Written by Julio Martinez
October 24, 2024
NEWS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Producing Artistic Director BT McNicholl has announced a selection curated special events during its 2024 Holiday Season: “Día De Los Muertos returns, featuring Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno (Oct 26, 4 pm); Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan’s “Grits & Glamour” Tour (Dec. 5, 7:30pm; “Blue Suede Christmas,” a holiday tribute concert featuring the Christmas songs recorded by Elvis Presley (Dec 8, 3pm); John Tesh – “An Acoustic Christmas” (Dec 15, 3pm); R & B powerhouse, Tower of Power: “Holidays & Hits” Tour (Dec 20, 8pm); and Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno returns with “Navidad En Mexico” (Dec 21, 3pm). All events will perform at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Tickets can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, lamiradatheatre.com, or by visiting the La Mirada Theatre Box Office, or calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. (Events for 2025 are upcoming).
PREMIERES
Imagine Theatre, in partnership with The Colony Theatre, presents a world premiere, family-friendly theatrical experience inspired by a Khoisan myth. An original commission by Imagine Theatre, “The Girl Who Made the Milky Way is written by acclaimed playwright June Carryl. The Khoisan, an ancient ethnic group with a long and intriguing history, are believed to be the oldest human inhabitants of southern Africa. In the play, a young girl, Little Sister (Stakiah Lynn Washington), evolves from struggling with her place and duties among her people to embracing her uniqueness, voice, courage, and identity. Stars Jamela Asha, Edward Hong, Max Lawrence, Carter Michael, Makha Mthembu and Stakiah Lynn Washington, directed by Imagine artistic director Armina LaManna. There will be five public performances, Nov 9-17 at Burbank’s Colony Theatre. Nine additional weekday matinees are available for school field trips, Nov 12-22. Plays Sat (2 & 7pm), Sun (4pm). Interested educators should email smat@imaginetheatreca.org for more information. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (818) 649-9474 or go to imaginetheatreca.org/
AROUND TOWN
L-R: Aasif Mandvi and Rainn Wilson in rehearsal for Waiting for Godot at Geffen Playhouse. Photo by Jeff Lorch.
Geffen Playhouse, in association with Gare Sr Lazare, Ireland, presents “Waiting For Godot,” by Samuel Beckett. As Vladimir and Estragon wait and wait for the arrival of the elusive Godot, a cast of mysterious misfits interrupt their endless vigil. Features Lincoln Bonilla, Conor Lovett, Aasif Mandvi, Jack McSherry, Adam Stein & Rainn Wilson, directed by Judy Hegarty Lovett. Plays Nov 6-Dec 15 at Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave, Westwood 90024. For tickets and more information, go here.
Mark Blanchard (Director) Paul Panico (Producer)
Panic! Productions’ producer Paul Panico announces that award-winning director Mark Blanchard will helm the cast of Arthur Miller’s timeless tour de force, “Death of a Salesman.” Opening Jan. 10, 2025 (Preview Jan. 9) at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. Considered by many to be Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, “this iconic American drama harnesses bold realism with riveting theatricality and is a commentary on the American Dream which resonates even today.” Performances: Thu/Friday/Sat (7:30pm); Sun (3pm). The Colony Theatre is located at 555 N. Third Street (between Cypress and Magnolia), Burbank, CA. 91502. For tickets and more information, go here. Ticket sales open Nov 1.
The Westminster Community Playhouse will present Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web,” centering on Clarissa Hailsham-Brown, the quick-witted wife of a diplomat who relishes in spinning tall tales of adventure—until a real murder lands in her drawing room. plays weekends, Nov 8-24, at its exclusive theater venue at 727 Maple Street in downtown Westminster. The cast incudes Eric Bergstrom, Michael Corcoran, Jack Reid, Talia Abbene (Clarissa), Zachary Colby, Jaclynne Tran, Mabel Schreffler, Sina Siassi, JD Rinde, Mark Eaton and Justin Murphy, directed by Jim Katapodis. For tickets and more information, go to www.wcpstage.com or call (714) 893-8626.
Cast of “A Streetcar Named Desire”
The Streetcar Project is bringing its perpetually sold-out version of Tennessee Williams’ landmark American play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” to Los Angeles this fall for six performances across two back-to-back engagements. The first will take place inside an airplane hangar overlooking the LA River in Frogtown (2415 Eads Street), on the east side of Los Angeles, from Oct 28–30. Then the production will take over a warehouse in Venice Beach (2100 Zeno Place) from Nov 1–3. Directed by co-creator Nick Westrate and starring Lucy Owen (Blanche DuBois/co-creator), Brad Koed (Stanley Kowalski), Mallory Portnoy (Stella DuBois), and James Russell (Harold Mitchell), The Streetcar Project presents Williams’ complete, unabridged text with just four performers, no props, and no set, stripping bare to the bones one of the greatest pieces of American drama ever written. Availability is extremely limited, and tickets are available at https://www.thestreetcarproject.com/tickets.
SOLO MOJO
Vivienne Powell
United Stages, a unique platform to share international works on a global scale, is presenting the Premiere of “Diva the Play,” the story of world-renowned Australian opera singer Louisa McCrae, reliving her life through the lens of a fractured mind, written and performed by Vivienne Powell. Leah Patterson, an award-winning director will be at the helm. The show play November 1 –10 at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, 90046. Tickets: https://buytickets.at/na71/1382198.
L.A. THEATER ON YOU TUBE
Cullen Kirkland, Meg Rumsey-Lasersohn, Lauren Alexander Lewis, Paul Cutos
L.A.’s Paper Crown Theatre Company’s Reading Series revival of Noel Coward’s 1930 comedy-of manners, “Private Lives, starring Cullen Kirkland, Meg Rumsey-Lasersohn, Lauren Alexander Lewis, Paul Cutos and Irene Arranga. directed by Irene Arranga, has made it to YouTube. For more information about Paper Crown Theate Company, contact through instagram: @papercrowntheatreco.
Arts in Review, hosted by arts journalist Julio Martinez, celebrating the best in live theater and cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles area, airs on KPFK 90.7fm on Fridays (2-2:30pm), streamed live around the world in real time over KPFK.org.