The Inheritance – Part 1 & 2 at the Geffen Playhouse
The Geffen Playhouse hosted a fabulous opening event on Sunday for the west coast premiere of Matthew López’s masterpiece “The Inheritance – Part 1 & 2”. Invited media experienced the production starting with the premiere of “The Inheritance – Part 1” in the early afternoon, which was moving, evocative, and thought-provoking, with laughter, tears, and ending in thunderous standing ovations as the audience cheered for more!
The story is set in contemporary Manhattan, where Eric and Toby are 30-somethings who seem to be very much in love and thriving. But on the cusp of their engagement, they meet an older man haunted by the past, and a younger man hungry for a future. Chance meetings lead to surprising choices as the lives of three generations interlink and collide—with explosive results. A new perspective on today’s gay culture and how the AIDS crisis has affected the world we live in today. We saw Part 1 early in the afternoon.
The street was blocked off for our safety.
After this, we exited the theater to find Le Conte Avenue blocked off on both sides in front of the theater and decorated in a festive style, with a cherry tree as the centerpiece of the circle. This was followed by a lovely outdoor dinner and picnic held on the grounds of the UCLA campus and served up by the UCLA Event Catering staff along with a gourmet ice cream truck, a unique shaved ice truck, a specialty Churro cart and a high-end coffee stand.
There were also a number of information booths available for various LGBTQIA+ associations. Representatives from each group were on hand to answer questions and give out literature.
Beautiful music filled the air which was provided by a live guitarist at the event. Groups of people gathered together and chatted about what we had witnessed in Part 1 of this amazing show prior to the break. Everyone remarked at how moved they were by what they had seen, and agreed that they were anxiously awaiting what was yet to come in the upcoming Part 2 which was set to begin later that day. (During the run of the production, audiences will see Part 1 on one day and then see Part 2 separately on a subsequent day, but the media was being allowed to view both parts the same day for this special event.)
The center of the street was filled with huge semi-transparent plaques, on which were written significant quotes about gay acceptance, love, self-identity, and the many ways that AIDS has changed the world. These were potent images intended to get people thinking about things in a different way.
As the sun set, the group headed back into the Geffen patio and lobby to enjoy some more music and have a few drinks before Part 2 began. Just before 7 pm we all headed back into the theater.
When Part 2 of The Inheritance concluded, the entire audience was once again on their feet, with thunderous applause for the entire cast of this momentous production as they took their well-deserved bows. Most of the audience then headed to the after party at STK Steakhouse Los Angeles in The W Los Angeles hotel on Hilgard. There we were able to meet many members of the cast and enjoy some more fabulous food served by STK on a stunning buffet table.
We had a fantastic time at this incredible event, and want to send our special thanks to Gil Cates Jr., Executive Director, and Zenon Dmytryk, Director of Public Relations, and the entire staff of the Geffen Playhouse for organizing, producing and hosting this evening!
(left to right) Steve Zall and Sid Fish at the Grand Opening Gala of the Inheritance Part 1 & 2
Most theaters have returned to normal operations again, however county mandates for mask requirements are still being decided as we go to press, so please check the current guidelines before you leave to attend any performances. Covid protocols also vary from venue to venue, so you may still have to show proof of vaccination, and/or wear a mask during the show, so please check with the theater before you attend an event to find out what their current policy is.
The information presented in this column is the latest available at the time of printing, however you should check with the theater to confirm it before making definite plans. Here are the shows that have announced opening dates for this month, or are already running at this time:
OPENING
“Drag: The Musical” is a groundbreaking new show full of glamour, glitz, and DIVAtastic twists featuring drag superstar Alaska Thunderf*ck. Debuting at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood, the all-star cast boasts a roster of drag icons including Alaska, Jujubee, Jackie Cox, Jan Sport, Lagoona Bloo, and Aria B. Cassadine, along with pop music legend Joey McIntrye, and Broadway veterans Nick Adams and Alysha Deslorieux. Together, they tell the tale of two rival drag clubs that must go head-to-head to overcome their differences in order to survive. Enjoy a hilarious and heartfelt celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and the power of family. Harkening back to cult classics like Rocky Horror and La Cage aux Folles with a modern twist, DRAG: The Musical is sure to become a modern-day, queer cult classic. Written by Alaska Thunderf*ck, with music by Tomas Costanza and Ashley Gordon, and directed by Spencer Liff, it runs through October 15 at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. For tickets visit www.bourbonroomhollywood.com.
