Theater in LA- Page 5
Theater in LA
#100Theater in LA
Posted: 9/14/16 at 12:56am
Sorry to hijack the thread but I have extra tickets for Hollywood Bowl tomorrow. I'll probably start a new thread but wanted to post here first since some of you are from L.A.
Wednesday 9/14 - sing the truth celebrating Lena Horne, Dinah Washington, Eartha Kitt, and Natalie Cole. The artist performing are Patti Austin, Deedee Bridgewater, Terri Lynn Carrington, Judith Hill, Ledisi, and special guest Freddy Cole.
If anybody is interested in the tickets let me know! Section N1
#101Theater in LA
Posted: 9/14/16 at 4:35pm
TFMH18 said: "Anyone planning on seeing this Scocese For the Record production? Very curious to hear reports when it begins next week!"
I'll be seeing it, but not until the first week of October.
While I'm here, a recommendation: There are only two weekends left for Pacific Resident Theatre's production of THE ECCENTRICITIES OF A NIGHTINGALE by Tennessee Williams. I saw it Labor Day Weekend and, not only is it a fine production overall, but Ginna Carter gives a truly incredible performance as Alma.
#102Theater in LA
Posted: 9/14/16 at 7:18pm
The stage seats for A View From the Bridge are padded and have backs. They are like a padded bench with a back that has an aisle in the middle. I believe there are 5 seats (may have been 6 seats) on each side of the aisle. We sat in the farthest upstage seats and they were terrific. You will miss a few things like entrances at the door and when the narrator addresses the audience at the very beginning. However, the immediacy of being so close to the actors is wonderful, and there are many scenes where the actors play with the backs to the main auditorium. So anywhere you sit you will miss a little something. Overall, I would highly recommend the on stage seating.
I am glad that there are many who enjoyed the show, but it got to be a bit of a slog for me. Frederick Weller was one note for me. And while he started strong, his characterization got tiresome toward the end for me (lack of a dynamic range during the whole show). I thought the rest of the cast was terrific. It's a show definitely worth seeing. I don't think you will see a production like it of this show.
jbird5
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/15
#103Theater in LA
Posted: 9/14/16 at 7:37pm
I think the part as written is one note. I had the same criticism of Mark Strong.
BWNUT
Featured Actor Joined: 9/26/07
#104Theater in LA
Posted: 9/14/16 at 8:28pm
I had the same reaction mainly because the central character was weak and boring. It did not help that the actor's line delivery was rote and one note. I was unmoved and, frankly, bored at the end. Glad I paid $25 only.
#105Theater in LA
Posted: 9/14/16 at 11:48pm
add me on instragram i post all the plays I see and rate then 1-5. i usually see around 5-10 shows a month. all in LA instagram.com/joselee_
#106Theater in LA
Posted: 9/15/16 at 3:08am
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with this reaction. Overall an interesting production with flaws. I have been thinking about it quite a bit since seeing it on Saturday, so definitely thought provoking.
I have to say that I don't think that I've read the script in 30 years, and this is first production that I've seen. The play itself is problematical, and this production really played up it's shortcomings for me. The first part of the play (the first act, although there is no intermission in this production) is a pretty subtle and interesting character study (especially the dynamic between the lead, his wife and their niece). However, the ending (and much of the second art) is like a sledge hammer blow that completely wipes away the previous strong points. This is what got tedious for me, and the stylization of this production, which seemed like an attribute at the beginning, really brought the script problems to the forefront. I know this is all old news for you New Yorkers, but I'm interested to see what others have to say about the play and this production.
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
#107Theater in LA
Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:57pm
I am excited for The Model Apartment. I am considering taking a 16 year old with me. Is anyone familiar with the play? How "appropriate" is it for a teenager?
#108Theater in LA
Posted: 9/24/16 at 12:45pm
I saw A View from the Bridge last night (stage seating, front row next to the center aisle, which was a great seat ... I can't imagine why anyone would pay more for orchestra seats that aren't as good). This was a strange case of me not really liking anyone in the cast and not particularly loving the play itself, but kind of loving the production. The acting was disappointingly weak across the board -- I kept imagining how certain lines could have been delivered better by stronger actors, and I never felt like any of them displayed the proper emotional state of the character. Now I wish I'd seen it in New York with the original cast when I had the chance.
The play (with which I was unfamiliar) is good but a little too obvious. I don't even think it needs the homophobia element, which seems like overkill. But I loved the simple elegance of this production, the stripped-down staging, the music and tension-building sound effects, the pristine white floor (so pristine you must walk on it barefoot!) that is only sullied at the end (but man, did that stink -- literally!). The scenes in which all the actors are on stage at once are especially electrifying (and my seat seemed perfectly positioned to view the tableau).
The theater wasn't remotely full, which is a shame, because I think people are missing out on the opportunity to see this production.
