L.A. Stage Insider

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

Written by Julio Martinez

May 31, 2023

NEWS

Octavio Solis, Lisa Portes, Herbert Siguenza

South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa has announced its 60^th season, with a lineup that ranges from an American classic to contemporary works, with two world premieres—including one musical—and a special offering featuring pianist and actor Hershey Felder. The 2023-24 season begins with “Quixote Nuevo” by SCR legacy playwright Octavio Solis (Sep 30-Oct. 28) on the Segerstrom Stage. This modern adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’ epic novel, Don Quixote de La Mancha is produced in association with Seattle Repertory Theatre and Portland Center Stage. Directed by Lisa Portes, the production features Tejano music and Herbert Siguenza of Culture Clash in the lead role of Jose Quijano. For tickets and further information regarding SCR’s 2023-24 Season go here. 

PREMIERE

Sandy Bainum

Odyssey Theatre in West L.A. is hosting the Premiere of “Accommodation,” focusing on the inherent risks a science teacher takes by making special considerations for students claiming to have unique needs in her classroom, when the real world outside its walls doesn't seem to care. Written by Greg Burdick and directed by Brandon Baer & Garrett Baer, the cast features Sandy Bainum, Sufe Bradshaw, Jacob Cherry, Sol Crespo, Laura Niemi and Massi Pregoni. Previews June 15-17.  Opens June 18 (5pm), continuing through July 9 at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles. Tickets available online at https://tinyurl.com/AccommodationplayLA or https://odysseytheatre.com/tickets?eid=96813  or by calling the box office at (310) 477-2055 x2. 

Anna Mathias

L.A. Theatre works presents the premiere of “Exodus: The Shanghai Jews.” Eight Jewish refugees recount their true stories of escaping Nazi persecution to settle in the last place they could ever have imagined...Shanghai, China, an original, commissioned audio docudrama by Kate McAll. Each of four performances will be recorded live in front of an audience for future radio broadcast, digital download and online streaming, June 23-25 at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater. Directed by LATW senior producer Anna Lyse Erikson, the cast includes L.A. Theatre Works veterans Edita Brychta, Shannon Cochran, Anna Mathias, Alan Shearman, André Sogliuzzo and Joanne Whalley. Performances take place June 23 (8pm), June 24 (3pm & 8 pm and June 25 (4 pm).  The James Bridges Theater is located in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television at 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Los Angeles 90095. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 827-0889 or go to latw.org.

AROUND TOWN

Yvette Lawrence

5-Star Theatricals announces the second show of its 2023-2024 season, the multi Tony nominated, revised 2013 Broadway version of the musical, “Cinderella,” with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane, original book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, II, music by Richard Rodgers, musical direction by Anthony Lucca, choreography by Cheryl Baxter and directed by Yvette Lawrence. The cast will feature Camryn Hamm, Tyler Burk, Emily King Brown, Kevin Bailey, Regina Fernandez, Sarah Hinrichsen, Kelsie Piini, Frankie Zabilka and Landen Starkman, plus a 21-member ensemble. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center Box Office located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks, or through www.5startheatricals.com, or by phone at (800) 745-3000.    

SOLO MOJO

Romy Nordlinger

Theatre West presents playwright and performer Romy Nordlinger in the West Coast premiere of “Garden of Alla: The Alla Nazimova Story.” The 1920s was the time of flappers, flamboyance, and the face of Alla Nazimova, the Jewish immigrant from Tsarist Russia, a Broadway and silent film superstar, visionary Hollywood director and producer, and LGBTQIA trailblazer.  Lorca Peress directs. The production features video design by Adam Jesse Burns; original score and sound design are by Nick T. Moore; produced by Anne Leyden and Benjamin Scuglia. The three-week limited engagement runs July 7-23 (Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun 2 pm). Theatre West is located at 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. 90068.  For reservations and information, call (323) 851-7977 or go to TheatreWest.org.

Griffith Frank, Lindsay Gitter, Rodney Vaccaro

“It’s Your Fault –A New Musical About Self Help,” a semi-immersive musical farce about a transformational workshop, premieres at HFF23, previewing June 1. Opens June 11 (7:30pm), continuing June 13 (7pm), June 17 (2pm) and June 23 (7pm). Music & Lyrics were written by songwriter Griffith Frank and Lindsay Gitter. Emmy Winner Rodney Vaccaro directs at The Madnani Theatre. Main Space, 6760 Lexington Ave, L.A 90038. For tickets and performance schedule, go to: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9937?tab=tickets.

Soda Persi

A premiere stage work from Soda Persi, “Hitchcock Lane” is a dramatic collection of short scenes following ten neighbors in five homes on the same street in a pivotal moment in each of their lives. Interwoven with movement by Persi and original music from Michael Van Bodegom-Smith, this new work directed by Richard Piatt invites the audience into the homes of familiar characters dealing with their struggles while also remembering to laugh, love and live before it’s too late. Plays June 3 6pm), June 9 (9pm), June 11 (8pm), June 17 (8:30pm), June 24 (5pm) at studio/stage (Main Space), 520 N. Western Ave. For tickets and more information, go to https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9516.

Christian Ty Edwards

HFF23 is offing the L.A. Premiere of “The Sad Life Of A Happy Man,” written and performed by Christion Ty Edwards, peeling back the facade of showmanship, personifying what happens when a man confronts the fractured parts of himself to realize his purpose for living. Directed by Heather Dowling, with choreography by Lauren DeVera and Edwards, opens June 2 (9pm), continuing June 11 (1pm) and June 17 (8:15pm) at The Zephyr Theatre (7456 Melrose Ave. L.A, 90046). Run time is 75 minutes, Tickets available at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9820?tab=tickets.

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 June 2, Arts in Review welcomes On June 2, Arts in Review welcomes... songwritera Griffith Frank and Lindsay Gitter, as well as Emmy Winner Rodney Vaccaro who directs “It’s Your Fault –A New Musical About Self Help,” a semi-immersive musical farce about a transformational workshop, premiering June 11 (7:30pm) at The Madnani Theatre. Main Space, 6760 Lexington Ave, L.A 90038