Photos & videos we took during the production
“To the Bone” a darkly funny comedy about family, baseball, genetics — and the unexpected vagaries of life. Twenty years after the Red Sox lost their chance at the pennant when a Yankees fan bounded onto the field in the ninth inning to void what would have been the game-winning out, Sisters Kelly Moran and Maureen Dugan still live on the “Irish Riviera” south of Boston, where they were known as “hard girls” back in high school. Written and directed by Catherine Butterfield, it runs October 1 through November 5 at the Open Fist Theatre Company – Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets call 323-882-6912 or visit www.openfist.org.
“Nina Simone: Four Women” Following the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. that killed four young girls, Simone shifted her considerable talents to activism. The result was some of the most powerful, impactful civil rights anthems ever written. Ham’s intensely personal play with music takes theatregoers into how the iconic chanteuse gave voice to countless other Black women fighting to overcome stereotypes and racism. Written by Christina Ham, and directed by Logan Vaughn, it runs October 2 through October 23 at the South Coast Repertory – Julianne Argyros Stage in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.
“Basement Folly” a couple ponders what to do when they discover that an unknown person is living in their basement. A normal couple would take swift action. But not these people. They have to discuss it: Call police? Kick the person out, with so many people homeless? Give priority to an old family friend who appears, homeless and needing shelter? What about their adult daughter, who wants a temporary place? What if it’s the wife’s unstable sister? What’s moral? What’s safe? And who’s down there, anyway? All fodder for the family’s greatest talent: bickering. Written by David Datz, and directed by Carol M. Becker, it runs October 3 through October 26 at the Theatre 40, in the Reuben Cordova Theatre in Beverly Hills. For tickets call 310-364-3606 or visit www.theatre40.org.
“Mother Sisters” a docu-play curated and constructed by Makaela Vogel based on interviews she conducted with her eight aunts. Looking back over their varied and fascinating lives, these women affirm the strength and transformative power of their bond as sisters and female travelers of the late 20th century. Written by Makaela Vogel, and directed by Sky Paley, it runs October 5 through October 27 at the Echo Theater Company – Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets call 310-307-3753 or visit www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.
“The Mousetrap” Seven strangers are stranded at Monkswell Manor during a blizzard when a police sergeant unexpectedly arrives, worried that a murderer-at-large is among the guests. Before he can investigate, one of them is killed. Will the police be able to solve the case before another “mouse” falls? Written by Agatha Christie, and directed by Jules Aaron, it runs October 6 through November 13 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre – Main Stage in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-763-5990 or visit www.thegrouprep.com.
“Cindy & The Disco Ball: The Musical” time-travels back to a decade that was dy-no-mite! Colorful fashion, sensational songs, and disco dance moves bring an all-new Cinderella story to life. The story unfolds at a SoCal High School in 1976. On the flip side, a glittering Soul Sister with magic up her sleeves is keeping tabs on Cindy and her “messy” relationship with her stepsister. It’s a fun and fabulous journey through teenage self-discovery, high school romance, and four friends who dream up something big for the future – you know… the 1980s. Written by Joseph Leo Bwarie and Lori Marshall, with music by Rachael Lawrence, lyrics by Joseph Leo Bwarie and Lori Marshall, and directed by Joseph Leo Bwarie and Christine Lakin, it runs October 7 through October 30 at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank. For tickets call 818-955-8101 or visit www.garrymarshalltheatre.org.
“A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” In this highly theatrical, very funny, but ultimately devastating tragic-comedy, married couple Bri and Sheila use irreverent humor as a way to cope with the daily struggle of caring for their 10-year-old, severely brain-damaged daughter, whom they’ve affectionately nicknamed “Joe Egg.” The result is an immensely moving and profound play about love and marriage. Written by Peter Nichols, and directed by Ethan Maniquis, it runs October 7 through November 21 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 Ext. 2 or visit www.OdysseyTheatre.com.
