L.A. Theatre Scene- Page 3

[badreligion]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 4:21am

Do you guys have this stuff memorized? If LA theatre is so bountiful why don't you have a guide or something?

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 12:00pm

Well, there is my webpage of Musicals Coming to Los Angeles (there's a link attached to each of my posts).

As to all the non-musical plays, there are too many to list (well, too many for me to keep track of at any one time).

However the following sites are very good if you want to know what's playing locally:

LA Weekly (and the print edition as well) has current theater listings:
http://www.laweekly.com/calendar/content/theater_all.php

Theatremania has current AND upcoming shows:
http://www.theatermania.com/content/listings.cfm?int_city_id=2

LAStage Alliance offers 1/2 price tickets to many shows, plus a listing of current and (some) upcoming shows:
http://www.lastagealliance.com/

and of course Gold Star Events has 1/2 price tickets to not just stage plays but other concert, performing arts, and sporting events, etc., and not just for L.A.
http://www.goldstarevents.com/

Hope that helps!

Updated On: 1/11/06 at 12:00 PM

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 2:29pm

Oh, sorry SteveN. Anyways, I found this info on Proof over at theatremania: http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/117698

Anyways, have you heard anything about this "The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabbler". I love the writer of the book (who also did Avenue Q, one of my favorite shows), and was thinking of seeing it. Any new on that?

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 2:43pm

Has anyone heard anything of this new Nicholas Nickleby that is in L.A. It sounds intruiging.

[badreligion]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 3:31pm

I work in LA and NYC, I spend half my time on west coast and half my time on east coast, but always saw theatre in nyc. Maybe I'll try to see something in LA, you are all so enthusiastic about it.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 3:33pm

Sometimes it is just as good as Broadway aka The Drowsy Chaperone. When you are here, make sure to ask what is good because some of the theatre here is quite bad. When are you going to be on the west coast?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 7:47pm

I just want to echo the sentiments about Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Better late than never, yes - I know.

Other than fear for John Goodman's health through most of the production, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the renovated theater space.

I had never seen it live before, and was pleasantly surprised after the somewhat negative reviews. But then again, the critics have given rave reviews to some shows that I just did not like.

I also like what they have done with the space at the Geffen.

God, I remember seeing LSOH there over 20 years ago with Ellen Greene. Time does fly.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 3:47am

Qman, thanks for the info about Proof. Actually, I now remember that I did read about the upcoming production. I'd love to see it but San Juan Capistrano is a bit far for me to drive when there are already so many plays to fill my plate a bit closer to home. But I've been to that theater before and it's very nice and in a charming location.

Re Nicholas Nickleby, I very much enjoyed it, though I found the large cast a bit uneven. The plusses, and they are big plusses, are the stellar performances by Ethan Kogan as Nicholas and Jeremy Lelliott as Smike. These two young, but very experienced and trained actors, are absolutely brilliant. The new adaptation manages to condense a huge book into about 2 hours 45 minutes, which just fly by. And the final scene between Nicholas and Smike had me crying more than I've cried in over 200 shows this past year. A good cry can be nice at times!

Re Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, it did get at least two raves with which I completely agree. If you want to read them, here are the links:
From Reviewplays.com:
http://reviewplays.com/cathot.htm
And from LA Weekly:
http://www.laweekly.com/theater/theater_results.php?showid=3520&Sumbit.x=29&Sumbit.y=10

Oh, and the Hedda Gabler show, yes, I do think I'll be catching that down in Orange County. Sounds like a winner!

Happy New Year from
Steven :)

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 1:43pm

Thank you so much. I don't know how I'm going to fit in all these shows. And now that you say the lesbian musical is great, I'm going to have to see that. SOmething has to go. Decisions decisions.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 1:46pm

The Times did not like the show - but then again, I disagree with most of what the times writes, with the exception of Chaperone.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 2:37pm

The times didn't like what?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:59pm

The times gave a very tepid, I would say negative review to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Especially to the leads playing Maggie and Brick.

I am trying to find a link to but all that came up is the abstract:


Abstract

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 5:05pm

Many critics found something wrong with just about all the performances, some not even liking Goodman. That's why I posted the links to two rave reviews, to give an alternate point of view, and one that I agree with.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 5:10pm

Like I said, I tend to disagree with the Time more than I agree with it. I thoroghly enjoyed the show, as well as the two leads.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 2:54pm

I just got back from my weekend on L.A. theatre. Here's the report:

Friday - 700 Sundays. Man, was I suprised at this show. Just a thouroughly enjoyable three hours. A night I won't soon forget.

