L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
September 5, 2024
NEWS
Artistic Director Tarell Alvin McCraney, Executive Director / CEO Gil Cates, Jr. and Board Chair Adi Greenberg. Photo by Jeff Lorch.
Geffen Playhouse announced its selection of LA-based writers to participate in the 2024/2025 cycle of The Writers’ Room, a forum for engagement and collaboration between Los Angeles playwrights. The participants are Sunny Drake, Keiko Green, Andrew Zepeda Klein, maatin, Samah Meghjee and James Anthony Tyler.The Writers’ Room is a product of Geffen Playhouse’s commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of Los Angeles. During this twelve-month residency, playwright members gather monthly to share their work and receive feedback from their peers in a forum facilitated by Geffen Playhouse Literary Manager & Dramaturg Olivia O’Connor. The 2024/2025 cycle of The Writers’ Room will begin September 2024. At the conclusion of the residency, each playwright will have the opportunity to further develop their completed draft in a culminating reading produced by the Geffen. The Writers’ Room is made possible through the generous support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. For more information, go to: www.geffenplayhouse.org.
PREMIERES
Amy Melendrez, Natalie Heredia Josefina Lopez and Carla Ojeda “A Woman Named Gloria”
Casa 0101 presents the Premiere of Josefina Lopez’s “A Woman Named Gloria,” the spirit of Gloria Molina appears to a young woman who is grappling with a personal crisis that will affect her political career. She becomes enraptured by Molina’s captivating tale: how she became a woman of firsts, tracing her path to becoming a Chicana trailblazer, civic leader and the first Latina elected to three political offices. Directed by Corky Dominguez, starring Karla Ojeda as Gloria Molina. Features: Lauren Curet, Amy Melendrez, Natalie Heredia, Micaela Martinez, Tricia Cruz, Celeste Lanuza, Laura Vega, Oscar Gonzalez, Alejandro Bravo, Edward Navarrete and Martin Morales. Runs Aug 30-Oct 6 (Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm). Gloria Molina Auditorium at Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 East 1st Street (At St. Louis Street), Los Angeles, 90033. For tickets, please call the CASA 0101 Theater Box Office at 323-263-7684, E-mail: tickets@casa0101.org; or buy online at www.casa0101.org.
TOP ROW: Dendrie Taylor, Tom Waters, Zuri Alexander
BOTTOM ROW: Satiar Pourvasei, Jake O'Flaherty & Scott Parkin
Promenade Playhouse is presenting a Premiere drama, “The (Mostly) True Story of a Common Scold” by award-winning playwright Mike Teverbaugh. Opens Sep 20, running through Oct 27. In the 1830s era, Anne Royall, America’s first female journalist, alarmed by speeches from evangelical leaders declaring their intent to reshape America into a Christian nation, starts printing a newspaper from her Washington, D.C. kitchen to sound the alarm. She nearly pays with her life. The cast includes Dendrie Taylor, Tom Waters and Zuri Alexander, Satiar Pourvasei, Jake O’Flaherty, Scott Parkinand Scott Burkholder, directed by Natalia Lazarus. This will be the first production in the new Promenade Playhouse location, 10931 W. Pico Blvd, 10931, Los Angeles, 90064. Performances are: Fri (8pm), Sat (7pm) and Sun (2pm). Tourchase online, go to https://www.laproductions.org/shows-tickets or call (310) 656-8070.
AROUND TOWN
Michael Soko, Angelina Réaux, and Bernardo Bermudez
The Odyssey Theatre in West L.A. is presenting “3 Faces of Steve: Sondheim in Concert.” Three world class singers, Angelina Réaux, Michael Sokol and Bernardo Bermudez sing solos, duets and trios from 14 of Sondheim’s classic stage works. Not ‘just another’ Sondheim song-to-song revue, 3 Faces of Steve places dazzling songs from shows like Follies, Company, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, A Little Night Music and Merrily We Roll Along, alongside Réaux’s personal and professional remembrances of the master. Music direction and accompaniment by pianist William Ah Sing. Sept 5-29 (Thu-Sun). For tickets and more information, go here. Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 90025.
Actors Co-op Theatre Company announces its 2024-25 season under the theme: Nevertheless, They Persisted. This season will feature: “Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress, directed by Kimberly Hébert Gregory (Oct 4-Nov12); “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich (Feb 21-Mar 30, 2024) and The Spitfire Grill by James Valcq and Fred Alley (May 2-June 8, 2024). Each play showcases the resilience and determination of characters who, against all odds, find ways to overcome the challenges of their time and environment. Visit www.actorsco-op.org to reserve your seats. Season tickets went on sale, beginning Sep 2. Actors Co-op is a non-profit theatre company located on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, 90028.
TWO HANDER
Erin Hadfield Abraham Arias Wolfgang Bodison (Director)
Playhouse West announces their next production, “Standing By,” a two-hander dramatic comedy by playwright Norman Barasch. Stars Erin Hadfield and Abraham Aris, directed by award winning director Wolfgang Bodison. Opens Sep 21, runs through Oct 6. Playhouse West (Magnolia Studio) is located at 10634 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood 91601 Plays Sat (7pm) and Sun (2pm). Playhousewest.com/reservations or purchase online: www.onstage411.com/standingby.
Pascal & Julien
Arts in Review, hosted by arts journalist Julio Martinez, celebrating the best in 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 6, Julio welcomes Jay McAdams and Debbie Devine, Executive Director and Artistic Director, respectively of 24th Street Theater, discussing their upcoming production of “Pascal & Julien.”
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