“Staring Into Nothing” Is a new musical/rock opera which explores the impact of mass media, social media, and the digital information age on the quality of our lives. It asks and attempts to answer the age-old philosopher’s question: “What Is Good and What Is Not?” Written by Steve Rogers, with music by Steve Rogers and Kurt Barabas, and directed by Jeffrey Polk, it runs October 7 through October 9 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-508-4200 or visit www.elportaltheatre.com.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Divorce” Three couples, each intent on getting divorced, find themselves sharing the same meeting room waiting for the same divorce mediator. Once, each of these couples were in love. What happened to bring each of them to this point? While they’re waiting, Brian and Carol, Doug and Angie, and Ken and Tanya share their stories of love that went wrong. Their tales are by turns hilarious and heartbreaking. Written by Jeff Gould, and directed by Marc Antonio Pritchett, it runs October 9 through November 20 at the New Collective Theater in Hollywood. For tickets visit www.divorce.brownpapertickets.com.
“Inconceivable” Based on personal experience and written by the performing actress, Atlanta/Israel native Meirav Zur, everything seen in this comedic solo production is true and resonates with audiences. This is a hilarious and real fertility journey. Those who are “inside” infertility can never truly explain it, and those who are “outside” of infertility can never truly understand it. This show bridges that gap, with many laughs along the way. Written and directed by Meirav Zur, it runs October 10 through December 12 at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.onstage411.com/inconceivable.
“The Addams Family” embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Andrew Lippa, and directed by Kirsten Chandler, it runs October 14 through October 23 at the Kavli Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets call 800-745-3000 or visit www.5startheatricals.com.
“Daddy Issues” How far will a gay guy go to please his overbearing Jewish parents? Mr. and Mrs. Moscowitz are in denial about their son’s gay lifestyle, disapprove of his career choice, and question his flair for decoration. To get his family to stop kvetching, Donald needs a son. With the help of his ballsy best friend Henrietta and rising drag queen Levi, Donald hires the ten-year-old kid from downstairs. Written and directed by David Goldyn, it runs October 14 through November 13 at the Dorie Theatre @The Complex in Hollywood. For tickets visit www.daddyissuestheplay.com.
“Damn Yankees” How far would you go to help your favorite team win? Would you risk your wife, your life, your very soul? Joe Hardy is about to find out, when his despair over the state of the Washington Senators summons a sulfuric stranger with an offer Joe can’t refuse. Featuring audience favorites like, “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO.,” “Heart,” and “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets,” Damn Yankees is a Faustian funfest that celebrates love, baseball, and the importance of an escape clause. Written by George Abbot & Douglass Wallop, with music by Richard Adler & Jerry Ross, and directed by Cynthia Ferrer, it runs October 14 through October 30 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-856-1999 or visit www.musical.org.
“Farragut North” about behind-the-scenes election intrigue. No trick is too dirty, no lie is too outrageous, no spin is too ingenious if it gets your candidate over the top. Titled after the Metrorail stop closest to Washington D.C.’s geographic center for think tanks, lobbyists, power plays and spin-doctoring, Farragut North is a classic tale of hubris set against a contemporary landscape. Written by Beau Willimon, and directed by Peter Allas, it runs October 14 through November 5 at the Theatre 68 Arts Complex – The Rosalie in North Hollywood. For tickets visit www.onstage411.com/farragutn.
“Ubu the King” Killing Wenceslaus and his entire family are not enough for old Ubu, his greed and insatiable appetite lead him into a spiraling series of events that result in murder, war, and ultimately the restoration of the King’s son, Boggerlas, to the throne of Poland. Meanwhile, Ubu and his conspirators sail off to safety at the end of the play facing no consequences for their reign of terror. You must be 18 or older to attend. Written by Alfred Jarry, translation by Cyril Connolly and Simon Watson Taylor, and directed by Tim Robbins, it runs October 14 through November 19 at the Actors Gang in Culver City. For tickets call 310-838-4264 or visit www.TheActorsGang.com.
“(Un)Documents” The multiple award-winning solo work lyrically depicts Valles’s journey across both sides of a river with two names, moving between languages to find their place in a nation that demands sacrifice at the altar of citizenship. In doing so, they create a new kind of documentation written with anger, fierce love, and the knowledge that what makes us human can never be captured on a government questionnaire. Written by Jesús I. Valles, and directed by Rudy Ramirez, it runs October 14 through November 20 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit www.latinotheaterco.org.
