SCENE IN LA
BY
STEVE ZALL AND SID FISH
September 2021
The Covid-19 Delta variant continues to wreak havoc on us, but there have been few new restrictions placed on us in spite of it. We just have to continue to wear our masks regardless of vaccination status when we are out in public. However, this new variant produces 100 times the viral load of the original virus, and is still sending people to the hospitals and ICU wards in ever-increasing numbers.
Most theatres are reopening and announcing their schedules. However, PROOF OF VACCINATION IS REQUIRED BY MOST THEATERS IN ORDER TO ATTEND, AND MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES DURING THE PERFORMANCES. The information presented in this column is the latest available at the time of printing, however you should check with the theater to confirm it before making definite plans. Here are the shows that have announced opening dates or are already running this month:
“Closely Related Keys” Living in New York shortly after September 11, Julia Dolan is an up-and-coming corporate attorney whose carefully constructed life begins to crumble when she learns she has a half-sister — a Muslim who has fled Iraq. Neyla plays the violin and wants to audition for Julliard, but Julia is wary. Is there more to Neyla’s story? Written by Wendy Graf, and directed by Saundra McClain, it runs through September 12 at the International City Theatre Long Beach Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.
“Birds in the Moon” A weary yet persistent Bird-Mother lands in a remote desert place, searching for shelter and water for herself and her child. There she encounters an aging circus Ringmaster and his traveling musicians, who live hand to mouth, entertaining passersby. Both souls seek escape from the peril of this dry desert, believing in the moon as the answer to their plight. This quest seals their fate as they make a pact that leaves them each forever changed. Written by Mark Grey and Júlia Canosa i Serra, and directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer, it runs September 1 through September 4 at The Broad Stage, outdoors on Santa Monica’s Lot 27 in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-434-3200 or visit www.thebroadstage.org.
“Kay Sedia in The Taco Chronicles” Kay Sedia's The Taco Chronicles is sure to be a spicier-than-ever one-woman show as she takes the audience on a journey with stories, music and all her sexiness. Written and directed by Kay Sedia, it runs September 3 through September 11 at the Cavern Club Theater inside Castia Del Campo Restaurant in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.kaysedia.com.
“Boy Vey” An autobiographical solo show about how a Jewish girl's quest for love unveils the bizarre connections between her misbegotten dating life and inherited Holocaust trauma. A humorous, touching and powerful theatre piece. Written by Rachel Kaftan, and directed by Dana Resnick, it runs September 11 through October 30 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-394-9779 or visit www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/boyvey.
“David Dean Bottrell Makes Love: A One-Man Show” This well received, fast-moving evening of totally true “love stories” including tales of bad choices, worse choices, and other things he probably shouldn’t be talking about, returns to LA with the Tenth Anniversary Edition. Ages 16+. Current Covid Protocol observed. Written by David Dean Bottrell, and directed by Guy Stroman, it runs September 14 through September 22 at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. For tickets call 818-687-8559 or visit www.whitefiretheatre.com.
“As Good As Gold” Three female screenwriters, frustrated with the sexism and glass ceilings they encounter in Hollywood, decide to collaborate on a commercially surefire macho action epic screenplay with a studly hero. Now, they have a script. But, they’re women. How will they get a studio to buy it? They hire a young fellow to be their front. He will purport to be the author of their screenplay. Sure enough, their front/impostor becomes the toast of Hollywood, commanding millions of dollars in asking price for future scripts. Written by Marilyn Anderson, and directed by Roger K. Weiss, it runs September 16 through October 17 at the Theatre 40, in the Reuben Cordova Theatre in Beverly Hills. For tickets call 310-364-0535 or visit www.theatre40.org.
“Shaadi” Blue13 Dance Company presents an outdoor, site-specific, audience immersive contemporary and Bollywood dance spectacular. The wedding party invites the audience to share in their happiness and drama as they dance the night away at one of Southern California’s most beautiful wedding venues: Heritage Square Museum in the Montecito Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Blue13’s highly energetic and theatrical style draws from ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, Bhangra, Kathak and Bollywood to tell unforgettable stories. Written and directed by Achinta S. McDaniel, it runs September 17 through September 18 at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.blue13dance.com.
“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” Please note: Everyone (adults and children over 12) who enters the Westchester Playhouse building must wear a face mask and needs to be prepared to show proof of vaccination.
Set in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live a quiet life in the farmhouse where they grew up and cared for their elderly parents, while mourning their lost dreams and missed opportunities. When their often-wrong, fortune-telling maid warns of impending dangers, and their movie star sister, Masha, arrives unexpectedly with her young, sexy, boy toy, Spike, the family is launched into a rollicking weekend of one-upmanship, exposed nerves, and a lot of broken mugs. With wit and absurdity, the toils and troubles of celebrity, social networking, and age combine into a laugh-out-loud comedy that will tickle your funny bone and stimulate your mind. Written by Christopher Durang, and directed by Susan Stangl, it runs September 17 through October 10 at the Westchester Playhouse in Westchester. For tickets call 310-645-5156 or visit www.kentwoodplayers.org.
“It’s Alive, IT’S ALIVE!” NOTE: Proof of vaccination will be required of all patrons, and admittance is limited to ages 12+. All current CDC and local guidelines regarding seating and masks will be followed at each performance.
Joined onstage by a band and two singer/dancers, Fleck uses musical numbers, dance sequences and broad characters to create a hilarious and uniquely ribald theatrical rollercoaster that skewers our fears and assumptions about everything from COVID-19 to our identity as earth dwellers at this precarious moment. Written by John Fleck, and directed by David Schweizer, it runs September 18 through October 9 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 Ext. 2 or visit www.OdysseyTheatre.com.
“The Wolfe & The Bird” No time to sleep. No room for error. No pleasing mom. A young girl struggles to find herself against the backdrop of 1980s small town America.
• Proof of vaccination required – no exceptions
• Admittance is limited to ages 12+
• Masks required throughout the performance as mandated by the County of L.A.
Written by Rachel Parker, and directed by Alina Phelan, it runs September 18 through October 10 at the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5219775.
“Clue” It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist. Rated PG. Written by Sandy Rustin, based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, with music by Michael Holland, and directed by Casey Hushion, it runs September 24 through October 17 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada. For tickets call 562-944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com.
Our local theme parks continue to operate at high, if not full, capacity, which is a welcome relief to many enthusiasts who are flocking to them in droves. Most require advance reservations online as well as advance ticket purchases. You will need an app in many to be able to take full advantage of those attractions they have reopened. Attendance is limited to California resident visitors in most parks. Please check their websites for details, restrictions, and availability before planning a trip to them:
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Disneyland Resort Disney’s California Adventure |
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/
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Knott’s Berry Farm
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Legoland California |
https://www.legoland.com/california/
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SeaWorld San Diego |
https://seaworld.com/san-diego/
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Six Flags Magic Mountain |
https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/
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Universal Studios Hollywood |
https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/
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Area theaters continue to expand their online offerings with more and more events to experience on a virtual basis. Some of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, while others are ongoing and can be viewed anytime on-demand. Visit each of the web sites below to see what they are currently offering. You will find free content as well as pay-per-view to choose from. Here are the links to web sites with online offerings:
Our best wishes go out to all of our readers as we continue to navigate these ever-changing waves of the pandemic now, so please be cautious everywhere you go and in everything you do, and follow whatever new directions that the authorities may issue regarding them. Most of all, if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, please consider the effect you are having on others by not doing so. We don’t want to lose anyone else, so please just get vaccinated today if you haven’t already!
As always, we also want to send out a very special thanks to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors who continue to publish these columns.
Sincerely,
Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor
