L.A. Stage Insider

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

Written by Julio Martinez

February 21, 2024

NEW

Stephen Sachs

After 34 years as artistic director, Fountain Theatre  co-founder Stephen Sachs has announced his retirement at the end of 2024. Sachs and Deborah Lawlor, who passed away in 2023, assumed leadership of the Fountain Theatre in 1990. Together, they transformed the two-story building into one of the most highly regarded theaters in Los Angeles. Under Sachs’ guidance, the award-winning, intimate Fountain Theatre produced new plays that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles and the nation, while serving young people throughout Southern California with its arts education programs. In recent years, a perilous time for performing arts organizations everywhere, he led the theater out of the pandemic, installing an outdoor stage in 2021 — the first performance venue permitted to serve the public by the City of Los Angeles and Actors’ Equity Association during COVID-19. He leaves the Fountain in the strongest financial position in its history. In partnership with Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, Sachs launched a new program that brought celebrity actors into Council Chambers for one-night readings of plays free to the public. All the President’s Men starred cast members from The West Wing, and a new spin on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington featured Sam Waterston. In 2019, O’Farrell hailed Sachs as “one of the great citizens and artists in our city.”  A national search is underway to identify the Fountain Theatre’s next artistic director.

Adilah Barnes

The 31st Annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival is ready to announce its line-up of Hosts. The Champagne GALA and Awards Ceremony will take place next door to Theatre 68 Arts Complex at the Lankershim Arts Center located at 5108 Lankershim Boulevard, Mar 28, hosted by Hosted by Hattie Winston and Margaret Avery. Eight deserving women (to be named in a separate press release) will be honored with the Festival’s Annual Theatre Awards for their laudable contributions to the theatre world). Spoken word and dance performances will also be presented. This will be followed by performances, taking place at Theatre 68 Arts Complex-The Rosalie at 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Full details of the performer line-up and awardees are forthcoming. The Hosts of these performances include DeBorah Sharpe-Taylor and Clarinda Ross (Mar 29, 8pm); Florence LaRue and Rosie Lee Hooks (Mar 30, 3pm); Fay Hauser-Price and Jahna Cole Houston (Mar 30, 8pm);  Kat Kramer and JC Cadena (Mar 31, 2pm); and Terrie Silverman and Ada Cheng (Mar 31, 7pm). The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival was co-founded by solo artists Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed. Festival Director is Jessica Lynn Johnson. For more information about Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, go to http://lawtf. or call (818) 760-0408.

PREMIERES

Deborah Geffner, Stefan Marks, Tatum Langton

Null Set Productions, a visiting company at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, is presenting the Premiere of “Ophelia,” an existential dramedy dealing with time-shifting, finding one’s destiny and the quest to fix a “broken life,” written and directed by playwright Stefan Marks. The cast includes Deborah Geffner, Tatum Langton and Stefan Marks,  The play opens Apr 12 to May 18 (Thu-Sat, 8pm); Apr 27, May 4, 11 & 18, 3pm). The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90025 Tickets on sale:  www.stefanmarks.com/ophelia

AROUND TOWN

Aaron Jennings & Gregg T. Daniels

A Noise Within continues its commitment to August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle” with a new production of “King Hedley II.” After seven years in prison, King Hedley re-enters society eager to rebuild his life, but quickly confronts the inescapable challenges facing Black men in Reagan-era Pittsburgh. Gregg T. Daniel, who has previously directed A Noise Within productions of Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, Seven Guitars and Radio Golf, returns to direct the ninth play in the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s 10-play cycle that explores, decade-by decade, the Black experience in 20th century America. The cast includes Aaron Jennings (in the title role), Kacie Rogers, Evan Lewis Smith, Ben Cain and Gerald C. Rivers. Performances of “King Hedley II” begin Apr 6, continuing through Apr 28. Previews begin Mar 31. Performances are Thu (7:30pm); Fri (8pm); Sat (2 & 8pm); and Sun (2pm). A Noise Within is located at 3352 E Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, 91107. King Hedley II is recommended for ages 14 and up. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (626) 356-3100 or go to www.anoisewithin.org

SOLO MOJO

Katrina Aguilar

Hollywood Club LA at the Woman’s Club of Hollywood will present singer Katrina Aguilar in concert performing the Cabaret Show, “Part of Your World,” on Sun, Feb 25 at 5pm.  Brad Ellis serves as Music Director and Clifford Bell directs. The program will benefit Autism Care Today. For tickets and more information, please call 323-769-7000 or visit online at WWW.HOLLYWOODCLUBLA.ORG  Tickets are also available on Evntbrite. You may also call 323-769-7000.

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.

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