I N T E R N A T I O N A L   C I T Y   T H E A T R E

International City Theatre celebrates 40th
anniversary with 2025 season of premieres 

LONG BEACH, Calif. (August 23, 2024) – Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, International City Theatre will present a season of five world, American and Los Angeles premieres.

“For the first time in our 40-year history, all five plays in one season will be premieres,” says artistic director caryn desai [sic]. “Our mantra this year is ‘see it first at ICT’. The plays may all be new, but the season’s eclectic mix of genres — one musical, two comedies, and two dramas — is not. It’s that combination of escapist fun and thought-provoking fare that has kept our audiences coming back year after year.”

Launching the season in February, the Los Angeles premiere of Desperate Measures is a foot-stompin’, knee-slappin’ musical inspired by Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. Saddle up for this joyous musical comedy with a score by award-winning composer David Friedman and book and lyrics by two-time Tony nominee Peter Kellogg. When the dangerously handsome Johnny Blood’s life is on the line, he must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters. Laws are broken and hearts are won as they try to find justice in a world that often doesn’t seem just. Winner of two Drama Desk Awards, for “Outstanding Musical” and “Outstanding Lyrics”; the Outer Critics Circle Award for “Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical”; and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for “Best New Musical.” (February 21 through March 9; previews on February 19 and February 20.)

Next up is the American premiere of The Violin Maker by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum and Ronda Spinak. Real-life Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein gathered and restored violins that were damaged during the Holocaust, creating a remarkable collection that became known as the “Violins of Hope.” Weinstein died in 2024 at age 84, but his extraordinary story and the true tales behind each of the violins are masterfully interwoven with music in this powerful and uplifting new play. (April 25 through May 11; previews on April 23 and April 24.)

From playwright Paul Slade Smith, author of last season’s hit production of The Outsider, comes the Los Angeles premiere of The Angel Next Door, a screwball romantic comedy inspired by a 1924 drawing room comedy by Ferenc Molnar. When a writer is commissioned to adapt his novel for the stage, it’s soon revealed that the “angel” cast as the lead may not be all that angelic. Only the power of theater can save the play, the novel and — perhaps most importantly — the writer’s heart. (June 13 through June 29; previews on June 11 and June 12.)

August will see the world premiere of the newest family drama by multiple award-winning playwright Wendy Graf (ICT productions of Closely Related Keys, Exit Wounds), in which members of a mixed race family see themselves reflected in stories from the past — each inspired by a spice in their grandmother’s “masala dabba,” or Indian spice box. (August 29 through September 14; previews on August 27 and August 28.)

Closing out the season in October, the Los Angeles premiere of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson–Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill is an irreverent, darkly comic, modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth and sidekick that re-examines the world’s most famous detective story through a bold new feminist lens. In this highly theatrical escapade, oddball female roommates Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson join forces to emerge from pandemic fog as a deeply codependent, quasi-dysfunctional “Odd Couple” adventure duo solving mysteries and kicking butts—until they come face to face with a villain who seems to have all the answers. (October 17 through November 2; previews on October 15 and October 16.)

Recognized by Long Beach as the City’s resident professional theater company, International City Theatre is the recipient of over 500 awards, including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle’s prestigious Margaret Harford Award for “Sustained Excellence” and the LADCC’s 2016 Polly Warfield Award for an “Excellent Season.” In addition to its professional theater productions, ICT offers six community and educational outreach programs each year. The company’s commitment to the community also includes ongoing collaborations with Long Beach’s African American community and other groups and organizations. Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe called ICT “a cultural treasure.”

All performances take place Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

For more information about ICT’s 2025 season and to purchase subscriptions or single tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org

Chance Theater presents…

Gloria

by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

OC Premiere of The Pulitzer Prize finalist

ANAHEIM, CA: Chance Theater, Anaheim’s official resident theater company, is thrilled to announce the Orange County Premiere of Gloria, the provocative and darkly comedic play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Directed by the award-winning Marya Mazor, Gloria will run at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center from September 27 to October 20, 2024.

A Riveting Satire on Modern Media

Set in the bustling world of a New York City magazine office, Gloria uncovers the cutthroat ambitions of a group of editorial assistants, whose ordinary day spirals into chaos with a shocking event. This sharply satirical play examines the dark underbelly of the media industry, exploring themes of ambition, exploitation, and the stories we tell ourselves and others. Gloria was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and has been described by The New York Times as “whip-smart,” The Hollywood Reporter calls it “provocative and playfully theatrical.”

With its biting humor and intense commentary on the cost of success, Gloria offers audiences a gripping experience that will challenge their views on modern-day media and the personal toll of ambition.

