Author Archive: Glamour

‘Golden Shield’ newest audio play from L.A. Theatre Works

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‘Golden Shield’ stars Angela Lin, Fang Du, Jenapher Zheng, Greg Germann, Josh Stamberg in newest audio play from L.A. Theatre Works

LOS ANGELES (November 12, 2024) — L.A. Theatre Works, the world’s foremost producer of audio theater, has released a state-of-the-art recording of Golden Shield by Australian playwright Anchuli Felicia King. Directed by Anna Lyse Erikson and starring Seamus Dever, Fang Du, Greg Germann, Belinda Gosbee, Angela Lin, Mardy Ma, Eon Song, Josh Stamberg, Zhan Wang, Joanne Whalley and Jenapher Zheng, this riveting tale of technology, international intrigue and the delicate art of translation was recorded as part of LATW’s acclaimed Relativity Series of science-themed plays.

In this tense drama, a Chinese-American lawyer leads a class action lawsuit to expose an American tech giant’s involvement with the Chinese government’s “Golden Shield,” the firewall used to monitor and censor what can and cannot be seen online in China. With only one of the Chinese plaintiffs willing to testify, attorney Julie Chen hires her strong-minded sister Eva to translate. But what compromises will they make in order to win? And can they put aside their past differences to speak the same language?

“This marvelous work explores the urgent and timely issues that arise when technology and personal relations collide,” says L.A. Theatre Works producing director Susan Loewenberg.

LATW’s recording of Golden Shield is available in two different versions: a sound-rich version that can be listened to anywhere, and an “Enhanced Edition,” designed for headphones-only listening to give a truly immersive experience.

L.A. Theatre Works, the world’s foremost producer of audio theater, stands apart in its approach to making great theater widely accessible and affordable, bringing recordings of plays into homes and classrooms of millions of theater lovers, teachers and students each year. The company’s catalog of nearly 600 recorded plays is the largest archive of its kind in the world. LATW’s syndicated audio theater series broadcasts weekly on public radio stations across the U.S. (locally, in Southern California, on KPFK 90.7 FM); can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts; and can be streamed on demand at latw.org. AudioFile magazine calls L.A. Theatre Works productions “the gold standard for fine audio theater recordings.”

L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series of science-themed plays is sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Golden Shield is available at latw.org and at retailers and libraries everywhere.

Chance Theater proudly announces a bold and inspiring 2025 Season

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Chance Theater proudly announces a bold and inspiring

2025 Season

PREMIERES, GROUNDBREAKING MUSICALS, AND FAMILY FAVORITES

ANAHEIM, CA – Chance Theater proudly announces its highly anticipated 2025 season, showcasing a compelling array of celebrated productions. The lineup features bold, groundbreaking musicals, regional premieres, a world premiere from our inaugural resident playwright, and beloved holiday and family classics. Each production reflects Chance Theater’s dedication to innovative storytelling and diverse perspectives, promising a season filled with unforgettable performances for the entire community.

“Our 2025 season offers something for everyone—from acclaimed musicals to powerful new voices,” said Founding Executive Artistic Director Oánh Nguyễn. “With shows that challenge, inspire, and celebrate, we’re excited to bring stories that resonate on a deeply personal level, whether through the heart-pounding energy of Tick, Tick… Boom!, the poignant memories in Such Small Hands, or the thought-provoking journey of What the Constitution Means to Me. We can’t wait for audiences to experience this season and the connections each show will spark.”

2025 Season

Tick, Tick… BOOM!
Book, Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Script Consultation by David Auburn,

Vocal Arrangements and Orchestrations by Stephen Oremus

tick, tick…BOOM! was originally produced off-Broadway in June 2001 by

Victoria Leacock, Robyn Goodman, Dede Harris, Lorie Cowen Levy, & Beth Smith
January 24 – February 23, 2025
On the Cripe Stage

Get ready to experience the electrifying mind behind Rent! Before Jonathan Larson revolutionized Broadway, he was a young man struggling to make his mark. This autobiographical musical, set in 1990, is a raw, humorous, and heartfelt journey of a composer on the brink of turning 30—waiting tables and wondering if he’ll ever write that soaring song that will change everything. His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city, and his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue. Will he give up his dream and sell out just to keep the lights on? Will he lose the love of his life? Scored by music that redefined a genre, Tick, Tick… BOOM! takes you on the writer’s journey that led to a Broadway blockbuster. It’s a must-see for anyone who’s ever chased a dream. If you loved Rent, this show will speak to your soul. Don’t miss the chance to experience the genius of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer Jonathan Larson in a whole new way!

Direction by H. Adam Harris, with music direction by Lex Leigh and choreography by Niko Montelibano

Executive Producers are Susan Bowman & Freddie Greenfield and Steven & Louise Koch.

Opening Night: Saturday, February 1, 2025

Such Small Hands
By Resident Playwright Adam Szymkowicz
February 28 – March 23, 2025
On the Fyda-Mar Stage
* World Premiere

Paul and Marie wake in the morning, Marie makes coffee, black, Paul asks for sugar, Marie says the sugar is out of reach, and they drink it black, Paul questions, “do we drink it black because the sugar is out of reach or because we like it that way?” And so begins the daily routine of this long-married couple, filled with small quibbles, but an extraordinary amount of love, laughter, and memories. This hilarious and moving world premiere play about love, aging, selfishness, and selflessness from Chance Theater’s Resident Playwright Adam Szymkowicz, is sure to resonate with audiences with its laughter and heart.

Direction by Matthew McCray.

Executive Producers are David & Judy Joss, with Associate Producers David & Danice Limberg.

Opening Night: Saturday, March 8, 2025

The Chinese Lady
By Lloyd Suh
May 16 – June 8, 2025
On the Cripe Stage
* Regional Premiere

In 1834, 16-year-old Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America, sailed into New York Harbor to be featured in a museum. She sees herself as a representative of China, here to educate and entertain. Or, in the eyes of the paying public, is she merely a mesmerizing display? Moving and sharply funny, this play follows the idealistic Moy as she travels through America as a living exhibit for decades. Over the course of her travels, Moy shares her impressions of a young country struggling to define itself. Inspired by a true story, Lloyd Suh’s critically acclaimed play is a poetic, whimsical tale that paints a unique portrait of the United States as seen through the eyes of this remarkable young Chinese woman.

Direction by Producing Associate Shinshin Yuder Tsai.

Executive Producers are Gus & Mary Chabre, Sophie & Larry Cripe, Sally Ann Catering, and Samuel & Tammy Tang.

Opening Night: Saturday, May 24, 2025

Spring Awakening
Music by Duncan Sheik
Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater

Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
July 11 – August 10, 2025
On the Cripe Stage

* Orange County Regional Premiere

Based on Frank Wedekind’s groundbreaking play, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s brilliant rock score and searingly emotional book bring the story of sexual awakening, youth revolt, and self-discovery into a new century. It’s 1891, and the grown-ups hold all the cards. Headstrong Melchior and naive Wendla stumble into each other’s arms, passionate and curious, while anxious Moritz struggles to live up to the stringent expectations of society. With only each other for guidance, this group of young men and women travel the fraught and rocky path of adolescence, discovering their bodies, their minds, and themselves along the way. Winner of eight Tony Awards, Spring Awakening features an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll, delivering a story that packs a powerful emotional punch.

Direction by Associate Artistic Director Jocelyn A. Brown, with music direction by Resident Artist Robyn Manion, and choreography by Mo Goodfellow

Executive Producers are Susan Bowman & Freddie Greenfield, Rachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller, and Laurie Smits Staude.

Opening Night: Saturday, July 19, 2025

SPRING AWAKENING is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MtiShows.com

What the Constitution Means to Me
By Heidi Schreck
October 3 – October 26, 2025
On the Cripe Stage

*Pulitzer Prize Finalist

Heidi Schreck’s timely, hilarious, and deeply felt play breathes new life into our country’s most important document. Fifteen-year-old Heidi paid her college tuition by speaking in (and winning) debate competitions across the country. Now older, she resurrects her teenage self to tell the story of four generations of extraordinary women in her family whose lives were shaped by the Constitution. Nominated for two Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Schreck’s boundary-breaking play reimagines our founding document and considers how it will shape the next generation of Americans.