Saturday Mat. - Lewis and Clark. I was very disappointed with this. I thought it was going to be a thought-provoking show that would leave you thinking about the show. Instead, I felt it was just a forced show that tried to show us we are in the same position as Lewis and Clark was. And, all the attacks at Bush started getting irritating after the fifth one (and I don't even like the guy!)

Reckless - Hard to talk about this one. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 6:09pm

Sharon Perlmutter on Talking Broadway does a full post every month of what's upcoming in LA Theatre..See URL below.

Just a few of the shows that I look forward to seeing (I am probably second to ESLGR8 in the number of LA plays/shows that I see per year- I tend to see about 60-70 a year).

Two Pianos Four Hands -- two actors, two pianos and many, many characters grace the stage as fifteen years of learning the art of piano playing unfolds in an hour and a half. This riotous musical begins with young Richard – "Richy" - being told he is too young to play the pedal. So begins the journey of these two boys – “Richard and Ted” – in search of their dream of concert pianist stardom. 1/3 (opens 1/7) - 2/5 at the Laguna Playhouse. www.lagunaplayhouse.com

700 Sundays -- Billy Crystal brings his one-man show to L.A -- An original two-act play in which Billy plays numerous characters that have influenced who he is today. It deals with his youth, growing up in the jazz world of Manhattan, his teenage years, and finally adulthood. It is about family and fate. At the Wilshire Theatre. 1/6 (opens 1/12) - 2/18. www.broadwayla.org

Southern Baptist Sissies -- The Zephyr Theatre opens "A Season of Shores" with a revival of its most successful play. Ted Detwiler, Leslie Jordan, Newell Alexander, Rosemary Alexander, Scott Presley, Joe Patrick Ward, and Dale Dickey reprise their roles. From 1/6 (opens 1/13). AND, the play will be made into a feature film next year www.seasonofshores.com (I'm seeing this a second time- it's hysterical)

The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler -- By Jeff Whitty. World Premiere. Directed by Bill Rauch. 1/8-29. At Argyros Stage at South Coast Rep. www.scr.org (I'm seeing it this week with ESLGR

Triptych -- Edna O'Brien's new play. Starring Susan Clark. 1/12-2/12. Nomad Theatre Company at the Matrix. www.nomadtheatrecompany.com

Diva -- by Howard Michael Gould. An explosively funny opening sets the stage for this behind-the-scenes look at television's most egomaniacal diva. When the dust settles, we travel back in time to discover how hidden relationships and other surprises brought this sitcom star and her producer to the breaking point. 1/13 (opens 1/20) - 2/19 at the Pasadena Playhouse. www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

The Importance of Being Earnest -- A new production of Oscar Wilde’s comedy, in a pre-Broadway engagement. Starring Lynn Redgrave, Miriam Margolyes and Terence Rigby 1/17 (opens 1/22) - 3/5 at the Ahmanson. www.taperahmanson.com

Judy at the Stonewall Inn -- Most historians believe the Stonewall Riots were started by a drag queen on the day of Judy Garland’s funeral in New York. In Judy At The Stonewall Inn, the playwright makes him the world’s WORST Judy Drag Queen – and brings back the ghost of the REAL JUDY to ruffle his skirts! Opening 1/20 at the Celebration Theatre. www.celebrationtheatre.org

City of Angels -- Cy Coleman, David Zippel and Larry Gelbart’s detective themed musical come to Reprise. Starring Stephen Bogardus as Stine, Burke Moses as Stone, Tami Tappan Damiano as Gabby/Bobbi, Kevin Earley as Jimmy Powers, Vicki Lewis as Donna/Oolie and Alli Mauzey as Mallory/Avril. 1/24-2/5. www.reprise.org

Boston Marriage -- The LA premiere of of this drawing room comedy -- caustically witty with sexual innuendo. Written and directed by David Mamet. 1/31-3/12 at the Geffen Playhouse. www.geffenplayhouse.com

A Picture of Dorian Gray -- a world premiere adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novella, adapted and directed by Michael Michetti. This hot new adaptation rips the fig leaf off the book’s remarkably contemporary themes of hedonism and the insatiable pursuit of pleasure while strictly adhering to the text of Wilde’s scandalous novella. 2/25-4/2 at The Theatre @ Boston Court in Pasadena. www.bostoncourt.com

