Wendy’s Peter Pan

WHAT:
Calling all young-at-heart: Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum has transformed its uniquely beautiful outdoor amphitheater into the imaginary isle of Neverland for a magical production of Wendy’s Peter Pan.

WHO:
• Adapted from J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play by Ellen Geer
• Directed by Ellen Geer
• Presented by Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

WHEN:
Performances: June 22 – October 4
• Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 21 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. * **
• Friday, Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
*Prologue (pre-show discussion): Friday, July 26 from 6:30 p.m.–7 p.m.
**Pay-What-You-Will performance: Friday, July 26 

WHERE:
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga CA 90290
(midway between PCH in Santa Monica Canyon and the 101 in the San Fernando Valley)

TICKET PRICES: 
• Adults: $48 (lower tier); $30 (upper tier); $60 (premium seating)
• Seniors (65+), Students, Military Veterans, Teachers, AEA Members: $35/$20
• Children (5-15): $15
• Children 4 and under: Free
• Friday night, July 26: Pay-What-You-Will (cash only at the door)

OTHER:
• The outdoor amphitheater at Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating.
• Patrons are welcome to arrive early to picnic in the gardens before performances.

HOW:
theatricum.com
(310) 455-3723

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY 

Taylor Gilbert and Sam Anderson Present 

The Fifteenth Anniversary of the Annual 

SUMMER PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL 

23 Plays in 10 Days! 

SPF15 Festival Committee

Cherish Monique Duke – Festival Director

Festival Producers/Play Selection Committee – Frank Collison & Krishna Smitha 

Associate Producer – Haowen Luo 罗浩闻

One of the Largest Playwright’s Festivals in the U.S. 

The Road Theatre has gone on to produce numerous plays over the years from the Summer Playwrights Festival including, High Maintenance by Peter Ritt (SPF 14) Beloved by Arthur Holden (SPF12), Death House by Jason Karasev (SPF8), Stupid Kid by Sharr White (SPF7) and Through the Eye of a Needle by Jami Brandli (SPF7). “We are very proud to be bringing these new plays from the festival to our audiences.” 

SUMMER PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL (SPF 15):

This year’s festival features all New Works by playwrights from across the United States. Taylor Gilbert, Founding Artistic Director, recalls the very moment the festival launched in 2009: “It’s just an idea” said Scott Alan Smith, Associate Artistic Director emeritus, “Let’s start a playwrights festival!” We said “Sure, why not?” Now, 15 years later we are continuing our tradition of bringing New Works to the stage for your enjoyment. We are excited to present 23 new plays up close and personal in our beautiful Magnolia Space.  So join us, get comfortable in one of our seats and enjoy this year’s ride at The Road’s 15th Annual Summer Playwrights Festival!”

“Festival Pass’s” are available for only $75.00 to have access to all the full-length readings, or buy an individual ticket for a suggested donation of $15.00. For more information and to RSVP go to: https://roadtheatre.org/event/15th-annual-summer-playwrights-festival/

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

Friday, July 12, 8:00PM PT
The Totality of All Things by Erik Gernand

Nüwa in Fairyland by Brandon Zang
Directed by Elana Luo

Saturday, July 13, 4:00PM PT
Lifeline by Robert Axelrod
Directed by Ken Sawyer

Saturday, July 13, 8:00PM PT
BLACK BEAR ISLAND by Karissa Murrell Myers
Directed by Margaret Starbuck

Sunday, July 14, 12:00PM PT
Some Other Woman Like Me by Katherine Swan
Directed by Elizabeth Herron

Sunday, July 14, 4:00PM PT
You May Find This Hard to Believe, or Moor’s the Pity by Scott Gibson
Directed by Victoria Hoffman

Sunday, July 14, 8:00PM PT
The Patriarch by Shayne Kennedy
Directed by Tally McCormack

Monday, July 15, 8:00PM PT
The Ragged Claws by Lina Patel
Directed by Daniel Talbott

