SCENE IN LA
BY
STEVE ZALL AND SID FISH
June 2022
Most theaters have returned to fairly normal operations again. Covid protocols vary from venue to venue, so you may still have to show proof of vaccination, and/or wear a mask during the show, so please check with the theater before you attend an event to find out what their policy is. 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 for this month, or are already running at this time:
OPENING
“Uncle Vanya” This exhilarating revival pairs one of the greatest plays ever written with the world’s most celebrated translators of Russian literature. After years of caring for their family’s crumbling estate, Vanya and his niece receive an unexpected visit from his brother-in-law and his alluring wife. When hidden passions and tumultuous frustrations come to a boil in the heat of the Russian summer, their lives threaten to come undone. Comic, cutting, and true to life, this translation of Uncle Vanya provides an up-close, conversational-style encounter with a classic drama that every theater-lover must see. Written by Anton Chekhov, translated by Richard Nelson, Richard Pevear, and Larissa Volokhonsky, it runs June 1 through June 26 at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-7529 or visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
“The Desperate Hours” tells the story of a trio of escaped bank robbers who take a suburban family and hold them hostage by turning their tranquil, secluded home into a secret hideout from the law. Father, mother, daughter and son are captive and have their mettle tested as they try to prevail over a terrifying situation. Written by Joseph Hayes, and directed by Jules Aaron, it runs June 3 through July 10 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-763-5990 or visit www.thegrouprep.com.
“Harvey” Elwood P. Dowd insists on including his friend Harvey in all of his sister Veta's social gatherings. The trouble is, Harvey is an imaginary six-and-a-half-foot-tall rabbit. To avoid future embarrassment for her family - and especially for her daughter Myrtle Mae - Vita decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. At the sanitarium, a frantic Veta explains to the staff that her years living with Elwood's hallucination have caused her to see Harvey also, so the doctors mistakenly commit her instead of her mild-mannered brother. The truth comes out, however; Veta is freed, and the search is on for Elwood, who eventually arrives at the sanitarium of his own volition looking for Harvey. But it seems that Elwood and his invisible companion have had influence on more than one of the doctors. Only at the end does Veta realize that maybe Harvey isn't so bad after all. Written by Mary Chase, and directed by Marina Tidwell, it runs June 3 through July 10 at the Theatre Palisades Pierson Playhouse in Pacific Palisades. For tickets call 310-454-1970 or visit www.theatrepalisades.org.
“In the Heights” tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood - a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams, and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. Written by Quiara Alegría Hudes, with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and directed by Benjamin Perez, it runs June 3 through June 26 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada. For tickets call 562-944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com.
“A Terminal Event” About an aspiring actress who works part-time as a medical receptionist and falls under the spell of a young advertising executive who insists on addressing his cancer diagnosis with alternative medicine. With regrets from their pasts and heavy defenses in place, they stumble into an unlikely chance at love. Written by Richard Willett, and directed by Maria Gobetti, it runs June 3 through July 10 at the Victory Theatre Center Big Victory Theatre in Burbank. For tickets call 818-841-5421 or visit www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org.
“André & Dorine” If you missed it before, here’s your chance: Spain’s celebrated Kulunka Teatro returns to the Los Angeles Theatre Center with André & Dorine, the company’s poignant depiction of love and aging disrupted by Alzheimer’s. This Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle award-winning production tells the story of an elderly couple—André with his typewriter, Dorine with her cello—and how they relive and reinvent their love together as the disease becomes a permanent part of their relationship. Three actors portray more than 15 different characters, telling the story with masks, gesture and movement, with no spoken dialogue. Written by El José Dault, Garbiñe Insausti, Iñaki Rikarte, Edu Cárcamo, and Rolando San Martín, with music by Yayo Cáceres, and directed by Iñaki Rikarte, it runs June 8 through June 19 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit www.latinotheaterco.org.
“The Legend of Georgia McBride” Casey is young and broke, with a baby on the way and the landlord knocking on his door. Now, the owner of the bar where Casey works as an Elvis impersonator has replaced his act with a B-level drag show, and Casey’s about to learn a lot about show business—and himself. Written by Matthew Lopez, and directed by Jamie Torcellini, it runs June 10 through June 28 at the International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.
“The Merry Wives of Windsor” reset in1950s small-town America during the nascent period of second-wave feminism and featuring a rockin’ score of ‘50s tunes. Things might seem picture perfect in “Small Town U.S.A”... but when opportunistic schemer and womanizer John Falstaff blows into town with his gang and tries to woo two wealthy ladies at once, the town’s women gleefully plot his comeuppance. Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Ellen Geer, it runs June 11 through October 2 at the Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga. For tickets call 310-455-3723 or visit www.theatricum.com.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” An annual season staple going back decades, Theatricum’s wooded stage morphs into the enchanted woods of Athens, where mortal lovers chase and are chased, players prepare, and fairies make magical mischief in Shakespeare’s most entertaining and beguiling comedy. Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Melora Marshall, it runs June 12 through October 1 at the Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga. For tickets call 310-455-3723 or visit www.theatricum.com.
