hypocrisy is as relevant today as it was then. Brimming with witty
dialogue, mistaken identities, supposed infidelity, eavesdropping and scandal, both real and invented, The School For Scandal is a delightful, madcap
and malicious romp. After all, slander and gossip never go out of style. TIX $20-$28 (s/s,eq $15-$20) at 310-455-3723 or online (Opens 6/28, Closes
9/27, NP)
CLOSES SEP 28 MACBETH by William Shakespeare, directed by Ellen Geer and Chad Jason Scheppner
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
William Shakespeare's thrilling supernatural tragedy is also a brilliant political thriller about the rise and fall of a brave warrior who would be king at any
price. Full of murder, treason, ambition and greed, Macbeth is a journey into the very heart of evil. The outdoor amphitheater at The Will Geer
Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and
bring cushions for bench seating. Snacks are available at the Hamlet Hut, and picnickers are welcome before and after the performance. CAST Susan
Angelo, Aaron Hendry, William Dennis Hunt, Jim LeFave, Melora Marshall, Michael McFall, Mike Peebler, Elizabeth Tobias SKED Fri (8/15) 8 p.m.;
Sat (7/5, 12, 19, 26, 8/2, 9, 23, 30) 4 p.m. or (6/7, 14, 21) at 7:30 p.m.; Sun (6/29, 9/7, 14, 28) 7:30 p.m. TIX $20-$28 (discounts for children, students,
Iraqi War Vets, Equity) at 310-455-3723 or online (Opens 6/7, Closes 9/28, NP)
CLOSES SEP 28 AND AWAAAY WE GO TO WONDERLAND written and directed by Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo
Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica
Kids 2 to 102 take a musical journey to save the fairytale world. SKED Saturdays & Sundays at 12:30 and 3:00pm TIX $10.50-$12.50 at 310-394-9779
ext 2 or online (Opens 6/21, Closes 9/28, NP)
Three-letter codes before play title link to venue information on THEATER page. Submit listings HERE (Southern California only)
CURRENT REVIEWS
TOO 'MARVELOUS'
That long-legged phenom, ‘The
Marvelous Wonderettes,’ which kept
NOHO’s El Portal in a sophomoric state
of arrested development for nearly two
years, has been summering at the
Laguna Playhouse with some new legs,
a big set, and some tweaks. You can’t
go home again, or back to high school
either apparently. Our third 'prom' felt
like the girls, in general, were reaching
and the stories, such as they are, were
suffering. But it must be acknowledged
that it still had the appeal to thrill the
sold-out house, there for their first day of
class. Missed: Our favorite
Wonderette, Kim Huber, had given the
role of Missy to Misty Cotton and Cotton
had given this geekiest Wonderettes
some new robotic stiffness in her dance
moves. While garnering laughs, it
seemed for a veteran song girl.
Welcome: It was worth the trip to get a
first look at Lowe Taylor, who we’re now
sorry to have missed as Dot at The
Chance. 'Marvelous' begins previews
Off-Broadway this Friday, opening
September 14. The cast is Bets
Malone, Beth Malone, Farah Alvin and
Victoria Matlock. A Chipmunk Salute
goes out to them all.
That long-legged phenom, ‘The
Marvelous Wonderettes,’ which kept
NOHO’s El Portal in a sophomoric state
of arrested development for nearly two
years, has been summering at the
Laguna Playhouse with some new legs,
a big set, and some tweaks. You can’t
go home again, or back to high school
either apparently. Our third 'prom' felt
like the girls, in general, were reaching
and the stories, such as they are, were
suffering. But it must be acknowledged
that it still had the appeal to thrill the
sold-out house, there for their first day of
class. Missed: Our favorite
Wonderette, Kim Huber, had given the
role of Missy to Misty Cotton and Cotton
had given this geekiest Wonderettes
some new robotic stiffness in her dance
moves. While garnering laughs, it
seemed for a veteran song girl.
Welcome: It was worth the trip to get a
first look at Lowe Taylor, who we’re now
sorry to have missed as Dot at The
Chance. 'Marvelous' begins previews
Off-Broadway this Friday, opening
September 14. The cast is Bets
Malone, Beth Malone, Farah Alvin and
Victoria Matlock. A Chipmunk Salute
goes out to them all.
NOTEBOOK
Pictured - Adam Simmons ('Great Expectations,' Lamont); Jack Kehler, Beege Burkette ('Some
Kind of Love Story')
Kind of Love Story')
Some Kind of Love Story by Arthur Miller,
directed by Michael Arabian, Hayworth Theatre,
through Aug 31
Thirty years after rising to the top of American dramatists and
20 years after the death of his famous second wife, Miller was
wrestling with new forms and old ghosts. Those
preoccupations form the ill-fitting hemispheres of ‘Some Kind
of Love Story,’ a one-act making its West Coast premiere 26
years Miller staged its Long Wharf premiere.
directed by Michael Arabian, Hayworth Theatre,
through Aug 31
Thirty years after rising to the top of American dramatists and
20 years after the death of his famous second wife, Miller was
wrestling with new forms and old ghosts. Those
preoccupations form the ill-fitting hemispheres of ‘Some Kind
of Love Story,’ a one-act making its West Coast premiere 26
years Miller staged its Long Wharf premiere.
