SCENE IN LA
BY
STEVE ZALL AND SID FISH
We don't want you to miss out on all of the fireworks this month, not just the ones in the sky on Independence Day, but also the new shows exploding into our local theatres such as:
"Oklahoma!" Cowboy Curly loves farm girl Laurey, even though they can't stop bickering. Will Parker loves Ado Annie, the girl who "can't say no," while brooding farm hand Jud Fry is out to ruin everything. Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and directed by Robert Marra, it runs through July 18 at the MET Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-960-7735 or visitwww.plays411.com/oklahoma.
"Big Hair" an actress who has mapped out her plan to stardom, takes off on her ride to critical acclaim, but discovers that Hollywood never received her memo, so she takes to the streets with renewed determination, never losing sight of her place in the sky, until an unexpected health crisis arises, her sense of direction betrays her, and she is left to decide if there is an alternate route to fame. Written by Amberlee Colson and directed by Steven Anderson, it runs through July 24 at the Meta Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-7770 or visit www.plays411.com/bighair.
"CHiPS the Musical" is a hilarious musical parody of the popular 1970's TV show where Ponch and John are still wearing their well-starched uniforms, packin’ the heat, and looking fine enough to cause a fender-bender while battling criminals of the worst kind: female eco-terrorists sporting roller skates and short shorts. Written by Rick Batalla and Henry Phillips, and directed by Matt Walker, it runs through July 25 at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank. For tickets call 818-955-8101 or visit www.falcontheatre.com.
"The Girl Who Would Be King" imagines what would happen in the mythical kingdom of Flugelhorn if the king's only offspring is a female, but the law states that only a male can become king. Written by Jan O'Connor and directed by Richard Tatum, it runs through August 1 at the El Centro Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call 323-230-7261.
"Beyond" Phenomenal multi-cultural, world-class entertainers, dancers, aerialists, acrobats, and a smoky torch singer excite and arouse in a romantic delight for the senses in this sexy, glitzy show featuring dancing from around the world. BEYOND is the first show of its kind in Los Angeles and will appeal to adults, couples and families of all nationalities and languages looking for an authentically breath-taking night out. Produced by Del A Rue Productions, it runs July 2 through August 1 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 866-811-4111 or visit www.elportaltheatre.com.
"Becky’s New Car" maps out a very funny and touching trip about "the life not taken.” Becky is married, late 40’s and working at a car dealership, when one night, by chance, she’s offered an opportunity to step into another life, and she takes it. Written by Steven Deitz and directed by Michael Rothhaar, it runs July 3 through August 15 at the Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice. For tickets call 310-822-8392 or visitwww.PacificResidentTheatre.com.
"Master Class" Ellen Geer stars as internationally renowned soprano Maria Callas, who had a legendary voice and life as one of the world's most celebrated opera stars, portrayed near the end of her career, her voice almost gone, as she instructs a group of young singers aspiring to the heights of fame and fortune with wicked humor, unrelenting criticism and deeply personal stories. Written by Terrence McNally and directed by Heidi Helen Davis, it runs July 3 through September 25 at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga. For tickets call 310-455-3723 or visit www.theatricum.com.
"Life Could Be A Dream" a fabulous 50s-era musical about the Crooning Crabcakes, the boy group banned from the Springfield High School prom which made it possible for The Wonderettes to perform, get one more chance at fame and fortune as they prepare to audition for a local radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time. Written by Roger Bean, it runs July 6 through August 29 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.
"Love, Loss, and What I Wore" an intimate collection of stories covering some of life’s most poignant moments and their corresponding wardrobe, starring Tyne Daly, is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman as well as personal reminiscences from the Ephrons and their friends, features a rotating cast of five actresses who share tales to which every woman can relate. Written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron and directed by Jenny Sullivan, it runs July 8 through August 1 at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-208-5454 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.com.
"New York Animals" Bitingly funny entertainment as twenty-one characters, portrayed by four actors, wind their way through each other’s lives during one long day and night in Manhattan. This insidiously devastating and modern “Our Town” ultimately reveals who we are now, and how we live. Written by Steven Sater and directed by John Perrin Flynn, it runs July 8 through August 8 at the Rogue Machine in Theatre Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-960-7792 or visit www.roguemachinetheatre.com.
"A Midsummer Night’s Dream" This is a "Dream" born of the swirling sights, sounds, and characters of our beautiful community: a Dream where Faery Queens do Yoga on the beach, and coffeehouse baristas and café cashiers rehearse plays late into the night. Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Jonathan Redding, it runs July 9 through July 31 at the Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 800-595-4849 or visit www.latensemble.com.
