L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
May 13, 2026
NEWS
Outstanding Production of a Musical ‘Spring Awakening’ Chance Theatre
Photo by Eric Modyman
Orange County’s vibrant theater scene took center stage on May 11 at the 5th Annual OC Theatre Guild Awards, held at the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Artists, designers, and companies from across the county were recognized for their creativity, dedication, and artistic excellence. This year, the Guild recognized outstanding work across 22 categories, including four gender-neutral acting categories, with two recipients honored in each by design. A rare tie in both Leading and Supporting Performance in a Play led to three winners receiving awards in each of those categories. In total, 28 awards were presented throughout the evening. Chance Theater had a strong showing, earning 19 awards for plays and musicals. What the Constitution Means to Me earned Outstanding Production of a Play, while Tick, Tick… Boom! captured Outstanding Production of a Musical. Spring Awakening earned the most of the evening, taking home seven awards, including Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical, choreography, music direction, lighting, sound, and fight direction. Curtis Theatre earned four awards in total. One for the musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in collaboration with Southgate Productions and three for the play August: Osage County in collaboration with STAGEStheatre. Costa Mesa Playhouse earned Outstanding Ensemble in a Play for Sweat, highlighting the theater’s continued excellence in collaborative storytelling. The ceremony was directed by Amanda DeMaio, with Kim Le returning as musical director and pianist, and Nicholas Thurkettle serving as announcer. Katie Chidester and Kristin Coyne served as OCTG Theatre Awards Program Managers. The evening featured live performances from Luc Clopton, Kristin Cortines, Dyan Hobday-Smith, Danielle Heaton, Mario Houle, Alyssa Kammerer, Lex Leigh, Caitlin Lopez, Robyn Manion, Corydon Melgoza, Elijah Munck, Katie Perry Page, Scott Roberts, Brandon Sanchez, Brian Shyer, Bret Simmons, Kayley Stallings, Frank Tryon, and Rachel Williams. If your ae interested in participating in participating in the Orange County live theater scene, more information can be found on the guild’s website. Go here.
Come meet your next favorite play! The 2026 New Play Reading Festival (NPRF) is in full swing, May 14-17. NPRF serves as a vital incubator for future productions — launching 21 of Boston Court Pasadena’s 42 world premieres — demonstrating our enduring commitment to adventurous new work and the future of American theatre. Upcoming on May 16 (2pm) is ‘Agape; Or The Church Play’ by Agyeiwaa Asante, directed by Velani Dibba. In the basement of the In Guiding Light Charismatic Church of Silver Spring, Maryland, the young women of the Agape Drama Ministry shine their brightest while performing biblical skits every week to edify their congregation. But when one of their own returns after a long time away with new ideas, their delicate ecosystem and relationships begin to crack. This is a coming-of-age story about the stress of college, crises of faith, arrested development, and reckoning with not having all the answers. Next up is ‘The Frankenstein Project’ by E.M. Lewis. In 1816, Mary Shelley grieves her lost child and conjures a creature and his godlike creator in her masterpiece, Frankenstein. In the present, Mary Lattimore mourns her mother and begins an unlikely friendship with a sentient AI robot her father has created and brought home. The Frankenstein Project is about the monsters we battle, the monsters we create, and the monsters we (sometimes) are. Sunday May 17 (2pm). To purchase tickets. Go here.
PREMIERES
Coming to CASA 0101 theater, the Premiere of ‘Soul Sacrifice,’ Written by Consuelo G. Flores, Directed by Kenneth Castillo. Previews May 28. Nine-year-old Connie watches her world unravel as the Vietnam War reaches her East L.A. home; her brother drafted, her family divided, and silence turning into conflict. Set against the Vietnam War and the Chicano Movement, this powerful story captures grief, resistance, and the strength it takes to hold a family together. Located in the Boyle Heights Artist District, CASA 0101 Theatre is dedicated to providing visual arts, cultural, and educational programs, thereby nurturing the future storytellers of Los Angeles who will someday transform the world. Located at 2102 E 1st St, Los Angeles. For more information and to buy tickets, call 323-263-7684 oe go to info@casa0101.org
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AROUND TOWN
What happens when you get a job working in Barbra Streisand’s basement mall? Come to the show and find out! Nerve & Grace Theatricals in Association with The Victory Theatre Center presents ‘Buyer & Cellar,’ the hit one-man comedy by Jonathan Tolins, Directed by Cate Caplin and starring Michael Mullen. Barbra Streisand built a shopping mall in her basement. A struggling actor gets hired to run it. ‘Buyer & Cellar’ is a comedy about celebrity, friendship, and the gap between the dream and the job. A comedy about obsession, celebrity, and the price of proximity to someone who has everything. Performances run June 4 through June 14, 2026, for Six Shows Only (June 4, 6, 7, 11, 13 - 7:30pm. Closing Benefit Night, June 14, 4pm, Reception following performance. The Victory Theatre Center, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, 91505. For tickets, go to: www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org. Or call 818-841-5421.
SOLO MOJO
Los Angeles favorite and Honorary Mayor of Toluca Lake, Fritz Coleman, takes up a Sunday afternoon residency, now in his 3rd year, in the Monroe Forum Theatre here at El Portal. loated at 5269 Lankershim Blvd, 91601. Performs May 31 (3pm). For $5 off Use Code: Summer. To purchase tickets, go here.
Arts in Review, celebrating 37 years on the air at 90.7FM, hosted by Julio Martinez, promoting the best in live theater and cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles area, airs Fridays (2-2:30pm), streamed live around the world in real time over KPFK.org. On May 15, KPFK will be in a pledge drive in a one-hour special, Julio and Donna Walker (host of Pacifica Performnce Showcase) will be offering Pledge gifts to those who want to support KPFK, keeping it on the air.