WHAT: Gloria

Style. Status. Success. A group of twentysomething editorial assistants are pursuing it all at one of New York’s most esteemed cultural magazines. When a seemingly normal day at the office turns out to be anything but, these aspiring journalists recognize an opportunity to seize a career-defining moment. Who has the right to tell whose story? Simultaneously funny and shocking, Gloria is an adrenaline rush of a show as MacArthur “Genius” grant winner Jacobs-Jenkins skewers the cutthroat, opportunistic culture of modern media.

WHEN:

Previews: September 27 – October 4, 2024; Friday 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m.  Sunday 7 p.m.

Performances: September 27- October 20, 2024

Fridays at 7 p.m. (only Sep 29) and 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. & Sundays at 3 p.m.

RUNNING TIME: 2 hours, 10 minutes with intermission

WHERE: Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage

5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807

TICKETS: $41-44

MORE INFO: www.ChanceTheater.com or call (888) 455-4212

New play by Orange County playwright tells a

compelling coming of age story

SANTA ANA, CA, August 20, 2024 – The Wayward Artist, Santa Ana’s own ensemble theatre company, will present Peace Be With You from September 13th through the 22nd at its exclusive theater venue at the Grand Central Art Center in Downtown Santa Ana, 125 N. Broadway #E. This new play was written by Orange County Playwrights Alliance (OCPA) Director Eric Eberwein.

Peace Be With You is the story of Lee who just signed up for the Marines. His mother is aghast. His old girlfriend fears the worst. His boyfriend approves. The journey changes him and their relationships. When deployment takes him into combat, Lee decides he wants out. He comes up with an elaborate plan – a scheme to disappear mysteriously, seize media attention, and resurface to tell the truth about what American troops are doing in the latest war. But will his escape make casualties of those he loves?

“Eberwein has created a complex and emotional story of a young man searching for his purpose and place to be. Something most people can relate to at some point in their lives,” said Director Joe Lauderdale of this coming of age story.  “The actors, currently in rehearsal, are using all their skills to create characters that are fully three dimensional and relatable. The theatrical, rather than fully realistic quality of the play, often with poetic dialogue, is a challenge we are reveling in and we can’t wait to reveal this perhaps tragic story to an audience.”

CAST: PRODUCTION TEAM:

River Ramos as Lee Director: Joe Lauderdale

Aaron Lipp as Patrick Playwright: Eric Eberwein

Gabrielle Mack as Courtney Stage Manager: Aung Khine Min

Rebecca Leeds as Jody Asst. Director/Props: Elli Luke

Lighting Designer: Blake Huntley

Scenic Designer: Marley Oyen

Costume Designer: Kylie Pickering

Projections: Ariya Selakumar

WHERE: WHEN:

The Wayward Artist Friday September  13 at 7:30pm

Grand Central Art Center Saturday September 14 at 7:30pm

125 N. Broadway Sunday September 15 at 2:00pm

Santa Ana, CA 92701 Thursday September 19 at 7:30pm

Friday September 20 at 7:30pm

Saturday September 21 at 7:30pm

Sunday September 22 at 2:00pm

TICKETS:

www.thewaywardartist.org/peace-be-with-you   657-205-6273

ABOUT THE WAYWARD ARTIST:

The work of The Wayward Artist is edgy and unafraid to push the envelope of politeness, political correctness, and propriety. It doesn’t shy away from adult content, language and mature subject matter. It’s about innovation and re-invention and, wherever possible, delight in showing audiences a mirror to challenge pride, prejudices, and point-of-view. Its mission is to be the home for wayward artists – the lost, the naked, the vulnerable and to produce wayward works of a professional quality – works that are new, edgy and reimagined.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2024

Latino Theater Company reprises acclaimed
Chicano–noir satire ‘Whittier Boulevard’

WHAT:
Latino Theater Company brings back Whittier Boulevard, the critically acclaimed, ensemble-devised “Chicano Noir” satire that employs the company’s trademark blend of comedy, drama, music, dance and theatrical magic to explore ageism — and the divine that exists within us all. It’s Los Angeles in 2042, and years of fires, torrential rain, anarchy and bloodshed have led to a totalitarian city-state where the elderly disappear, their stories forgotten. When authorities make a surprise visit to the home of faded Chicana starlet Veronica Del Rio on the eve of her 75th birthday, she enlists the help of her loudmouth nurse, a kindhearted policeman-fan, and a down-on-his-luck poet. Will Veronica disappear and be forgotten before she finds true love?

