Our hearts go out to the people who have lost so much in the devastating fires that have wreaked havoc on so many areas of our beautiful city, as well as destroying one of our long-established theaters, Theatre Palisades. We hope they can find a way to rebuild or relocate so they can once again create new productions.
Covid protocols continue to be dictated by each individual venue, so bring a face mask to wear during the show in case the venue requires it. It’s a good idea to check with the theater before you attend a show 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 verify it 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:
OPENING
“The Brothers Abelson Since 1946” Twenty-six-year-old cartoonist Benny Abelson faces a life-changing decision when he visits his family in Texas for Thanksgiving, 1977. At first his dad’s nervous breakdown and his mom’s decision to walk out on her husband of 35 years elicit Benny’s wit and our laughter. Benny prepares to hightail it back to NYC, but as family secrets erupt, the Abelsons open a window for all of us onto the staggering heartbreak of keeping secrets. Written by Dennis Danziger, and directed by Matthew Leavitt, it runs February 1 through March 2 at the Electric Lodge in Venice. For tickets visit www.abelsonplay.com.
“The Book of Mormon” follows two young missionaries who are sent to Uganda to try to convert citizens to the Mormon religion. One missionary, Elder Price, is an enthusiastic go-getter with a strong dedication to his faith, while his partner, Elder Cunningham, is a socially awkward but well-meaning nerd whose tendency to embroider the truth soon lands him in trouble. Upon their arrival in Africa, Elders Price and Cunningham learn that in a society plagued by AIDS, poverty and violence, a successful mission may not be as easy as they expected. Written by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, with music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, and directed by Jennifer Werner, it runs February 6 through February 9 at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets visit www.BroadwayInThousandOaks.com.
“Bounds” Five women are stranded on a beach in an unknown country. They might be displaced persons, refugees, unhoused, undocumented immigrants. What we do know is that they are unwanted. They pass the time by playing games and singing songs, they fantasize about belonging, and they compete. One of them,they know, will be selected. But who will that be? While they wait, bonds are created, ties of affection. “Bounds” is a story about us, about the truths we take for granted, and about a society unable to exist without bonds. It is also about “the others,” about those to whom we open our doors—or refuse. It is a story about cages, violence, dreams, a story that reflects our time, a time when we struggle with the rules, obligations, and prejudices that keep us from looking in the eyes of our neighbors. Written by Tino Caspanello, translated by Haun Saussy, and directed by Frédérique Michel, it runs February 6 through March 14 at the City Garage in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-453-9939 or visit www.ticketleap.events/tickets/city-garage/bounds.
“Noises Off” Doors slam, sardines fly, and trousers drop in Michael Frayn’s side-splitting British farce about a theater company desperately trying to get their act together. Both onstage and backstage, chaos reigns for a troupe of floundering actors whose forgotten lines, misplaced props, and steamy romantic entanglements make it nearly impossible for the show to go on. An uproarious love letter to the theater, Noises Off is a peek behind the curtain—where everything that can go wrong, does! Written by Michael Frayn, and directed by Anna D. Shapiro, it runs February 6 through March 2 at the Geffen Playhouse Gil Cates Theater in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-208-2028 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.org.
“I Want a Country” A group of people huddle in the darkness, clutching suitcases and umbrellas. They have lost their country. Where did it go? They wander in search of a new one. They complain, argue, debate, talk about what makes a place feel like home. Together, they imagine what the country of their dreams would be like: a place where they could find peace, justice, and kindness at last. Though written by Flourakis about the Greek financial crisis of the early 2010s, this haunting and poetic text speaks just as powerfully to our own political moment here in the United States where so many long to replace division and enmity with connection and understanding. Written by Andreas Flourakis, translated by Eleni Drivas, and directed by Frédérique Michel, it runs February 8 through March 16 at the City Garage in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-453-9939 or visit www.ticketleap.events/tickets/city-garage/i-want-a-country.
“The Sphere of Fixed Stars in the Heavens” On a rooftop in North Hollywood, Owen and Elodie meet at a friend’s birthday party. Then they meet again. And again. And again. They get to know each other, learn about each other, and maybe start to like each other. Again. And again. And again. For both, this one encounter challenges what they know about love, desire, hope, and time. They discover that nothing lasts forever … except for the things that do. Written and directed by J. Holtham, it runs February 13 through February 23 at the Theatre 68 Arts Complex in North Hollywood. For tickets visit www.bespokeplays.com.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Divorce” introduces three couples, all going through difficult divorces, as they anxiously and frustratingly wait in a room at a courthouse for an appointment with a mediator. Conversations begin, details of each of their troubled marriages are revealed and they eventually learn more about themselves and their relationships in just hours than they have in years of matrimony. Written by Jeff Gould, and directed by Marc Antonio Pritchett, it runs February 14 through February 16 at the 905 Cole Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets visit www.SkyPilotTheatre.com.
