L.A. Theatre Scene- Page 2
L.A. Theatre Scene
#25re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:38am
Speaking of which Popular...did you figure out when you were planning on going to see Tick, Tick...Boom?
We should all try and arrange that on the same night. It'd be wild. 
#26re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:40amI lost my credit card so as soon as the new one gets here (supposedly it should be here by Friday) I'll be able to arrange that with you. Remind me next Monday, OK?
#27re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:42amIs anyone familiar with the Rubicon Theatre? I wonder if there is any possibility that it will sell out?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#28re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 3:22amThe forum is awesome....saw many great shows there, Big River, Flower Drum Song, Like Jazz.
#29re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 4:00am
ROMANCE at the TAPER FORUM is wonderful. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and loved it.
Who is doing tick tick boom?!
#30re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:21am
The Rubicon Theatre in Ventura.
http://www.rubicontheatre.org/
The cast is Wilson Cruz, Natascia Diaz and Andrew Samonsky.
#31re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:32amI saw Ms. Diaz as Susan in New York and she was wonderful (easily the best of the three). If you have the opportunity to see her, do not squander it!
#32re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:34am
She is incredible. I saw her as Anita in the West Side Story tour years ago. Marcy Harriell was Maria in that same production.
#33re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:40amWow, that sounds like an incredible production!
#34re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:47pmDon't go see "Romance". It is truly one of the worst plays I have seen in months. As much as I like most of Mamet's work, this "comedy" is incredibly stupid.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
#35re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 1:53pm
That is the first negative thing I've heard about "Romance" actually. I am sorry that you didn't enjoy it.
I will be going on Friday. I just secured my HotTix. The ball is in your court Popular and YWIW???. Stalk away.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#36re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 2:15pm
I'm loving the West Coasters! Nice to see Los Angeles Theater really being celebrated.
#37re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 7:20pm
Well, get that restraining order ready.
Row E, all the way at the end (but for $20, who can argue).
Maybe we can get a drink before hand, or at intermission.
Popular, your turn.
Updated On: 11/8/05 at 07:20 PM
#39re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/8/05 at 8:44pm
If you are going to be anywhere near the Ahmanson between now and then, I believe you can get the HotTix at the window.
I realize that's a long shot, but I figured I'll toss it out there.
YWIW, we will definitely meet up there. I think I am in Row D so you'll probably be right behind me.
Extreme side in the back row at the Taper really wouldn't be so bad.
Updated On: 11/8/05 at 08:44 PM
eslgr8
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#40re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/9/05 at 3:15amOh Broadway Baby, both my friend Roxanne and I LOVED Romance! Absolutely hilarious, and I found it very gay friendly (in fact, I thought we came out better than any of the other "minorities" taken aim at in this play.) The critics seem to support me on this one.
eslgr8
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#41re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 11/9/05 at 3:24am
Current shows I give very high marks to:
MUSICALS:
The Wild Party, at the Hudson on Santa Monica Blvd.
DRAMA:
Equus, at East West Players, in Little Tokyo (Downtown)
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (saw it tonight and WOW!) at the Geffen in Westwood
Mother Courage, at the Boston Court, in Pasadena
COMEDY:
Bunbury, the best new comedy in town that I've seen, at The Road Theater in North Hollywood
Shows I'm seeing later this month:
MUSICALS
The King and I, at Musical Theater West in Long Beach
The Grand Tour, at the Colony in Burbank (reviewplays.com calls it the best local musical in ages)
The Drowsy Chaperone, at the Ahmanson, Downtown
+
And various assorted small theater comedies and dramas.
For 1/2 price tickets visit:
http://www.goldstarevents.com
or
http://lastagealliance.com/
And then click on LAStageTix.
The latter sometimes has a smaller service charge, the former often has a larger selection of events.
Note: My website, linked below, shows only musicals, not straight plays.
Updated On: 11/9/05 at 03:24 AM
QMAN03
Broadway Star Joined: 9/20/05
#42re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:27pm
I thought I'd just start this thread up again and cath you all up on what I have seen.
Romance - So funny. I was in tears for half the show. JUst side-splittingly funny. Man, I love Mamet.
The Drowsy Chaperone - I saw this the same day as Romance. I didn't think it would be better, but man, was I wrong. One of the best musicals I have seen in ages.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - to echo eslgr8's words, wow. Just wow.
Those are the only shows I have seen in L.A. recently. But I just got more tickets for the weekend of Jan. 6. I am seeing 700 Sundays on friday, Lewis and Clarke on saturday, and reckless as well on saturday. Any feedback on these shows?
gavrochegirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
#43re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:33pm
I agree with you, QMAN...The Drowsy Chaperone is one of the best musicals I've ever seen.
Monkey, monkey, monkey...
What the puck?!
QMAN03
Broadway Star Joined: 9/20/05
#44re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:54pmOk, this is strange. I just bought tickets for Reckless, and it never told me my seat number! It just said, "you're tickets have been reserved." What gives?!?!
eslgr8
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#45re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 12/31/05 at 10:22pm
I'm seeing Reckless on Sunday the 8th. 3 L.A. Times readers posted rave reviews of the show:
http://www.calendarlive.com/stage/292464,0,5465411,reviews.event?page=1
A good review also in Backstage West:
http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/la/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001658194
For some reason, the producers didn't submit this show to be considered for the Ovation Awards, so I'm paying for this one, though 1/2 price thanks to goldstarevents.com!
