L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
March 12, 2025
NEWS
5-Star Theatricals announces a special 30thAnniversary Gala Celebration, Life Is A Cabaret, honoring the life of philanthropist Harry Selvin on Saturday, Mar 22 (5:30pm). Dinner will be served on the terrace at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center beginning at 5:30pm with the performance of the legendary musical, “Cabaret,” beginning at 7:30pm. There will be a silent auction as well in the lobby of the Scherr Forum Theatre. The musical features book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, based on the play by John Van Druten and the stories of Christopher Isherwood, musical direction by Gregory Nabours, choreography by Clarice Ordaz and directed by Michael Matthews. “Cabaret” opens Mar 14 (7:30pm) and runs through Mar 30 at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. To purchase tickets, please go here.
PREMIERES
Company of Angels and Combined Artform, in partnership with Legacy LA, present the Premiere of “Aristotle/Alexander.” Written and directed by two-time Ovation Award winner Alex Lyras, this play explores the historical relationship between Aristotle and Alexander the Great. When philosopher Aristotle accepts the coveted position of court tutor for an adolescent Alexander The Great, an intellectual battle of wits between teacher and student collides with high stakes Hellenistic realpolitik bearing life and death consequences. Based on historical events, the play weaves verbatim text from multiple extant sources with an original score featuring authentic ancient instrumentation, complemented by innovative, immersive video design. Performances begin Mar 29 and run through May 4. The limited engagement will take place at the home of Company of Angels (1350 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, 90333). Tickets are now on sale at AristotleAlexander.com.
The Fountain Theatre has announced the remainder of the 2025 season under the leadership of new artistic director, Raymond O. Caldwell. Three premiere plays, each of which touches on timely social and cultural issues. First up will be the Los Angeles premiere of “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit,” by Iranian playwright “Nassim Soleimanpour,” that explores the restrictions, censorship and denial of individual choice faced under a harsh regime. In this theater experience, a different person will perform the show each night for the first time. No rehearsal. No director. Happening live with the audience (May 11-June 22; previews begin May 7). Next, Caldwell will direct the West Coast premiere of “Fly Me to the Sun,” written by two-time Jeff Award-winner, playwright Brian Quijada, featuring remixes and beats by Marvin Quijada. (July 13 – Aug. 24; previews begin July 9). Closing out the season, an ensemble of women will celebrate the life of noted writer June Jordan with the Los Angeles premiere of “Poetry for the People: The June Jordan Experience.” Devised by Caldwell and world-renowned composer Adrienne Torf, directed by Caldwell (Oct 12 – Nov 23; previews begin Oct 8). For more information about the Fountain Theatre's 2025 season, call (323) 663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.
AROUND TOWN
Kentwood Players announces open auditions for Urinetown: The Musical, Music by Mark Hollman; Lyrics Hollman and Greg Kotis; Book by Kotis. In person auditions will be held Saturday, Mar 15 (11am-3pm); Sunday, Mar 16 (6-10pm). No appointment necessary. Callbacks (by invitation only) Monday, Mar 17 (7-10pm) at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045. For inquiries and more information about auditions, go here. For general information about Kentwood Players, please visit the Kentwood Players website at www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
The Long Beach Camerata Singers presents “Toward Heaven: Harmonies of Peace and Hope,” a concert featuring Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem and other exquisite French choral works from the Belle Époque era. The performance will take place on Sunday, Mar 16, 2025, at 4:30 PM at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, located at 5195 Stearns St. in Long Beach. The performance will feature the Long Beach Camerata Singers, accompanied by world-renown organist, Christoph Bull and will be conducted by Grammy-Award-Winner, James K. Bass. The Long Beach Camerata Singers will be joined by the UCLA Chamber Singers to create a choir of over 100 voices. Tickets for the event are available for purchase online at www.longbeachcameratasingers.org or at the door.
SOLO MOJO
Geraldine Hughes Jay Sefton
Moving Arts presents “Unreconciled,” by Jay Sefton, co-written by Mark Basquill and directed by Geraldine Hughes as part of their Arts Expanded Series. The award-winning production will have ten performances, Mar 21-31.Unreconciled is the true story of an adolescent actor cast as Jesus in a school play directed by a parish priest. The story chronicles a survivor’s journey as he confronts his past, navigates a victims’ reparations program set up by the Catholic Church, and discovers the courage to use his voice. Unreconciled was recently named an official selection for opening weekend at the Belfast International Arts Festival in October 2025. The production won the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association awards for Outstanding Solo Performance, Outstanding World Premiere of a Play, and was nominated for Outstanding Production of a Play. The production plays: Fri (8pm); Sat (2pm & 8pm); Sun (2pm); Mon (8pm). Moving Arts is located at 3191 Casitas Ave Suite 100, Los Angeles, 90039. For tickets, go h
Douglas Manuel, Lorinda Hawkins Smith, Frank Traynor, LaSpeaks Volumes, Amari Wesley, Miyo Yamauchi
BackStory, the Victory Theatre Center’s bi-monthly evening of solo artists engaging in true stories, poetry and flights of fancy is back LIVE in the theatre and streaming on Zoom, Mar 16 (7:30pm). This episode’s theme: “Love Jones,” featuring Douglas Manuel, Lorinda Hawkins Smith, Frank Traynor, LaSpeaks Volumes, Amari Wesley and Miyo Yamauchi, hosted by Rashim Cannad. The Victory Theatre Center | 3326 W. Victory Blvd | Burbank, Ca 91505. For tickets and more information, go here.
playwright Katrina Wood, and writer-performer Dina Morrone.
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. On March 14, Julio inteviews playwright Katrina Wood, and writer-performer Dina Morrone.