L.A. Stage Insider

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

Written by Julio Martinez

May 20, 2026

AUDITION

Open call details for “Catch Me If You Can,” opening Sep 17 at the Colony Theatre, are now posted on Playbill, Backstage, Broadway World, Actors’ Equity for May 28 & 29. Don’t miss your chance to audition for this high-flying, splashy Broadway musical based on the hit DreamWorks motion pictured. Based on the hit DreamWorks motion picture and the incredible true story that inspired it, Catch Me If You Can is a high-flying, splashy Broadway musical that tells the true story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end … and finds something he never expected.For audition schedule, go here.

PREMIERES

Robert Heide Tony Abatermarco

Odyssey Theatre Ensemble’s Thresholds of Invention series will introduce L.A. audiences to daring playwright and Warhol collaborator Robert Heide, with Robert Heide: In Search of Lost American Playwrights. When Heide died on December 17, 2025, the theater community in downtown Manhattan paid tribute by recognizing his extraordinary achievement as one of the pioneer playwrights of the Off-Off Broadway era. Yet, although Heide’s plays had been performed in such legendary theaters as Cafe Cino, LaMama and Theater For The New City among others, his work was never produced in Los Angeles. An afternoon of readings from some of Heide’s short plays that capture his style — poignant, sometimes brutally authentic depictions of ordinary people mired in loneliness, their dreams delayed, their stammering pronounced, suddenly bursting into a dark but oddly hopeful poetry — will right that wrong. Selections (subject to change) include Mother Suck, The Bed and Remember (preceded by an excerpt from Tropical in Key West). Featuress Jacque Lynn Colton, Gera Hermann, Paul Lieber, Harvey Perr, Mark Simon. Thresholds of Invention series curated by Tony Abatemarco. Produced for Odyssey Theatre Ensemble by Beth Hogan and Tony Abatemarco. Performs May (2pm). Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 90025. For tickets anf more information, go to OdysseyTheatre.com. You can also call (310) 477-2055 ext. 2.

Group Rep in North Hollywood is presenting the premiere A Time To Kil, based on John Grisham’s novel. This courtroom drama tells the story of a young, idealistic-and-untested lawyer, Jake Brigance, defending a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, for taking the law into his own hands following an unspeakable crime committed against his young daughter. Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes. The Group Rep cast features the talents of Patrick Anthony, Reed Michael Campbell, Dominic Ryan Gabriel, Jennifer C. Holmes, Hudson Long, Michael C. Mahon, Adam Mattson, Rosney Mauger, Sherrick O’Quinn, Anica Petrovic, James Lawrence Powell, Steve Rozic, Mark Stancato, Neil Thompson, Sandra Tucker, Troy Whitaker and Steve Young, directed by Tom Lazarus. The production runs May 22-Jun 3. The Group Rep Theatre – Main Stage (First Floor), located at 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood 91601. Purchase Tickets, go to: www.theGROUPrep.com. For more information, call (818) 763-5990.

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL 2026

Opening June 7 at The Actors Company Let Live Theatre, ‘Adult Baby Doll’ is a raw stand-up comedy musical. comedian Harper-Rose Drummond has partnered with Greg Hoffman on piano to turn her hour of stand-up comedy into a musical format. Darkly funny, it is an exploration on how one small quirk from childhood can define your entire adult life. Growing up her parents sang when they were uncomfortable, now in her adult life she has to decide if this coping mechanism is helping…or hurting her communication skills. The show initially sold out in February, and will now be presented at the HFF26 for five limited performances at The Actors Company. Actors Company is located at 916 N. Formosa Ave, Los Angeles,90046. Performances: Sun, 6/7 (5:30pm); Fri,6/19 (10pm); Sat,6/20 (4:30pm;Thu,6/25 (5pm); Sat, 6/27 (10:30pm). For tickets and more information, go here.

The (Not So Real) Housewives of Transylvania,’ written and directed by Scott Sanders, will have its premiere outing at HFF26, presented by 5 Acorns Productions. ‘Sex and the City’ meets ‘The Addams Family.’ Kristina has it all, charisma, power, great looks, wonderful girlfriends, a handsome and powerful husband—Miklos—and, immortality. Yes, she’s a vampire. In present-day Bucharest, Kristina is having a mid-century crisis and decides that she wants to stop being a vampire, get a divorce from her handsome “coven-leader” husband, stop feeding on humans, and……… become HUMAN… again! The production’s cast includes, in addition to Scott himself, Iris Almario, Kristen Aziza, Jennifer Durst, Johnny Kay, Kristina Korsholm, and Christian Sanders. Performances will also take place at The Actors Company Let Live Theatre. Previews: Thu, June 4 7(pm) & Sat, June 6 (Noon). Regular performances: Fri, June 12 (3:30pm); Mon, June 15 (6:30pm); Thu, June 18 (6:30pm); Sat, June 20 (3pm).; Sun, June 21 (7pm); Tue, June 23 (8:30pm); Fri, June 26 (11:59 pm). For tickets and more information, go here.

Cyrus Deboo

Presented by Soaring Solo Studios, Zephyr Theatre will be hosting ‘There’s Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus: How I Went from a Hot Mess to a Hot Bitch, written and performed by Cyrus Deboo, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnso, choreography by Pamela Najera. A Hollywood Fringe Festival selection. Cyrus Deboo is the son of traditional immigrant parents, a father from India and a mother from Iran. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he becomes aware that his family is different from other families. He is also aware that he is different than most of the other boys around him. They want to play football; He wants to dress and dance like Madonna. He has to confront homophobia: his own and other people’s. As he becomes more aware of his sexuality, he finds himself socially awkward with both straight and gay people. Fortunately, he has friends who love and guide him through his young years. Eventually, he’ll meet one special guy. Will Cyrus’ very traditional parents accept who he has become? More importantly, will Cyrus accept who he has become? Deboo portrays 22 characters in this solo performance. Runs 70 minutes. Performances are at Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 90046. Previews June 7 (3pm). Regular performances: Sat, June 13 (7:45pm) & Sun, June 21 (6pm). For tickets and more information, go here.

Arts in Review, celebrating 37 years on the air at 90.7FM, hosted by Julio Martinez, promoting the best in live theater and cabaret in the Greater Los Angeles area, airs Fridays (2-2:30pm), streamed live around the world in real time over KPFK.org. On May 22, Arts in Review will be in its last week of our Spring Pledge Drive. I will be joined by Donna Walker, host of Pacifica Performance Showcase and we will be presenting marvelous gifts, encouraging fans to help keep these two arts and culture promoting shows on the air. Please tune in to 90.7fm (2-3pm)

- Julio Martinez

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