L. A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
L.A. Stage Insider
Written by Julio Martinez
June 7, 2023
NEWS
The Nimoy
UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) announces the inaugural 2023-24 season at The UCLA Nimoy Theater (The Nimoy), formerly known as The Crest Theatre, a landmark venue in Westwood that has been renovated and transformed into a flexible 300-seat off-campus performing arts space. Grammy Award-winning poet, spoken word artist and songwriter J. Ivy opens the CAP UCLA season at The Nimoy (Sep 23). Audiences will experience theatrical performances throughout the season, including Omar Offendum’s genre-bridging performance, “The Little Syria Show” (Nov 3-4). Emmy-winning puppeteer Ronnie Burkett returns to CAP UCLA with an original piece titled “Wonderful Joe” (May 9-12), about an old man and his dog; and in celebration of The Nimoy’s opening season, acclaimed playwright Daniel Alexander Jones curates an original series for CAP UCLA, “Rites of Passage” (May 16-19), featuring renowned Los Angeles artists: Lynell George, Roger Guenveur Smith, Luis Alfaro, Adelina Anthony, Alice Tuan, Kristina Wong, and Imani Tolliver. In addition to The Nimoy, CAP UCLA will continue to program artists at UCLA’s Royce Hall and its partner venue in downtown Los Angeles, The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Please click here for complete details and information about CAP UCLA’s 2023-24 Season. Purchase Tickets Here.
PREMIERES
Bernardo Cubría
The Echo Theater Company is presenting the Premiere of “Crabs in a Bucket” by Bernardo Cubría, a satire about the impact of ‘crab mentality’ on oppressed communities whose members work against one another instead of together. Alana Dietze directs for a six-week run at the Echo’s home at Atwater Village Theatre. Performances take place July 15-Aug 21 (preview July 12, 13 and 14). Jordan Hull, Anna LaMadrid, Xochitl Romero and Michael Sturgis star as four crabs living in a shucking bucket. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 307-3753 or go to www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.
AROUND TOWN
Vance Valencia Christine Avila
CASA 0101 Theater and Brown Fist Productions present Arthur Miller’s 1949 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Death of A Salesman,” “a tragedy of a common man,” under the direction of Courtney Dominguez. Vance Valencia leads the primarily Latino cast of 13 as Willy Loman. Cast members include Christine Avila (Linda Loman), Eddie Diaz (Biff Loman), Adam Hollick (Happy Loman), as well as Jack Bernaz, Daniel E. Mora, Jared Treviño, Leah Verrill, Jeff Blumberg, Chloe Diaz, Gor Leo Babakhanyan, Kriss Dozal and Mariana Campos. The production will be presented in the newly dedicated Gloria Molina Auditorium at CASA 0101 Theater, 2102 East First Street, Boyle Heights (June 9–July 16). For further information, please visit www.casa0101.org.
Melora Marshall
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum continues its 50th Anniversary Summer Season with the Premiere of “Queen Margaret’s Version of Shakespeare’s War of the Roses,” a new edit of Shakespeare’s best-known history plays (Henry VI Parts I, II and III and Richard III), compiled by artistic director Ellen Geer, featuring Melora Marshall (Margaret of Anjou) and a 30-member ensemble, directed by Geer; fight choreography by Cavin (VR) Mohrhardt. Performances begin June 24 at Theatricum’s outdoor amphitheater in Topanga, continuing through Oct 1 (running in repertory every weekend with Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), each of which opened earlier in the season. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 455-3723 or visit theatricum.com
SOLO MOJO
Ron Botitta
Rogue Machine continues its sojourn of motivated of monologuists with its recurring Rant and Rave on June 12 with the theme, “Clutter” (one night only). Featured are Diana Dinerman, Elaine Gale, Larkin Higgins, Anna Nicholas and Elezabeth Yochim, hosted by Ron Botitta. Rogue Machine at the Matrix is located at 7657 Melrose Ave, L.A. 90046. For tickets and more information, go to www.RogueMachineTheatre.org.
Aria Gillespie
Former Obie winner Aria Gillespie is sharing her story, and her quest for divine inspiration in her new solo show, “Aria ~ I am the Daughter of O$un.” Written and performed by Gillespie; Visual Director, Misaq K; Composer, Vincent Ott. Premieres at Studio/Stage, 520 N. Western Ave., L.A. 90004. Dates: June 2 (8:30pm); June 10 (12pm); June 15 (7pm); June 18 (6pm); June 24 (1pm). For tickets and further information, go to: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9623.
Pamela Brode
Written, produced and performed by Pamela Brode, “The Search for Chocolate” is debuting at Studio/Stage as a Hollywood Fringe Festival selection, directed by Che’Rae Adams. As a stressed-out young girl, Pamela seeks solace in chocolate. It’s delicious. It gives you an endorphin rush. It makes you happy. Done to excess, Pamela discovers it expands not only your horizons, but also your waistline. Performs June 13 (6:30 pm), June 18 (7:30 pm) and June 25 (4pm). Online Ticketing: http://hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9973.
Arts in Review, hosted by arts journalist Julio Martinez, celebrating the best in theater and cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles area, airs on KPFK90.7fm on Fridays (2-2:30pm), streamed live around the world in real time over KPFK.org.