Man from Nebraska -- By Tracy Letts. West Coast Premiere, directed by William Friedkin. 3/12-4/2. At Argyros Stage at South Coast Rep. www.scr.org

The Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets -- Music and Lyrics by Tom Waits, text by William S. Burroughs -- a “strange and eye-opening theatrical wonderland, a musical fable of love, evil and human folly steeped in the folklore of the past and bursting with the art of the future.” At the Ahmanson. 4/22 (opens 4/26) - 6/11. www.taperahmanson.com

The Story -- ICT presents the West Coast premiere of Tracey Scott Wilson’s play. A young African-American newspaper reporter investigates a shocking murder and exposes a web of ambition, prejudice and social politics -- but is her story true? 4/28-5/21. www.ictlongbeach.org

Zorba -- Reprise closes out its season with Kander & Ebb’s life-affirming musical. 5/2-5/14. www.reprise.org

Without Walls -- The Taper hosts Alfred Uhry’s sensitive drama about the lasting effects of an inspirational teacher. 6/1 (opens 6/11) - 7/16. www.taperahmanson.com

Johnny Guitar, the Musical -- a tuneful, laugh-filled musical comedy based on the cult film favorite. 6/2-18 at La Mirada Theatre in La Mirada. www.lamiradatheatre.com

The Roar of the Greasepaint,The Smell of the Crowd -- Musical Theatre Guild presents a concert staged reading on 6/6 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale and 6/18 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. www.musicaltheatreguild.com

Pyrenees -- The American premiere of David Greig’s lyrical, soulful and funny play about a man who appears to have lost his memory. 7/2 (opens 7/9) - 8/6. At the Kirk Douglas. www.taperahmanson.com

Doctor Dolittle -- Broadway/LA’s season of Family entertainment continues with this national touring production about the Doctor who can talk to the animals. July 11-23, 2006, at the Pantages. www.broadwayla.org

Water & Power -- A Los Angeles Story -- The fate of twin brothers and the city they love is played out against an ever-shifting landscape of power and politics in this world premiere by Richard Montoya and Culture Clash. 7/27 (opens 8/6) - 9/17. www.taperahmanson.com

The America Play -- By Suzan-Lori Parks; directed by Nancy Keystone. Being an entertainment located in the Great Hole of History, featuring the enactment of the Death of (a lesser known) Lincoln (the Great Emancipator), as well as Family Secrets, Deathbed Confidences, and the Wonders of African America. Searingly intelligent, painfully funny, chock full of (out)rage, this seminal work by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright deftly deflates received ideas about race and our national story. 10/14-11/19 at The Theatre @ Boston Court in Pasadena. www.bostoncourt.com

Sister Act -- A world premiere musical. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner -- based on the successful movie of the same name. 10/24 (opens 11/3) - 11/26 at the Pasadena Playhouse. www.pasadenaplayhouse.org



Upcoming LA Theatre

[Patronus]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 10:17am

I just ordered my tickets for the East West Coast Players production of Sweeney Todd and I have to say that I LOVE their ticketing program.

The fact that you can pick seats right on the website and see the view (and the site actually works) is amazing to me.

- Sweeney Todd
- The Last 5 Years with Jason Robert Brown and Murney
- The Cherry Orchard with Benning and Molina
- The Importance of Being Earnest with Redgrave
- City of Angels with Bogardus and Clark
- The Last 5 Years at Chance Theatre

With all of that on my plate already and so many more that I hope to see, it's a good time to be a theatre fan in LA.

Updated On: 1/9/06 at 10:17 AM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 10:22am

Anyone heard about Exonerated. I have tickets for Saturday Night if I want to go. I am also going to 700 Sundays some night soon (I think next Monday).

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 11:33am

I enjoyed Reckless, which I saw last night. I liked the unpreditability and the black comedy aspect. I was lucky to see Susan Weisinger, the understudy, who was absolutely fantastic as Rachel, a role she's played before. Very much a Sandra Bullock quality, which I love.

My L.A. Recommendations:
The Break Up Notebook (the best show/musical in town!)
The Brothers Karamazov (one of L.A. Weekly's 11 Best)
and two absolutely wonderful solo performances
David Jahn in Do You Fear What I Fear
Dan Rosenberg in Regretrosexual.

Not much playing at this moment but, here's what I'm hoping or already scheduled to see. (The * means there are Tuesday or Wednesday performances available.)