"Three Sisters After Chekhov" Set in 1941 Colonial era Trinidad, three sisters live a privileged life in Port of Spain with their unworldly brother and his domineering wife, occupying their life with empty marriages and indiscreet liaisons. They dream of returning home to their adopted country, England, and the spires of Cambridge where they spent their cosmopolitan youth. But these ambitions of emigrating soon collapse as WW II escalates and the Trinidadian army is called to serve King, Country and Empire. Written by Mustapha Matura and directed by Gregg T. Daniel, it runs July 9 through August 8 at The Lost Studio in Los Angeles. For tickets call 800-838-3006 or visit www.BrownPaperTickets.com.
"As You Like It" sibling rivalry, mistaken identities, and cross-dressing, combine to produce an eight way wedding in this modern-day version of the famous classic. Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Karintha Touton, it runs July 9 through August 14 at the Westchester Playhouse in Westchester. For tickets call 310-645-5156 or visit www.kentwoodplayers.org.
"Redhead Cuban Hausfrau Husband" the backstage story of the making of television's first great sitcom reveals all the sorrow and rage, the lies and the sin behind America’s most iconic foursome, and what this love inspired was one of the great comedy works of art ever produced. Written and directed by Fletcher Rhoden, it runs July 9 through September 4 at the Mt. Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-667-9113 or visit www.fletcherrhoden.com/redheadcubanhausfrauhusband.
"1776" is based on the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams, disliked by many in Congress, joins up with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to bring forward a resolution for independence that will eventually set America free from England's tyranny. Written by Peter Stone and directed by Nick DeGruccio, it runs July 10 through July 25 at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-856-1999 or visitwww.musical.org.
"Play Dates" reminds us that finding love is never easy, and kindergarten is just the beginning, appealing equally to men and women, crossing the entire age spectrum and relationship status, as it examines love and relationships from childhood through adulthood. Written by Sam Wolfson and directed by Jennifer Chambers, it runs July 10 through August 1 at the Elephant Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-960-7776 or visit https://www.plays411.net/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=2387.
"Fabric" law enforcement officials discover 72 Thai nationals confined in an apartment complex ringed with barbed wire that were lured to this country with promises of achieving the American dream, but instead found themselves engulfed in the harsh reality of the garment industry. Written by Henry Ong and directed by Tchia Casselle, it runs July 10 through August 8 at the Company of Angels in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-3703 or visit www.companyofangels.org.
"In & Out: The US of Alienation" seven scenes deal with people in a community who are somehow connected to each other - some of the connections are close, some are distant, some are personal, some are professional, but the quality in the connections is sometimes lacking. Written and directed by David Wally, it runs July 13 through September 14 at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. For tickets call 866-811-4111 or visit www.theatermania.com.
"Dr. Cerberus" A thirteen-year-old trying to survive adolescence has parents who don't understand him, a brother who torments him, no friends, and he's more interested in the high school quarterback than any girl, but his true desire is to become the assistant to his favorite horror show host, Dr. Cerberus. Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by Bart DeLorenzo, it runs July 14 through July 18 at the L.A. Theatre Works at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-827-0889 or visitwww.latw.org
"Barnum’s FUNundrum!" Featuring 130 performers from six continents around the world, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, 13 athletes on a Russian bar, seven motorcycle riders in a Globe of Steel, and more clowns that you can see with two eyes, this show is a super-sized spectacle so massive it took 200 years to arrive. Produced by Feld Entertainment, it runs July 14 through July 18 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, July 21 through July 25 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, and July 28 through August 8 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. For tickets call 800-745-3000 or visitwww.ringling.com.
"Circle of Will" A comedy exploring the “lost years” of William Shakespeare, between the date of the last great play that he wrote alone, “The Tempest” (perhaps 1610) and the year of his death (1616). Written by Bill Cakmis & Jack Grapes and directed by Brian Herskowitz, it runs July 16 through August 15 at the Macha Theatre in West Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-7822 or visit www.Plays411.com/circleofwill.
"Not About Heroes" is about the intense friendship of the World War I British soldier-poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. Written by Stephen MacDonald and directed by Bill Hemmer, it runs July 17 through August 22 at the Lounge Theatre 2 in Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-7744 or visitwww.plays411.com.
So get more bang from your buck and more sparkle from your nights, get out to see some shows and treat your eyes to all the sights.