L.A. Stage Insider

Celebrating the Best in Live Theater and Cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles Area

Written by Julio Martinez

May 10, 2023

Jon Michael Hill & Amanda Warren

Geffen Playhouse has announced the full cast for 2010 Olivier Award-winner, The Mountaintop, “a single night’s reckoning with racism, righteousness, and the rocky path toward justice,” imagining what Dr. King’s last night on Earth could have been. Written by Olivier Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Katori Hall, directed by Patricia McGregor. The cast includes Jon Michael Hill as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Amanda Warren as Camae. Previews for The Mountaintop begin June 6 in the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, opening June 15, running through July 9. Tickets currently available by phone at 310.208.2028 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org. 

Four directors who have helmed some of Antaeus Theatre Company’s most acclaimed productions will take on a mix of modern and classic theater as part of the company’s upcoming season 2023-24 Season. The season kicks off with the premiere of “She” by Los Angeles-based playwright Marlow Wyatt. Andi Chapman directs this uplifting, lyrical tale about a young woman discovering that the small town she was so desperate to escape is filled with the very people who give her wings to fly (Oct 20-Nov 29; previews begin Oct 15); “The Winter’s Tale,” William Shakespeare’s sweeping romance of passion and forgiveness, directed by Elizabeth Swain (Feb 9-Mar 11, 2024; previews begin Feb 4); “Nora,” an adaptation by legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman of Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 masterpiece, “A Doll’s House,” helmed by Cameron Watson (Apr 26-May 26, 2024; previews begin Apr 21); and closing out the season, Gregg T. Daniel directs “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Oscar Wilde’s “Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” (July 19-Aug 19, 2024; previews begin July 14). For more information about Antaeus Theatre Company and the 2022-23 season, call 818-506-5436 or visit online at antaeus.org.

AROUND TOWN

Open Fist Theatre Company presents “Starmites,” the popular Tony-nominated sci-fi fantasy musical that tells the zany tale of earthling Eleanor, a shy teenager who dreams her way into a comic book quest to save the galaxy. With music and lyrics by Barry Keating; book by Stuart Ross and Keating; direction by Scott Peterman; and music direction by Jan Roper, this space-age, pop rock adventure is set to save the universe one song at a time, beginning June 2 at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances continue through July 8. The Open Fist production stars Talia Gloster, Bradley Sharper, Rieves Bowers, Alex Hogy and Jasper Wong. Also in the cast are Brendan Mulally, Cat Davis, Elle Engelman, Lindsey Moore Ford, Sarah Martellaro, Sophie Oda and Jack David Sharpe. Choreography is by Becca Sweitzer, with fight choreography by Jacob Grigolia-Rosenbaum. Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039.To purchase tickets and for more information call (323) 882-6912 or go to www.openfist.org.

John Levey

The Road Theatre Company, in partnership with the Jewish Plays Project, announce a one-night only reading presentation of 2021 National Jewish Playwriting Contest Winner, “Who By Fire,” written by Talisa Friedman and staged by casting director John Levey.  The plays focuses on Len and Jules Feinstein, your standard progressive, not-particularly-religious DC-area Jews who have no issue when their eldest child Eliza brings her black boyfriend Everett home for Yom Kippur breakfast. The only “problem” is that the family seems skeptical of the film that Eliza and Everett are collaborating on...but maybe they just don’t get it. The Cast will feature Laura Gardner, Bruce Katzman, Lilli Passero, Christian Prentice and Christian Telesmar. The play will be read May 22 (8pm) at the Road Theatre, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood. All tickets are Pay-What-You-Will. To reserve a seat, please call 818-761-8838 or visit www.RoadTheatre.org.  

The classic American radio show gets a modern twist, as TV, Broadway and Rock stars join forces for new musical, “A Falling Star At Buzzard's Roost, the tale of a microphone, a meteorite and true love that transcends time!  Presented by Open Door Playhouse, sponsored in part by Shure Audio International and produced by Stage For A New Age (in cooperation with We Make Movies Productions). Co-written by Dave Rodgers and Maureen Davis, the cast include Davis, Gary Anthony Williams, Antonio Jaramillo, Crissy Guerrero, Aaron Lyons, The Flutterbyes and Kacee Clanton. Production was recorded at Studiopolis in Los Angeles by voiceover engineer Bryan Showalter and veteran voiceover artist and director Richard Malmos. Custom Foley sound effects were created by Jeffrey Gardner. “A Falling Star At Buzzard's Roost” debuts June 13 on Open Door Playhouse, https://www.opendoorplayhouse.org/

Kim Eberhardt

Sierra Madre Playhouse is presenting “Love, Dolly,” a musical entertainment celebrating the life and career of Dolly Parton. Stars Kim Eberhardt (Dolly), accompanied by musicians David Kirk Grant (guitar/vocals) and Chris Booke (bass). Plays June 9-18 (Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm) at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. This is just east of Pasadena. Ample free parking is available in lots behind the Playhouse and across the street, as well as street parking. WHEN: June 9- June 18, 2023. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Reservations: (626) 355-4318; Online Ticketing: http://sierramadreplayhouse.org

Claire Wagner, Miguel Perez, Jean-Michal Richaud

HFF23 is hosting “Oleanna,” a powerful play by David Mamet that explores the complex issues of political polarization, lack of trust in institutions, #MeToo and gender inequality, cancel culture and free speech and mental health & well-being. With director Miguel Perez at the helm Oleanna stars Claire Wagner & Jean-Michel Richaud. Opens June 3 (6:30pm) for a six performance run at The Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 as part of Hollywood Fringe Festival 2023. Additional performances are June 10 (12:30pm), June 14 (8:30pm), June 18 (5:45pm), June 24 (12pm) and June 25 (3:15pm). For tickets, go to here.  

francisca da silveira and June Caryll

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. On May 12, Arts in Review welcomes playwrights francisca da silveira and June Caryll whose plays are running at Rogue Machine, 7657 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood.

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