SCENE IN LA 

BY 

STEVE ZALL AND SID FISH

 

August 2020

As August begins, we are seeing mounting cases of Covid-19 in the midst of reversing the re-opening of local businesses, so there is little chance of Southern California theaters opening again anytime soon. As before, no live stage shows are allowed at venues by mandate from state and local authorities due to the escalating Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

 

However, The Rubicon Theatre in Ventura has introduced a new workaround for the situation by creating their Safe Distance Drive-In Concert Series featuring live shows in their “Rubicon Goes Retro” series presented at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura where you stay in your car for the performance, and listen to the show on your car radio! Here is more information on the upcoming shows they are offering:

 

August 3-5: “30th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT OF FOREVER PLAID” 

featuring performers from the original New York run (LEO DAIGNAULT, JASON GRAAE, DAVID ENGEL and LARRY RABEN)

August 17-19: “JIMMY MESSINA AND FRIENDS”

with special guests “sittin’ in” – JOHN McFEE of THE DOOBIE BROTHERS on August 17, TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT on August 18 and KENNY LOGGINS on August 19

September 7-9: “MUSIC OF THE KNIGHTS: THE SONGS OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, ELTON JOHN AND PAUL McCARTNEY”

The Phantom of the Operaphenoms’ TERI BIBB and DAVIS GAINES are slated to appear, as well as two-time Golden Globe nominee TED NEELEY of Jesus Christ Superstar, who brings his rock wail to “Gethsemane” and other songs.

 

Tickets are going fast, and early reservations are highly recommended. A 15% series discount is available through Rubicon Guest Services. For tickets, go to 

www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

 

Of course, other theaters are continuing to offer online events instead. These online events are often available one time only, and are frequently not announced very far ahead of the event, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what is available. Most are free to watch, some are charging a small fee. Here is a list of the web sites you can check to see what they are offering:

3-D Theatricals

https://3dtheatricals.org/homepage/

https://www.thereceiptswithd.com/

 

A Noise Within

 

https://www.anoisewithin.org/

 

Boston Court Pasadena

https://bostoncourtpasadena.org/

 

Echo Theater Company

https://www.echotheatercompany.com/

 

L.A. Theatre Works (fee & free)

https://www.latw.org/broadcasts

https://latw.org/black-voices

 

Long Beach Opera

https://www.longbeachopera.org/

 

Morgan-Wixson Theatre

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC15-mNl7vwkjJ8H1T-yOIHw

 

Pasadena Playhouse

https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/

 

Robey Theatre Company

 

https://www.robeytheatrecompany.org/

 

Rogue Artists Ensemble

https://www.rogueartists.org/rogue-lab

 

Sierra Madre Playhouse

https://www.sierramadreplayhouse.org/

 

South Coast Repertory

https://www.scr.org/

 

The Blank Theatre (fee)

The Blank Theatre (free)

https://www.patreon.com/TheBlankTheatre

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBlankTheatreCo

 

The Broad Stage

https://www.thebroadstage.org/

 

The Geffen Playhouse (fee)

https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/

 

The Matrix Theatre “Scraps”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLdXs4A7NBw&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLdXs4A7NBw&feature=youtu.be

 

The Road Theatre Company

https://www.roadtheatre.org/

 

The Soraya

https://www.thesoraya.org

 

The Wallis

The Wallis Studio Ensemble

https://thewallis.org/

https://www.instagram.com/wallis_studio_ensemble/

 

West Coast Jewish Theatre

https://youtu.be/R-xUdVDqZCk

 

 

 

Until we emerge from these trying times, we encourage everyone to stay safe and practice social distancing at all times when outside in public. Our warmest wishes go out to all of you during this crisis! We also want to thank the Public Relation representatives and our readers for their ongoing support.

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve Zall and Sid Fish