“The Atheist Mother” based on the fictionalized life of Madelyn Murray O’Hair, the woman who led the fight to ban prayer in America’s public schools. O’Hair’s battle to take God out of our classrooms became a cause celebre in 1961. The legal case was contested bitterly over the next two years, culminating in the 1963 Supreme Court decision holding that bible reading and prayer recitation in public schools were impermissible under the doctrine of separation of church and state articulated in the first amendment to the U.S. constitution. O’Hair’s enraged enemies in religious and political circles denounced the high courts’ decision and called her the most hateful woman in America. Written by Willard Manus, and directed by Judith Rose, it runs October 16 through November 13 at the Brick House Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5573882.
“The Inheritance Part 1 & Part 2” (Note: This production is presented in two separate plays, Part 1, and Part 2, that alternate days in the theater. A separate ticket is required for each show.) In contemporary Manhattan, Eric and Toby are 30-somethings who seem to be very much in love and thriving. But on the cusp of their engagement, they meet an older man haunted by the past, and a younger man hungry for a future. Chance meetings lead to surprising choices as the lives of three generations interlink and collide—with explosive results. Written by Matthew López, and directed by Mike Donahue, it runs October 16 through November 27 at the Geffen Playhouse – Gil Cates Theater in Westwood. For tickets call 310-208-2028 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.org.
“According to the Chorus” In the basement quick change room of a Broadway theatre in the mid-1980s life is full of angst as the long-running production may close at any time and the chorus women are at war with the wardrobe department. Will the new dresser, with her own sad past and uncertain future, be able to navigate this minefield? This story is a funny, nostalgic behind-the-scenes look at a pivotal period in the history of Broadway where women’s issues and the AIDS crisis play out through the everyday lives of Equity performers and union dressers. Written by Arlene Hutton, and directed by Emily Chase, it runs October 21 through December 11 at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-761-8838 or visit www.RoadTheatre.org.
“Lend Me A Tenor” Culture-climbers in provincial but pretentious Cleveland are threatened with embarrassment when “Il Stupendo,” the Italian tenor they’ve imported to sing Pagliacci, may prove to be indisposed (or even worse) at the last minute. In this quintessential farce replete with six slamming doors and a phone that never stops ringing, members of the Cleveland Opera Company frantically try to keep the show going when the star can’t go on. The antics accelerate at full tilt, with one case of mistaken identity after another in this hilarious combination of slapstick, word play, romance, and great opera music! Written by Ken Ludwig, and directed by Todd Nielsen, it runs October 21 through November 6 at the International City Theatre – Long Beach Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.
“Man’s Favor Devil’s Plan” CONSUMER ADVISORY: This play deals with adult content including violence and racism. It is unsuitable for small children. Los Angeles, California, 1938, Mr. Avery’s Hotel. A microcosm of a nation that has been steep in a vicious hypocritical quagmire so pervasive that it’s become a reflection of the consciousness of a country. The owner is a victim of his own diabolical abuse and in denial of the consequences even though he is surrounded by them. Laddie, DD, and the rest in his employ navigate in a way that creates two worlds, one that allows them existence and the other that forces murderous results. Written by Kwik Jones, and directed by C. Julian White, it runs October 22 through November 20 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-7402 or visit www.therobeytheatrecompany.org.
“Radio Golf” Harmond Wilks, Pittsburgh’s first Black mayoral candidate, finds himself on the verge of the business breakthrough of a lifetime. The arrival of an unexpected visitor with surprising news forces Harmond to choose between his personal aspirations and his integrity. With humor and courage, Radio Golf challenges the steep price progress can exact upon the soul. Written by August Wilson, and directed by Gregg T. Daniel, it runs October 22 through November 13 at the A Noise Within in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-3100 or visit www.anoisewithin.org.
“WET: A DACAmented Journey” is the story of what it means to be an American in every sense of the word except for one: on paper. Chronicling the story of Anner Cividanis’ Journey as an undocumented American, the play captures the desperation that DREAMers experience with limited options of adjustment of status under a broken U.S. Immigration System. Written by Alex Alpharaoh, and directed by Daphnie Sicre, it runs October 22 through November 13 at the Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-673-0544 or visit www.GreenwayCourtTheatre.org.
