L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
December 6, 2023
NEWS FROM THE ROGUE
Celebrity Ensemble
Rogue Machine is presenting “Thank You Five: A Star-Studded Benefit for Rogue Machine Theatre,” a one night only evening of compelling theatre and music, written and performed by Hollywood and Broadway notables. Takes place at Rogue Machine’s home in the Matrix Theatre. This unique evening begins at 8pm December 12 (8pm), running approximately 2 hours. Music and short plays, written by some of theatre’s finest talent, will include works by Halley Feiffer, Vince Melocchi, John Pollono, Tim Venable and Stephen Adly Guirgis (debuting a brand new work). Emcee’d by Rogue Machine’s Artistic Director Guillermo Cienfuegos, the cast includes Jon Bernthal (The Punisher, Wolf of Wall Street), Joshua Bitton (The Pacific), Natalia Cordova Buckley (Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.), Kevin Daniels (Sirens), Merrin Dungey (Big Little Lies, King of Queens), Kat Foster (Gaslit), Spencer Garrett (Winning Time), Isidora Goreshter (Shameless), Sofia Hasmik (Superman & Lois), Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story, 30 Rock), Cameron Monaghan (Shameless), Danny Pino (Law & Order: SVU, Mayans), Erika Soto (Vida), Tracie Thoms (Rent, Cold Case), Shawn-Caulin Young (True Detective), Constance Zimmer (UnReal, Entourage) … and others TBA. “Thank You Five: A Star-Studded Benefit for Rogue Machine” runs at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Reservations: https://roguemachine.ludus.com/200445538 and more information 855-585-5185, or donations can be made online at: Rogue Machine Theatre.
Cheryl Umaña and Leandro Cano (by Brooke Burton)
And Rogue Machine Theatre kicks off their 2024 season with a new play, “Middle of the World,” by Juan José Alfonso. “An unlikely encounter between two individuals sets in motion a story of redemption and an unexpected alliance that straddles two countries and two very different work cultures.” The Cast includes Cheryl Umaña, Christian Telesmar, Leandro Cano, Jennifer Pollono and Dan Lin, directed by multi-award winner, Guillermo Cienfuegos. The production opens Jan 27, 2024 at Rogue Machine (in the Matrix Theatre), located at 7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angele 90046. Reservations: https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/ or for more Information, call 855-585-5185
PREMIERES
Krystina Alabado, Gianna Yanelli and Kyra Kennedy Photo Credit: Rebecca J. Michelson
La Mirada Theatre presents the West Coast Premiere of “Mystic Pizza, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, with story and characters by Amy Holden Jones, Book by Sandy Rustin, Arrangements and Orchestrations by Carmel Dean. Musical Direction is by Kristin Stowell; Choreography by Connor Gallagher. Direction by Casey Hushion. “Mystic Pizza” will preview Jan 19 (8pm) & Jan 20 (2pm). Opens Jan 20 (8pm), and will run through Feb 11, 2024 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. 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.
AROUND TOWN
Scott Jackson, Terry Davis, Dalia Vosylius (photo by Alex Moy)
Pacific Resident Theatre is presenting a revival of OBIE Award winning playwright Samuel D. Hunter’s successful 2015 comedic drama, “A Permanent Image.” Those traditionally joyous and colorful holidays are approaching and members of an estranged family from a small town in Idaho gather to bury the family patriarch. The cast features Phil Cass, Terry Davis, Scott Jackson and Dalia Vosylius, directed by Andrew Weyman. Opened Dec 2, the production runs through Jan 14, 2024 (check website for schedule). Pacific Resident Theatre is located at 703 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 9029. Buy tickets online https://pacificresidenttheatre.org/ or call (310) 822-8392.
SOLO MOJO
Porters of Hellsgate is offering a one-man, “A Christmas Carol,” adapted and performed by Gus Krieger, directed by Drina Durazo. Performs Dec 15-17. To purchase tickets, go here.
Arts in Review, hosted by arts journalist Julio Martinez, celebrating the best in theater and cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles area, airing on KPFK90.7fm on Fridays (2-2:30pm), streamed live around the world in real time over KPFK.org. On December 8, Arts in review encores its AIR Repertory Holiday radio play, “Dreidels and Donuts,” written by acclaimed novelist, Lynne Kadish, directed by Irene Arranga. The AIR Rep Ensemble includes Richard Michael Johnson, Lauren Lewis, Richard Heft, Gigi Perreau, Lauri Fraser and Eli Yokum.