L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in th Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
October 25, 2023
NEWS
Richard Dreyfuss
Laguna Playhouse announces that Academy Award-winning actor and author, Richard Dreyfuss, will join Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein to the acclaimed actor’s life, career, and his passion for civics education, which is the topic of his new book, “One Thought Scares Me...: We Teach Our Children What We Wish Them to Know; We Don't Teach Our Children What We Don't Wish Them to Know.” Following their discussion, Mr. Dreyfuss will take questions from the audience and autograph copies of his book. This special event will take place on Jan 7 (4:30pm) and begin with a catered reception and the chance to win special memorabilia from Richard Dreyfuss' career. At 5:30 pm, guests will be invited into the Playhouse where the conversation begins, followed by questions & answers with those in attendance, and autographs for his book. Ticket prices are $150.00 for one ticket; $250.00 for two tickets (each ticket includes a copy of the book). The ticket price for admission is a donation split between Laguna Playhouse and The Dreyfuss Initiative and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787).
PREMIERES
Ensemble
Coin & Ghost Theater Company is debuting “Mama, Mama, Can’t You See,” a new play about human connection and the mythology of war, written by ex-Marine Stan Mayer and Cecilia Fairchild. There is four-week run, directed and choreographed by Coin & Ghost artistic director Zachary Reeve Davidson, Nov 10-Dec 10 at Studio/Stage. The play was inspired by playwright Mayer’s life as a U.S. Marine, but this is not a play about war. It’s a play about how to tell a war story. Mayer introduces three Marines from the war in Iraq, played by Julián Juaquín, Ryan Nebreja and Zack Rocklin–Waltch, and sex-workers from the civil War, portrayed by Marguerite French, Kathleen Leary, Carene Rose Mekertichyan, Hannah Trujillo and swing Stephanie Lee, who join together across time to help Stan recount events that took place in Haditha, Iraq on May 7th, 2005. The production plays Thu, Fri & Sat (8pm); and Sun (7pm). Studio/Stage is located at 520 N Western Ave., L.A. 90004. For reservations and information, go to coinandghost.org.
AROUND TOWN
Sara Sheperd (“Carole King, Miles Jacoby (“Gerry Goffin)”
La Mirada Theatre announces full casting for the second show of its 2023-2024 “Soundtrack of Your Life” season, the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” book by Douglas McGrath; words & music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil; musical direction by Ryan O’Connell; choreography & associate direction by Joyce Chittick; and direction by David Ruttura (based on the original Broadway direction by Marc Bruni and original Broadway choreography by Josh Prince). Previews Nov 10 (8pm) & 11 (2pm). Press opening is Nov 11 (8pm), running through Dec 3 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. The Cast features: Sara Sheperd (“Carole King, Miles Jacoby (“Gerry Goffin,”) Sara King (Cynthia Weil,”) Trevor James (“Barry Mann,”) Valerie Perri (“Genie Klein,”) and Brian Ibsen (“Don Kirshner.”) For Tickets and more information, go to La Mirada Theatre’s website www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. La Mirada Theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada.
SOLO MOJO
Cori Cable Kidder
For the Holiday Season, Madre Playhouse is offering “Cori Cable Kidder’s Holiday Spectacular: A 1940s Christmas Revue.” Stars singer/actress Cori Cable Kidder, backed by Sean Paxton and his live combo. Musical direction by Paxton. Plays Nov 24-Dec 23 (Fri & Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm). Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre. For reservations and more information, call (626) 355-4318; Online Ticketing: http://sierramadreplayhouse.org
CRITICS CORNER ‘FEAR OF HEIGHTS’
Irish American actor, comedian and television host Kevin Flynn has toured his solo, autobiographical show, “Fear of Heights,” to many locations, including the Edinburgh Fest. This rambling but often endearing and humorous tale of his search for identity as an entertainer, while combating his deeply ingrained phobias, is having its West Coast Premiere at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A, running Thursday through Sunday, until October 29.
Directed with seamless fluidity by Tim Byron Owen, there are projected large images to help set the scenes; but it is Flynn’s impressive linguistic skills and body language that brings to life his journey as the son and grandson of two vividly realized steelworkers who they fearlessly labored on the beams that crisscrossed high above the New York skyline during the 30s, 40s & 50s.
Alas, Flynn reveals that at a very young age, he discovered that he was mortally “afeared” of high places. This critical, self-evaluation that he could never live up to the standards set by these two men he deeply revered effects this talented man’s journey through his life an entertainer, a husband and a father.
His journey into show business began with his boyhood desire to impress sisters, his relatives and his dad with his skills with accents and comedy. He reveals, with sometimes tedious detail, his hit-and-miss journey, briefly as a professional soccer player, then on to becoming a stand-up comic, a television actor and host. He also took a stab at commercials, relating just how close he came to being the “voice of Pringles Potato Chips.”
It's entertaining during the final minutes of the show, Flynn poignantly reveals he became more involved in “doing the right thing.” His life-choices became less influenced about his youthful fears or his ego, which deeply affected his love life, and later the decisions he made as a father. A telling moment comes with his father’s death-bed confession that finally releases his son from the burden he had been carrying most of his life.
Fear of Heights is Presented by the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Ron Sossi Artistic Director, produced by Beth Hogan, in association with with Georganne Aldrich Heller/Irish Theatre Film Productions and The Sarah Fulton Group. Executive Producers Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly. For tickets and more information, go to Odysseytheatre.com.
# # #
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.