Great Expectations adapted by Margaret
Hoomeman, book by Brian VanDerWilt and Steve Lozier,
music by Richard Winzeler, Lyrics by Steve Lane,
directed by Jules Aaron, Odyssey Theatre, thru Sept. 7
‘Great Expectations,’ a new musical based on Charles Dickens’
novel, was so well received during its April premiere at the
Hudson Theatre that it has reopened as a guest production at
The Odyssey Theatre. Despite the critical clemency from ‘The
Los Angeles Times’ and others, we must indict on several counts.
Hoomeman, book by Brian VanDerWilt and Steve Lozier,
music by Richard Winzeler, Lyrics by Steve Lane,
directed by Jules Aaron, Odyssey Theatre, thru Sept. 7
‘Great Expectations,’ a new musical based on Charles Dickens’
novel, was so well received during its April premiere at the
Hudson Theatre that it has reopened as a guest production at
The Odyssey Theatre. Despite the critical clemency from ‘The
Los Angeles Times’ and others, we must indict on several counts.
IN PREVIEWS
OPENS WEDNESDAY GEF BEETHOVEN AS I KNEW HIM Music by Ludwig van Beethoven, text by Hershey Felder, directed by Joel Zwick
‘Beethoven, As I Knew Him’ is the culmination of Hershey Felder’s musical trilogy (previous installments are ‘George Gershwin Alone’ and ‘Monsieur
Chopin.’) Here Felder brings the character of Ludwig van Beethoven to life through the eyes of Beethoven's last surviving friend and the sounds of the
maestro's greatest musical works. The Geffen’s productions of Felder’s earlier shows have won awards for four of their 12 LA Ovation Award nominations,
including Best Musical and Best Lead Actor in a Musical. (Previews 8/19, Opens 8/27, Closes 10/12)
OPENS FRIDAY EDUCATING RITA by Willy Russell, directed by Cameron Watson
The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third St, Burbank
He's a disillusioned, alcoholic teacher. She's a passionate, street-wise student -- and a breath of fresh air in his life. But does her journey toward a "better"
life jeopardize what makes her truly special? Educating Rita is the poignant, comic masterpiece that explores what it really means to be educated. TIX
Available by subscription only ($75-$195) until closer to the season at 818-558-7000 or online (Previews 8/20, Opens 8/23, Closes 9/21)
OPENS SEP 3 LJP MEMPHIS by Joe DiPietro, composed by David Bryan, choreography by Sergio Trujillo, directed by Christopher Ashley
‘Memphis’ is a story about the passion and roots of rock ’n’ roll featuring an original gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock score fused with a contemporary
sensibility. Memphis follows the fictionalized life story of a white disc jockey in the segregated south, who started playing black music on the radio. Set in
the 1950’s, Memphis explores interracial relationships, the power of radio and how music broke down racial barriers. Produced in conjunction with The 5th
Avenue Theatre (Seattle, WA). (Mandell Weiss Theatre, Previews 8/19, Opens 9/3, Closes 9/28)
OPENS WEDNESDAY GEF BEETHOVEN AS I KNEW HIM Music by Ludwig van Beethoven, text by Hershey Felder, directed by Joel Zwick
‘Beethoven, As I Knew Him’ is the culmination of Hershey Felder’s musical trilogy (previous installments are ‘George Gershwin Alone’ and ‘Monsieur
Chopin.’) Here Felder brings the character of Ludwig van Beethoven to life through the eyes of Beethoven's last surviving friend and the sounds of the
maestro's greatest musical works. The Geffen’s productions of Felder’s earlier shows have won awards for four of their 12 LA Ovation Award nominations,
including Best Musical and Best Lead Actor in a Musical. (Previews 8/19, Opens 8/27, Closes 10/12)
OPENS FRIDAY EDUCATING RITA by Willy Russell, directed by Cameron Watson
The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third St, Burbank
He's a disillusioned, alcoholic teacher. She's a passionate, street-wise student -- and a breath of fresh air in his life. But does her journey toward a "better"
life jeopardize what makes her truly special? Educating Rita is the poignant, comic masterpiece that explores what it really means to be educated. TIX
Available by subscription only ($75-$195) until closer to the season at 818-558-7000 or online (Previews 8/20, Opens 8/23, Closes 9/21)
OPENS SEP 3 LJP MEMPHIS by Joe DiPietro, composed by David Bryan, choreography by Sergio Trujillo, directed by Christopher Ashley
‘Memphis’ is a story about the passion and roots of rock ’n’ roll featuring an original gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock score fused with a contemporary
sensibility. Memphis follows the fictionalized life story of a white disc jockey in the segregated south, who started playing black music on the radio. Set in
the 1950’s, Memphis explores interracial relationships, the power of radio and how music broke down racial barriers. Produced in conjunction with The 5th
Avenue Theatre (Seattle, WA). (Mandell Weiss Theatre, Previews 8/19, Opens 9/3, Closes 9/28)