#109Theater in LA
Posted: 9/24/16 at 5:08pm
While I'm here, a recommendation: There are only two weekends left for Pacific Resident Theatre's production of THE ECCENTRICITIES OF A NIGHTINGALE by Tennessee Williams. I saw it Labor Day Weekend and, not only is it a fine production overall, but Ginna Carter gives a truly incredible performance as Alma.
"
Saw this production last night, and sorry to say I disagree with you on all counts. Cheap and cluttered design, lethargic pacing, and worst of all amateurish performances.
Ginna Carter was strange and mannered, which is exactly what's required of a Williams heroine - but this was a painfully sophomoric performance. Even if we are meant to understand that Alma never had a chance with the doctor, there's still got to be some glimmer of charm and sexuality to make us believe they could have a chance. In this production, it seems Alma's maybe a year or two away from becoming her demented mother, rather than a few decades. Carter has no sense of the rhythm or forward thrust of the language, either. And oh, God, the big weeping scene was unbearable; probably the worst acting I've seen in a long, long time.
There's probably a slim two hour tragicomedy to be produced from that script, but the lengthy scene changes, interminable pauses, and florid line readings stretched it to two and three quarter hours. Awful.
#110Theater in LA
Posted: 11/10/16 at 7:06pm
Saw the first performance of Druids Beauty Queen last night, it took a little while to get past the really thick Irish accents, but once you did what a brilliantly funny, scary, upsetting, horrifying, night of theatre it was. The cast was superb, highly recommend, grabbed a hotix an hour before the show and end up in the Centre section row D.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
#111Theater in LA
Posted: 3/9/19 at 11:48pm
Anything great in LA this month? Going to be in town the last of March/first of April...
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
#112Theater in LA
Posted: 3/10/19 at 9:09pm
Is anyone familiar with The Actors Co-Op? Do they have a history of good (professional) productions?
Thinking of catching Steel Magnolis?
conealpetterson
Stand-by Joined: 1/17/16
#113Theater in LA
Posted: 3/11/19 at 1:45amI saw their production of “She Loves Me” this Winter and it was good. They perform in a theater at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. It is a small theater - so there really isn’t a bad seat. They aren’t as polished as some of the bigger local theaters like Musical Theatre Wesr and La Mirada - but it was an enjoyable evening.
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
#114Theater in LA
Posted: 3/20/19 at 12:58am
Heading to LA next week. What shows/theaters do I need to check out?
bandbfilm
Stand-by Joined: 3/11/19
#115Theater in LA
Posted: 3/20/19 at 2:17am
The Actors Gang in Culver City is amazing - it’s spearheaded by Tim Robbins, and has had some great talents as members over the years like John C. Reilly and Jack Black.
Updated On: 3/20/19 at 02:17 AM
#116Theater in LA
Posted: 3/20/19 at 8:05am
bandbfilm said: "The Actors Gang in Culver City is amazing - it’s spearheaded by Tim Robbins, and has had some great talents as members over the years like John C. Really and Jack Black."
Interesting to see Tim Robbins is back as Artistic Director at The Actors Gang.
When I left LA (more than 15 years ago), he had divested himself from the company, saying it was time they learned to live without his financial support and leadership.
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
UncleCharlie
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
#118Theater in LA
Posted: 3/22/19 at 1:51am
jbm2 said: "Anyone familiar with the Little Cupcake Theater?"
If you're talking about the theater on Magnolia in North Hollywood, it's just Cupcake Theater, not Little Cupcake. I saw Spring Awakening there last June. Thought it was equivalent to a good college production. If you're in that neighborhood, a better choice would be Friends with Guns at the Road Theater Co. Among smaller theaters The Wolves at Echo Theater in Atwater Village has gotten a lot of good buzz and Faith Healer at the Odyssey in West Hollywood looks interesting. You've got Lackawanna Blues at the Mark Taper which has gotten raves and the sequel to Vietgone, Poor Yella Rednecks is opening at the South Coast Rep end of March. Those are 5 solid choices.
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
#119Theater in LA
Posted: 3/24/19 at 3:04am
Anyone familiar with The A tors Co-op and what quality of work they do?
jbm2
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
conealpetterson
Stand-by Joined: 1/17/16
#121Theater in LA
Posted: 3/26/19 at 10:58pmI have seen a production at Actor’s Co-op and it isn’t to the level of a professional production but a very good community production. I have heard very good thing about Lackawanna Blues at the Taper and Rotterdam at the Kirk Douglas.
KConradG
Chorus Member Joined: 3/18/16
#122Theater in LA
Posted: 3/27/19 at 3:29am
I don't believe it's been posted in this thread before, but this spreadsheet makes a wonderful guide to shows playing in LA. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g_sWnFnSX9C9f_kCYddIZQ8Px5VL-znNwt0KMENvVFE/edit#gid=924163421
The next upcoming shows for me are Sunday in the Park at USC, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory at the Pantages, and Catch Me If You Can at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach.