Tuesday, July 16, 8:00PM PT
You Welcome by Anne Valentino
Directed by Denise Blasor

Wednesday, July 17, 8:00PM PT
burn for You by Regan Moro

Friday, July 19, 8:00PM PT
THE POINT by Ali MacLean
Directed by Ryan McGree

Saturday, July 20, 12:00PM PT
The Life You Gave Me by Novid Parsi
Directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky

Saturday, July 20 4:00PM PT
L’HÔTEL by Marisol Medina
Directed by Carlos Lacámara

Saturday, July 20, 8:00PM PT
1980 (Or Why I’m Voting For John Anderson) by Patricia Cotter
Directed by Meeghan Holaway

Sunday, July 21, 11:00AM PT
Otherkin by N.T. Vandecar
Directed by Christina Carlisi

Sunday, July 21, 3:00PM PT
In Case of Bruising by Kamila Boga
Directed by Gerard Joseph

Sunday, July 21, 8:00PM PT
This is an evening of one-act play readings

If You See a Hyena by Bara Swain
Directed by Allan Wasserman   

USE AS DIRECTED by DeLane McDuffie
Directed by Darryl Johnson

The Artemis Cult by Jeanette Farr
Directed by Ru Kazi

H-O-R-S-E by Kathleen Cahill
Directed by Mark Irvingsen

The Previous Incident Versus a Recent Development by Deborah Dashow Ruth
Directed by Avery Clyde

Think It Through by Craig Gustafson
Directed by John Gowans

TALKBACKS
Each play reading will be followed by a moderated discussion with the director and cast. Some discussions will include playwrights.

PRICING:
Buy a festival pass for only $75.00 to experience all the full length shows (One Act night must be purchased separately). Individual play tickets are suggested donation of $15. No donation is too small, but if you can’t afford to donate at this time we understand. Please come anyways and enjoy some live play readings! Reservations are strongly suggested by using the link below.

https://roadtheatre.org/event/15th-annual-summer-playwrights-festival/

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY:

www.facebook.com/roadtheatre
www.instagram.com/roadtheatre
www.twitter.com/roadtheatre
www.youtube.com/roadtheatrecompany

#RoadTheatre #SPF15 #Playwrights #LATheatreLivesOnstage #LAthr #Theatre #TheatreIsVital

SUPPORT
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and support from the Office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian.

For more information, please visit us at 

https://roadtheatre.org/event/15th-annual-summer-playwrights-festival/

Casting Announced for Roger Q. Mason’s Night Cities

A New Play About Queer Civil Rights Activist Bayard Rustin

Sunday, June 23 at 7pm

Acclaimed Black Filipinx playwright and Kilroys List honoree Roger Q. Mason will receive an industry reading of Night Cities, a new play about Queer civil rights activist Bayard Rusin, as part of the Not a Moment, But a Movement Festival presented by Center Theatre Group In collaboration with The Fire This Time Festival and Watts Village Theater Company. The reading, directed by Nancy Keystone, will take place on Sunday, June 23 at 7pm at the Kirk Douglas Theatre (9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232) in Los Angeles. Tickets ($15) are available for advance purchase at www.centertheatregroup.org.

A young Bayard Rustin—before Civil Rights Movement fame—must choose between his private desires as a queer black man and his public calling as an agent of social justice and civic change. Set against the vibrant labor movement of the 1930s and 40s, this piece embraces the musicality, dream imagery, and liberation of jazz playwriting to explore one man’s quest for complex humanity in a world that limits who we are to how we can be used for the good of others.

The cast will feature Christopher Livingston (Julius Caesar at The Public), James Patrick Nelson (Memorial with Pan Asian Rep), Larry Powell (Brokeology with Lincoln Center), and Dennis Renard (Come Get Maggie with Rogue Machine).

