Women in Theatre to be Honored
This month marks the 24th Annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival called Taking Flight. The organization will honor six women who have made outstanding contributions to not only the landscape of Los Angeles Theatre, but the world. These women include jazz vocalist and educator Barbara Morrison (Eternity Award), composer Megan Cavallari (Integrity Award), actor and director Paulina Sahagun (Maverick Award), Sierra Madre Playhouse’s managing director and producer Estelle Campbell (Rainbow Award), activist and arts educator Leslie K. Johnson (Rainbow Award), and the late actor Doris Roberts (Infinity Award).The gala event will take place on March 23 at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Barnsdall Arts Park, Hollywood.
Cat’s Paw at Actors Co-Op
The Actors Co-Op continues their 25th season with William Mastrosimone’s Cat’s Paw. A known terrorist is set up to use a news reporter to attack the world’s clean, drinkable water supply. Directed by Steve Rothman and running March 24–April 30. Visit ActorsCo-Op.org for more information.
Theatre of Note Boasts Two World Premieres
Two world premieres are scheduled to run in rep at Theatre of Note. Red Helen by Jennifer Barclay tells the story of three daughters trying to carve out their freedom out of the grasp of their mother, directed by Bill Voorhees and opening March 30. Supper by Phinneas Kiyomura focuses on a reunion of four wealthy brothers on the eve of the eldest’s wedding. Theatre of Note describes it as “a brute farce custom built for the age of Trump.” Directed by Alina Phelan and opening April 6. Both productions run through May 20.
2 Games, 2 Thrones, 2 Different Shows, 2 Extensions
Game Of Thrones: The Musical! A Song of Nice Satire currently running at the Macha Theatre in West Hollywood has been extended through April 16. Down the road at the Hudson Theatre, Thrones! The Musical Parody has been extended yet again to April 30 for two wildly different takes on the pop culture phenomenon.
Into The Woods Tour Hits California This Week
The acclaimed Fiasco Theater production of Into The Woods opened in San Francisco March 7 through April 2. The show reaches the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles April 4–May 14. The cast includes Anthony Chatmon II as Lucinda/Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince, Eleasha Gamble as the Baker’s Wife, Evan Harrington as the Baker, Lisa Helmi Johanson as Little Red Ridinghood/Rapunzel, Bonne Kramer as Cinderella’s Stepmother/Jack’s Mother, Patrick Mulryan as Jack/Steward, Darick Pead as Milky White/Florinda/Rapunzel’s Prince, Fred Rose as the Mysterious Man, Stephanie Umoh as the Witch, Laurie Veldheer as Cinderella/Granny, with ensemble members Joshua Archer, Sean Peter Forte, Javier Ignacio, Kate Moore, Alanna Saunders, and music direction by pianist Evan Rees. The show runs April 4-May 14 at the Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre. For more information visit IntoTheWoodsOnTour.com.
Coming soon to the Los Angeles area:
American Idiot
Music by Green Day, Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong
Book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer
March 10–April 22
Cupcake Theater
11020 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood
Based on the band’s Grammy Award-winning concept album of the same name, American Idiot follows three life-long friends as they try to find their way in suburbia in the shadow of the events of 9/11.
Visit CupcakeTheater.com.
Burners
Written by Terence Anthony
Directed by Sara Wagner and featuring Amielynn Abellera and Noel Arthur
March 10 - April 2
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles
In the not-so-distant future, a true divide between the super rich and the rest of the world has been created. The majority of the world’s population, living in slums, starts a resistance and an attack on the secluded wealthy population. Using the only weapon they have, human beings as bombs.
Visit MovingArts.org.
Martha
Written by Ellen Melaver
Directed by Stewart J. Zully and starring Christina Carlisi
March 12–May 28
Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks
An intimate glimpse into the life of dance icon and pioneer, Martha Graham. The mother of modern dance’s life, struggles, and triumphs are explored and celebrated in this passion-filled journey through her art and her fight for women’s empowerment.
Visit MarthaSoloPlay.brownpapertickets.com.
The Cruise
Written by Jonathan Ceniceroz
Directed by Heath Cullens and featuring Ric Salinas, Ken Lopez, Carolyn Amos, Brian Wallace, Gary Lamb
March 10–April 9
Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street in Los Angeles
Set entirely on a high-end cruise ship, the play is a literal vehicle with which to explore current cultural, political, and sexual topics. This comedic drama centers on a father and son and reveals the effects of an unbalanced social ladder
Visit TheLATC.org
Twelfth Night
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Sean Holmes and featuring Francesca Zoutewelle, Gemma Saunders, Jonathan Broadbent, Amy Marchant, Ferdy Roberts, and Oliver Dimsdale
March 14–19
Filter Theatre, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
9390 N Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills
Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy about mistaken identity is invigorated with music, sound, and a dynamic narrative to, as the Wallis puts it, “create one of the most accessible Shakespeare productions of recent years.”
Visit TheWallis.org.
Closing soon in the Los Angeles area:
The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith
Written by Angelo Parra and featuring Miche Braden
Through March 12
Rubicon Theatre Company
1006 E. Main St. in Ventura
It’s 1937, Memphis, and the “Empress of the Blues” has just been turned away from a whites-only theatre along with her band. The story of the evening and the life of the extraordinary Bessie Smith are told through song and dance. Miche Braden reprises her role of Bessie from the Off-Broadway production.
Visit RubiconTheatre.org.
Plasticity
Written and directed by Alex Lyras, written by and starring Robert McCaskill
Through March 13
Hudson Guild Theatre
6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles
A comatose patient is slowly trying to rebuild who he is and climb out of the mental fog while family members circle like sharks and begin making decisions that must be made in times like these.
Visit PlasticityThePlay.com.