1-7 to 2-18
Closer than Ever (Knightsbridge)

1-13 to 2-19
Deceit (El Portal)

1-20 to 2-26
Judy at the Stonewall Inn (Celebration)

1-20 to 2-26
Dialectics of the Heart (Santa Monica)
(Sharon Lawrence/Nicholas Gonzales)

1-21 to 2 26
If You Get to Bethlehem, You've Gone Too Far (Sherman Oaks)

January 24 -February 6
City of Angels

1-25 to 3-4
*The Importance of Being Earnest (T/W) Ahmanson

1-26 to 3-12
The Last Five Years (Chance)

1-27 to 2-12
*Over the River and Through the Woods T/W (La Mirada)

1-27 to 3-5
The Italian In Me (WeHo)

1-27 to 4-1
The Lion in Winter

1-31 to 3-12
*Boston Marriage (T/ W) (Geffen)

2-2 to 3-16
Barnum (NoHo Arts Center)

2-2 to 3-19
*The Cherry Orchard (T/W) Taper

2-3 to 3-26
*Sordid Lives (T) (Zephyr)

2-4 to 2-12
Blood Wedding (Theater 40)

2-6 & 2-27
A Man of No Importance M (Alex/Long Beach)

2-7 to 3-12
Jesus’ Kid Brother (ITC Long Beach)

2-8 to 3-5
Sweeney Todd (EW Players) Season Ticket 2-10

2-8 to 3-12
The Glass Menagerie (Colony) (Season Ticket March 2)

2-9 to 3-5
*Ben Franklin: Unplugged (W) (Rubicon)

2-10 to 19
A Grand Night for Singing (2 w/ends) Brea

2-13 to 3-8
*On the Verge (M/Tu/W) (Theatre 40)

2-18 to 3-5
Never Gonna Dance (Long Beach)

2-24 to 3-12
*Happy Days (T/W) Falcon

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 2:32am

To reply to the person who said they were going to see "Sweeney Todd"...East West Players usually does a great job with Sondheim. Except for an ill-conceived Follies a few years ago, they usually do a wonderful job with Sondheim shows. Their productions of "Passion" and "Pacific Overtures" were excellent.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 2:36am

Bombay Dreams will play in Costa Mesa starting FEB 21st.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 3:22am

Thanks, Muscle! I'd somehow left off the entire OCPAC season of musicals from my webpage. They've now been added:
Bombay Dreams
Dr. Dolittle
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Wicked
All coming to Costa Mesa's Orange County Performing Arts Center this year!

I'd also left off the Pantages Season:
Riverdance
Cats
Dr. Dolittle
Hairspray
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Little Women
All coming to the Pantages!

All these shows have been added to my NEWLY UPDATED website, link below...

Updated On: 1/10/06 at 03:22 AM

[erikaamato]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 11:54am

Hi, guys! After a long and hectic caroling season (during which I got to sing a few times with the lovely and talented Tami Tappan Damiano, among others), I finally have some free time, so I am going to go see Nicholas Nickelby this weekend. (I'm friends with the producers and also with a cast member or two...) I also know someone in Lewis and Clark, but after the comment about it, I'm not sure I want to shell out the dough...

Anyway, I also wanted to let you all know that West Coast Ensemble (of which I am a member) has found a new space, which has tons of potential (I saw it last night), and is going to be just fabulous when the build-out is complete. To that end, it's fund-raising time!! =)

We're selling $5 raffle tickets (great prizes), and we're also going to be doing a fabulous production of Kander and Ebb's And The World Goes 'Round (for which I'm auditioning this evening), that will be done in the round, in a cabaret atmosphere, for only $30 a ticket! (That includes the performance, snacks, and a complimentary raffle ticket!) The production will run February 24, 25, 26 and March 3, 4, 5 and is being directed by Richard Israel and MD'd by Johanna Kent, the team that helmed our award-winning production of Floyd Collins.

Please PM me if you're interested in buying any raffle tickets or tickets to the fundraiser. Thanks!

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 7:37pm

I just got my tickets for The Cherry Orchard. Row C, center. I am so excited because I love both of them. Anyway, anybody here of Hitchcock Blonde. I have been told is having its American Premiere (it was a big hit in London) here in L.A. Any info would be apprecitated. And if anybody hears if Jay Jonhson is good I am looking into that because it's heading staright from here to broadway. HAPPY VIEWING!

[QMAN03]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 7:42pm

Any info on Six Degrees of Seperation at the STAGEStheatre would be appreciated as well. For instance, do they usually put on good productions.