Category Archives: Theatre

Theatre Review: Pascal & Julien

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Australian Playwright Daniel Keene delivers a touching story of human connection and personal growth in the US premiere of Pascal & Julien. The action takes place in Paris sometime in the early 2000s. For a reason not fully disclosed, 13-year-old Julien (Jude Schwartz) wants to replace his father with someone else. Julien has been observing and analyzing a few men, and finally zooms in on Pascal (Paul Turbiak).

Often sitting outside a café, the lonely Pascal spends his time solving crosswords. With his binoculars, Julien has been observing Pascal for a while from the window of his room nearby. After some time, Julien decides to approach Pascal and ask him to be his father. Julien’s bold request and Pascal’s hesitation take these two characters into a journey of self-discovery.

To tell the story, Director Debbie Devine utilizes attractive visuals and special effects to portray the seasons and places where the characters interact. Both Schwartz and Turbiak give their characters the emotional effect to convey the transformation taking place internally. As the characters get to know each other a bit more, they disclose their relationships with their respective fathers. But Keene decides to let the audience image the real reasons behind Pascal’s loneliness and Julien’s desire to replace his father. 

The audience may expect a simplistic happy ending. However, Pascal’s words at the end are meaningful and project the cathartic quest taking shape in the lives of these two characters. 

Pascal & Julien is a part of 24th Street Theatre’s season theme CONNECTION & ISOLATION, two significant topics for today’s young audiences. Click on the link below to learn more about the unique history of this theatre and its mission to have a positive impact on its local community.     

Pascal & Julien

24th Street Theatre
1117 West 24th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007-1725

Performances: Sept. 7 – Oct. 27:
• Saturdays at 3 p.m.: Sept. 28; Oct. 5; Oct. 12; Oct. 19; Oct. 26
Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 7 (Opening Night); Sept. 28; Oct. 5; Oct. 12; Oct. 19; Oct. 26
• Sundays at 3 p.m.: Sept. 29; Oct. 6; Oct. 13; Oct. 20; Oct. 27
• Mondays at 7:30 p.m.: Oct. 7 ONLY

All performances will feature Spanish supertitles.
• Content warning: fleeting use of profanity.
• Not appropriate for kids under 8.

Tickets: 24thstreet.org

Written by Daniel Keene. Directed by Debbie Devine. Original music composed by Bradley Brough. Presented by 24th Street Theatre, Debbie Devine, artistic director. Jay McAdams and Jennie McInnis produce for 24th Street Theatre alongside line producer Abel Alvarado.

Starring Rick Segall, Paul Turbiak, Darby Winn, Jude Schwartz.

Creative team: Scenic designer Keith Mitchell; video designer Matthew G. Hill; lighting designer Dan Weingarten; sound designer John Nobori; costume designer Shannon Kennedy; and casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. Spanish translation is by Jesús Castaños–Chima, who also assistant directs. The production stage manager is Christina Otarola.

Theatre Review: A Fundamental Right to Choose

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As of today, the right to abortion is not protected under the U.S. Constitution. In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, triggering an intense debate nationwide that has divided politicians, activists, and the general public. Even though the federal constitutional right to abortion is no longer guaranteed, some state constitutions protect abortion rights. A Fundamental Right to Choose is a play that focuses on the experiences of five women in different states facing abortion decisions.

The five characters tell their stories in an interview with Taylor (Isabel Kret). For every story, there is a flashback. The pressing situations experienced by the characters are medical emergencies, rape, and, in one case, an unwanted pregnancy. Playwright Jennifer Taylor presents the enormous emotional and economical challenges women and their partners (both men and women) face when they live in states where abortion is illegal.

In one of the stories, Taylor includes a doctor’s perspective on abortion. Due to the legislation, medical personnel that perform an abortion can be charged with fines and jail time. In that particular story, the doctor has to decide whether to provide or deny emergency treatment to the female in question.

One point to keep in mind is that Taylor presents the abortion ban not only as an issue for the pregnant woman, but also the overall effects on their partners, in many cases, men. The play shows that abortion might be the only option in many emergency cases to save a woman’s life, a reason why many men support this procedure.

