L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
December 04, 2024
IN MEMORIUM
It is with profound sadness that South Coast Repertory (Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel) announces the passing of Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the age of 87. A pioneering and visionary leader who served as SCR’s co-artistic director with Founding Artistic Director David Emmes for 46 years, Benson was also an award-winning director of 119 SCR productions. Together, Emmes and Benson established SCR as a regional theatre powerhouse that helped define the American theatrical canon through its championing of new plays and world-class productions. Benson’s directing philosophy went a long way in defining his success. “The way I see it, the point of directing is to realize the play you’re working on as fully as you possibly can,” he told Lawrence Christon in the book Stepping Ahead, a history of SCR. Under Emmes and Benson’s leadership, SCR received the 1988 Tony Award for Outstanding Resident Professional Theatre from the American Theatre Wing. In 1995, they accepted the LA Ovation Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 1998, Emmes and Benson were honored by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology for their “lifetime contribution to the performing arts,” receiving the Thomas DeGaetani Award. In 2008, he and Emmes received the Margo Jones Award for their lifetime commitment to theatre excellence and fostering the art and craft of American playwriting. In 2011, the Board of Trustees established the Emmes/Benson Founders Endowment in their honor. South Coast Repertory will dedicate the Friday, Dec. 20 performance of A Christmas Carol to Benson, dimming the theatre’s lights to celebrate his legacy, alongside many artists with longtime affiliations with the company. The theatre will also host a celebration of Benson’s life in the new year in collaboration with his family.
NEWS
Local country music fans get a holiday gift when Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan bring their “Grits & Glamour” tour to La Mirada Theatre, love on stage for one night only, Dec. 5 (7:30 pm). The show is only loosely scripted. They add tight harmonies to each other’s material, classic songs like Tillis' “Maybe It Was Memphis,” and “Mi Vida Loca,” and Morgan’s “Something In Red” and “Except for Monday,” as well as new and original music from more recent recordings. The ladies are backed by some of Nashville’s finest musicians and singers. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada. For tickets, go to: www.lamiradotheatre.com or call call the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.
PREMIERES
Cast table read for “Union Station”
The Broadwater Stage will be hosting the Premiere of “Union Station,” written and directed by Ron Harner, which will open on January 23rd at the Broadwater Main Stage, celebrating the music, self-discovery, and influence of Joni Mitchell. The story follows the journey of CJ, a gifted musician at a crossroads in her life, who boards a train seeking perspective and connection. Along the way, she meets unexpected passengers who help her uncover the answers she’s been searching for. Featuring the songs of Joni Mitchell, “Union Station” blends comedy, drama, and live music, including an original composition by cast member Mary Simmons. The production runs Jan 23-25 (8pm) and Jan 26 (3pm), starring Mary Simmons, Chad Skiles, Thea Lux, and Charlie Wood. Broadwater Main Stage is located at 1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, 90038. For tickets and more information, go here.
Four Women in Red
The Victory Theatre Center presents the Premiere of “Four Women in Red,” written by Laura Shamas (Chickasaw Nation) and directed by Jeanette Harrison (Onondaga), concerning four resilient women searching for their missing loved ones. Opening night is set for Jan 17 at The Victory Theatre Center in Burbank, continuing through Feb 23. Three low-priced previews take place Jan 10, 11 and 12. Carolyn Dunn (Tunica-Choctaw/Biloxi, Mvskoke), Harriette Feliz (Chumash), Zoey Reyes (Diné and Chicana) and Jehnean Washington (Yuchi, Seminoleand Shoshone) star as four First American women desperate to find missing friends and relatives in the face of apathetic sheriffs and dwindling clues. Their roller coaster journey involves mystery, grief, prayer and moments of sudden joy. “Four Women in Red” runs Fri & Sat (8pm); Sun (4pm). The Victory Theatre Center is located at 3324 W. Victory Blvd in Burbank, CA 91505. For information and to purchase tickets, call (818) 841-5421 or go to thevictorytheatrecenter.org.
AROUND TOWN
Ariana Raygosa, Chris Noth, Michael Nouri, Edgar de Santiago
Rogue Machine Theatre and Matrix Theatre Company will be presenting two readings at the historic Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Avenue. On December 10 (7:30pm), “The Swimmer,” an original screenplay, featuring Chris Noth, Michael Nouri, Ariana Raygosa, Edgar de Santiago, Kiel Kennedy, David Paluck, Katherine Lee McEwan, Erik Passoja, Joe Pacheco, Delarosa Rivera, Amy Smallman-Winston, and Allan Steele, written & directed by Jim Hershleder. On December 11 (7:30pm), the great American classic, “Awake & Sing!,” by Clifford Odets (1935), directed by Elina de Santos, concerning a three generation Jewish family fighting for dignity and value during the Great Depression, which easily lends itself to the Asian immigrant experience in America. Features an all-Asian ensemble. Reservations are not needed. It will be first come, first served at the box office.
On Dec 14 (5pm), Garry Marshall Theatre will be hosting “It's A Wonderful Life: A Night Benefiting Special Needs Families.” Follow Ed Asner's legacy by sponsoring a star-studded live virtual table read of the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life, hosted by Tom Bergeron. The event will feature an all-star cast, generously donating their talents to support The Ed Asner Family Center, which provides crucial resources and a caring community for families of children with special needs. The ensemble features the cast of SpongeBob SquarePants, set in the iconic Garry Marshall. This unique performance will transport audiences back to the golden age of radio, using voice acting, sound effects, and music to create vivid scenes in the imagination. Garry Marshall Theatre is located at 4252 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank, 91505. For tickets and more information about donating to the Ed Asner Family Center, go hereThe Odyssey Theatre Ensemble is offering “Music at The Odyssey: Musicals of the 1980’s, a step back into the bold, brash, and diverse world of 1980s American Musical Theatre! Join the Los Angeles Musical Theatre Studio’s cast as they explore the highs and lows of a decade that redefined Broadway. Five singers and two narrators will guide you through an evening featuring iconic hits, unexpected flops, and everything in between. The cast includes: Brittany Anderson, Eileen Barnett, Scott Harlan, Hayden Kharrazi and James Snyder; Curated and Narrated by Dan Fishbach and Mark D. Kaufmann; Musical Direction by Brad Gardner. For tickets and more information, here
.The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble is offering “Music at The Odyssey: Musicals of the 1980’s, a step back into the bold, brash, and diverse world of 1980s American Musical Theatre! Join the Los Angeles Musical Theatre Studio’s cast as they explore the highs and lows of a decade that redefined Broadway. Five singers and two narrators will guide you through an evening featuring iconic hits, unexpected flops, and everything in between. The cast includes: Brittany Anderson, Eileen Barnett, Scott Harlan, Hayden Kharrazi and James Snyder; Curated and Narrated by Dan Fishbach and Mark D. Kaufmann; Musical Direction by Brad Gardner. For tickets and more information, here.
SOLO MOJO
Story Salon continues its weekly presentation of solo verbal gesticulators, Wednesdays (7-9:30pm). Located at The Art Parlor, 5302 Laurel Canyon Blvd, L.A, 91607. Each week is filled with 5-7 minute stories on a variety topics and themes. For tickets and more information, go here, or you can pay at the door.
###
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.