Roger Q. Mason (they/them) is a writer and performer who uses the lens of history to disrupt the biases that divide rather than unite us. Their playwriting has been seen on Broadway (Circle in the Square Reading Series), Off and Off-Off-Broadway, and regionally. Mason’s World Premiere of Lavender Men was lauded by the Los Angeles Times as “evoking the mingled visions of Suzan-Lori Parks, Jeremy O. Harris and Michael R. Jackson.” They are a recipient of the inaugural Catalyst Fellowship, awarded by the Dramatists Guild Foundation, in celebrations of theater makers whose work impacts social justice and civic change through art. As a filmmaker, Mason has been recognized by the British Film Institute, Lonely Wolf International Film Festival, SCAD Film Festival, AT&T Film Award, and Atlanta International Film Festival. Their films have screened in the US, UK, Poland, Brazil, and Asia. Mason holds degrees from Princeton University, Middlebury College, and Northwestern University. They are a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, and an alum of the Ma-Yi’s Writing Lab, Page 73’s Interstate 73 Writers Group, and Primary Stages Writing Cohort. Mason currently produces a memoir/cooking segment on Instagram called Cooking with Q: A Playwrights Guide to Telling My Trouble. Previously, they co-hosted the podcast Sister Roger’s Gayborhood and hosted This Way Out Radio’s Queerly Yours: Portraits in Courage. Mason has served as lead mentor of The Marsha P. Johnson Institute’s Starship Fellowship, the New Visions Fellowship, and the Shay Foundation Fellowship. They are currently on faculty at CalArts. Instagram: @rogerq.mason

THE GHEE GHEE PIK

The Group Rep’s world premiere play THE GHEE GHEE PIK written by Suzy London, directed by Kathleen R. Delaney and produced for The Group Rep by Lloyd Pedersen.  What happens when the technology of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is implanted in the human brain? Inspired by actual events, THE GHEE GHEE PIK dramatizes the true story of one woman’s quest to vastly improve her challenged life and the unexpected consequences of such a union.  The play runs June 13 – July 14, Thursdays and Sundays 7:00pm, Saturdays 4:00pm, Upstairs on the second floor of the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood 91601.  Free early bird lot parking and free street parking.

Show Schedule:

Thursday, June 13 at 7pm (newish time)

Saturday, June 15 at 4pm

Sunday, June 16 at 7pm – Talkback w/cast & staff

Thursday, June 20 at 7pm (newish time)

Saturday, June 22 at 4pm

Sunday, June 23 at 7pm (newish time) – Talkback w/cast & staff

Thursday, June 27 at 7pm (newish time)

Saturday, June 29 at 4pm

Sunday, June 30 at 7pm

Thursday, July 4 at 7pm (newish time)

Saturday, July 6 at 4pm

Sunday, July 7 at 7pm

Thursday, July 11 at 7pm (newish time)

Saturday, July 13 at 4pm

Sunday, July 14 at 7pm – SHOW CLOSES

The cast features the talents of Diana Angelina (Barbara Kelly), Davino Buzzotta (Trevor Dickson), Mandy Fason (Margaret Kelly), Doug Haverty (Joel Mackson), Cierra Lundy (Angela Donaldson), Jason Madera (Dr. Bennett Kenilworth), Kevin Michael Moran (Kendrick Gold), Helen O’Brien (Roberta Link), Stevie Stern (Dr. Jennifer Atchison) and Cathy Diane Tomlin (Judge Dana Smythe).

‘The Bauhaus Project’ & ‘Crevasse’

WHAT:
Two new productions highlight the rise of fascism and anti-Semitism in Germany and the power of art to resist. A group of struggling Southern California art students creates a dramatic presentation on the history of the famous Bauhaus School in The Bauhaus Project by Tom Jacobson, a world premiere theatrical event presented in two binge-worthy parts (Part 1: Bauhaus Weimer and Part 2: Bauhaus Dessau and Bauhaus Berlin) by Open Fist Theatre Company. Filmmaker and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl meets Walt Disney in the world premiere of Jacobson’s Crevasse, a co-production of Son of Semele and The Victory Theatre Center. A series of related events will take place throughout the summer at the ArtCenter College of Design, Skirball Cultural Center and more under the collective title Reflections on Art and Democracy.