Taylor takes a brave stance on what she believes. The current federal ban has triggered a legislative and philosophical debate on women’s rights, life, and who should decide to terminate a pregnancy. In this instance, Taylor is compelled to illustrate the urgency of taking action to protect a woman’s right to decide. Pro-choice, pro-life; the debate is on and will continue for years to come. Where do you stand?

Technically speaking, the flashbacks require a change of set furniture, which becomes a bit of a challenge due to the small space of the stage, breaking the fluidity of the transitions. The acting offers some interesting combination of experienced and new performers. Some of the most intense scenes involve Charly Taylor, Philip Latini, Delante Desouza, and Ama Konadu. Another experienced actress in the play is Eugenia Kuzmina.

A Fundamental Right to Choose

Living Truth Theater
2401 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

Sept 13th to Oct 19th 2024

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM.

Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/c15205b8-8abb-4ac4-98a9-120c104ab778

Written and directed by Jennifer Taylor.

Cast: Isabel Kret, Ama Konadu, Andy Karandganian, Charly M. Taylor, Delante Desouza, Eugenia Kuzmina, Jordan Whitney Shoemaker, Katie Kay, Richard Manriquez, Scott Alin, Sergio Lanza, and Philip Latini.

TROUBLE IN MIND at the Actors Co-op’s David Schall Theatre

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TROUBLE IN MIND by Alice Childress
Directed by Kimberly Hébert Gregory
Produced by Crystal Yvonne Jackson
October 4 th through November 10th
Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:30pm
Additional Saturday Matinees at 2:30pm, October 12 th and October 19 th
Actors Co-op’s David Schall Theatre 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood 90028
Free Lot Parking on Carlos
TROUBLE IN MIND to Open October 4 th at Actors Co-op Theatre
The award-winning Actors Co-op Theatre Company presents TROUBLE IN MIND
written by Alice Childress, directed by Kimberly Hébert Gregory and produced by
Crystal Yvonne Jackson. The play tackles the harsh truths of racism of the 50s and 60s in
American theatre. Set during rehearsals for a Broadway show, the story centers on
Wiletta Mayer, an African American actress who has long been cast in stereotypical
roles. As rehearsals progress, Wiletta’s fight for dignity clashes with the realities of the
industry's racial biases, threatening her career.
The cast features the talents of Rodrick Jean-Charles (Sheldon Forrester), Larry
Eisenberg (Henry), Freedom (John Nevins), Sophia Kalugin (Judy Sears), John Marzilli
(Bill O’Wray), Spencer Rowe (Al Manners), Brendan Shannon (Eddie Fenton), Lorinda
Hawkins Smith (Millie Davis), and Kimi Walker (Wiletta Mayer).

TROUBLE IN MIND runs October 4th through November 10th, Fridays and Saturdays
at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm, with additional Saturday matinees at 2:30pm on October
12th and October 19th. Tickets: Adults: $35, Seniors (60 & over) $30, Students w/ ID:
$25.00, Union Members: $25.00. Student Rush Tickets Friday Nights (except opening
nights), Group Rates, and Season Subscriptions are available. For ticket information visit
actorscoopboxoffice@gmail.com or call the box office at (323) 462-8460. Actors Co-
op’s David Schall Theatre is located at 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood 90028 (on the
campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.

PARENTS IN CHAINS at the Whitley Theatre in Hollywood!

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J. Todd Harris announces Casting for 

its Developmental Workshop Production of 

PARENTS IN CHAINS 

Written by Jay Martel

Directed by Andy Fickman


Jason Alexander, Kristen Bell, Yvette Nicole Brown, 
Tom Everett Scott, Jackie Tohn & Gary Anthony Williams 
 

Two Performances Only!  

Monday, September 30 & Tuesday, October 1 at 8pm

at the Whitley Theatre in Hollywood!

