Theatre

THE LONELY FEW

• By KEN WERTHER

Geffen Playhouse became home of the epics last year! First it was 2020 Tony Award-winner for Best Play, The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez, a two-part event that could be experienced over two afternoons or two evenings or both parts in one day (each part was three acts with two intermissions). Then came The First Deep Breath by Lee Edward Colston II, an intense family drama that had a running time of almost four hours (three acts, two intermissions). 

This month, the Geffen is presenting a world premiere musical by Zoe Sarnak and Rachel Bonds. Commissioned as part of the theatre’s New Play Development Program, The Lonely Few is a love story between two women searching for a sense of home. Lila (Lauren Patten, Tony Award-winner for Jagged Little Pill) is getting by in her Kentucky hometown — scanning groceries at the Save-A-Lot, caring for her erratic brother, and living for Friday nights, when she plays a gig with her band The Lonely Few. And that’s enough. Or she thought it was, until Amy (Ciara Renée, Frozen, Waitress), an established musician ragged from the road, passes through, and offers her a shot at something much, much bigger. But is Lila ready for the life she never dared to imagine? 

Head to Westwood to find out. And for those who would rather spend a more traditional amount of time at the theatre, The Lonely Few boasts just two acts with one 15-minute intermission!

For tickets, click here.

SHANGHAI SONATAS

• By KEN WERTHER
• Photo Courtesy of THE WALLIS

As the Wallis Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills continues its search for a new artistic director, things are really hopping on its stages. This month, in collaboration with the University of Delaware Master Player Concert Series, the Wallis is presenting Shanghai Sonatas: A New Musical In Concert in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. With concept and music by Sean (Xiang) Gao, book by Alan Goodson, lyrics by Joyce Hill Stoner, and conducted by Noreen Green, Shanghai Sonatas is the compelling tale of how the unifying power of music brings cultures together. Ittells the story of Jewish refugee musicians finding sanctuary in the Jewish Ghetto of Shanghai in the 1940s. As a Jewish violinist takes on a troubled Chinese teenager as his student, a connection is made that helps both overcome their trauma and survive the war. This musical theater work, setting ripples in motion that carry through to this day, is based on first-person accounts of European musicians who used their optimism, humor, and musical talents to survive, forging friendships with their Chinese neighbors who saved their lives until Allied forces brought freedom to the region in 1945. There will be four performances only, on Thursday and Friday, March 16 and 17 at 8pm, and Saturday, March 18, at 2pm and 8pm. If you attend opening night on March 16, there will be a post-performance reception hosted by LAArtsOnline.com!

For tickets and more details, click here.

Come Get Maggie

• By Caroline Lenher

Rogue Machine is thrilled to present the world premiere of the new musical, Come Get Maggie, now on stage through March 26.

This joyful piece of musical theatre is just what the doctor, or should I say, the scientist, ordered. This frothy fantasy places the very smart Maggie in an infinitely dumb world. The story spans Maggie’s “present” in 1950s suburbia back to her 1930s childhood. Regardless of the year, Maggie’s struggle to fit into a world that excludes her is ever-present. The smart girl-turned-woman has a vision of the universe that longs for her “beam me up, Scotty” moment that arrives.

This delightful show set on earth, and the space around earth, will make you laugh, hum and entertain you while making you think.

Emmy Award-winning writer Diane Frolov’s television credits include The Sopranos, V, Northern Exposure and Alien Nation. Michael Pressman directs Come Get Maggie. Pressman is also an acclaimed theatre and television director with credits including Come Back Little Sheba, Finks, Law and Order: SVU and Weeds. Frolov and Pressman team up again, previously working together on Television’s Chicago Med.

Versatile actress and classically trained ballerina Melanie Neilan stars as Maggie. Neilan’s credits include Steppenwolf and popular TV shows, including NCIS: LA and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992

• By KEN WERTHER

It was very late at night (or early in the morning, I suppose). Around 1:30am almost 31 years ago on April 30, 1992. I had been asleep for just a few minutes when I was awakened by what sounded like “snap, crackle, pop” magnified about a hundred times, right outside my bedroom window. Fire! A couple of hours later, although the fire department fought valiantly, my building was toast. Every material possession I had called mine was gone. For the next six days, LA experienced the so-called Rodney King riots … the 1992 Los Angeles riots … the 1992 Los Angeles uprising.

One of the most important works in the history of the Mark Taper Forum, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 is a stunning play that explores the devastating human impact of the five days of uprising following the Rodney King verdict. Over 300 interviews were conducted during the year following the riots by playwright and scholar Anna Deavere Smith. She then crafted a play that goes directly to the heart of the issues of race and class. Using the exact words spoken to her by the people she interviewed, Smith performed the play solo in 1993. The 30^th anniversary production coming home to the Taper this month has been revised and expanded (by Smith) for five actors. I worked on the original production, and I can tell you without hesitation that this show is not to be missed.

For more, click here.