Directed by Katie Chidester.

Executive Producers are Louise & Steven Koch, Rachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller, and Linda & Tod White.

Opening Night: Saturday, October 11, 2025

What the Constitution Means to Me” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.ConcordTheatricals.com

Anne of Green Gables
Book by Joseph Robinette
Music & Lyrics by Evelyn D. Swensson
November 28 – December 21, 2025
On the Cripe Stage

Back by popular demand, this musical adaptation of the classic novel brings Anne Shirley’s beloved story to life. Watch as the red-headed orphan girl makes her mark on Avonlea and captures the hearts of everyone she meets. A perfect holiday treat for the entire family, Anne of Green Gables is a heartwarming journey of friendship, growth, and imagination.

Executive Producer Sally Ann Catering

Opening Night: Saturday, December 6, 2025

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas, The Musical
Book by Cara Lustik and Matthew Hardy
Music by Randy Klein
Lyrics by Matthew Hardy
Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Randy Klein
Based on the popular book series by Jane O’Connor
and Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
December 5 – 21, 2025
On the Fyda-Mar Stage

Back by popular demand, it’s a holiday season filled with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles—and, of course, the tree!  After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, she’s finally able to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She simply cannot wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t go as planned, can Nancy still make Christmas as splendiferous as she dreamed?

Executive Producer Robert Berman

Opening Night: Sunday, December 7, 2025

Fancy Nancy, The Musical
Book & Lyrics by Susan DiLallo
Music by Danny Abosch
Based on the popular “Fancy Nancy” books
by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
March 28 – April 13, 2025
On the Cripe Stage

Making a triumphant return to the Chance, Nancy is back for another delightful adventure! Bring the family and watch as Nancy and her friends– Bree, Rhonda, Wanda, and Lionel– prepare for their very first show, Deep Sea Dances. Nancy is absolutely certain (that’s fancy for 100% sure) that she and Bree will be chosen as mermaids. But when another girl lands the coveted mermaid role, Nancy is stuck playing a dull, dreary tree. Can she bring her signature fancy flair to the role, even if it’s not the one she had in mind?

Executive Producer Robert Berman

Opening Night: Sunday, March 30, 2025

TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2025 season are available now. Individual show tickets go on sale starting December 2024. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ChanceTheater.com or call (888) 455-4212.

A Staged Reading Series of Pulitzer Prize & Tony Award®-Winning Plays at the Studio City Branch Library

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INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY
in partnership with the
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY

presents 

THE PRIZE WINNERS
Season IV
A Staged Reading Series of Pulitzer Prize & Tony Award®-Winning Plays
Presented January through May, 2025
Free to the Public – at the Studio City Branch Library

 

November 8, 2024 – Studio City, CA…Prepare for an unforgettable season of exceptional theatre as INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY (ITC), honored with the 2023 Best Ensemble Award from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, partners with the LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY to proudly present its fourth season of The Prize Winners — a series of free staged readings featuring Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning plays. Produced by Barry Heins and Kristen Egermeier, this acclaimed program is a highlight of the LA MADE cultural enrichment initiative, generously supported by Friends of the Studio City Library, and made possible in part by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Building on last season’s standout performances by celebrated actors like Frankie Faison and Joshua Malina, this series offers theatre enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience top-tier dramatic works performed by some of the finest actors in Los Angeles — all at no cost. Each performance will include a post-show talk-back.

Performances will take place monthly, from January 2025 through May 2025, on the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Studio City Branch Library, located at 12511 Moorpark Street, Studio City, CA. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis, and to secure seating at this popular event, audiences are encouraged to arrive early. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. 

When: January 11, 2025 ­– May 10, 2025 at 2 pm.

FULL SCHEDULE:


January 11, 2025 at 2pm – WIT by Margaret Edson, directed by Rob Adler.


February 8, 2025 at 2pm – TRUE WEST by Sam Shepard, 

directed by Rob Brownstein.


March 8, 2025 at 2pm – GOD OF CARNAGE by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by Christina Carlisi.


April 12, 2025 at 2pm – RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire, 

directed by Cate Caplin.


May 10, 2025 at 2pm ­– AUGUST WILSON’S FENCES, 

directed by Michael A. Shepperd.

 

Where: Studio City Branch Library, 12511 Moorpark Street, Studio City, CA, 91604.

 

Admission is free. Reservations are not required, but audiences are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating. Doors open at 1:30 PM.  For more information, please visit: www.interactla.org.

Aloha Everywhere Concert Series at Downey Theatre

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Hawaiian Island Creations Lifestyle

Presenting the Best in Hawaiian Music with the
Aloha Everywhere Concert Series

Presents
Three-Time GRAMMY Winner
Kalani Pe’a

Brings his Festive Hawaiian Christmas Tour to Los Angeles

Special Guests
Kumu Hula Chase Keoki Wang & Hālau Nā Mamo O Pana’ewa


Downey Theatre – Saturday, December 14, 2024; 7pm

The Aloha Everywhere Concert Series presented by Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC) Lifestyle presents three time GRAAMY Winner Kalani Pe’a with his Hawaiian Christmas Tour 2024 at the Downey Theatre on Saturday, December 14 at 7pm, bringing the best in Hawaiian music to Los Angeles. Kalani Pe’a known for singing everything from classical, musical, ballads, R&B, soul to traditional and original Hawaiian music, displaying his wide-ranging talents as a songwriter and music composer. His talent for lyrics is on display in his original Hawaiian songs alongside his affectionate bilingual arrangements of R&B favorites. Special guests Kumu Hula Chase Keoki Wang and Hālau Nā Mamo O Pana’ewa join Kalani Pe’a for a memorable Hawaiian Christmas show.

Spend an evening enjoying the musical spirit of the Hawaiian Islands and its welcoming aloha culture, celebrating the warmth and special ‘aloha’ of the season, sharing much-loved songs from both western and Hawaiian roots. Kalani Pe‘a is quite charismatic with a beautiful and powerful presence who will share the stage with special guests Kumu Hula Chase Keoki Wang and Hālau Nā Mamo O Pana’ewa.

“We are excited to bring the Aloha Everywhere Music Series to Downey. Hawaiian music fans will enjoy ringing in the holidays with Kalani Pe’a as we bring culture, dance, and aloha everywhere,” noted Patrick Landeza, Executive Director of HIC Lifestyle.

“Gifted with a gorgeous voice and a flair for composing resonant Hawaiian songs, [he’s] a major, innovative figure in contemporary Hawaiian music.” – Maui News

The Aloha Everywhere Concert Series, presented by Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC) Lifestyle, started as a small surf shop on Oahu’s Windward shore. Through a commitment to quality, service and aloha spirit, the brand has built a reputation as an icon of Hawaiian surfing recognized throughout the world. The retail chain has grown to include seventeen stores across three islands, providing authentic Hawaiian surf gear to both locals and visitors alike and they subsequently branched out into the world of presenting Hawaiian music’s top artists, bringing excellent music, cultivating community, and nurturing culture by spreading aloha everywhere.

WHEN: Saturday, December 14, 2024; 7 p.m.

WHERE: Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA 90241

PARKING: FREE on-site parking

TICKETS: $40 – $65

HOW & MORE INFORMATION:
– https://www.downeytheatre.org/; 562-861-8211; boxoffice@downeytheatre.org
– https://www.facebook.com/DowneyCivicTheatre; https://www.facebook.com/HICLifestyle; https://www.facebook.com/KalaniPeaMusic
– https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1932263/downey-theater/; https://www.instagram.com/kalanipeamusic
– Kalani Pe’a music video Ku’u Poli’ahu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7IsxQKApKI

– Kalani Pe’a Hawaii Theatre Highlights from last year’s Christmas Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgcviPCPX50&t=22s

Kalani Pe‘a got his start at the age four when he was diagnosed with a speech impediment; his mother introduced him to singing and music to help him pronounce his words. His father who comes from a musical family and his mother encouraged him to take vocal lessons and choir, and by age 8, Peʻa was winning numerous talent competitions. His winning streak continued with Brown Bags to Stardom, and first place in the National Association Teachers of Singing Competition in Colorado/Wyoming chapter, in men’s classical and musical divisions.

