IN THE WINGS - September 2008 - Theater

ENOUGH OF MOVIES, NOW ON TO LEGIT THEATRE. The long awaited renovation of the Mark Taper downtown is finally completed and is reopening shortly. There will be a fabulous gala opening of the 41-year-old totally different theatre. The enlarged lobby will be called Act II honoring the lead doner Brindell Roberts Gottlieb for her late husband Milton. A spacious bar area is included and within the auditorium there will be hand rails at the aisles, plush new upholstered seating and improvements of theatrical acoustics plus many more added features for the theatre goers comforts. The gala opening party hosted by British “comedienne”, Dame Edna, on the 13^th of September with a sumptious cocktail party, dinner and viewing the opening night of John Guare’s dark comedy, THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES about a zookeeper who has dreams of being a famous songwriter against his wife’s wishes and the encouragement of his mistress.

The Ahmanson Theatre has a new musical comedy based on the hit movie “NINE TO FIVE” featuring a new score by producer Dolly Parton and starring Allison Janney as the efficient office manager.

The L.A. Opera Company at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion presents three one act operas by two notable filmmakers, William Friedkin and Woody Allen directing Puccini’s IL TRITTICO with James Conlon conducting. Another filmmaker, David Cronenberg will direct Howard Shore’s THE FLY (remember the ’86 horror film?) with Placido Domingo conducting.

The Pasadena Playhouse has VANITIES, the Musical, adapted from the long- running NY dramedy and prior to returning to Broadway. Actress Judith Ivey directs this beautifully.

WICKED continues at the Pantages in Hollywood forever, it seems and Hershey Felder plays and is Beethoven (in full regalia) at the Geffen in Westwood.

OUR SMALL STAGES has outstanding theatre going on. The Fountain Theatre in Hollywood is about to conclude an amazing run of ACCOMPLICES, a heart rending tale of our politics and German Jews trying to flee Hitler. Their next production in October sounds just as fascinating, it’s GEMS OF THE OCEAN by

August Wilson.

The Actors’ Gang at the Ivy Substation in Culver City does a magnificient job of reconstructing BURY THE DEAD from Irwin Shaw’s powerful book. Come October they will present their created version of I’M NOT A RACIST. It’s bold, funny, sad and incendiary.

The beautiful Colony Theatre in Burbank has EDUCATING RITA. Remember the film with Michael Caine? Well, it’s back in its original concept of a play and it’s a good one. Another British play at the Odyssey is ABIGAIL’S PARTY, a fun house party, imbibing and the likes. A fun happening at the Santa Monica Playhouse, Charlie Lustman performs, in concert, in his one man show, MADE ME NUCLEAR.”

Before closing, COME ONE, COME ALL to the “NO HO SCENE”. An all day celebration. From 11am to 8pm on Oct. 5. All events and activities are Free! Music & dance, improve and acting workshops/ For complete schedule of events: Call 818-980-NoHo or go to www.nohoartsdistrict.com.

That is all for now... Go see a live play!!! xoxo Harriette