L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
August 14, 2024
NEWS
Ronnie Marmo
Ronnie Marmo, Artistic Director of Theatre 68 Arts Complex, has agreed to direct the world premiere of “Brooklyn’s Way,” by critically acclaimed playwright Sam Henry Kass. Opens Sep 7 at Theatre 68 Arts Complex (The Rosalie Theatre). Most recently known for nationally touring his critically acclaimed show, “I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce” (directed by Joe Mantegna), Marmo returns to L.A. to stage the latest Kass production. Set in Los Angeles, “Brooklyn’s Way” centers around Scoot, a gifted and witty veteran writer, full of both emotion and depression...his own worst enemy. Brooklyn is a young writer’s assistant, full of ambition, clever yet vulnerable, totally captivated by Scoot’s talent, yet fearful of his self-destructing behavior. Two people separated by life and the circumstances they must navigate. Opens Sep 7, running through Oct 13. Located at 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601. Performances Fri & Sat (8pm) and Sun (7pm). Tickets go on sale this week. For more information go to: www.theatre68.com.
Ensemble
Producers Kristen Bell, Christian Campbell, Alan Cumming, Andy Fickman, Kevin Murphy, America Olivo, and Dan Studney invite you to experience “Reefer Madness the Musical,” a cautionary musical tale in an immersive production: book by Kevin Murphy & Dan Studney, lyrics by Kevin Murphy, music by Dan Studney, musical direction by David Lamoureux, direction and choreography by Spencer Liff. Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this musical comedy takes a look at the mass hysteria caused when two clean-cut kids, Jimmy and Mary, fall prey to the frightful toll of the new drug menace, Marijuana, currently destroying the youth of America. The cast features: Anthony Norman, Darcy Rose Byrnes, J. Elaine Marcos, Nicole Parker, Thomas Dekker and Bryan Daniel Porter. The ensemble features Andre Aultman, Claire Crause, Jane Papageorge and Alex Tho. Currently playing, This musical event of the summer is extending through Sep 15 at historic Whitley Theatre, 6555 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles. For tickets, please visit www.reefermadness.com to purchase tickets online or to view complete schedule.
PREMIERES
Josh Odsess-Rubin, Josette Canilao, Reggie Lee, Rinabeth Apostol, Ellen D. Williams, Ryan Nebreja and Jason Rogel Photo by M Palma Photography
In a follow-up collaboration to last year’s acclaimed production of “This Is Not a True Story,” Artists at Play joins forces with Latino Theater Company to present the Premiere of “God Will do the Rest,” focusing on multigenerational Filipino American household, written by Nicholas Pilapil. The cast includes Rinabeth Aposto, Reggie Lee, Ellen D. Williams, Ryan Nebreja, Josette Canilao, Josh Odsess–Rubin and Jason Rogel, directed Fran de Leon. Opens Aug 31, running through Sep 29 at The Los Angeles Theatre Center, with performances taking place on Thu-Sat (8pm), Sun (4pm). Located at 514 S. Spring St., L.A. 90013. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (213) 489-0994 or go to www.latinotheaterco.org.
The Colony Theatre is hosting The Reel Red Entertainment Production of a new musical, “The Civility Of Albert Cashier,” Book by Jay Paul Dertany, Music by Coyote Joe Stevens & Keaton Wooden, Lyrics by Stevens, Wooden & Deratany. Opens Sep 7 (8pm). The cast features (In Alphabetical Order) Josh Adamson, Cameron J. Armstrong, Tanner Berry, Evan Borboa, John Bucy, Cid Bullens, Brett Calo, Gabrielle Dahlen, Andrea Daveline, Lisa Dyson, Fatima El-Bashir, Michael Guarasci, Blake Jenner, Phillip J. Lewis, Jonah Robinson and, Dani Shay, directed by Richard Israel; choreographed by Hayden J Frederick; musical direction by Anthony Lucca & Anthony Zediker. The Colony Theatre is located a 555 N. Third Street, Burbank 91502. To reserve seats, call 323-845-9781.
Kurt Kanazawa and David Ellard Photo by Ramon Garcia
Rogue Artists Ensemble has announced details for its summer co-production with the L.A. LGBT Center and Contemporary American Theater Festival. The Premiere of Rogue Artists Ensemble’s “Happy Fall: A Queer Stunt Spectacular,” written by Lisa Sanaye Dring with Rogue Artists Ensemble and directed by Sean Cawelti, will premiere Aug 17 at Renberg Theatre in the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center, where performances will continue through Sep 8. Four preview performances are set for Aug 10, 11, 15 & 16. David Ellard, Kurt Kanazawa and Amir Levi star in a story about the professional and romantic rise and fall of two queer, closeted stuntmen in the Hollywood world of faux masculinity. Rounding out the cast are ensemble members Lucas Brahme, Carlos R. Chavez, Gabriel Croom, Kelsey Kato, Maia Luer, Candy Pain, Tiana Randall–Quant and Kody Siemensa. “Happy Fall” features original music by composer Adrien Prevost, choreography by Cody Brunelle-Potter and fight direction by professional stunt performer Celina Lee Surniak. Performances take place Aug 17-Sep 8 (Thu/Fri/Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm), at The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles 90038. For tickets, go here.
AROUND TOWN
Ensemble
Thunderbird Garage Productions announces its inaugural production, Yasmina Reza’s “God of Carnage,” opening Sep 13. Hoping to resolve the situation amicably, two married couples meet to discuss a violent altercation between their young sons, but conflicting personalities and parenting styles collide, revealing marital tensions and opposing life philosophies. The cast includes Andrea Lwin (Annette), Kristian Kordula (Alan), Olga Konstantulakis (Veronica) and Eric Larson (Michael), directed by Kim Quinn. Plays at 905 Cole Theatre @ Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop - 905 Cole Ave, Los Angeles, 90038 from Sep 13-Oct 13, Fri & Sat (8pm), Sun (7pm). Single price tickets can be purchased at the box office or at https://carnage.brownpapertickets.com/
Ensemble
Pasadena Playhouse, recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award, announces its new production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” (Sep 4-29), by Edmond Rostand, freely adapted by Martin Crimp, and directed by Mike Donahue. The cast is led by Chukwudi Iwuji (Cyrano), Rosa Salazar as (Roxane), Will Hochman (Christian) and Kimberly Scott (Madame Ragueneau). “Cyrano de Bergerac” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. This production is partially underwritten by Honorary Producers Stephen & Susan Chandler, and Tammi & Lenny Steren. Tickets for Cyrano de Bergerac are currently available at pasadenaplayhouse.org, by phone at 626-356-7529, and at the Box Office at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, 91101. Performance Schedule: Wed & Friday (8pm); Thu at (7pm); Sat (2 & 8pm); Sundays (2pm). There will also be performances, Sep 17 (8pm) and Sep 29 (7pm).
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 Aug 16, Julio interviws writer Bernardo Cubria, whose “The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote” opens at Theatricum Botanicum on Aug. 24,