His debut album brought him into working with Dave Tucciarone, a 13-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award- Winning Engineer and Producer based in Honolulu, leading him to win a 2017 GRAMMY® and his first Na Hoku Award. This successful collaboration continued with Peʻa’s second CD, No ‘Ane‘i [We Belong Here], garnering rave reviews and a second GRAMMY win in 2019. Now his 3rd CD Kau Ka Pe‘a has once again brought him GRAMMY recognition, and he was also featured in the GRAMMY Opening Premiere Concert.

A fluent Hawaiian speaker and graduate of Hawaiian language school, Peʻa went on to illustrate and publish five Hawaiian language children’s stories while working on his master’s degree in early childhood education at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo. He taught at Kamehameha Preschools in Kona, followed by 8 years as a Hawaiian resource coordinator for Kamehameha Schools Maui, teaching Hawaiian culture (science focus), and creating curriculum.

The GRAMMY wins opened the door for his performing and touring career, and he was honored by the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives with an official proclamation: “It is vital that Native Hawaiian culture and the arts be perpetuated for future generations: Kalani Pe’a is a torchbearer and we recognize his accolades, accomplishments, and continued work on behalf of Native Hawaiians.”

RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH at Laguna Playhouse

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RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH

Written by Kris Lythgoe
Produced by Lythgoe Family Productions

Directed by Becky Lythgoe

Supervising Director Bonnie Lythgoe

Musical Direction by Andy Street

Choreography by Becca Sweitzer

Laguna Playhouse presents Lythgoe Family Productions ninth “Panto at the Playhouse” with Darcy Rose Byrnes as “Rapunzel,” L.J. Benet as “Prince Sebastian,” and Larry Saperstein as “Simple Simon,” joining the previously announced Sally Struthers (“All In The Family”)  as “Madame Gothel,” in the world premiere of RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH, produced by Lythgoe Family Productions, written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Becky Lythgoe, supervising director Bonnie Lythgoe, choreography by Becca Sweitzer and musical direction by Andy Street.  RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH will begin performances on Saturday, December 7; (with a press opening on Sunday, December 8 at 5:30 pm); and runs through Sunday, December 29 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.  

 Prepare for a spellbinding journey as Rapunzel tries to escape from her tower and the wicked Madame Gothel with the help of Prince Sebastian of Newport Beach, all the while learning her true identity and making her way to the Kingdom of Laguna for the Festival of Lights. Get set for Laguna’s favorite holiday event, filled with laughter, pop music from Taylor Swift to Stevie Wonder and of course snow! 

 

Preview: Saturday, December 7 at 7:00pm

 Opens: Sunday, December 8 at 5:30pm

 Runs: Saturday, December 7 – Sunday, December 29, 2024

 Performances will be Wednesdays at 6:00pm; Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 12:00pm & 4:00pm (Saturday, December 21 will perform at 11:00am; 3:00pm & 7:00pm).  

There will no performances on Weds., Dec. 25 or Friday, Dec. 27 at 7:00pm.        

There will be added performances on Monday, December 23 at 12:00 pm & 4:00pm; Thursday, December 26 at 3:00PM & Friday, December 27 at 12:00 pm & 4:00pm.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE

606 Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach, CA

Tickets range from $44 – $84 (for adult tickets); 

$37 – $69 (for children 2 – 14) 

There is a $50 “Golden Ticket” add-on option for a special onstage sing-along experience during the performance and a gift bag with special surprises!  

Tickets can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229.  Prices subject to change.

