SCENE IN LA
BY
STEVE ZALL AND SID FISH
April 2012
Spring is finally here and Easter is just around the corner – so you had better hop to it and hide those eggs away, then reward yourself for a job well done by taking some time off to see one of these great shows in our local theatres:
OPENING
“Good People” Margaret Walsh can’t catch a break. Laid off from her job at the dollar store, South Boston is providing her the same level of opportunity it always has: none. Wry, rough around the edges and ready to make a change, she goes to seek out the one who got away by moving to another state. Instead, she finds herself in the suburbs and out of her element, facing the question – is opportunity granted or earned? Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, it runs April 3 through May 13 at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood Village. For tickets call 310-966-2412 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.com.
“Man with the Pointed Toes” A shy, backward cowboy named Tom Coterel may be unschooled in the ways of love, but Tom happens to have more money than a hound dog has fleas. However, the likes of two beautiful belles: one a gold-digger; the other a tutor in social graces, turns it into a Texas size love story with a laugh-a-minute drawl. Written by Lynn and Helen Root, and directed by Allan Dietlein, it runs April 5 through May 5 at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale. For tickets call 818-244-8481 or visit www.glendalecentretheatre.com.
“Billy Elliot the Musical” is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community. Written by Lee Hall, with music by Elton John, and directed by Stephen Daldry, it runs April 11 through May 13 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 800-982-2787 or visit www.broadwayla.org.
“Jersey Shoresical” Boasting a song list that includes: Snooki's Lament, GTL and I F'n Love you, I F'n Hate you, this show gives America’s favorite Guidos and Guidettes a Broadway makeover with a Greek Chorus of drunk girls, a lot of laughs and surprising amount of heart. Written by Franzese & Hanna LoPatin, and directed by Drew Droege, it runs April 11 through May 30 at the Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-960-4442 or visit www.plays411.com/jersey.
“Last Train to Nibroc” In December 1940, two Kentuckians meet cute on a very special train heading east bound for New York. Raleigh is a soldier facing medical discharge (he’s an epileptic) who aspires to become a writer; May has deeply religious feelings and wants to be a missionary. They’re two very different people, but as the story unfolds, Raleigh and May’s growing mutual attraction, over the course of a couple of years, grows steadily, in this unusual love story, loosely based on the romance between the author's parents. Written by Arlene Hutton, and directed by Kerr Seth Lordygan, it runs April 13 through May 20 at the Eclectic Company Theatre in Valley Village. For tickets call 818-508-3003 or visit www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org.
“Mamet and Quaid” This is a double feature with intermission between the two plays consisting of: "Paris" (written by Clara Mamet) Sharp wit during an unintentional heart to heart becomes a pivotal meeting between a daughter and her father; and "The Solvit Kids" (written by Jack Quaid) Bradley Phillips and Annie Wyatt are the stars of the world-renowned Solvit Kids movies. The author of the series, which is based on the popular children's books, dies just as he is finishing the last installment. Annie and Brad are left with the rights to release it, but when something goes horribly wrong, it is up to the former Solvit Kids to come up with a solution. Directed by Paul Sand, it runs April 13 through May 19 at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-397-3244 or visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.
“Concealing Judy Holliday” A funny and poignant journey through the memories, dreams, and hallucinations of the 1950’s Academy Award winning actress. Written by Wendy Johnson, with music by Edan Norman Frieberger, and directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos, it runs April 14 through May 27 at the Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice. For tickets call 310-822-8392 or visit www.pacificresidenttheatre.com.
“Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Volume 2” This all-new edition features your favorite shows… BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, RENT, LES MISERABLES, ANNIE, CATS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - and your favorite stars - Liza, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Michael Crawford - in a hilarious musical that, in reality, is over 20 shows rolled into one – featuring the big moments and the big mistakes. Written by Gerard Alessandrini, with music by Matthew Smedal, and directed by William Selby, it runs April 14 through April 29 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-856-1999 or visit www.musical.org.
