Theatre

Comedian. Trailblazer. Force of Nature. These words encapsulate the spirit of JOAN, South Coast Repertory’s world premiere that dives deep into the life of the legendary Joan Rivers. As part of the second season of their American Icon Series, this production invites audiences to experience the relentless drive and indomitable spirit of a woman who transformed the landscape of comedy. Rivers wasn’t just a comedian; she was a pioneer who shattered glass ceilings, challenged societal norms, and redefined what it meant to be a woman in entertainment. 

From her early days performing in Greenwich Village nightclubs to her groundbreaking appearances on The Tonight Show, Joan’s journey was marked by both extraordinary triumphs and heartbreaking setbacks. She navigated the male-dominated comedy scene with sharp wit and unmatched tenacity, carving out a space for herself and countless other female comedians. Her fearless approach to comedy tackled everything from her own insecurities to the absurdities of Hollywood, making her a beloved figure on the red carpet and beyond. 

This compelling production not only showcases Joan Rivers’ incredible comedic legacy but also delves into her roles as a mother, a friend, and an unapologetic icon. Through a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, JOAN celebrates the complexities of a woman who was larger than life including her resilience and constant reinvention, reminding us that her influence is still present to this day. Don’t miss this exploration of a true American icon from October 27 to November 24, 2024. 

For tickets and details, click here.

A new production of Waitress, the Broadway musical with a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), is now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through October 13. Based on the 2007 film of the same name written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, it tells the story of Jenna, a baker and waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband. After she unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her doctor, and looking for ways out of her troubles, she sees a pie baking contest and its grand prize as her chance.

The show premiered on Broadway in April 2016, ran for almost four years and 1,544 performances. It featured a rare all-women production team, with Diane Paulus as director, Bareilles, Nelson, and Lorin Latarro as choreographer. A U.S. national tour ran from 2017 to 2019. From 2019 to 2020, the musical played in London’s West End, and then in September 2021, it returned to Broadway for a limited engagement starring Bareilles as Jenna, mainly to produce a live stage recording of the show which was released in 2023. Waitress has been described as, “a little slice of Broadway heaven.” I saw the show here in LA during its national tour, and I loved it. Head on out to La Mirada and see for yourself!

For tickets, click here.

If you’re a regular theatregoer, chances are pretty good you’ve seen A Streetcar Named Desire somewhere along the way. Very likely more than once. But I’m pretty sure you’ve never seen it like this. The Streetcar Project is bringing its much discussed and perpetually sold-out version of Tennessee Williams’ landmark American play to Los Angeles for six performances only October 28 through November 3. The first three shows will take place inside an airplane hangar overlooking the LA River in Frogtown (on the east side of LA). Then the production will take over a warehouse in Venice Beach for three shows to complete its run. 

Directed by co-creator Nick Westrate and starring Lucy Owen (Blanche DuBois/co-creator), Brad Koed (Stanley Kowalski), Mallory Portnoy (Stella DuBois), and Will Rogers (Harold Mitchell), this is Williams’ complete, unabridged text with just four performers, no props, and no set. By stripping bare to the bones one of the greatest pieces of American drama ever written, The Streetcar Project has established itself as a genuine underground sensation throughout the past year by astonishing audiences in private homes, a SoHo fashion boutique, movie theatres, churches, barns, warehouses, art galleries, and factories in and around New York City. West Coasters will now have the chance to grab the ticket for which New Yorkers have been clamoring, and I can promise you — this is one theatre experience you will never forget.

For more, click here.

American Idiot expands the rock-and-roll music of Green Day’s album of the same name into a sung-through musical. Written by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong (who also played St. Jimmy on several occasions throughout the original run of the show) and original director Michael Mayer, the show tells the story of a group of dissatisfied youths who experience the trials of young adulthood against the backdrop of suburban America.

This production will be put on at the Mark Taper Forum in a collaboration between the Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre, two icons of the Los Angeles theatrical scene. Deaf West Theatre has a long history of well-received shows, some of which go on to have successful Broadway runs. Take 2016’s Spring Awakening, a revival of an off-Broadway musical that went on to garner several Tony nods; the production was hailed as a revolutionary take on a modern musical, and American Idiot promises to be much of the same. Center Theatre Group, as one of the largest theatrical companies in the nation, has produced countless hits, including prior Deaf West collaborations Pippin, Sleeping Beauty Wakes, and Big River.

With the production’s advertisements promising an “immersive” “Brechtian” show, it seems like audiences are not in for a traditional theatergoing experience; maybe they should prepare for something more like a rock concert.

For tickets and more details, click here.