“EISENHOWER: This Piece of Ground” Tony-winning theatre, television and film star John Rubinstein will portray General Eisenhower. Rubinstein had the honor of meeting “Ike” at the White House when he was a boy. Rubinstein, a lifelong Ike aficionado, has a deep commitment to the material and brings strength, humanity, and humor to the role. This play is a fiction, a piece of history. It is adapted from a range of General Eisenhower’s memoirs, speeches, and letters. The author is grateful to David Eisenhower and the Eisenhower family for permission to quote as needed. Written by Richard Hellesen, and directed by Peter Ellenstein, it runs October 28 through November 20 at the Theatre West in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-851-7977 or visit www.TheatreWest.org.
“A Few Good Men” In this courtroom drama about two Marines on trial for complicity in the death of a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay, a Navy lawyer – who’s more interested in softball games than the case — expects a plea bargain and a cover-up of what really happened. Prodded by a determined female member of his defense team, he eventually makes a valiant effort to defend his clients and, in so doing, puts the military mentality and the Marine code of honor on trial. RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY! Written by Aaron Sorkin, and directed by Casey Stangl, it runs October 29 through November 20 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada. For tickets call 562-944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com.
“Love Among the Ruins” When wealthy widow and socialite Jessica Medlicott is sued for breach of promise by her money-seeking ex-fiancé, will her past as an actress help or haunt her? As highly respected, strait-laced lawyer Sir Arthur Granville-Jones steps into the picture, he is driven to hilarious distraction by her larger-than-life personality. Based on the 1975 ABC Theater Presentation with Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier, this world premiere adaptation of the courtroom classic Love Among the Ruins is every bit as charming and delightful as the original film, which garnered a Peabody Award and multiple Emmys. Written by James G. Hirsch and Robert A. Papazian, and directed by Michael Arabian, it runs October 30 through November 13 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
CONTINUING
“Lost Lake” is a tense, carefully wrought drama about the surprising, complicated friendship formed by two very different people with no one else to turn to. The lakeside rental Veronica has managed to afford is a far cry from the idyllic getaway she and her children so desperately need, and the disheveled property owner Hogan has problems of his own. Problems that Veronica is inevitably and irrevocably pulled into. An engrossing and revealing portrait of two strangers bound together by circumstance, Lost Lake is a vivid play about the struggle for connection in an imperfect world. Written by David Auburn, and directed by Faye Viviana, it runs through October 9 at the Beverly Hills Playhouse in Beverly Hills. For tickets call 310-855-1556 or visit www.crimsonsquare.org.
“The Wild Party” tells the story of one tragic, decadent night in a New York apartment shared by Queenie and her menacing lover, Burrs. The couple decides to throw the party to end all parties where Queenie meets a handsome stranger who wants to lure her away. Lust, jealousy, deception, drugs, sex, and violence all play out against the backdrop of Manhattan during the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition, just one year before Crash of 1929. This darkly brilliant show won a slew of awards and its thrilling, pitch-perfect score has become a modern-day classic. Contains adult situations and language, for mature audiences only. Written by Andrew Lippa, with music by Andrew Lippa, and directed by Kristin Towers-Rowles, it runs through October 9 at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-828-7519 or visit www.morgan-wixson.org.
“Mass Graves” A group of men, struggling with the consequences of their past actions, try to recover their lives inside a confined halfway house. As their cohabitants and families start closing in, each is forced to confront the crimes they committed. Can they redeem themselves or will the past keep pushing them to the edge? Written by Cris Eli Blak, and directed by Matt Lorenzo, it runs through October 23 at the Sawyer’s Playhouse at Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-452-3153 or visit www.loftensemble.org.
Our local theme parks are operating at full capacity. Most require advance reservations online, as well as advance ticket, and possibly food, purchases. You will need an app in some to be able to take full advantage of all attractions and restaurants. Please check their websites for details, restrictions, and availability before planning a visit:
Some theaters still provide online offerings in addition to or in lieu of live performances, with many events you can experience on a virtual basis. A few of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, while others are ongoing and can be viewed on-demand anytime. Visit each of the web sites below to see what they are currently offering. You will find free content as well as pay-per-view to choose from. Here are the links to web sites with online offerings:
Our best wishes go out to all of our readers as always, and we want to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day this month! We also want to send heartfelt thanks to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors and publishers who continue to publish these columns. We hope this year will be a safe and healthy one for theatergoers, reviewers, and everyone everywhere.
Sincerely,
Steve Zall, Publisher Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor
