A bi-weekly column of what's happening on LA stages.
MOSES MEETS ROCK N' ROLL, over dinner in four locations in the Los Angeles Area. The event is a traveling supper show: an interactive, two-act musical comedy about what happens when rock stars of the 60's and 70's enter the Gates of Heaven.
The irreverent musical is making its Southern California debut after successfully touring the Boston Area. The action takes place within the Pearly Gates, where rockers such as Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and even Liberace get down to original rock, blues, and country numbers.
The show was written and conceived by former rock concert and beauty pageant producer Jason Mershon, who insists that the show is not a Legends or religious type of show. The smash fantasy hit will play at Carlos O'Brien's in Riverside on April 12 & June 8, at Roxbury South in Santa Ana on April 20 & May 18, at Sam's Sea Food in Huntington Beach on May 25 & Jun 15, and at Michael's Supper Club in Dana Point on May 3 & June 28 . Dinner starts at 7pm; shows start at 8:30, except for a matinee in Huntington Beach on May 11. The admission cost of $39.95 covers dinner and show. For more information and reservations call 1-800-259-1769.
BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO! Three current Los Angeles productions have been extended due to their tremendous success.
The Pasadena Playhouse world premiere of Larry Hart's musical Sisterella has been selling out with standing ovations nightly and is extended through April 28. The production is backed by prestigious producers such as Miramax Films, in association with Tribecca Productions, and legendary pop star Michael Jackson who serves as executive producer.
The show is a turn-of-the-century, coming of age "Cinderella" tale in which a young woman who has inherited her late father's fortune must fend off the greed of her evil-step mother.
Sisterella runs at the Pasadena Playhouse, Tues-Fri 8pm; Sat 5 & 9pm; Sun 2 & 7pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling (1-800-233-3123).
The world premiere of Gary Goldstein's Just Men has been extended twice, now playing at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood through April 28.
The comedy about fathers and sons and lovers and transcending personal differences tackles the very real and present day issues of same-sex lifestyles, family duty, and societal pressures.
The show stars TV actor Robert Mandan and film actor Woody Brown. Tickets are $20. For more information and reservations call (213) 466-1767.
The Actor's Gang of Hollywood has created a new show by carefully restoring an old one; Moliere's Imaginary Invalid, directed by Beth Milles, is also extended through April 28.
New York director Milles is renown for bringing plays of the commedia dell'arte style closer to their original formats. The production has received numerous accolades, including Critic's Choice from The Los Angeles Times, and "Pick of the Week" from the L.A. Weekly. Imaginary Invalid runs Thu-Sun 8pm. Tickets are $15. For reservations or more information, phone (213) 466-1767.
ISRAEL AT THE ADLER: Opening at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood is the Los Angeles premiere of a double-bill of early Israel Horovitz plays, The Indian Wants the Bronx and It's Called the Sugar Plum.
Intended by the playwright to be performed together, the plays first opened in 1968 in New York at the Astor Place Theatre , featuring Al Pacino, John Cazale John Pleshette and Marsha Mason, who was replaced by Jill Clayburgh.
Indian, one of Horovitz's best known plays, is based on what happens when two young men from broken homes take to the streets in search of someone who cares. Sugar Plum is about two Harvard students and the competitive, attention-hungry demeanor that a local news story inspires.
The Indian Wants the Bronx and It's Called the Sugar Plum opens April 11 and runs through May 16. Performances are Thu-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm. Prices are $12-15, and can be purchased by calling (213) 465-4666 and (213)466-1767.
A TOAST OF A DIFFERENT COLOR: Santa Monica Playhouse presents the American premiere of Agnes Bernelle's Black Champagne: a musical journey through the world of Brecht, Weill..., thru April 28.
The European cabaret star, actress and director, well loved by many American artists including Elvis Costello and Tom Waitts, has toured the world with her one woman show that is one of the few remaining exponents of the German cabaret tradition instigated by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht. In Black Champagne she is accompanied by Irish pianist Danny Sheridan.
Dinner is served 45 minutes prior to curtain, Thu & Fri 8pm; Sat 6:30pm and Sun 5:30pm.. Admission includes dinner from $18.50 -$20.50, and reservations can be made by phoning (310) 394-9779 ext. 1.
ALL ABOARD FOR KINDERTRANSPORT: Shortly after it was announced in January that the Los Angeles premiere of Kindertransport would open at the Tiffany Theatres, all nine preview performances were sold out. Such is the stir around Diane Samuels story of the Holocaust and how it effects three generations of women.
The play opened in London and has enjoyed many productions regionally throughout the states. It examines the entangled relationship between a mother and daughter and the mother's inability to allow her daughter access to the childhood trauma that has profoundly affected their lives.
On April 21, Kindertransport will have a gala opening benefitting the Martyr's Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust. Beginning April 25, the show runs Thu-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm. Tickets are $25-28. For tickets and information call (310) 472-8894.
9NUN MORE TIME: Drama-Logue described Palos Verdes first production of And Then There Was Nun as a "wild, wooly, wacky, off-the-wall, totally mindless, ...a gas... over the top and as thick as the North pasture. Needless to add, the audience loved every second of it."
And Then There was Nun by Bruce W. Gilray and Richard T. Witter, winner of the 1990 "Robby" Award, returns by popular demand to the Palos Verdes Players on April 26, running thru June 8.
The zany, farcical, film nostalgia play characterizes well known pre-1960 Hollywood stars portraying ten borderline crazy nuns, all in the style of 1940's era murder mystery.
And Then There Was Nun runs at Palos Verdes Players in Torrance. Performances are Fri & Sat eves at 8pm; Sun 2pm, and tickets are $12. For reservations or more information, call (310) 326-2287.