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” centers around a free spirited Hollywood prostitute Vivian Ward, who is hired by Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman, to be his escort for several business and social functions, and their developing relationship over the course of her week-long stay with him. Written by Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton, with music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and directed by Jerry Mitchell, it runs June 15 through July 3 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 800-982-2782 or visit www.BroadwayInHollywood.com.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Open Fist Theatre Company presents a provocative new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream set in the Antebellum South. Intrigued by the Mechanicals’ line “That would hang us every mother’s son,” director James Fowler has moved the action from Athens, Greece to Athens, Georgia circa 1855. There, with Shakespeare’s text unchanged, we enter a world where the magic of an enslaved people plays out in the lives of those to whom they remain invisible. Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by James Fowler, it runs June 25 through August 13 at the Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets call 323-882-6912 or visit www.openfist.org.
“The West Side Waltz” In the world premiere of Thompson’s newly revised, music and heart-filled comedy set during the tumultuous ’80s, Theatricum artistic director Ellen Geer; her sister, Melora Marshall; and daughter Willow Geer take on the roles of an aging concert pianist, her violin-playing spinster neighbor, and a would-be actress on New York’s Upper West Side. Written by Ernest Thompson, and directed by Mary Jo DuPrey, it runs June 25 through October 1 at the Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga. For tickets call 310-455-3723 or visit www.theatricum.com.
“A Wicked Soul in Cherry Hill” On a November night in 1994, a murder was committed in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In this poignant true-crime story told completely through song, a tight-knit Jewish community gathers to recount, remember, and reckon with the details of what happened in—and to—their town. This wholly original production asks what it does to our souls when our leaders fall from grace. Written by Matt Schatz, with music by Matt Schatz, and directed by Mike Donahu, it runs June 30 through July 24 at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. For tickets call 310-208-2028 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.org.
CONTINUING
“Our Town” Life has begun in the fictional town of Grover’s Corner, New Hampshire. Milk is being delivered. Breakfast is on the stove. We meet the town gossips, the boys who play baseball and the choirmaster with a secret sorrow. And soon, teenagers George Gibbs and Emily Webb will go from friends to puppy love to wedding day and beyond—two families forever joined together. Written by Thornton Wilder, and directed by Beth Lopes, it runs through June 4 at the South Coast Repertory Segerstrom Stage in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.
“Slice” is a deep, probing, emotional conversation between father and son; man to man, bare knuckled, leaving no topic off the table. Written by David Watson, and directed by Joe Mellis, it runs through June 5 at the Atwater Playhouse in Atwater Village. For tickets visit www.brownpapertickets.com.
“Tiger Style!” What happens when “tiger parenting” goes wrong?” Meet Albert and Jennifer Chen—brother and sister, once brilliant students and musicians, now epic failures leading unfulfilling lives. The problem? Their parents set unrealistic standards. The solution? Escape from Irvine and go on an “Asian Freedom Tour” to Shenzhen, China—a hilarious, eye-opening journey filled with colorful characters, intrigue and surprise. Written by Mike Lew, and directed by Ralph B. Peña, it runs through June 5 at the South Coast Repertory Julianne Argyros Stage in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.
“Try Not to Think About It, Alice Childress” A series of miscommunications turns into a night of survival when a natural disaster strikes the Hollywood Hills. This witty, challenging drama will leave you wondering what just happened and what will happen next, while the people hunkered down in a mansion just try to keep up with what they’re becoming amidst the Hollywood dream. Contains mature language, violence, sexual situations, and brief strobe light effects. Written and directed by Chris Haas, it runs through June 5 at the Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-452-3153 or visit www.loftensemble.org.
“A Chorus Line” is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the American Musical Theatre: the chorus dancers - those valiant, over dedicated, underpaid, highly trained performers who back up the star or stars and often make them look even more talented than they are. It’s also about competition, and competition might easily be the common denominator that grabs the audience and holds it by the collective heartstring until the final, ultimate choices are made. The show features one powerhouse number after another, “What I Did for Love,” “One,” “I Can Do That,” “At the Ballet,” “The Music and the Mirror,” and “I Hope I Get It.” Written by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and directed by Luis Villabon, it runs through June 12 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
Our local theme parks are operating at full capacity. Most require advance reservations online, as well as advance ticket, and possibly food, purchases. You will need an app in some to be able to take full advantage of all attractions and restaurants. Please check their websites for details, restrictions, and availability before planning a visit:
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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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Some theaters still provide online offerings in addition to or in lieu of live performances, with many events you can experience on a virtual basis. A few of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, while others are ongoing and can be viewed on-demand anytime. 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 always, and we want to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day this month! We also want to send heartfelt thanks to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors and publishers who continue to publish these columns. We hope this year will be a safe and healthy one for theatergoers, reviewers, and everyone everywhere.
Sincerely,
Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor
