L.A. Stage Insider
Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Written by Julio Martinez
January 15, 2025
NEWS
“Evanston Salt Costs Climbing” Cast
Multi-award-winning Rogue Machine Theatre announces its seventeenth season, beginning with the Southern California premiere of Will Arbery’s “Evanston Salt Costs Climbing,” confronting humanity’s darkest fears with humor and fortitude, directed by Rogue Machine’s Artistic Director Guillermo Cienfuegos. Starring Hugo Armstrong, Lesley Fera, Kaia Gerber and Michael Redfield. For Tickets and reservations, go here: or for more information, call 855-585-5185. Runs Jan 25–Mar 9 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046. The season continues with: the West Coast Premiere of “Bacon,” written by Sophie Swithinbank and directed by Michael Matthews, starring Jack Lancaster and Wesley Guimarães, Feb 8-Apr 20 on the Henry Murray Stage at the Matrix; the Premiere of “Corktown ‘39,” written by John Fazakerley, a polital thriller helmed by Steve Robman, starring Ron Bottitta, JD Cullum, Tom Kelly, Ann Noble, and Peter van Norden (Apr 12-May 25); the Premiere of “Adolescent Salvation” bringing playwright Tim Venable back to Rogue Machine for his third production. Guillermo Cienfuegos will direct this play that examines the moral complexity of the kinds of characters we judge most harshly (Sep 6-Nov 2) on the Henry Murray Stage at the Matrix; the West Coast Premiere of “Nice Girl,” by Melissa Ross, a play about the tragedy and joy of figuring out who you are and letting go of who you were supposed to be (May 10-July 29) on the Henry Murray Stage; and Rogue Machine’s 2nd annual “Playwright's Roundtable Festival,” founded by Rogue Machine’s Executive Director Justin Okin, run by Lina Patel, presents premiere readings, Aug 18-24. Featured playwrights include Agnes Borinsky, David Myers, Diana Burbano, Joy Gregory, Hannah Kenah, Makeda Declet, Megan Tabaque, and Rich Wong.
PREMIERES
East West Players (EWP), the largest and longest-running Asian American theater in the country, announces the cast and creative team for the Los Angeles premiere of Lauren Yee's play, “Cambodian Rock Band,” set to open in Feb 23. The production marks a significant milestone as it brings this acclaimed work to Los Angeles County, home to the largest Cambodian population outside of Cambodia. This part-play, part-rock concert tells the powerful story of a Khmer Rouge survivor returning to Cambodia after three decades. The production marks director Chay Yew's thirteenth collaboration with East West Players, bringing his signature vision to an extraordinary ensemble. After directing the world premiere of Cambodian Rock Band at South Coast Repertory and the off-Broadway run at Signature Theatre, Yew’s return to EWP continues a nearly thirty year artistic partnership. The cast includes Kelsey Angel Baehrens, Abraham Kim, Tim Liu, Jane Lui, Joe Ngo and Daisuke Tsuji. Cambodian Rock Band runs Feb 13-Mar 9 (Thu/Fri/Mon, 8pm; Sat (2pm) & Sun (5pm) at The David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 in the historic Little Tokyo neighborhood. Performance times are Thursdays (preview week only), Fridays, Saturdays, and select Mondays at 8 PM, with additional 2 PM matinees on Saturday and 5 PM performances on Sunday. Opening Night is Sunday, February 16, 2024 at 5 PM. East West Players 60th Anniversary Season Memberships and single tickets to the production are available online at eastwestplayers.org or by calling (213) 625-7000.
AROUND TOWN
Ana Nicolle Chavez & Will Block
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC), brings a new take on at one of the greatest plays ever written, “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck. The third production of ETC’s 2024/2025 season, the production will perform: previews on Feb 6 (7:30pm) & Feb 7 (8pm). Opens 8:00pm. Opens Feb 8 (8pm), running through Feb 2pm) at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. The production stars Will Block (Hamlet) and Ana Nicolle Chavez (Ophelia). The supporing ensemble includes Jono Eiland, Matt Foyer, Rafael Goldstein, Sammy Linkowski, Corey Jones and Paige Lindsey White. Single tickets are available through the ETC ticket office at (805) 965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change.
SOLO MOJO
El Portal Theatre presents a special performance of Fritz Coleman’s solo show, “Unassisted Living,” with Special Guests Laurence Juber and Wendy Liebman to benefit the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund. The benefit will take place Jan 26 (3pm) at the historic El Portal Theatre’s intimate Monroe Forum in the NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, CA. 100% of all profits raised will be donated to the fund. For tickets and information please call 818-508-4200 or online at www.elportaltheatre.com
