SCENE IN LA

BY 

STEVE ZALL AND SID FISH

It may not feel much like it yet, but Spring has finally sprung, and hopefully the climate will soon follow suit – but while we wait for fairer skies why not check out the fresh bouquet of shows blossoming forth at our local venues this month, including:

"Pippin" young prince Pippin longs to discover the secret of true happiness and fulfillment, seeking it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power, after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great. Based on two real-life individuals of the early Middle Ages, this musical is surreal and disturbing, sinister and modern, and invites you to take part in a voyage that is the dark side of your mind and self-awareness. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and directed by Hallie Baran, it runs through March 13 at the Met Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-5773 or visit www.plays411.com/pippin.

“But Not for Love” a sister and brother are both getting married on the same day, and they are each getting married to a man. With protesters, policemen and a TV news crew outside the church, inside the couples are split over what their day and their ceremony should mean, to themselves or anyone else. Two couples - one straight, one gay, a lovelorn lady-minister who has a secret, a policeman torn between the picket line outside the church and the ceremony he’s obliged to protect, and a protester with ties to the bride and the groom. Written by Matthew A. Everett and directed by Richard Warren Baker, it runs through March 14 at The Renegade Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-4443 or visitwww.plays411.com/forlove.

“The Adventures of Pinocchio” a unique spin on the classic story of a mischievous puppet who wishes to become a real, live boy. Brimming with clever political subtext and sly social commentary, this comic production will appeal to all ages. (Rated “PG” for mild language and dark themes – recommended for ages 10+). Written by Carlo Collodi and directed by Stephen Rothman, it runs through March 27 at Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-762-2773 or visit www.deafwest.org.

“A House Not Meant to Stand” Cornelius and Bella McCorkle have returned home late at night from the funeral of one of their sons. Cornelius investigates some noises he hears upstairs, and discovers their other son, Charlie, having sex with his new girlfriend. While Charlie tries to comfort Bella, Cornelius frantically searches for some money which he believes Bella has stashed away, and soon a secret is revealed that changes everything. Written by Tennessee Williams and directed by Simon Levy, it runs through April 17 at The Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-663-1525 or visit www.FountainTheatre.com.

“Broken Glass” In 1938 Brooklyn, Sylvia is obsessively following news accounts of events in Nazi Germany until she suddenly becomes mysteriously paralyzed. Her Jewish husband is regarded at work with increasing suspicion, and although he deeply loves his wife, they have never had sex, but Sylvia’s married physician finally breaks through her paralysis by reacquainting her with her own sensuality. Written by Arthur Miller and directed by Elina de Santos, it runs through April 17 at the Pico Playhouse in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-821-2449.

“Till Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3” Sister Maripat Donovan is now offering up her hilarious lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and Last Rites, including her own wacky version of “The Newlywed Game.” Each performance is unique and will appeal to people of all ages and faiths. Written by Maripat Donovan with Marc Silvia and directed by Marc Silvia, it runs through April 3 at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre in the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-921-1159 or visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.

“The Birthday Boys” Set in 2006 Iraq, this is a gritty and terrifying dark comedy that tracks three United States Marines who have been taken hostage, bound, and blindfolded, as they do whatever is necessary to keep their sanity, and stay alive. Written by Aaron Kozak and directed by Jacob Smith, it runs through March 27 at the NoHo Stages in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-849-4039 or visit www.theatreunleashed.com.

“Re-Animator” tells the story of a brilliant young medical student who has created a glowing green serum that can bring the dead back to life. What should be a medical breakthrough results in hideous monstrosities and ghastly consequences, and his quest for fresh subjects results in the murders of half the faculty of the medical school. Book by Dennis Paoli, Stuart Gordon and William J. Norris, music and lyrics by Mark Nutter, adapted from the story by H.P. Lovecraft, and directed by Stuart Gordon, it runs through March 27 at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood. For tickets call 800-595-4849 or visit www.steveallentheater.com.

