L.A. Stage Insider

Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in th Greater Los Angeles Area

Written by Julio Martinez

November 8, 2023

IN MEMORIAUM: RICHARD M. JOHNSON

Richard M. Johnson

This last weekend, actor Richard M. Johnson passed away in his sleep, at home. He was such a spirited member of L.A.’s acting community. A recurring member of Advent Theatre and a founding member of AIR Repertory Ensemble, which produces radio plays for the Pacifica Network, Richard magnificently flowed through such diverse characters as Winston Churchill (“Roosevelt and Churchill at the White House), Irving Berlin (“Christmas in Tinseltown”) and Robert Benchley (“Christmas at the Algonquin”). Also, he has also been a regular monologuist for the Story Salon series. as well as an accomplished, screenwriter, playwright and poet, his works have been published and produced worldwide. I feel like I have lost a family member. 

NEW

Greenway Arts Alliance (Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors) announces its 2023-2024 Anniversary Season at Greenway Court Theatre. The multi-award-winning theatre company will present the world premiere of “American Born Confused Desi,” a co-production with Greenway Arts Alliance’s resident performing arts company KriyaShakti, written by Lily Abha Cratsley and directed by J. Mehr Kaur (Nov 11-19). This will be followed the novel adaptation of award-winning author Erika L. Sánchez’s “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” adapted for the stage by Isaac Gómez and directed by Sara Guerrero (Feb 2-25, 2024). For Black History Month, Greenway will celebrate with “Black Future Exhibition (II),” an exploration of Black culture and talent.  Greenway will also present the “8th Annual L.A. Get Down Festival,” a celebration of Hip Hop and Spoken Word in conjunction with National Poetry Month (April 2024). Shihan Van Clief and Arianna Basco return as the festival’s directors. And Greenway’s 2023-2024 Season will round out with the world premiere of “Greenwood 1964,” written by Mohammed Ali Ojarigi (June 7-30, 2024). For more information and to purchase tickets for GreenwayArts Alliance’s 2023-2024 Season, visit www.GreenwayCourtTheatre.org or call 323-673-0544.

PREMIERES

Jacqueline Misaye and Arye Gross   Photo by Jenny Graham

Odyssey Theatre Ensemble is adding performances for its hit L.A. Premier production of “Birds of North America,” by Anna Ouyang Moench. A two-hander that connects a father and daughter (portrayed by Arye Gross & Jacqueline Misaye), whose relationship is strained by different views of the world, set against the background of nature and climate change. Scheduled to perform every Sat (8pm) & Sun (2pm), through Nov 19. (The company is adding performances Mon/Wed/Fri of the final week). Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 90025. For tickets and more information, go to www.OdysseyTheatre.com, or call (310) 477-2055 ext. 2.

AROUND TOWN

Ensemble

For over two & one-half decades, “Bob’s Holiday Office Party” has earned a cult following with audiences and critics alike!  Playwrights Joe Keyes and Rob Elk bring back the longest running Holiday hit, produced by Julian McMahon and Charlie Loventhal, along with Elk and Keyes.  Now in their 26th year, the hilarious comedy has become a vital part of every Christmas season in Los Angeles since 1995.  Nine performances will be at Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills CA. 90211. Director Matt Roth’s cast will once again include Elk & Keyes, joined by returning cast members Mark Fite, Judy Heneghan, Johanna McKay, Chloe Taylor (12/1 & 12/3), Peter Breitmayer (12/8-17), Andrea Hutchman, J.P. Manoux (12/1-3) Sirena Irwin, Johanna McKay & Pat Towne.  Opens Dec 1, running through Dec 17 (Fri & Sat 8pm and Sun 7 pm. Tickets on sale: www.onstage411.com/BHOP 

John Kander and Fred Ebb

Rubicon Theatre of Ventura announces the cast and creative Team for a revival of the Drama Desk Award-Winning Musical Revue, “The World Goes ‘Round,” saluting the music of John Kander and Fred Ebb. Musical Direction is by William Foster McDaniel and Choreography by Keith Young. Wren T. Brown directs a cast of Broadway veterans: Mary Ann Hermansen, Jeffrey Landman, April Nixon, Trisha Rapier and Ventura Native, and Andrew Samonsky. The production opens Dec 9 (7pm), with low-priced previews Dec 6-8. The run continues through Dec 23 (Wed, 2 & 7pm), Thu & Fri (7pm), Sat (2 & 7pm, and Sun (2pm). Ticket and more information available by calling Guest Services at (805) 667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.org.  

SOLO MOJO

Story Salon, founded by writer/actor/comedian Beverly Mickins, L.A’s longest running storytelling venue will have a theme this evening, Nov 8 at 7:30pm,“Eat, Eat..and Enjoy.” The rules of the Story Salon haven’t changed since it started: Five to seven minutes of original material performed by the author. More than a dozen solo theater works have been developed at Story Salon, as well as a CD of stories, and several books.​ Location is The Art Parlor. 5302 Laurel Canyon Blvd, in Valley Village (NoHo). Admisson is $10 on Eventbrite or cash at the door.

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Cori Cable Kidder

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 Nov 10, Arts in Review welcomes singer, Cori Cable Kidder.