Gil Kaan - Page 27

The Alfred Molina-starrer THE FATHER, currently in previews, will have its official opening night February 11, 2020 at the Pasadena Playhouse. Playwright Florian Zeller (translated by Christopher Hampton) illuminates the internal struggles of a very proud man cursed with dementia. Two versions of André's (the father) memory play out on stage that will keep the audience guessing as to which is André's reality. Jessica Kubzansky directs a seasoned cast including: Sue Cremin, Michael Manuel, Pia Shah, Hugo Armstrong and Lisa Renee Pitts. I had the chance to interview Michael Manuel, whom I last saw in his stunning portrayal of The Creature in A Noise Within's FRANKENSTEIN.

The much lauded and much admired Broadway leading lady Christine Ebersole will be bringing AN EVENING WITH CHRISTINE EBERSOLE for one night only at The Wallis February 28, 2020. Winner of two Tony Awards (42nd STREET and GREY GARDENS), Christine, in between her many theatrical engagements (and present television gig), ventures out in cabaret settings as her effervescent self, showcasing her gorgeous vocals and charming wit. In a delightful phone conversation, Christine answered my questions with sharp quips as only a seasoned comedienne would. (She was a Saturday Night Live cast member, after all!) Lots of laughing between us!

Prolific episodic director Joel Zwick's next theatrical foray on the Los Angeles theatre boards will be helming the world premiere of Matthew Leavitt's THE $5 SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, beginning February 7, 2020 at The 6th Act's Theatre 68. This homage to 99-seat theatre in Los Angeles features: Kenajuan Bentley, Emerson Collins, Carolina Espiro, Natalie Lander, Luke McClure, Cindy Nguyen, Andy Robinson, Liza Seneca, Adam J. Smith and Jamie Zwick. Joel managed to take some time out of his multi-tasking to answer a few of my queries.

The musical parodies hits just keep coming at Rockwell Table & Stage! Popular (sometimes cult) flicks get infused with pop songs resulting in a new twist on the film, and sometimes on the songs. With NEVER BEEN KISSED - THE UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL, cleverly written by Jordan Ross Schindler, the vocally-gifted, triple-threat cast perform their most entertaining, live, in-your-face version of Drew Barrymore's 1999-starrer Never Been Kissed.

Qui Nguyen's REVENGE SONG: A VAMPIRE COWBOYS CREATION will receive its world premiere at the Geffen Playhouse opening February 13, 2020 (with previews beginning February 4). Nguyen's musical, historical comedy centers on real-life 17th century opera singer/swordswoman/lesbian Julie D'Aubigny and her road towards self-discovery and acceptance. Under Robert Ross Parker's direction, the REVENGE SONG cast includes: Noshir Dalal, Beth Hawkes, Tom Myers, Amy Kim Waschke, Eugene Young, and Margaret Odette in the pivotal role of Julie D'Aubigny. I had the chance to query Margaret on her path towards becoming Julie D'Aubigny.

A creative staple of the Los Angeles Theatre community, director/actor Michael A. Shepperd will next be exhibiting his directorial talents in the world premiere of playwright Penelope Lowder's WEST ADAMS, opening February 1, 2020 at the Skylight Theatre. This dark comedy on race, class, and a bouncy house in the West Adams neighborhood features Andrés M. Bagg, Allison Blaize, Clayton Farris and Jenny Soo. Michael managed to find a spare moment between his multi-tasking to answer a few of my inquisitive queries.

A stalwart member of the Los Angeles Theatre community, the multi-award-winning Rob Nagle will next be appearing on the Fountain Theatre stage in the world premiere of Stephen Sachs' HUMAN INTEREST STORY, opening February 15, 2020. Rob essays Andy Kramer, who just having been laid off, fabricates a letter to the editor; then, has to mastermind an elaborate charade to justify it. Rob's HUMAN INTEREST STORY onstage accomplices include: Tanya Alexander, Richard Azurdia, Aleisha Force, James Harper, Matt Kirkwood and Tarina Pouncy. The ever-busy Rob managed to find some time to answer a few of my queries.

Already in previews, Heidi Schreck's 2019 Tony-nominated Best Play and Pulitzer Prize finalist WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME has been extended twice at the Mark Taper Forum through February 28, 2020. Maria Dizzia assumes the role of Heidi in this national tour, with original Broadway cast members Mike Iveson and Rosdely Ciprian rounding out the cast. (Jocelyn Shek will alternate the role of debater with Rosdely.) I had the opportunity to ask a few CONSTITUTIONal questions of Mike.

The Los Angeles Premiere of prolific playwright Del Shore's latest THIS SIDE OF CRAZY begins January 30, 2020 at the Zephyr Theatre. Del's latest in his entertaining and relatable dysfunctional family tales centers on renown Gospel singer Ditty Blaylock as she's about to be honored by the Gospel Music Network. Unbeknownst to her adoring public, the promised reunion of her three singing daughters, estranged for twenty-five-plus years, may be the death of Ditty yet. I had the chance to ask a few questions of Del Shores regular Dale Dickey, who plays Abigail Blaylock, the crazy, angry daughter.