 For tickets – visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com or call 949-497-2787

Sierra Madre Playhouse Announces 2025 Season

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Sierra Madre Playhouse
Announces 2025 Season,
Featuring a Record Number of World-Class Programs
Across a Wide Array of Genres

 

The Historic Performing Arts Venue
Offers 70 Entertaining and Compelling
Music, Jazz, Theater, Dance, Cinema, and Family Events
from January 2025 to December 2025

Highlights Include:

  • Debut of a Multi-Week Lunar New Year Celebration;
  • Expanded Dance and Music Programming;
  • World Premiere of a New Theatrical Work in Development;
  • Silent Film Classics Reimagined with Alt Rock Soundtracks;
  • New Artistic Partnerships with East West Players, Street Symphony, and Silents Synced and Continuing Partnerships with Wild Up and Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

2025 performances listed in chronological order:

sierramadreplayhouse.org/calendar

Theatre Review: The Wisdom of Eve

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Margot (Dahlia Waingort Guigui) and her entourage are captivated by Eve (Esther Guigui), an ingenue who portrays herself as Margot’s biggest fan. But below her sweet demeanor, Eve’s ambition has no limits. Director Bryan Rasmussen extracts the best elements of Mary Caswell Orr‘s script to present an amusing play that delivers drama and comedy in the best possible way.

Combining the elegance and excitement of the 1950s, Rasmussen infuses the play with the effervescence of the Golden Age of Broadway and the glitz and glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Paying homage to the stars who performed in the original film released in 1950, the cast in The Whitefire production convey a halo of sophistication and allure typical of the 50s’ productions.

Dahlia Waingort Guigui hits the right notes when portraying the duality of megalomania and carelessness of Margot. Likewise, Esther Guigui does a fantastic job playing the convincing ingenue and the heartless Machiavellian. Bringing order and reason to Margot’s hectic world is her husband Clement (John Mese), who can see through Eve’s excessive ambition right from the get-go. Also supporting Margot’s career is Lloyd (Eric Keitel), the playwright who writes to fit Margot’s personality, but can’t seem to find the right character to fit Margot’s age; she’s now 45 playing a 22-year-old.

To complement the talent and also shining bright on stage are two fabulous actors. Michael Mullen, playing Margot’s dresser Leila and the unscrupulous journalist Tally Ho, is quirky and funny, creating a compelling character and a perfect contrast to the darker tones of the story. More of him would be even better. The other actor is Barry Brisco, playing Karen. He delivers a tremendous performance, combining fluidly both drama and comedy. There are tears in his eyes when he cries, showing his level of commitment. 

The story ends up linking Broadway and Hollywood. Whether in New York or Los Angeles, the play delves into ageism, especially for women, and how difficult it is to find trustworthy friends in a hyper-competitive industry that promotes a cutthroat environment. Eve’s ambition keeps the intrigue going till the end. When you think of the magnanimity of forgiveness, a twist happens that throws off your assumptions, and you end up debating whether to sympathize with some of the characters or not. This exercise highlights the brilliance of Orr’s writing.            

This is another win for The Whitefire Theatre, an example of resilience despite the challenges and an example of dedication to the production of  quality theatre in Los Angeles.

The Wisdom of Eve

The Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

October 12th through November 24th

Performances are Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, with a show added Sunday evening, November 24th at 7:00pm.

(Due to a schedule conflict there is No Show October 26). 

Tickets: www.whitefiretheatre.com

Written by Mary Caswell Orr. Directed by Bryan Rasmussen. Produced by Dahlia Waingort Guigui.

Cast: Cayla Black (Vera), Barry Brisco (Karen), Brady Gentry (Harvey), Dahlia Waingort Guigui (Margot), Esther Guigui (Eve), Mitch Hara (Shared Roles – Tally-Ho & Leila – 10/12, 10/19, 11/16 & 11/23), Eric Keitel (Lloyd), John Mese (Clement), Michael Mullen (Shared Roles – Tally Ho/Leila – Performs 11/2, 11/9 & 11/24, Mitch Rosander (Bert Hinkle).

Creative team: Jeff Rack (Set Design), Derrick McDaniel (Lighting Design), Michael Mullen (Costume Design), and Mitch Rosander (Sound/Projection Design).

Theatre Review: Antíkoni

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Antíkoni reimagines Sophocles’s Greek tragedy to adapt it to a Native American narrative. It’s a story of family conflict and the continuous struggle of the Natives to preserve their legacy. The story stresses the topics of law, gender, and tradition in the historical context of the marvelous world of the Nez Perce Nation (The Nimiipuu people).

