In the Wings - Stage

ON TO THE STAGE: So much going on. Firstly, the “Under the Stars” venues have been lovely because our nighttime weather had been cooperating. The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum continues to give us wonderful theatre. Ellen Geer starred as the world-renowned opera diva Maria Callas in Terrence McNally’s MASTER CLASS.

Lots went on all over besides our Hollywood Bowl. The Greek Theatre always has amazing talents. Thursday night concerts at the Marina, the Santa Monica Pier, San Marino’s Huntington Gardens Chamber Music Concerts and much more. The stars and clouds promised to be good, and they were.

MY FIRST TIME AT THE BOWL THIS SEASON was as an invited guest for a glorious celebration to launch the classical series with the Philharmonic. Grant Gershon conducted Haydn, Vivaldi and Handel beautifully. The Hollywood Bowl had some exciting offerings: our Philharmonic with guest conductors, John Williams and his musical movies, Leonard Bernstein’s CANDIDE with Bramwell Tovey and, of course, Gustavo Dudamel.

The Los Angeles Opera opened its 25th Anniversary Season September 23 with IL POSTINO, based on the wonderful book and film. Placido Domingo starred as the famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Fortunately, I was privileged to be there opening night, and what a night it was! Everyone dressed to the nines and tens. Following his singing IL POSTINO, Domingo conducted THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO in October. Busy man and just after surgery. Lucky for us, e hassigned on for three more years as Artistic Director.

TOO BAD I didn’t write about IN THE HEIGHTS before it closed at the Pantages. It was such a great show, as were all the performances and performers at the Pantages. That historic Hollywood theatre really presents great Broadway shows. Don’t miss seeing the fabulous WEST SIDE STORY, that powerful musical is at the Pantages through the holiday season. The exciting HAIR returns in January.

The Geffen also has fantastic theatre at their newly named Gil Cates Theatre. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s RUINED takes place in a bar in the Congo. Depicts hope, humor and humanity. Laurence Fishburne as Thurgood Marshall in THURGOOD was a phenomenon.
The Broad Stage, part of Santa Monica College (but located away from the Santa Monica campus) has very good theatre in both their venues. We saw a delightful CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY by the talented Eugene Pack at The Edye (Broad) Second Space featuring Laraine Newman, Fred Willard, Will Forte, Brooke Shields and others doing funny readings from famous people’s autobiographical books. The Broad also presented the fun Shakespeare play THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, where Falstaff gets his just due, direct from London’s Old Globe.. The performers were amazing as was the on-stage orchestra. Costumes were glorious. A great outing in Santa Monica. We were invited to a
Wonderful WINTER FROLIC the other evening. A real live horse and an Elizabethan carriage outdoors. People were asked to dress “up” and they did. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres were passed around and a Jane Austen-type improv show took place in the theatre. Jamie Lee Curtis awarded best costume prizes, and Sir Michael York welcomed the crowd. Post show, wine and cheeses were served. Lovely evening.

The Center Theatre Group downtown does some extremely interesting and involved programs. This season included Brooke Shields in LEAP OF FAITH at the Ahmanson. At the Mark Taper, Judith Ivey reprised her Broadway role in Tennessee Williams’s classic THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Also awaiting the arrival of Jane Fonda in THIRTY-THREE VARIATIONS right after the first of 2011.

Smaller Equity waiver theatres continue to show pride in what they do. The Pacific Resident Theatre presented BECKY’S NEW CAR, an absolutely charming and original play. The lead role Becky was played by Joanna Daniels, who is fantastic. It was extended time and again. Alan Ayckbourn’s BEDROOM FARCE comedy at the Odyssey was a delight to see again. Closing December 21 is TALES FROM HOLLYWOOD by the prominent British playwright Christopher Hampton. Takes place during the Nazi and the McCarthy era (early World War II). German Literary Legends exiled in Santa Monica to write for Hollywood. Among them were Bertolt Brecht, Heinrich and Thomas Mann. Michael Peretzian does an admirable directing job. Also at the Odyssey was NIGHT OF JANUARY 16TH, Ayn Rands’s courtroom drama where the jurors are selected nightly from the audience. Now, the Odyssey presents an outstanding 14-day performance by the lovely Julia Migenes. DIVA ON THE VERGE. Victoria Kirsch is musical director/accompanist. It’s a marvelous program to see during the holidays. I urge you to get to see and hear her.

The Ruskin Group at the Santa Monica Airport does great theatre always. Recently had Arthur Miller’s ALL MY CHILDREN. CYRANO DE BERGERAC plays through January 23, 2011.

The Fountain Theatre’s OPUS was extended so many times by popular demand (I’ve seen it twice and loved it more the second go-around). The set is sparsely beautiful and perfect for the string quartet. It starts with the successful audition of the lone female (Jia Doughman) prodigy violist who, instead of taking a steady offer with the Pittsburgh Symphony, signs on with the quartet as they struggle to rehearse for an upcoming gig at the White House. Simon Levy directed these actors in rehearsal as if they were actually playing on stage in front of us. Their fingering was so authentic and precise it was amazing to watch and hear. Actually the recorded music was coming from behind the stage but we, the audience, were so into it… amazing! Michael Hollinger was the witty playwright. Held over to January 22 is Athol Fugard’s THE TRAIN DRIVER, dealing with repercussions of South Africa’s apartheid. Amazing performances by Morlan Higgins and Adolphus Ward, and a stunning set.

So glad we got to see the new ‘50s-style musical LIFE COULD BE A DREAM. It’ll surely return and when it comes back, please go see it. I know I shall. It was that amusing and wonderful.

Theatre Forty, located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School, always does thoughtful, excellent plays. Currently playing is MURDERERS by Jeffrey Hatcher and featuring three fine actors, Richard Horvitz, Melanie McQueen and Marcia Rodd, doingthree lengthy monologues as individuals who take a perverse pride in their crimes. Laughs abound.

TIM ROBBINS’ THE ACTORS’ GANG had an extraordinary and incredibly interesting theatre production, BREAK THE WHIP. Robbins wrote and directed this innovative epic, his version of early American history revolving around the struggles of three cultures in the Jamestown Colony: English settles, African slaves, and Powatan Indians. The energetic production was enhanced by the use of native languages, dance, music, and Johnny Burton’s (Tim’s brother) shadow puppets. A stunning, large cast drew the audience in and left them breathless.

Will keep in touch soon again. Meanwhile, want to wish you all Happy Holidays, and a great 2011 for all of us for peace, prosperity, and a very productive and enjoyable year ahead.

Love and hugs,
Harriette