“Jersey Boys” experience the meteoric rise of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons- a journey through fame, fortune, and the timeless music that defined a generation. With hits like ‘Sherry,’ ‘Walk Like a Man,’ and so many more, this show is a perfect blend of nostalgia, heart, and sheer entertainment! Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio, and directed by TJ Dawson, it runs February 14 through March 2 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-856-1999 or visit www.musical.org.
“Master Class” Callas, in the play, commands the stage in a Juilliard masterclass where she offers cutting, humorous, and deeply insightful critiques to her eager-to-please students. While guiding her pupils – each with their own hopes and flaws – Callas reflects on her triumphs and tragedies, from her metamorphosis as a star to her volatile relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Through sharp wit and raw vulnerability, Callas reveals the personal and professional sacrifices required to pursue greatness. Her impassioned teachings and poignant reflections remind us of the profound impact that art can have on individuals and society. Written by Terrence McNally, and directed by Tim Dang, it runs February 14 through March 9 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.theatrewest.org/tickets.
“Watermarks (A Fugue)” Set inside the most famous gift card shop in the world, a manager competes with his one and only customer over what is and what is not. Written by Abbott Alexander, and directed by Marco Rivera, it runs February 14 through February 23 at the Theatre West in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.theatrewest.org/tickets.
“End of Times Therapy” The year is 2037. Food is scarce, war is imminent, and the patriarchy dominates local tribes. A lone therapist sets up a practice in La Crescenta where she tries to help a young woman find a better life. But power and politics continue to dominate American life even in the post-apocalypse. It explores the themes of class wars, gender roles, romantic love and the therapeutic process in end of times Los Angeles and holds up a mirror to the times in which we now live. Written by Solange Castro, and directed by Robert Yasamura, it runs February 15 through February 23 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-394-9779 Ext. 2 or visit www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com/End-of-Times-Therapy.
“Macbeth” Set for this production against the haunting backdrop of New Orleans from the late 19th century through the 1920s, Macbeth may be the Bard’s most disturbing play: a macabre tale of witches, hallucinations, ambition, power and Shakespeare’s bloodiest couple. Macbeth and his wife thrash against the rise of their own consciences in a gripping psychological and political thriller that follows Macbeth’s transformation from a celebrated battlefield hero to a bloody tyrant, unveiling the profound darkness that resides within the human soul. Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Andi Chapman, it runs February 15 through March 9 at the A Noise Within in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-3100 or visit www.anoisewithin.org.
“UNCONDITIONAL, A Musical Memoir” In the wake of one of life’s most profound challenges, Margot Rose’s Unconditional, A Musical Memoir forges a path to resilience with a commitment to go on in a world of unpredictability. This is a true story of dedication and loss; community and love, in which two women, already in their mid-forties, went to extraordinary lengths to have kids. After a tragic loss, the family would be thrown into a spiral that, once again, forced them to grapple with the question – how do we become (and stay) a family? How are we able to go on? Written by Margot Rose, and directed by Anne Kenny, it runs February 15 through March 9 at the Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-761-7061 or visit www.skylighttheatre.org.
“Alabaster” a darkly comic southern drama by Audrey Cefaly about love, art and the power of women. The journey of a noted photographer lands her in the mysterious realm of an undiscovered folk artist hiding away in North Alabama in this funny and poignant new play. Written by Audrey Cefaly, and directed by Casey Stangl, it runs February 16 through March 30 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-663-1525 or visit www.FountainTheatre.com.
“Desperate Measures” When the dangerously handsome Johnny Blood’s life is on the line, he must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters. Laws are broken and hearts are won as they try to find justice in a world that often doesn’t seem just. Written by Peter Kellogg, with music by David Friedman, lyrics by Peter Kellogg, and directed by Todd Nielsen, it runs February 21 through March 9 at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.