 

A new comedy about texts, treks, sex, and empty nests…

In PARENTS IN CHAINS, six L.A. parents exchange texts as their 17-year-old daughters drive home from a weekend in San Francisco during the approach of a hurricane. The trip and the inclement weather bring out both the best and the worst in the parents as they confront, as a group, as couples, and as individuals, what it means to let go of their kids. By turns viciously comic and poignant, PARENTS IN CHAINS is a valentine to the most difficult, most failure-prone job in the world…parenting.

PARENTS IN CHAINS

Written by Jay Martel

Directed by Andy Fickman

Produced by J. Todd Harris

 

Starring:  Jason Alexander, Kristen Bell, Yvette Nicole Brown, 

Tom Everett Scott, Jackie Tohn, and Gary Anthony Williams.

 

Performances: Monday, September 30 & Tuesday, October 1 at 8pm

 

The Historic Whitley Theatre

6555 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA  

 

Ticket: $35 (Prices subject to change)

 

For tickets – visit www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parents-in-chains-tickets-1009490923527?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

 

For more information, please visit www.parentsinchainsla.com.

The Connie Converse Universe at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theater

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The Connie Converse Universe
The 2024 “Outstanding Musical” winner at the San Diego International Fringe Festival comes to the Hollywood Independent Theater Festival

Connie Converse, an American singer-songwriter active in the 1950s, was a pioneering figure in the folk music genre before Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Known for her haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, her work laid the groundwork for future singer-songwriters of the 1960s. But Connie’s life took a mysterious turn in August 1974, when she packed up her belongings in her VW Bug and disappeared, never to be seen again. Her music, however, found new life 35 years later when her 1954 demo recordings were rediscovered and went viral on Spotify.

WHAT: The Connie Converse Universe

WHO: Starring: Hope Levy. Music and Lyrics by Connie Converse. Directed by Tom Lavagnino. Presented by Hollywood Independent Theater Festival.

WHERE: Stephanie Feury Studio Theater- 5636 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

WHEN: Monday, October 16th, 7:00 pm

Running time: 55 minutes.

[Additional dates will be added in the upcoming months.]

TICKET PRICE: $25.00 per show.

TICKET LINK: Hollywood Independent Theater Festival – HITFEST (stagey.net)

ADMISSION: All ages.

THE ORPHAN’S REVENGE at Lonny Chapman Theatre

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The Group Rep Revives the Award-Winning THE ORPHAN’S REVENGE Oct. 4th

The Group Rep is proud to present the award-winning dastardly musical THE ORPHAN’S
REVENGE (or Abandoned at Cooper’s Crossing) with book by Suzanne Buhrer and Gene
Casey, music by Gene Casey, Suzanne Buhrer and Jan Casey, directed by Stan Mazin,
music direction by Andy Howe, and produced for The Group Rep by Linda Alznauer.
The well-received honky-tonk theatrical musical will run October 4 th through November
10 th , 2024, on the Main Stage of the Lonny Chapman Theatre located in North
Hollywood, CA.
The current crop of unstoppable Marvel-inspired feature films all got their start from
the tremendously popular melodramas of the 1800s with the heroine, hero and
dastardly villain. Our selfless heroine sacrifices herself to keep the orphanage from
being recycled into a saloon. And to make this even more enjoyable, all this fun is
wrapped in a musical format! Originally produced by the Group Rep, this was one of the
most successful productions in GRT’s 50-year history, eventually wending its way to the
Ford Theatre in Washington, DC. It is tongue-planted- ferociously-in-cheek with music
that is imminently hummable and lyrics that are wickedly whip smart.

October 4 — November 10, 2024
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm
After the Matinee: Talkback with Cast and Staff 10/6 and 10/13
General Admission: $40. Seniors & Students with ID: $35. Parties 10+: $30.00

Buy Tickets and Reservations: www.thegrouprep.com or (818) 763-5990
The Lonny Chapman Theatre is located at 10900 Burbank Blvd., N. Hollywood 91601
For more information about the show & the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman
Theatre:
Website www.thegrouprep.com
Facebook facebook.com/TheGroupRep
Twitter https://twitter.com/thegrouprep
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thegroupreptheatre

 

PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATE’S CHRISTMAS at the Scherr Forum Theatre in Thousand Oaks!