“Holding On - Letting Go” Bobby and Lee are a long-married couple. Lee is a hard-driving women’s basketball coach. Bobby was a basketball coach and, later, an insurance salesman. Now, Bobby is in failing health, even though he is only 51. As his physical condition declines further, Bobby finds himself confronted by choices: whether to fight for every breath and explore every conceivable avenue in the hope that things will improve; or whether to make preparations for a graceful exit. There are still things left unsaid and undone between Lee and Bobby. These things are suddenly brought into sharp focus, as time may be running out. Written by Bryan Harnetiaux, and directed by James Reynolds, it runs April 14 through May 27 at the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena. For tickets call 866-811-4111 or visit www.fremontcentretheatre.com.
“Ivanov” the story of a once idealistic man turned apathetic from a life going terribly, terribly wrong. Written by Anton Chekhov, and directed by Bart DeLorenzo, it runs April 14 through June 3 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 or visit www.odysseytheatre.com.
“Cloudlands” Just as she struggles to find her own way in love, Monica accidentally makes a startling discovery about her mother that throws her entire life into question. Looking for answers, she soon uncovers a labyrinth of secrets about her mother, her father, and a stranger who connects them all. Stunningly beautiful songs by two brilliant artists working together for the first time fill this powerful drama that examines the many faces of love—from innocent to forbidden. Written by Octavio Solis, with music by Adam Gwon, and directed by Amanda Dehnert, it runs April 15 through May 6 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.
“Sleeping Ugly” Take Judy, a beautiful, ultra-chic New York magazine editor with a deadly and deathly propensity for klutziness. Add Stanley, a successful but lonely pediatric dentist whose inability to form a serious relationship stems from a case of Lycanthropy (he shape-shifts). Mix firmly with the pressures and expectations of the competitive world in which we live juxtaposed with the desperate yearning for true intimacy, and you have a marvelously funny, touchingly ironic surreal adult cartoon. Written by Arnold Schulman, and directed by Chris DeCarlo, it runs April 15 through June 17 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-394-9779 or visit www.santamonicaplayhouse.com.
“The Bridge Club” Set on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, a despairing man parks his car and considers the waters below, only to find a mouthy, opinionated young woman already on the edge. These two discover what, if anything, is worth living for. This art imitates life story offers suspense, mystery, and a surprising touch of humor. Written by Richard Raskind, and directed by Mike Sabatino, it runs April 20 through May 13 at the Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-7711 or visit www.plays411.com/bridgeclub.
“A Child Left Behind” It was time to speak up. When a LAUSD teacher and playwright is given his second pink slip from the school district that he had worked for since 1998, and later degraded by the LA Times, he decides it’s time to use his writing to provide a voice for the teaching professional. While painting a compelling and powerful portrait of the daily challenges that teachers face in Los Angeles, he also takes a poignant look at his own experiences of trying to teach his son, who was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Written by Alan Aymie, and directed by Paul Stein, it runs April 21 through May 26 at the Beverly Hills Playhouse in Beverly Hills. For tickets call 702-582-8587 or visit www.ktctickets.com.
“The Heiress” a classic tale of love and betrayal that centers around the socially awkward and painfully shy spinster Catherine, who in 1850 stands to inherit a tidy sum. When the handsome but penniless Morris Townsend begins to woo her, Catherine's suspicious father, bitter over his wife's death and at Catherine's inability to live up to her mother's reputation, cruelly insists that she is not worthy of true love and threatens to disinherit her. Catherine must ultimately make the choice between love and money. All is in doubt until the emotionally shattering conclusion. Written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, and directed by Dámaso Rodriguez, it runs April 24 through May 20 at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-7529 or visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
“Million Dollar Quartet” is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history. Featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including: “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog” and more. Written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, with music by Chuck Mead, and directed by Eric Schaeffer, it runs April 24 through May 6 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-556-2121 or visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.