The LA Opera and the Metropolitan Opera join forces to co-produce the world premiere of EURYDICE from the creative minds of composer/conductor Matthew Aucoin and librettist Sarah Ruhl; beginning February 1, 2020 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Based on Sarah's 2003 play EURYDICE, this Greek myth unfolds from the heroine's perspective. Mary Zimmerman directs a talented cast that includes: Danielle de Niese, Rod Gilfry, Joshua Hopkins, John Holiday, Barry Banks, Stacey Tappan, Raehann Bryce-Davis and Kevin Ray. Sarah graciously took time out to answer a few of my inquisitive queries.

Next up for L.A. Theatre Works will be Qui Nguyen's VIETGONE, set to be recorded live at the James Bridges Theater on the UCLA campus for four performances beginning January 24, 2020. East West Players' Producing Artistic Director Emeritus Tim Dang will direct this semi-fictional tale of how Qui's parents met in an Arkansas relocation camp. The talented cast includes Will Dao, Desirée Mee Jung, Greg Watanabe, Paul Yen and Jeena Yi. I grabbed the opportunity, after all these years of knowing him, to interview the creative force behind the early development of the East West Players - Tim Dang.

A frequently consistent scene-stealer on The Groundlings stage, Michael Churven takes the directorial reins offstage to deftly guide his amazingly funny cast of six (Samantha DeSurra, Chris Guerra, Ariane Price, Mary Scheer, Annie Sertich and Alex Staggs) to an evening of hilarity in GROUNDLINGS MIX TAPE. In a limited four-week run of Fridays and Saturday nights, GROUNDLINGS MIX TAPE features a Best of Sketch selection from past shows with a rotating cast. As in The Groundlings tradition, the writer of a particular sketch usually takes the lead, while the others give their all in support, in true ensemble form.

Tom Eyen's cult classic WOMEN BEHIND BARS will take up residency on The Montalbán stage for a two weekend-run beginning January 24, 2020. Scott Thompson directs an ensemble of eclectic pop culture stars, including Traci Lords as the head troublemaker Gloria. Traci was most gracious to take some time to answer a few of my inquisitive questions.

The much lauded, deservedly awarded MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE returns to thunderous ovations at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles a third time (second time in 2006) since its auspicious L.A. debut in 1997. What was considered ground-breaking and quite shocking to ballet traditionalists when Matthew Bourne originally switched out the delicate female corps of swans for a forceful, menacing flock of male swans has now remained as avant-garde and striking in its unique interpretation. Sharing the titular role of The Swan/The Stranger is Max Westwell in his debut role with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures' international touring company. I had the marvelous opportunity to pose a few queries to this imposing dancer.

The Fuse Project and Rockwell Table & Stage most successfully reprises their hit holiday show of last year - SCISSORHANDS - A MUSICAL. With most of the very talented cast returning from last year's production, SCISSORHANDS hits all the high, as well as, all the hilarious notes with astounding vocals and fine-tuned comic timing from the entire eight-person ensemble. Bradley Bredeweg directs his most cleverly adapted homage of the 1990 hit film Edward Scissorhands.

The powerhouse singer that she is, Ledisi takes on the songs of legendary Nina Simone, honors them and makes them uniquely her own in LEDISI: THE LEGEND OF LITTLE GIRL BLUE (A MUSICAL JOURNEY INTO THE LIVES OF NINA SIMONE AND LEDISI), opening at The Wallis December 13, 2019. Transcending a wide range of musical genres, Ledisi will take you on her own path of musical discoveries, while describing the influence Ms. Nina Simone has made on her. Ledisi ever so graciously blocked open some time to answer a few of my tuneful queries.

A workshop production of Pure Imagination Projects' MARVELS OF MAGIC will have its world premiere the weekend of December 13, 2019 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre. Written by Andrew Simmons and directed by Enrico De La Vega, this coming-of-age story of Pure Imagination Projects' creator Derek McKee will follow his path in his teens to becoming the magician/producer/humanitarian Derek is today. I had the chance to discover some of the behind the scenes magic that Derek conjures up in MARVELS OF MAGIC and POLYGRAPH.

The very first line on Anna Abbott's press release for her December 15th & 17th performances of A VERY HAPPY GOYISHA HANUKKAH reads, 'How did a nice Evangelical Christian girl from Arizona wind up doing a one-woman comical cabaret show at the Jewish Women's Theatre (JWT) in Santa Monica?'

The Groundlings' latest Friday/Saturday show GROUNDLINGS SKIS HAUS (opening December 6, 2019) will be helmed by Groundlings alumnae Karen Maruyama, who joined The Groundlings sometime in the 20th century. The ageless Karen had performed in innumerable sketches before earning her alumnae status. Aside from directing countless Groundlings shows (and its spin-off THE BLACK VERSION), Karen teaches all levels of The Groundlings Theatre & School, and at workshops in various Los Angeles venues. Karen most graciously managed to squeeze in some time to answer some of my grounded questions.

The national touring company of LITTLE BLACK DRESS arrives in Los Angeles December 3, 2019 playing at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The combination musical and audience participation improv (directed by Christopher Bond) features co-creator Danielle Trzcinski with Jennette Cronk, Jenna Cormey and the sole male in the cast Clint Hromsco. Clint took some time out between his multi-character performances at the GE Theatre @ Proctors in Schenectady, New York to answer a few of my inquisitive probings.