“Oklahoma!” Experience the passion, the rivalry, and the hope that unfolds against the sweeping backdrop of Oklahoma Territory. In the bustling frontier town of Claremore, Oklahoma, a lively group of characters chase their dreams and grapple with the challenges of love and loss. Ado Annie, a captivating young woman, finds herself torn between the affections of Will Parker, a charming cowboy, and Alfred Dreyfus, a hardworking farmhand. Meanwhile, Curly, a handsome ranch hand, falls for Laurey Williams, a spirited farm girl who yearns for a life beyond the farm. As tensions rise between farmers and ranchers over dwindling resources, a rivalry erupts between Curly and Jud Fry, a brooding farmhand who harbors a dark secret. A community auction provides a platform for both love and conflict to unfold, with Laurey offering a picnic basket as a prize to the winner of a competitive barn dance. Through a series of misunderstandings, jealousy, and a dramatic storm, the true depths of love and friendship are revealed. Ultimately, hearts mend, sacrifices are made, and hope prevails in this timeless story of love conquering all. Written by Rodgers & Hammerstein, with music by Rodgers & Hammerstein, and directed by Tim Nelson, it runs February 21 through March 9 at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster. For tickets call 714-793-1150 Ext. 1 or visit www.rosecentertheater.com/oklahoma.
“The Trick” Two businessmen, Furst and Pin, meet a couple of call girls, Yvette and Babette, in a rundown saloon. Meanwhile, a man on the ledge of a building across the street threatens suicide, revealing and changing their lives in unexpected ways. Written by Joe Praml, and directed by Linnea V. Praml, it runs February 21 through February 23 at the Theatre 68 Arts Complex in North Hollywood. For tickets visit www.theatre68.com/tickets.
“44 The Obama Musical” is a satirical look at the rise and presidency of Barack Obama, as well as the eccentric political characters he met along the way. Obama’s election changed history. And as we clearly see also ended racism forever! But 44 is the story of the Obama you won’t read in history books…. because history books are now banned in most states. But also, because 44 is the story of Obama as Joe Biden kinda sorta remembers it…as a Musical! Written and directed by Eli Bauman, with music by Eli Bauman, it runs February 27 through March 23 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. For tickets visit www.centertheatregroup.com.
“I Love You Because” Set in New York City, it centers around a young, uptight greeting card writer whose life is changed when he meets a flighty photographer. Along with their eccentric friends and siblings, they learn to love each other not in spite of their faults, but because of them. Written by Ryan Cunningham, with music by Joshua Salzman, lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, and directed by Megan Ripchik, it runs February 28 through March 16 at the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.chrtheatre.com.
CONTINUING
“By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” takes an entertaining and revelatory look at racism in the film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Inspired by the struggles of actresses like Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen, worlds collide when aspiring African American starlet Vera Stark, who works as a maid to Gloria Mitchell, an aging Caucasian star grasping at her fading career, lands a trailblazing role in an antebellum epic starring none other than her boss! The play examines Vera’s 70-year career and her place in Hollywood history. Written by Lynn Nottage, and directed by Rondrell McCormick, it runs through February 8 at the Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-645-5156 or visit www.kentwoodplayers.org.
“Richard III” Having helped secure his brother King Edward IV taking the throne of England, the jealous tormented Richard, Duke of York, plots to seize power for himself. Masterfully deceiving and plotting against nearly everyone in the royal court, Richard orchestrates a bloody rise to power before finding all his gains jeopardized by those he betrayed. Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Richard J. Martinez, it runs through February 8 at the Helen Borgers Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets visit www.LBShakespeare.org.
“Something You Don’t Know” As a family tries to enjoy a weekend away at their cabin, they face the truth of the shocking secrets they’ve been keeping. The play examines how a family navigates the challenges of moving forward with love after a lifetime of trauma. Written by Dani True and Kirsten Jones, and directed by Natasha Renae Potts, it runs through February 15 at the Sawyer’s Playhouse at Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-452-3153 or visit www.loftensemble.org.
“Four Women in Red” about four resilient women searching for missing friends and relatives in the face of apathetic sheriffs and dwindling clues. Are their loved ones lost? Were they taken? Are they even alive? This moving new play celebrates the power of community as the women seek answers against all odds. Their roller coaster journey involves mystery, grief, prayer and moments of sudden joy. Written by Laura Shamas and directed by Jeanette Harrison, it runs through February 19 at the Victory Theatre Centre in Burbank. For tickets call 818-841-5421 or visit www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org.
“Avenue Q” is about real life. It’s about finding a job, losing a job, learning about racism, getting an apartment, getting kicked out of your apartment, being different, falling in love, promiscuity, avoiding commitment, hangovers, Internet porn and discovering the world. Written by Jeff Whitty, with music by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, it runs through March 2 at the Wisteria Theater in North Hollywood. For tickets visit www.wisteriatheater.com.