Playwright Beth Piatote explores the Nez Perce’s history and challenges through a series of characters that reflect the urgency of the Tribe to continue the fight for their rights in a time of uncertainty. Set in the near future, Antíkoni tells the story of a museum that is endangered by the rise of a Nationalist Party. Directing the museum, Kreon (Frank Henry Katasse) is able to bring back some of the ancestors’ remains that were in the hands of private European collectors. However, Kreon’s niece Antíkoni (Erin Xáalnook Tripp) opposes the idea of keeping the remains in the museum. Defying Kreon, she wants to bury them respectfully, so she tries to get the help of her fiancé Haemon (Kholan Studi) and sister Ismene (Isabella Madrigal) to carry out the risky operation. In this play, The Chorus are the Aunties, who try to guide them in the right direction. And just like in Sophocles’ play, there’s also Tairasias (Nikcoma Lee Mahkewa), the wise blind prophet who attempts to reason with Kreon.

Piatote questions the role of the museums in caring for the dead. Several museums exhibit objects and remains of Natives, while dismissing their humanity at the same time, an arrogant symbol of their historical looting. In the play, Kreon does whatever he can to track down some of the remains of the Native ancestors held in Europe to bring them to the museum he directs. This becomes a contentious issue between him and Antíkoni. Both think they’re right and this leads to an intrafamilial conflict.

In this extraordinary display of eloquent defiance against assimilation, Piatote and Director Madeline Sayet deconstruct the Western vision of museums and literature that has attempted to silence and disregard the rich and vast culture of the Native nations over the years. No matter the forced relocations, ethnic cleansing, or Trail of Tears, the new generations of Native Americans continue to fight invisibility while demanding the return of what belongs to them (check out the message on Antíkoni’s jacket).

Antíkoni accentuates the mastery of the Nez Perce as storytellers. Throughout the play, there are several stories about the origins of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Storytelling is a central aspect of Indigenous epistemology. It is through oral tradition that parents pass down important lessons to their kids, based on knowledge and experience. Piatote and Sayet invite the audience to be mesmerized by this ancient rubric, setting up the seats in a circle, as though sitting around a fire.

The structure of this play brings a refreshing take on the traditional stories we are so accustomed to read and see. Thanks to organizations like Native Voices, playwrights like Piatote have the opportunity to revisit the past to rescue and disseminate the richness and sublimity of the millennial Nations, inviting us to compare, question, and challenge our own perceptions of the world. The talents of Piatote, Sayet, and the passionate thespians of Antíkoni allow us to dream.

Antíkoni

Southwest Campus
234 Museum Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90065

November 8-24, 2024
Opening: November 8, 8 p.m.
Thursdays and Fridays: 8 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 2 p.m.
Student Matinees: November 15 and 22, 11 a.m.

Tickets: theautry.org/events/native-voices

Written by Beth Piatote (Nez Perce). Directed by Madeline Sayet (Mohegan).

Cast: Frank Henry Katasse (Tlingit), Erin Xáalnook Tripp (Lingít), Isabella Madrigal (Cahuilla/Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), Kholan Studi (Cherokee), Nikcoma Lee Mahkewa (Hopi-Tewa, Mohave, Chemehuevi), Arigon Starr (Kickapoo), GiGi Buddie (Tongva and Mescalero Apache),  Dawn Lura (Diné), and Nathan Woodworth (Karuk).

Creative team: Courtney Mohler (dramaturg) and Jennifer Bobiwash (assistant director).

Theatre Review: A View from the Bridge

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Surrounded by the danger and somberness of Red Hook, Arthur Miller created a gripping drama, relating the hardships of working-class Italian immigrants and the tragic consequences of a forbidden love.