“Tickled Pink” Mindy Solomon absolutely has to leave Miami. Florida is bad for her head and her hair! Dreaming of a dancing career on Broadway, she moves to New York, but events soon force her to rethink her grand plan. Spending way too much time in the comedy club where her future ex-boyfriend works, Mindy nervously goes up on stage one night. People laugh. Not in the places where Mindy thought they’d laugh, but hey, it’s a start. It’s a wild ride through an insider’s viewpoint of the world of stand-up comedy, and a touching tale of love, loss, female friendship, and forgiveness. Written by Martin Bergman and Rita Rudner, and directed by Martin Bergman, it runs April 24 through May 20 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
“The Fix” U.S. senator and popular presidential candidate Reed Chandler has died in the arms of his mistress. His widow, Violet, determined that “if I can’t be the wife of the president I’ll be his mother” and her brother-in-law, political king maker Grahame Chandler, thrust her son Cal into the political spotlight. Together, they shepherd Cal through races for city council and the governorship, always with an eye on the final prize – president of the Unites States. Driven by a powerful rock score, it tells a cynical and darkly comic tale of one of the most dysfunctional almost-first families this side of real life Washington politics. Written by John Dempsey, with music by Darryl Archibald, and directed by Randy Brenner, it runs April 27 through May 20 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.
“Cyrano” Cyrano is a brilliant deaf poet hopelessly in love with a beautiful hearing woman, Roxy. But she doesn't understand sign language and instead loves his hearing brother, Chris. Can Cyrano express his love for Roxy with his hands – the source of such deaf pride and shame - or must he teach Chris to “speak his words” for him, to woo her? ASL becomes the language of love in this modern sign language spin on a classic love story. Written by Stephen Sachs, inspired by the play “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand, and directed by Simon Levy, it runs April 28 through June 10 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-663-1525 or visit www.fountaintheatre.com.
CONTINUING
“The Vault: Bankrupt” In The Vault we trust. Stock markets are crashing, pantheons of commerce have crumbled, and nations are begging….begging for more. More of what, exactly? In an all-new original production, the Vault Theater Ensemble asks the age-old questions: What is the true value of money? Does it buy happiness? Love? Can you get it with cheese? Written by The Vault Ensemble, and directed by Fidel Gomez and Aaron Garcia, it runs through April 21 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 866-811-4111 or visit www.thelatc.org.
“The Magic Bullet Theory” There are several mysteries that continually fascinate the human mind: the true meaning of the lyrics to Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, where does that one sock go before you open the dryer, and who assassinated President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The award winning Sacred Fools Theater Company can offer some guidance as to the murder of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Beginning as part of the popular late Saturday night Serial Killer series, The Magic Bullet Theory proposes a new twist on an old conspiracy theory: they were supposed to miss. Written by Terry Tocantins and Alex Zola, and directed by JJ Mayes, it runs through April 28 at the Sacred Fools Theater in Hollywood. For tickets call 310-281-8337 or visit www.sacredfools.org.
“The Prince of Atlantis” begins and ends in a minimum-security prison outside Boston, where seafood mogul Joey Colletti landed after getting into a little trouble for mislabeling some of his imports. Only nine months of his sentence remain when the adult son Joey never knew contacts him, hoping to meet. Joey concocts a plan in which his brother, Kevin will put the kid off for a few months. What follows is a hilarious tale about the legacy we leave and what family really means. Written by Steven Drukman, and directed by Warner Shook, it runs through April 29 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.
“Morning’s At Seven” portrays an extended family living in close proximity, anchored in place by four aging sisters, Cora, Arry, Esther, and Ida. This is a classic, comically dysfunctional family that thrives on secrets and deceptions. Their routine is upset when the youngest of the family, 40-year-old Homer, who still lives with parents Ida and Carl, brings home his long-time love, Myrtle, for a visit. Actually, despite the maneuverings of the sisters, it’s the men who are the true eccentrics in the family. It turns out that Myrtle has a secret of her own that will change the lives of all of them, forever. Written by Paul Osborn, and directed by Bob Hakman, it runs through May 12 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.
Let’s get it jumping now, and go see a show real soon!