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PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: 

A PIRATE’S CHRISTMAS 

Written by Kris Lythgoe

Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe

 

OPENS: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 at 7:00pm (press opening) and runs through 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 at 4:00pm

 

Performances are Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00pm; 

Saturdays at 2:00pm & 7:00pm; 

Sundays at 12:00pm & 4:00pm

 

There will be an added performance on Friday, December 27 at 2:00pm

 

BANK OF AMERICA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER – 

SCHERR FORUM THEATRE

2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, in Thousand Oaks

Tickets range from $39.50 – $59.50

For tickets, please call (805) 449-2787

 

For theatre information, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787) or visit bapacthousandoaks.com.   

Buy tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.5startheatricals.com.  

Student, Senior and Group discounts are available.

ROBBIN, FROM THE HOOD at The Road Theatre

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ROAD THEATRE COMPANY 

announces three performances for 

the deaf and hard of hearing communities 

added to the First Production of its 2024-2025 Season!

The World Premiere of 

ROBBIN, FROM THE HOOD

Written by Marlow Wyatt

Directed by Chuma Gault
Produced by Danna Hyams, Taylor Gilbert and Cherish Monique Duke

Previews:  Tuesday, October 8; Wednesday, October 9 & 

Thursday, October 10 at 8pm 

 

Opens: Friday, October 11 at 8pm (Press Opening) 

Runs: Friday, October 11 – Sunday, November 17, 2024

Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm

 

The Road will be adding three captioned performances for the deaf and hard of hearing communities on Friday, October 25 at 8pm; Saturday, November 2 at 8pm; and Sunday, November 10 at 2pm.

 

The Road Theatre, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 

10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood.

 

Tickets: $39.00 (General Admission) 

$25.00 (/Seniors)

$17.00 (Students)

$15.00 (Previews)

 

Tickets available online at:

ww.roadtheatre.org or call 818-761-8838.

Theatre Review: Clarkston

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In his exploration of characters in isolated areas, Playwright Samuel D. Hunter photographs the meeting of two young men at a critical time in their lives. Using a minimalist set design, Director Chris Fields centers the attention on the psychological and emotional state of the three characters that inhabit Hunter’s world.

Jake (Michael Sturgis) is trying to reach the West Coast to see the Pacific. Instead, he gets stranded in Clarkston, Washington. He finds a job at the local Costco, working the night shift with Chris (Sean Luc Rogers). The exposition reveals two individuals who are trying to overcome their fears, facing the darkest periods in their lives. Jake has been diagnosed with a debilitating disease that will end up killing him in a few years. Chris, fatherless, is coping with Trisha (Tasha Ames), his meth-addicted mother. Very much to the style of The Wrestler, Trisha is trying to stay clean to rebuild her relationship with Chris. She gets a job at Denny’s, and despite Chris’ distrust, she keeps looking after him. At work, Chris and Jake develop a romantic relationship. Little by little, Chris and Trisha appear to start rebuilding their mother-son connection. The stars seem to be aligning. But the apparent stability gives way to the real fragility of the characters.

Hunter lightens up the somber topics depicted in the play with humor when least expected. This device is used very effectively by Sturgis, who also showed his excellent comedic skills in Crabs in a Bucket. The three actors elevate the tension and despair of their respective characters with convincing performances. Ames continues to build her resume playing troubled and eccentric characters. This time, she embodies Trisha as a woman with the strength to better herself, only to succumb to her demons once again, jeopardizing her already precarious relationship with her son. As for Rogers, he aces the portrayal of a man who is permanently damaged by a broken family. His character takes center stage, as he is pushed to the limits, having to choose between Jake and Trisha, ultimately having to choose his own destiny.

Hunter sends his characters in a deep soul search. They need to find their real identity. Through their interactions with each other, they’re looking for a human connection; they’re isolated geographically and emotionally. They want to escape from their past, finding themselves trapped in the present with an uncertain future.