“STAGE RAW TOP 10… a fable-like tale with elements of magical realism, character-driven humor, and an absurdism steeped in the savory flavors of Latino culture…. RECOMMENDED.” —Stage Raw

“EXCEPTIONAL… equal parts terrifying and hilarious… RECOMMENDED.” — LA Theatre Bites

“A TRIUMPH… Sly satire and dry humor infused with a mysterious film noir vibe.” — Arts Beat LA

“VISUALLY STUNNING… a fascinating play with notes of Chicano Noir, Latinx Futurism, magic realism, and a cunning infusion of glamour from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.” — Glamgical

“FUN… Latino Theatre Company deploys its “Chicano Noir” lens and the resulting drama pokes fun at itself while trying to weigh the moment we’re passing through.” — 89.3 FM KCRW

“GREAT GOOD HUMOR… dramatic stagecraft, multimedia effects [heighten] the mix of comedy and dark satire.” — Hollywood Progressive

“EXCELLENT… amusing, and thought-provoking… wonderful effects.” — It’s Not About Me

“A FUN-FILLED evening of theatre… a visual feast.” — Joe Straw blogspot

WHO:
• Created by Evelina Fernández, Sal López, Geoffrey Rivas, Lucy Rodriguez and José Luis Valenzuela
• Directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela
• Starring Evelina Fernández, Zilah Mendoza, Geoffrey Rivas, Eduardo Robledo
• Produced by Latino Theater Company

WHEN:
Previews: Sept. 12 and Sept. 13
Performances: Sept. 14 – Oct. 20
(dark Oct. 3 through Oct. 6)
• Thursday at 8 p.m.: Sept. 12 (preview), Sept. 19, Sept. 26; Oct. 10, Oct. 17 (dark Oct. 3)
• Fridays at 8 p.m. Sept. 13 (preview), Sept. 20, Sept. 27; Oct. 11, Oct. 18 (dark Oct. 4)
• Saturday at 2 p.m.: Sept. 21 ONLY (family matinee / child care provided)
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 14 (Opening Night), Sept. 21, Sept. 28; Oct. 12, Oct. 19 (dark Oct. 5)
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: Sept. 15, 22, 29; Oct. 13, 20 (dark Oct. 6)

WHERE:
The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013

PARKING:
• $8 with box office validation at Los Angeles Garage Associate Parking structure, 545 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 (between 5th and 6th Streets, just behind the theater)
• Metered parking available on streets surrounding the theater.
• Take the Metro: nearest stop is Pershing Square (two blocks west of The LATC)

TICKET PRICES:
$10-$48 (except opening night)
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except opening night, Sept. 14): $38
• Students, Seniors, Veterans and LAUSD teachers: $20 with valid ID
• All Thursday night performances and previews: $10
• Opening night (Sept. 14): $75 (includes post-performance reception)

HOW:
www.latinotheaterco.org
(213) 489-0994

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Noise Within celebrates human indestructibility with
Thornton Wilder’s epically funny ‘The Skin of Our Teeth’

WHAT:
A Noise Within opens its 2024-25 “True Grit” season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning, time-bending comic romp The Skin of Our Teeth. Various cataclysmic events serve as a backdrop for a hilarious and thought-provoking exploration of human resilience by three-time Pulitzer winner Thornton Wilder. After 5,000 years of marriage, George and Maggie Antrobus and their children have faced ice ages, floods and war, but the family perseveres with humor, ingenuity… and a pet dinosaur. This iconic play is a riveting testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity.

WHO:
• Written by Thornton Wilder
• Directed by Julia Rodriguez–Elliott and Geoff Elliott
• Starring Christian Henley, Mildred Marie Langford, Kasey Mahaffy, Trisha Miller, Cassandra Marie Murphy, Ann Noble, Frederick Stuart
• Ensemble: Anthony Adu, Stella Bullock, Julia Chavez, Jacob Cherry, Yannick Haynes, Amber Liekhus, Veronica McFarlane, David A. Rangel, Landon M. Robinson, Micah Schneider, Maya Sta. Ana
• Presented by A Noise Within, Geoff Elliot and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, producing artistic directors

WHEN:
Previews Sept. 1 – Sept. 6
Performances Sept. 7 – Sept. 29
• Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 4 ONLY (Preview)
• Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 5 (preview), Sept. 19, Sept. 26 (dark Sept. 12)
• Fridays at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 6 (preview); Sept. 13*, Sept. 20*, Sept. 27*
• Saturdays at 2 p.m.: Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28 (no matinee on Sept. 7)
• Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 7 (Opening Night); Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Sept. 1 (preview), Sept. 8; Sept. 15*, Sept. 22, Sept. 29
^*Post–performance conversations with the artists take place every Friday (except the preview) and on Sunday, Sept. 15.
**A one-hour INsiders Discussion Group will take place prior to the matinee on Sunday, Sept. 8 beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Student matinees are scheduled on select weekdays at 10:30 a.m. Interested educators should email education@anoisewithin.org.

WHERE:
A Noise Within
3352 E Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107

TICKETS:
• Tickets start at $51.50 (including fees)
• Student tickets start at $20
• Wednesday, Sept. 4 and Thursday, Sept. 5 (previews): Pay What You Choose starting at $10 (available online beginning at noon the Monday prior to that performance, and at the box office beginning at 2 p.m. on the day of the performance.)
• Discounts available for groups of 10 or more

HOW:
www.anoisewithin.org
(626) 356-3100