The tight community of Italian immigrants serves as the background for one of the most iconic plays in American theatre. Eddie (Richard Baird), a longshoreman, lives with his wife Beatrice (Margot White) and his orphaned 17-year-old niece Catherine (Marie Zolezzi). Eddie is going through a middle age crisis, exacerbated by the bedroom issues with his wife and the disturbing sexual attraction towards his niece. As a good Italian man, he welcomes Beatrice’s cousins Marco (Lowell Byers) and Rodolpho (Coby Rogers). But the flirting between Catherine and Rodolpho triggers Eddie’s rage, building tension and conflict by the day.

Alfieri (Frank Corrado), a lawyer serving as a narrator in the play, tries to convince Eddie to get Catherine out of his mind and bless her relationship with Rodolpho. Eddie, however, is reaching the point of no return, his eyes like tunnels, lost in his madness. A presage of an unstoppable tragedy.

The illusions of the first love, the honorability within a tight community, and the hopes of a new life in America are shattered by Eddie’s perception of a challenge to his authority and his inability to control his emotions. The characters soon find out that these issues will become a hindrance to their happiness and a rupture of their mutual trust.

On stage, the cast and the experienced direction of David Ellenstein create a pulsating staging that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Ellenstein builds up the suspense scene after scene, invigorating the action to reach a dynamic and captivating climax. The actors explore the layers of emotions and conflicts that make this play such a rich ground on themes of sexuality, migrants experience, and the complexities of human relations.

At the epicenter of this memorable production is Richard Bair. His portrayal of Eddie is electrifying. Baird excels in exteriorizing the agony and devastation of a man who is about to violate the sacrosanct omertà, destroying everything and everyone around him, blinded by his uncontrollable passion. Baird goes all in, achieving a triumphant presentation, elating an audience absorbed by his riveting performance.

The lighting with the blue hues and the brownish tones of the set design highlight the intensity and roughness of life on the waterfront, an accurate depiction of the hardships of immigrants and their efforts to survive in New York in the 1950s.

This production succeeds in capturing the emotional distress of a character falling prey to his own demons, risking his reputation, his family, and his place in the world.

A View from the Bridge

Laguna Playhouse
606 Laguna Canyon Rd. Laguna Beach, CA

Runs: Sunday, November 3 – Sunday, November 17, 2024
Wednesdays at 7:30pm; Thursdays at 2:00pm and 7:30pm; Fridays at 7:30pm;
Saturdays at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 1:00pm & 5:30pm.
There will be no performance on Sunday, November 3 at 1:00pm or Sunday,
November 17 at 5:30pm.
There will be a post-show talkback following the Friday, November 8
performance.

Tickets: lagunaplayhouse.com

Written by Arthur Miller. Directed by David Ellenstein.

Cast: Richard Baird, Lowell Byers, Frank Corrado, Steve Froehlich, Coby Rogers, Matthew Salazar-Thompson, Margot White, and Marie Zolezzi.

Creative team: Scenic design by Marty Burnett; lighting design by Matthew Novotny; sound design by Ian Scot; costume design by Elisa Benzoni; hair and wigs design by Peter Herman; props design by Kevin Williams; fight coordinator is Christopher M. Williams. The Production Stage Manager is Vernon Willet.

‘Fancy Nancy, Splendiferous Christmas’ at the Chance Theater

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WHAT COULD BE FANCIER FOR CHRISTMAS?!
Fancy Nancy, Splendiferous Christmas

THE HIT BASED ON THE BEST-SELLING BOOK SERIES IS BACK AT THE CHANCE!

WHAT: Fancy Nancy, Splendiferous Christmas
Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles – and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, she has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She simply cannot wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, does Christmas still stand a chance of being splendiferous?

WHEN:
Previews: December 6-8, 2024; Friday 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m.
Opening Night: Sunday, December 8 at 6 p.m.
Performances: December 6 – 22, 2024
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 7 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 15 minutes

TICKETS: $21-$30, with discounts for children (age 4-12), educators, veterans, seniors and students. Pay-What-You-Can preview performances are also available to ensure that live theater is accessible to everyone.

WHERE: Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Fyda-Mar Stage
5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center is located at 5522 E. La Palma Avenue in Anaheim Hills. Going west on La Palma from Imperial Highway, we are on the left in the front of the industrial park just past the In & Out. There is plenty of free convenient parking in front of the theater.

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