Theatre

Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical

• By Caroline Lenher

Reimagined as an all-new musical, Prelude to a Kiss makes its World Premiere at South Coast Repertory. Craig Lucas’ 1990 Tony-nominated romantic comedy play premiered at SCR in 1988 before becoming a film starring Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin. 

Now refreshed, reimagined and elevated by a breathtaking score, the musical explores what happens when a mysterious guest shows up at Rita and Peter’s fairy tale wedding. The guest requests a kiss, testing the boundaries of true love and launching them on a journey of self-discovery that will change their lives forever.

Singer and songwriter Hannah Corneau (Elphaba in Wicked Broadway) stars as Rita. The incredible cast also features actor and playwright Jonathan Gillard Daly, Julie Garnyé (Come From Away national tour), Jimmie “J.J.” Jeter (Hamilton Broadway), James Moye and Conor Ryan. Artistic Director David Ivers directs Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical, which features lyrics by Drama Desk Nominee Sean Hartley and composer Daniel Messé (Amélie). The music is also by Messé.

Craig Lucas’ Prelude to a Kiss marks his seventh credit at SCR and first in ten years. Other productions include An American in Paris (2014), Amélie (2015) and Paradise Square, which earned a Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical. Amélie was also a Tony nominee for Best Book. 

The perfect comedy for today’s audiences begins April 4, 2024.

For more, click here.

JERSEY BOYS

• By KEN WERTHER

In the fall of 2004, I drove down to the La Jolla Playhouse to see a new musical that was making quite a splash. I was working in the press office at the Ahmanson Theatre and when I returned, I told my bosses they needed to get their hands on the show before it headed for Broadway. That didn’t happen, but on June 4, 2007, the first National Tour of Jersey Boys opened at the Ahmanson and ran for four sold-out months.

In the early 2000s Bob Gaudio, an original member of The Four Seasons, sought to make a musical from the discography of the legendary rock ‘n roll band. Director Des McAnuff (then-artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse) was hired along with book writers Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman. Instead of repurposing the Four Seasons songs for an independent story (the way Abba did with Mamma Mia!) Brickman suggested creating a show about the band’s history. 

Beginning April 19 (and running through May 12), 3-D Theatricals in association with La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is offering a new production of Jersey Boys featuring Noah Rivera as Frankie Valli, Taubert Nadalini as Bob Gaudio, Blake Burgess as Nick Massi, and Chris Fore as Tommy DeVito. Directed by T.J. Dawson, choreographed by Dana Solimando, and with musical direction by Allen Everman, this four-time Tony Award-winner (including Best Musical) never fails to thrill!For more, click here.

Galilee, 34

• By CAROLINE LENHER

Galilee, 34, Eleanor Burgess’s new biblical-inspired play, premieres this month at South Coast Repertory as part of its milestone 60th anniversary. The story explores a historical moment when a movement came together and all that subsequently transpired. 

Galilee, 34 begins after the healer from Nazareth, Yeshua, has died, and his followers are determined to keep his message alive. However, there are a few problems, beginning with the Roman Empire wanting them out of the picture. Additionally, without a leader, Yeshua’s followers cannot agree on exactly what the message they are keeping alive is.

With wit and intelligence, Burgess, one of the country’s most exciting writers, takes us back to the start of a world-changing movement for a deeply personal look at those who made it happen.

“Burgess’ Galilee, 34 asks evocative and smart questions about ‘what if?’ On a cover page of the script she writes, ‘None of this happened, but all of it is true.’ I love how this encapsulates Eleanor’s adventurous, intelligent, hilarious and human new play…” says SCR Artistic director, David Ivers.

Galilee, 34, stars Amy Brenneman (NYPD Blue, Judging Amy) as Miriam of Nazareth. Jeremy Rabb (Brooklyn nine-nine, Grey’s Anatomy) joins that cast as Mattiyahu/Ezra, and Raviv (Ricky) Ullman (Law and Order SVU, Big Love) as Saul of Tarsus.

Galilee, 34, begins April 21, 2024.

For tickets and more information, click here.

DINNER WITH FRIENDS

• By ARLENE WINNICK

Dinner with Friends, the 2000 Pulitzer Prize winning play coming to the Zephyr Theater this month, is a dramatic comedy (stay with me) and a simple premise – two couples, lifelong friends and confidents, come together one evening to announce the (“not so amical”) breakup of one marriage. We all have these perfect friends and frequently watch them slowly unravel (or in this case explode) and soon the evening becomes a deep dive into a series of confessions, disillusionment, loyalty, middle age and a ton of other angsts. But mostly it’s about the bittersweet side friendships and marriages and what happens to both relationships when they face an ending.

There is fifth character in the show – the food! One couple are jet setting food critics so their anecdotes frequently reference special meals and of course they have a “kitchen to die for.” Many will remember the 2001 HBO film of the same name adapted from the play starring Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowell, Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette. 

The LA stage production is produced by Adriano Aragon/Foursome Productions, in association with Michael Donovan, and produced and directed by Peter Allas. It features Jack Esformes as Gabe, Marieh Delfino as Karen, Leith Burke as Tom, and Amy Motta as Beth. “I can’t wait to share with LA theatergoers the talent this incredible cast has,” noted Allas. Added producer Michael Donovan, “The story is universal and audiences will recognize the characters’ struggles from their own relationships.” 

For tickets and more, click here.