L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
January 8, 2025
NEWS
Los Angeles Theatre Works
As 2024 ended, AudioFile, the bimonthly magazine dedicated to covering and reviewing audiobooks, named the L.A. Theatre Works recording of “Journey’s End” as “Best Audiobook 2024” in the multi voice category and bestowed an “Earphones Award” on LATW’s recording of “The Secret Garden.” Journey’s End, the groundbreaking 1928 World War I drama by R.C. Sherriff, was adapted for audio by Martin Jarvis OBE who directed the all-British cast of distinguished actors. L.A. Theatre Works commissioned playwright Jeanne Sakata to create a new audio adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. LATW’s syndicated audio theater series broadcasts weekly on public radio stations across the U.S. (locally, in Southern California, on KPFK 90.7 FM). They can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts; and can be streamed on demand at latw.org. AudioFile magazine calls L.A. Theatre Works productions “the gold standard for fine audio theater recordings.”
MUSICAL IN DEVOPMENT
Sacred Fools Theatre
Sacred Fools is kicking off 2025 with a Musical Workshop Presentation of A Midsummer Nightmare: The Musical Sequel to A Midsummer Night's Dream! Written and Composed by Michael Shaw Fisher, Directed and Produced by Scott Leggett, this is the second phase of development for this new musical and Sacred Fools is requesting you join the process. It's been 13 years since the events of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and it has been anything but marital bliss for the two couples, Hermia/Lysanser and Helena/Demetrius. Meanwhile, the mortal changeling boy taken by Titania and Oberon to the faerie realm in A Midsummer Night's Dream has grown into an angry outcast living in the woods, dreaming of a mortal life and finally getting all that's owed to him. Come join Sacred Fools for this limited staged reading event, choreographed by Camal Pugh, and musical directed by Anthony Lucca. Tickets are Pay What You Can but please consider giving a little bit extra to help Sacred Fools in the New Year! Two nights only: Jan 18 (8pm) & Jan 19 (7pm). Here's the link: http://www.sacredfools.org/misc/workshops/midsummernightmare/2025/
AROUND TOWN
Sara Shearer Doug Engala Jessica Kent.
The Group Rep is opening the new year with “The Curious Savage,” a comedy centering around Ethel Savage, whose her late husband leaves her ten million dollars...and that’s when her three greedy stepchildren come calling. Written by John Patrick. The cast includes Patrick Anthony, Julie Davis, Lee Grober, Jessica Kent, Maria Kress, Christopher Landis, Lloyd Pedersen, Danny Salay, Amy Shaughnessy, Sara Shearer, Steve Young and Kathleen Taylor, directed by Doug Engalla. Runs Jan 17-Feb 23 (Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. For tickets and reservations: www.thegrouprep.com; or call (818) 763-5990.
La Mirada Theatre, together with the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, announce full casting for their upcoming 1920’s comedy hit, “The Play That Goes Wrong,” when accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call...with consequences! Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, with direction by Eric Petersen. The cast includes Garrett Clayton, Reggie De Leon, Mary Faber, Regina Fernandez, Trent Mills, John Sanders, Sterling Sulieman and Michael-Leon Wooley. The production previews Jan 24 (8pm) and Jan 25 (2pm). Opens Jan 25, running through Feb 16 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. Performances are Thu (7:30pm); Fri (8pm); Sat (2 & 8pm); and Sun (1:30 & 6:30pm).Tickets can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.
Joe and Linnea Praml
Theatre 68 is hosting “The Trick.” Two businessmen, Furst and Pin, meet a couple of call girls, Yvette and Babette, in a rundown saloon. Meanwhile, a man on the ledge of a building across the street threatens suicide, revealing and changing their lives in unexpected ways. Written by Joe Praml. Directed by Linnea V. Praml. The cast includes R.J. DeBard, Vincent M. Biscione, Alexandria Sanders, Grey Gable, and Oscar Pereida. Produced by Epiphany Productions and Los Angeles Valley College Department of Theatre and Dance. Theatre 68, 5112 Lankershim Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Three performances only. Jan 24-26 (Fri & Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. Reservations: http://theatre68artscomplex.com/nowplaying.
Musical Theatre Guild
Looking towards Valentine’s Day, Musical Theatre Guild is of offering, “It’s Complicated… An Evening of Songs About Love...the good, the bad and the messy. One night only, Feb 12 (8:30pm). This is a musical examination of love and connection. Joyful, passionate, comedic and sometimes awkward. Celebrating love in all its glory through songs from musicals and song cycles, performed by an all-star array of over two dozen Guild members. The music from this fundraising concert, benefitting Musical Theatre Guild’s Student Outreach programs, celebrates love in all of its glory through songs from musicals and song cycles, performed by an all-star array of over two dozen Guild members. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. For tickets and more information, go here.
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 Jan 10, Arts in Review presents an encore of AIR Repertory’s radio adaptation of Philip Barry’s “The Philadelhia Story,” directed by Irene Arranga, produced by Lauren Lewis & Julio Martinez and starring Lauren Lewis, Richard Heft, Jeremy Guskin, Casey McKinnon, John Sweet, Estella Volturo, Irene Arranga and Cullen Kirkland.