WHO:
 The Bauhaus Project
• Written by Tom Jacobson
• Directed by Martha Demson
• Starring Jack Goldwait, Sang Kim, Chloe Madriaga, John C. Sweet
• Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company

 Crevasse
• Written by Tom Jacobson
• Directed by Matthew McCray
• Starring Leo Marks and Ann Noble
• Presented by Son of Semele and The Victory Theatre Center

WHEN:
 The Bauhaus Project
Previews: July 5, July 6, July 7
Performances: July 12 through August 18:
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Part 1 (Bauhaus Weimar)
• Saturdays at 4 p.m.: Part 1 (Bauhaus Weimar)
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Part 2 (Bauhaus Dessau & Bauhaus Berlin)
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: Part 2 (Bauhaus Dessau & Bauhaus Berlin)
Audience members can choose to view the entire Bauhaus Project over the course of two evenings (any Friday and any Saturday at 8 p.m.); two matinees (any Saturday and any Sunday at 4 p.m.); or on a single Saturday, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (The history is sequential, so it is not advised to view the parts out of order.)

 Crevasse
Previews: July 19 and July 20
Performances: July 26 through August 18:
• Fridays at 8 p.m.
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.
• Sundays at 4 p.m.

WHERE:
 The Bauhaus Project
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90039

 Crevasse
The Victory Theatre Center
3326 W Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505

TICKETS:
 The Bauhaus Project
• Part 1 and Part 2 (combination ticket): $50
• Part 1 or Part 2 (individual ticket): $35
• Students receive $5 off either price
• Previews: Pay What You Can

 Crevasse
• Performances: $32–$40
• Groups, students, seniors and union members: $25
• Previews: $20

 3-play package (Bauhaus Part 1, Bauhaus Part 2, Crevasse): $75

HOW:
 The Bauhaus Project: www.openfist.org
 Crevasse: www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org

‘Design for Living’

WHAT:
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents Design for Living, a witty and charming romantic comedy by Noël Coward that was banned in 1930s London for its risqué content and bawdy themes. Otto loves Gilda. But… so does Leo. Gilda loves Otto… but she also loves Leo. And what’s going on between Otto and Leo? Filled with Coward’s scintillating dialogue, Design for Living is an emotional, dramatic, hilarious and scandalous love triangle. Or as the threesome’s longtime friend Ernest Friedman calls it, “a three-sided, erotic hotch-potch.” It’s a revolving door of passion, treachery and never-ending champagne. Can love prevail against the norms of society?

WHO:
• Written by Noël Coward
• Directed by Bart DeLorenzo
• Starring Brooke Bundy, Sheelagh Cullen, Shireen Heidari, Kyle T. Hester, Andrew Elvis Miller, Garikayi Mutambirwa, Max Pescherine
• Produced by Beth Hogan
• Presented by the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Ron Sossi Artistic Director

WHEN:
Previews: July 3 and July 5
Performances: July 6 – Aug. 25
• Wednesdays at 8 p.m.: July 3 (Preview), July 17* and Aug. 7 ONLY
• Fridays at 8 p.m. (wine nights): July 5 (Preview), 12, 19, 26; Aug. 2, 9*, 16, 23
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: July 6 (Opening Night), 13, 20, 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: July 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25
*Post-performance discussions on Wednesday, July 17 and Friday, Aug. 9
Wine Night Fridays: Enjoy complimentary wine and snacks following all Friday night performances.

WHERE:
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025

TICKET PRICES:
• Saturdays and Sundays: $20–$37
• Fridays: Pay-What-You-Can (reservations open online and at the door starting at 5:30 p.m.)
• Previews: $20

HOW:
OdysseyTheatre.com
(310) 477-2055 ext. 2

ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY 

Presents Two Very Special Events!