“Our Town” Set in a small New Hampshire town in the early 1900’s, it’s a simpler time when people live their whole lives in the place they were born and everyone knows everyone else. Two neighbors grow up together, fall in love, and complain about things they don’t have without ever stopping to appreciate the things they do have. Written by Thornton Wilder and directed by Sabina Ptasznik, it runs March 11 through April 16 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.

“Trio” Music, passion, madness, and one woman’s fight for her right to a career, are explored in this romantic comedy about the intense relationship between Robert Schumann and his wife Clara, and 21-year-old Johannes Brahms. Written by Israela Margalit and directed by Rick Sparks, it runs March 12 through April 10 at the Lounge 2 Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-4412 or visit www.plays411.com/trio.

“Wish I Had a Sylvia Plath” is a critically acclaimed comedy about tragedy as told through the character of Esther Greenwood, Plath's semi-autobiographical heroin of The Bell Jar. It is a revealing and absurd interpretation of the legendary poet's life in the moments before her death. Written by Edward Anthony in directed by Matthew McCray, it runs March 12 through April 17 at The Lounge Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 855-585-5185 or visit www.roguemachinetheatre.com.

“Private Lives” Two divorcees unwittingly book adjoining rooms while honeymooning with their new spouses. They soon realize the folly of their new marriages and escape together to Paris, only to be caught days later by their jilted spouses. Written by Noël Coward and directed by Andrew Barnicle, it runs March 15 through April 10 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.

“Spontaneous Fantasia with The Hutchins Consort: Gardens of Illucium” is a live visual and musical performance collaboration between the Hutchins Consort and J-Walt’s Spontaneous Fantasia. The performance is a ninety-minute structured improvisation which will take the audience into a virtual world of imaginary and semi-imaginary species----a garden of improvised plants and mythical spices, evoking the desires for the exotic, mysterious and the slightly dangerous. As the musicians of The Hutchins Consort weave a sensuous tapestry of tonal color on their various violins, plucked strings and percussion, J-Walt will draw a computer-generated 3D virtual world populated with fantastic otherworldly flora, creating a garden of unearthly designs. Graphics created and performed live by J-Walt, and music performed by The Hutchins Consort under artistic director Joe McNally, it runs one night only on March 17 at The Neurosciences Institute in San Diego. For tickets call 800-838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/156214.

“An Italian American Indian” a divorced writer with three teenage kids and a stoner for a best buddy believes he is being visited by the Apache chief Geronimo while high on drugs, but gets even more concerned when it keeps on happening again and again. Could it be that Geronimo is trying to save him from his self-destructive tendencies? Written and directed by Angelo Masino, it runs March 18 through April 9 at The 2nd Story Theatre in Hermosa Beach. For tickets call 310-374-9767.

“Bonded” Sonny, Lily, and Jack, are the last remaining slaves on a crumbling, cash-strapped Virginia farm in 1820. When Asa, a “house boy” from New York, is brought in to help in the fields, repressed desires and memories of loss are unlocked, forcing Sonny and the other slaves to face their bridled passions and test the limits of the cruel world, as they know it. Written by Donald Jolly and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, it runs March 18 through April 9 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 866-811-4111 or visit www.thelatc.org.

"Southern Comforts" follows the development of a December-December relationship between a feisty widow and a crusty widower who find love late in life. Written by Kathleen Clark and directed by Jules Aaron, it runs March 18 through April 10 at the International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

“The Weir” When a group of hard-drinking Irishmen get together in a local pub on a stormy night, their amazing yarns prove to be both funny and spine tingling, until a mysterious young woman outdoes them, spinning her own haunting story of love and loss. Written by Conor McPherson and directed by Warner Shook, it runs March 18 through April 3 on the Julianne Argyros Stage at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visitwww.scr.org.

So, while plucking some four-leaf clovers and cooking the corned beef and cabbage, be sure to set some time aside to treat yourself, your friends, and family to these wonderful delights our theatres are offering. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!