L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
September 18, 2024
NEWS
Marlow Wyatt Iesha M. Daniels (Robbin) Chuma Gault
Road Theatre Company announces the first show of its 2024-2025 Season: the Premiere of “Robbin, From The Hood,” written by Marlow Wyatt, directed by Chuma Gault. Limited Engagement runs Oct 11-Nov 17 (previews Oct 8-10) at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood. In this re-imagined, classic tale, corporate greed dominates the deceptive game of capitalism. Robbin Woods, a 17-year-old math genius, is given the opportunity to enter that seemingly unattainable world. Once inside, she recognizes the massive inequities that exist and creates a plan to level the playing field. The Cast features: Iesha M. Daniels (Robbin), Enrike Llamas, Geri Nikole-Love, Rob Nagle, Joshua R. Lamont and William L. Warren. Performances are Fri & Sat (8pm); Sun (2pm). Road Theatre, Road Theatre, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood, is offering three captioned performances for the deaf and hard of hearing communities on Oct 25 (8pm), Nov 2 (8pm) and Nov 10 (2pm). Tickets available online at roadtheatre.org: or or call 818-761-8838.
PREMIERE
Darian Dauchan, Reginald P. Louis, Marlene Luna Castañeda and Ashlee Olivia
The Roots and Wings Project (RAW) Founding Artistic Director, Jesse Bliss, Founding Artistic Director, will present the World Premiere of “The Joy Ride,” an immersive site-specific touring production to be performed in Southern California in Arts District ofDowntown Los Angeles (Sep 20–Oct 12). In “The Joy Ride” four dear friends gather to ride out together, but quickly realize they have much to reckon with. How, in a time of deep grief, do they dare to claim joy? This touring production is delivered out of a vintage convertible. The show contains strong language and content and is recommended for those 18 years of age and older. Performances will be outdoors, so please dress accordingly. Written and directed by Jesse Bliss, the ensemble cast includes: Darian Dauchan, Reginald P. Louis, Marlene Luna Castañeda and Ashlee Olivia. The show features an original score by Audiopharmacy, a multicultural creative team. Performances in Southern California will be presented on Fri & Sat (8pm) and Sun (5pm), outdoors at the Graff Angeles Gallery (Arts District), 1100 Fifth Street (at Seaton Street), in Downtown Los Angeles, 90013. Tickets for all performances can be purchased at https://thejoyridetour.eventbrite.com. For a sneak peek at The Joy Ride, go here.
Mary Orr, Esther Guigui, Bryan Rasmussen
Sunset Pictures present Mary Orr’s “The Wisdom of Eve,” the tale of an unscrupulous ingenue’s rise to Broadway stardom through lies, cheating and blackmail, adapted from the familiar story by Orr, on which the film All About Eve and the hit musical Applause were based. The cast features Esther Guigui (Eve), Cayla Black, Barry Brisco, Brady Gentry, Dahlia Waingort Guigui, Mitch Hara, Eric Keitel, John Mese, Michael Mullen and Mitch Rosander and directed by award-winning director Bryan Rasmussen. The limited six-week run is Oct 12-Nov 23. All performances are Saturday, 8pm. For tickets and information visit: whitefiretheatre.com or call 818-687-8559. The Whitefire Theatre is located at 13500 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks 91423.
AROUND TOWN
The Group Rep is proud to present the award-winning dastardly musical “The Orphan’s Revenge” (or Abandoned at Cooper’s Crossing) with book by Suzanne Buhrer and Gene Casey, music by Gene Casey, Suzanne Buhrer and Jan Casey, directed by Stan Mazin, music direction by Andy Howe, and produced for The Group Rep by Linda Alznauer. The musical will run Oct 4-Nov 10 on the Main Stage of the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Buebank Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601. The cast (some shares roles) features the talents of Sean Babcock, Jackson Bethel, George Bufford, Joseph Eastburn, Lareen Faye, Brad Kahn, Jessica Kent, Hisato Masuyama, Casey Murray, Tack Sappington, Rob Schaumann, Kyra Schwartz, Arden Shia, Suzan Solomon, Abigail Stewart, Melissa Strauss, Kristin Towers Rowles and Janet Woods, To buy tickets, go to: www.thegrouprep.com or call (818) 763-5990
Adam Hagenbuch and Regina Fernandez Photo by Zach Mendez
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC), Santa Barbara’s only professional theatre company and a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), announces the first production of its 2024/2025 season, the hilarious Off-Broadway hit comedy “with plenty of bite,” “Dracula: A Comedy Of Terrors,” written by Gordon Greenberg & Steve Rosen, infusing Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire tale with the comedic influences of Mel Brooks, Monty Python and The 39 Steps?. The cast features Casey J. Adler, Janna Cardia, Regina Fernandez, Adam Hagenbuch and Josh Odsess-Rubin, directed by Jamie Torcellini. “Dracula: A Comedy Of Terrors” will perform Oct 10-27 (with a press opening on Oct 12, 8pm) at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria Street. For tickets and more information, call (805) 965-5400, or go online at etcsb.org.
DANCE
“1947” Blue 13 Dance Company Ensemble
Blue13 Dance Company presents a new program,“100 Seconds to Midnight.” A new contemporary dance project choreographed by Achinta S. McDaniel, the company delves deep into the complexities of the human experience, drawing inspiration from the infamous Doomsday Clock. Made famous by J. Robert Oppenheimer, Albert Einstein, and other concerned scientists, the clock measures how close the planet is to global catastrophe, marked as midnight. Performance is one night only at The Ford, Sep 28 (8pm). Blue13 blends contemporary and traditional dance forms with everything from hip-hop to Bollywood and ballet, challenging perceptions of South Asian American dance. The Ford is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, 90068. For tickets, call 323-850-2050 or visit theford.com. Dress warmly for outdoor seating.
SOLO MOJO
Michael Feinstein
The Luckman Theatre hosts Michael Feinstein, bringing to life Big Band Celebrations and the Tony Bennett legacy. Supported by the Carnegie Hall Ensemble and the Luckman Jazz Orchestra. One perfomnce only, Oct 4 (pm). The Luckman Fine Arts Center is located at 51515 University drive,]. For tickets nf more information, go here.
STAGED READING
The Colony Theatre will be hosting an all-star staged reading of a new work by Catherine Butterfield, one nighr only, Sep 29 (7pm). Tickets and more information can only be obtained by going to: www.catherinebutterfield.com.
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. On Sep 20, Julio welcomes...
# # #