That’s the beauty of Hunter’ writings. He brings attention to people living far away from metropolitan areas. People with hopes, demons, and broken dreams, trying to escape the anonymity of their isolation. Fields and his cast give depth to the characters and achieve a relatable and moving production that relies mainly on the exceptional skills of the three actors.

Clarkston

Echo Theater Company
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Performances: Sept. 14 – Oct. 21
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 20, Sept. 27; Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 14 (Opening Night), Sept. 21, Sept. 28; Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Sept.  22, Sept. 29; Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 23, Sept. 30; Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21

Tickets: echotheatercompany.com

Written by Samuel D. Hunter. Directed by Chris Fields. Presented by The Echo Theater Company, Chris Fields artistic director. Chris Fields, Kelly Beech and Marie Bland produce for the Echo Theater Company.

Starring Tasha Ames, Sean Luc Rogers, Michael Sturgis.

Creative team: Scenic designer Amanda Knehans, lighting designer Matthew Richter, sound designer Alysha Grace Bermudez, and costume designer Dianne K Graebner. The production stage manager is Lisa Toudic.

Theatre Review: The Skin of Our Teeth

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The Skin of Our Teeth, an abstract play with hints of impressionism, is back on stage, this time at A Noise Within.

The three act play is an attempt to illustrate the complex and oftentimes turbulent history of humankind. Playwright Thornton Wilder used figures of speech to convey the spectrum of the human condition and the resilience to survive in the face of disaster, covering thousand of years of history. Obviously, this is a challenging task for a theatre director. To translate Wilder’s concepts, Directors Julia Rodriguez–Elliott and Geoff Elliott use lighting, visual effects, and background projections to frame the brilliant performances of Ann Noble, Trisha Miller, and Frederick Stuart, who facilitate the understanding of the philosophical elements of the play.

Wilder wrote the script in 1942, when the world was witnessing the horrors of WWII. Probably as a premonition of what lay ahead, Wilder wrote a play about the necessity to rely on each other to survive a disaster of epic magnitude. The three main events mentioned in the play are a new ice age, a great flood, and a devastating war. By the way, the casualties of WWII were 70-85 million, a catastrophic war, indeed. The Antrobus family, however, is able to survive each disaster, an allegory to the indestructible spirit of humans, especially the family, the fundamental block of society.

The text references three of the most influential philosophers in history: Plato, Aristotle, and Spinoza, a way to convey the idea that their teachings would help humans navigate the treacherous paths in life. This element is used breaking character and addressing the audience directly to bring down the fourth wall. Wilder didn’t use this for a comical effect only, he also implied that the survival of the human species depends on our ability to take personal responsibility, thus transferring rhetorically the action of the play onto the audience.

The excellent acting of Ann Noble as Sabina, Frederick Stuart as Mr. Antrobus, and Trisha Miller as Mrs. Antrobus make the deep philosophical ideas more digestible to the audience. They balance the dramatic tone of the play with a touch of comedy to lighten up the subject matter. In the third act, Christian Henley, amazing in King Hedley II, delivers a powerful and moving performance as a war survivor and resented son. Henley and Stuart offer a touching scene that captures the essence of the play during the resolution.

The ideas imprinted in the play are as relevant as they were 82 years ago. Whether we agree or disagree with Wilder’s points of view, the truth is that human history continues its turbulent path—economical crises, Covid, and more wars included. An analysis of The Skin of Our Teeth is a window to the building blocks of civilization, the wonders of the human experience, and the innate grit to survive adversity.

The Skin of Our Teeth

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

Performances Sept. 7 – Sept. 29
• Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 19, Sept. 26 (dark Sept. 12)
• Fridays at 7:30 p.m.: 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. 21, Sept. 28
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: 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.

Written by Thornton Wilder. Directed by Julia Rodriguez–Elliott and Geoff Elliott. Presented by A Noise Within, Geoff Elliot and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, producing artistic directors

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.

Creative team: Scenic designer Frederica Nascimento; lighting designer Ken Booth; composer and sound designer Robert Oriol; costume designer Garry Lennon; wig and make up designer Tony Valdés; and dramaturg Miranda Johnson-Haddad. The production stage manager is Angela Sonner, assisted by Hope Matthews.