L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
L.A. Stage Insider
Written by Julio Martinez
April 12, 2023
PREMIERES
Krishna Smitha, Taylor Gilbert, David Gianopoulos, Kris Frost and Carlos Lacamara
The Road Theatre Company announces the second show of its 2022-2023 Season, the Premiere of “Scintilla,” exposing a complicated family history erupting into a larger question about our very survival on this planet, written by Alessandro Camon. The Cast will feature: Taylor Gilbert, Kris Frost, Krishna Smitha,” David Gianopoulos and Carlos Lacamara directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky. Production will preview Apr 12 & 13 (8pm). Opens Apr 14 (8pm) and runs through June 4 at the Road Theatre, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood. For tickets, please call 818-761-8838 or visit www.RoadTheatre.org to purchase tickets online or to view complete schedule.
Seamus Dever
L.A. Theatre Works (LATW) is presenting the Premiere of “The Confession of Henry Jekyll, M.D.” by playwright and screenwriter David Rambo, a modern-day psychological thriller about the duality of human nature. Inspired by “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, the production stars Seamus Dever as Jekyll, and features Laila Ayad, Edita Brychta, Matthew Hancock, Venk Potula and André Sogliuzzo, directed by Anna Lyse Erikson, Commissioned by LATW, the play will be presented at James Bridges Theater, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
235 Charles E. Young Drive, L.A. 90095. Performances are Apr 14 (8pm), 15 (3 & 8pm) & 16 (4pm) and will be recorded for future audio broadcast. For tickets and more information, go to www.latw.org. or call 310-827-0889.
The Actors Co-op Theatre Company presents the Premiere play, “Tornado.” Set in the aftermath of the devastating 2012 Oklahoma tornado, Jade, a college student at Oklahoma Baptist University, and Becca, a corporate lawyer from New York City, have come to volunteer in the clean-up...and then cultural differences get in the way. Written by Chris Cragin-Day, the cast features Jody Carlson (Tanya), Susie K. McLean (Becca) and Anna Salvini (Jade), directed by Linda Kerns. Runs Apr 21–May 28 (Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2:30 pm, with additional Sat matinees, Apr 29 & May 13 at 2:30 pm). Tickets/Info: www.ActorsCo-op.org or (323) 462-8460. Performances at The Crossley Theater, 1760 N. Gower St., on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood 90028.
George Salazar and Rick Cosnett
The Los Angeles LGBT Center presents the premiere of “The Bottoming Process” by Nicholas Pilapil, a dark comedy developed in IAMA Theatre’s Under 30 Playwright’s Lab, focusing on two writers who meet at a shared co-working space and fall in love...or something like it. Stars Drama Desk-nominated George Salazar and Rick Cosnett. Also featured are Anisha Adusumilli, Julia Cho and Ty Molbak. IAMA associate artistic director Rodney To is at the helm, running May 18-June 12 at the Renberg Theatre in the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center. Previews begin May 13. “The Bottoming Process” is part of IAMA’s 2022-23 “Jubilee” season, “dedicated to telling stories that give voice to women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ artists and artists of varied physical and cognitive abilities.” The Renberg Theatre is located at 1125 N McCadden Pl., L.A. 90038. For reservations and information, call (323) 380-8843 or go to here.
AROUND TOWN
Allison Blaize and Tony Abatemarco Photo by Jordan Gohara
International City Theatre is offering the West Coast debut of “Under the Skin.” Lou needs a kidney. His daughter Raina’s got one to spare, but she’s also got issues. Secrets and truths are revealed in this unpredictable comedy that asks just how much parents and children really owe one another. Written by
Michael Hollinger, cast includes starring Tony Abatemarco, Allison Blaize, Tanya Alexander and Julian Smith, directed by caryn desai. Opens Apr 28, continuing through May 14 (Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm) at International City Theatre, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach, 90802. For tickets and more information, go here.
Footloose Ensemble
Panic! and BarCinBoo Productions are presenting “Footloose: The Musical,” directed by Barry Pearl, co-directed and choreographed by Michelle Elkin; vocal coach Jan Roper. Runs Apr 22–May 14 (Fri, 8pm; Sat, 3 & 8pm; Sun, 2pm) at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 E. Los Angeles, Avenue, Simi Valley 93065. Tickets: https://simivalleyculturalartscenter.thundertix.com/events/209730. For more info, call (805) 583-7900
SOLO MOJO
Margaret McAuliffe
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Fishamble: The New Play Company, in association with Solas Nua, present writer/performer Margaret McAuliffe in “The Humours of Bandon,” an award-winning coming-of-age story for anyone who had a childhood passion, such as Irish step dancing, that threatened to overwhelm their life. Three performances only take place May 6, 7 and 8. The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, 90025. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 477-2055 or 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.