John Rubinstein starring in

EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF LAND

by Richard Hellesen

Directed by Peter Ellenstein

July 11 – 14, 2024

&

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME

by Heidi Schreck

Directed by Matt Hawkins

August 15 – 18, 2024

Performances begin Thursday, July 11 at The New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara

June 6, 2024…Santa Barbara, Calif… Santa Barbara, CA – The Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) of Santa Barbara announced today the addition of two captivating special event presentations: Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground by Richard Hellesen, directed by Peter Ellenstein and What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck and directed by Matt Hawkins. ETC invites the Santa Barbara community and visitors to experience these extraordinary productions. Both plays are being presented outside ETC’s 5-play season and offer unique insights into American life and governance, encouraging audiences to reflect on the past and consider the future. Individual and group tickets are on sale now through the company’s ticket office and website.

“These powerful – and timely – performances truly resonated with me, and not just my artistic side,” said Scott DeVine, ETC’s executive director. “Having received my undergraduate degree in political science, I’m a firm believer that the lessons of our past are destined to be repeated if we do not share them with future generations. These special productions deliver on ETC’s mission to share theatrical events that entertain, educate, provoke thought, ignite imagination, and encourage conversation. I believe our diverse audience will find them to be thought provoking, historically accurate, creative renditions of our collective history at a time when being familiar with and discussing our past is essential.”                                                                                                 

Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground is a compelling exploration of one of America’s most influential leaders and a poignant reminder of the resilience and vision required to lead a nation. This one-man show delves into the life and legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower, offering an intimate portrayal of the man behind the presidency. The production features Tony Award winner John Rubinstein (Pippin, Children of a Lesser God) in A New Los Angeles Repertory Company production. 

“With such division in the country today, I wanted to go back in our history and look at an individual who led with faith and optimism during a very crucial time,” says playwright Richard Hellesen. “Despite the Cold War, McCarthyism and the start of the Civil Rights movement, Eisenhower believed in Democracy. On our stage, Eisenhower says ‘some days it feels like democracy is going to have a hell of a time persevering. But this piece of ground, that we all share…if we’re going to leave our young people something better, then we just can’t be complacent. …We have to keep choosing the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Never be content with half-truth when the whole truth can be ours.’” 

Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground provides an engaging historical narrative that will resonate with audiences of all ages and will take the stage at The New Vic for a limited run from July 11 – 14, 2024.

Next, we present the University of Notre Dame Production of the Tony-nominated and Pulitzer Prize finalist play What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck, directed by Matt Hawkins and starring Stacy Stoltz, Paul Fagen and featuring a local student debater. What the Constitution Means to Me is a deeply personal and timely piece recounting Schreck’s teenage years participating in constitutional debate competitions.  The production examines the profound ways the U.S. Constitution shapes our lives.

“This play is part memoir and part societal commentary, blending personal reflection and historical facts to deliver a powerful reflection of America,” said DeVine. “What the Constitution Means to Me is an importance play for all Americans to see, it is universal, no matter our differences; it will have you thinking about the foundation and the future of our democracy and I hope inspiring conversation within our theater and our community.”   

What the Constitution Means to Me will take the stage at The New Vic for a limited run from August 15 – 18, 2024.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKETS

Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground – Showtimes

Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 pm
Friday, July 12 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 13 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, July 14 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Ticket prices range from $40 – $86

What the Constitution Means to Me – Showtimes

Thursday, August 15, 7:30 pm
Friday, August 16, 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 17, 2:00 pm
Saturday, August 17, 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 18, 2:00 pm

To ensure access to everyone in our community, especially younger audiences, ETC is pricing every seat for the run of What the Constitution Means to Me at $30, and anyone under 18 can get a free ticket.  This special pricing is made possible thanks to the generosity of our Producers, Susan Lichtenstein and John Rokacz, and Supporting Producer, Paula Bruice. 

Single tickets for both shows are available through the ETC box office at (805) 965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change.