Seating in 99 (or fewer) seat theaters is usually (though not always) open seating, which would explain why there was no seat assignment.
Reckless has a very good website, worth checking out:
http://www.atwistedchristmas.com/
Lewis and Clark was well acted, and is worth seeing if only for the amazing set/lighting/projection/costume design. Some critics and audience members have found fault with its mix of history and politics. I liked it, but did find myself drifting at times.
For this show too, calendarlive is a good place to find reader reviews (mixed but mostly favorable for this Lewis and Clark).
http://www.calendarlive.com/stage/240649,0,2843969,reviews.event#reviews
Qman, if you have any questions about L.A. theater, please feel free to PM or email me! I saw over 200 shows in 2005, most of them in the L.A./Orange County and expect to see an equal number this year. Already booked for 16 in January, with quite a few more penciled in. And February looks to be even better!
Shows I'm seeing in January:
A Magic Christmas
American Idle
City of Angels
Do You Fear What I Fear?
Greetings
Jerusalem (2nd time)
Naked Deception
Reckless
String of Pearls
The Breakup Notebook (2nd time)
The Elephant Man
The Last Five Years
The Price
The Smell of the Kill
What I Heard About Iraq
What's My Line
Hope also to see:
Diva
Hamlet, The Artist Formerly Known as PRINCE of Denmark
Permanent Collection
Southern Baptist Sissies
Coming in February:
A Grand Night for Singing
A Man of No Importance
Barnum
Ben Franklin: Unplugged
Blood Wedding
Boston Marriage
Closer than Ever
Happy Days
If You Get to Bethlehem, You've Gone Too Far
Jesus’ Kid Brother
Never Gonna Dance
On the Verge
Over the River and Through the Woods
Sordid Lives
Sweeny Todd
The Cherry Orchard
The Glass Menagerie
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Italian In Me (February) 1 ticket
The Last Five Years
The Lion in Winter
and many more I'm sure.
L.A. Theater Is Alive And Well!
Updated On: 1/1/06 at 10:22 PM
#46re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 1/1/06 at 12:54amOOOOOOOOOOOOO ESLGR8 If you mean Sweeney Todd in LA (roughly UCLA campus) I will be there too. I cannot wait, I love Sondheim and I've been waiting for a chance to see this. Ah I am so happy this is being produced!
"First and foremost I want to thank God, because there is no way that somebody with my name from South St. Louis ends up at Radio City Music Hall holding one of these without some divine intervention" -- Norbert Leo Butz (Tony Speech)
eslgr8
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#47re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 1/1/06 at 1:34am
Sweeney Todd is L.A.'s Asian theater company East West Players' musical for their 2005-2006 Season. Previously, they have mounted superb productions of Little Shop of Horrors (my favorite LSOH so far), Passion, Follies, A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to the Forum, And the World Goes Round, and Into the Woods, all of which I enjoyed thoroughly, plus these that I didn't see: Pacific Overtures, Merrily We Roll Along, and Cabaret. (They obviously have an affinity for Sondheim.)
East West Players 1994 production of SWEENEY TODD, which I saw, earned five Theatre LA Ovation Awards, five Drama-Logue Awards and a LA Weekly Theatre Award. At that time, they were in a kind of shabby 99 seat house on SM Blvd. Now, they have a beautiful and considerably larger Equity space in Little Tokyo, and their recent productions of Equus and Proof have given Asian American actors the opportunity for roles which they would probably never have gotten otherwise.
As you can tell, I'm a big fan of East West Players, and I look forward to Sweeney Todd, which will run from February 8 – March 5.
Sweeney Todd Website
QMAN03
Broadway Star Joined: 9/20/05
#48re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 1/1/06 at 2:55am
I'm planning on seeing Sweeny in NY, should I still see it here in L.A?
Oh, and here are the list of shows I want to see in January. Steve, do you have any info on these if they are good choices?
1. City of Angels (Jan. 25 – Feb. 05)
2. The Good Body (Jan. 31 – Feb. 12)
3. The Importance of Being Earnest (Jan. 25 – Mar. 05)
4. Jay Johnson: The Two and Only (Jan. 20 – Feb. 19)
5. The Lion in Winter (Jan. 27 – Apr. 1)
6. Proof (Jan. 27 – Feb. 12)
7. The Last Five Years (Jan. 26 – Mar. 12)
8. Much Ado About Nothing (Jan. 20 – Feb. 19) – San Diego
eslgr8
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#49re: Mark Taper Forum in L.A.
Posted: 1/1/06 at 4:01am
From SteveN (don't forget the N)...
Les Spindle has just posted his January column of upcoming L.A. attractions at Theatremania.com.
http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/7374
Well, I'm definitely looking forward to City of Angels, Earnest, and The Last Five Years. Lion in Winter too, if I have enough time. I'll probably skip The Good Body and Jay's show mainly because there are other things I'd rather see, but I loved Jay on Soap, so I'm sure it's a good show, and Broadway bound.
I can't find anything about an upcoming production of Proof, so please give details. I love the play and would enjoy seeing it in a new production.
Finally, re Sweeney, the New York production is hugely innovative, I've heard (small cast, the actors also being the orchestra). Seeing East West's production would give you a more traditional one to compare New York with, albeit with an all Asian American cast. If you can afford it, see both!
Videos