ON STAGE IN LA: But before talking about theatre, we have a new arrival on the LA scene. That is our successor to Esa-Pekka Salonen, famed composer and music director of the LA Philharmonic. 28-year-old talented and charismatic Gustavo Dudamel takes over the chair as Music Director of the Phil. Venezuelan, dimpled, curly haired and deeply involved in assisting young musicians, Dudamel is a huge asset to our city. Bienvenido Gustavo!
We have such wonderful smaller theatres in town. The Rustin Group Theatre at the Santa Monica Airport has some very clever and innovative productions going always. Currently playing is ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION by John Patrick Shanley (DOUBT) with a fine cast in a light, fun comedy. Perfect for this season. Their last play was MUNITY AT PORT CHICAGO, a true story about an explosion in 1944 in the Bay area. Fifty navy men were imprisoned, charged with mutiny. Excellent play.
Ron Sossi’s Odyssey Theatre always has fine productions. MERCY WARREN’S TEA is currently playing. It deals with America’s first woman playwright and historian welcoming the daughters of the American Revolution, Abigail Adams and Peggy Arnold to a politically charged tea party. Megan Mullaly stars in a dark comedy, THE RECEPTIONIST. She is wonderful and the play has been extended by popular demand. NO MAN’S LAND, Pinter’s brilliant drawing-room comedy runs until the 19th.
LIFE COULD BE A DREAM (Sha-Boom), by the writer of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, continues on Hollywood’s Hudson Mainstage.
The Santa Monica Playhouse has LOVE IN BLOOM, and T. Rattigan’s THE BROWNING VERSION continues at the Pacific Resident. Edward Albee’s THREE TALL WOMEN is at Hollywood’s El Centro. Burbank’s Victory Theatre always presents good theatre. MOLLY has a love quadrangle gone awry. Their previous show, TEN CENT NIGHT, was outstanding. NOISES OFF, Frayne’s frenetic farce within a farce, is at A Noise Within in Glendale.
The charming Pico Playhouse has just finished a fascinating play, THE VALUE OF NAMES, dealing with the old Hollywood Blacklist. Beautifully directed by Howard Teichman and starring Peter Mark Richman, Malachi Throne and Stasha Surdyke. The play and the set were excellent and the new theatre is lovely.
Tim Robbins’ The Actors’ Gang is doing some interesting community/ecology work before the Holidays at the Ivy Substation in Culver City. Wish he would bring back THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE about the Pan Am crash in Scotland. Subject is so current again.
On larger stages, The Colony in the valley has ventriloquist Jay Johnson: THE TWO AND ONLY, back by popular demand. Their previous hit, BETTER ANGELS, on Abraham Lincoln’s First Innaugural address was great.
The second season at the beautiful new Broad Stage (at Santa Monica College’s Performing Arts Center) had an exciting production of Shakespeare’s LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST by London’s famous Old Globe Theatre personnel. A marvelous production.
EQUIVOCATION featuring Harry Groener and Joe Spano is at the Geffen.
BABY IT’S YOU!, a fantastic musical of the ‘60s.is at the Pasadena Playhouse. The Dr.Seuss musical, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! starring the wonderful John Larroquette is at the Pantages in Hollywood. PALESTINE, NEW MEXICO, from the Culture Clash at the Mark Taper.
A Holiday Happening: IT’S YOUR TURN is the 50th Annual LA County Holiday celebration at the Pavilion of the Music Center downtown, Thursday, December 24, starting at 2:30pm. Music and dance from all nations. Free admission and parking. For the entire family to enjoy.
Guess what’s in store for us next year? THE COLOR PURPLE, THAT’S WHAT. Oprah Winfrey’s hit movie and the Broadway play with it’s star Fantasia will be coming to our Pantages Theatre in Hollywood in February for only three weeks. Let’s get our tickets as soon as they go on sale.
Happy Holidays to all with good wishes for a great New Year with peace and good health.
XOXO, Harriette
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