Covid-19 vaccinations will be available to everyone who wants one starting April 15, which will certainly help us along on the road to recovery, although it will still be some time before we see live theatre returning to local venues. Case rates are still high but seem to be on a steady decline overall, and we are seeing gradual reopening in other sectors such as theme parks and movie theaters. The state is also constantly re-evaluating their guidelines and we could see live theater approved anytime at limited audience capacity, so keep following the local news to find out if anything changes.

A few brave theaters are already offering live performances:

“The Ghosts of Mary Lincoln” an evening of blood, madness and murder. There are tales of White House séances, presidential grave robbers, warnings from the undead, and that fateful night at Ford’s Theatre. The widow Lincoln has been freed from the asylum! Tom Dugan in a solo performance depicts an array of incidents and characters.
Written by Tom Dugan and directed by Shelby Sykes, it runs April 2 through May 1 at Dugan’s Backyard Playhouse in Woodland Hills. Physical distancing will be observed. Out of necessity, the audience will be strictly limited in size. Hand sanitizers will be readily be available, Outdoor fans will be in use and audience members will be required to wear masks. For tickets email: dbptickets@gmail.com.

“Little Women” will be presented as the grand re-opening production of the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale on dates to be announced soon. The City of Glendale has notified the theatre that they may reopen at limited capacity to ensure social distancing and patrons will be required to wear facemasks and be subject to temperature testing to ensure the safety of all guests. For more information, visit their website at www.glendalecentretheatre.com.

The rest of the theaters continue to expand their online offerings with more and more events to experience on a virtual basis. Some of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, while others are ongoing and can be viewed anytime on-demand. Visit each of the web sites below to see what they are offering. You will find free content as well as pay-per-view to choose from.

Here are the links to web sites that we know have online offerings:

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter every day now, but until we finally reach the other side of this pandemic, we encourage everyone to continue to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing whenever you are outside in public, and always when required by a place of business.

Our warmest wishes go out to all of our readers as we all continue to navigate the turbulent waters of this ever-changing world we live in! We also want to send out a very special thanks to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors who continue to publish these columns.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor

The downward trend in Covid cases continues, and vaccinations are in full swing for eligible groups of people, giving us more hope for the future. Once vaccinations are opened up to everyone for a few months, we may see more things returning to some sense of normalcy but the experts are projecting that theaters will not be resuming operation for live performances anytime soon, unless they make some radical changes to allow for social distancing. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

Until then, most theaters continue to expand their online offerings with more events to experience on a virtual basis. Some of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, which are often not announced far enough in advance to be included in this monthly column, while others are ongoing and can be enjoyed on-demand, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what’s available. Many are free to watch and some are charging a fee.

Here are the links to the theater web sites that have advertised online offerings:

Until we emerge from this recent spike in cases, we encourage everyone to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing at all times when possible and especially when outside in public.

Our warmest wishes go out to all of our readers as we all continue to navigate the surging waters of this ever-changing pandemic! We also want to send out a very special thank you to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors who continue to publish our columns.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor

Southern California experienced the highest number of Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic last month, and our hospitals had reached their peak capacity, but now finally we are seeing a downward trend, which we all can be relieved about. Vaccinations have started in the hopes that sometime this year we can return to some sense of normalcy and perhaps we will soon see our theaters resume operation for live performances, although they will undoubtedly need to make adjustments to allow for social distancing when they do reopen.

Until then, most theaters continue to expand their online offerings with more events to experience on a virtual basis. Some of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, which are often not announced far enough in advance to be included in this monthly column, while others are ongoing and can be enjoyed on-demand, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what’s available. Many are free to watch and some are charging a fee.

Here are the links to the theater web sites which have advertised online offerings:

Until we emerge from this recent spike in cases, we encourage everyone to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing at all times when possible and especially when outside in public.

Our warmest wishes go out to all of our readers as we all continue to navigate the surging waters of this ever-changing pandemic! We also want to send out a very special thank you to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors who continue to publish our columns.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor

Well, the holidays are over, but Los Angeles County is under lockdown once again with the highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic last March, and our hospitals are at zero capacity, all of which means that theaters are still not likely to resume operation anytime soon for live performances.

As such, most surviving theaters continue to expand their online offerings with more events to experience on a virtual basis. Some of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, which are often not announced far enough in advance to be included in this monthly column, while others are ongoing and can be enjoyed on-demand, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what’s available. Many are free to watch and some are charging a fee.

Here are the links to the theater web sites which have advertised online offerings:

Until we emerge from this recent spike in cases, we encourage everyone to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing at all times when possible and especially when outside in public.

Our warmest wishes go out to all of our readers as we all continue to navigate the surging waters of this ever-changing pandemic! We also want to send out a very special thank you to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors who continue to publish our columns.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor

As Los Angeles County enters the holiday season, the virus continues to be the focus of everyone’s attention, and unfortunately means that theaters are still not allowed to operate for live performances.

However, theaters continue to expand their online platforms with more and more events to experience on a virtual level. These online events are often available one time only, and are frequently not announced far ahead of the event, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what is available. Most are free to watch, some are charging a small fee. Here is a list of the theater web sites you can check to see what they are offering:

Until we emerge from this recent spike in cases, we encourage everyone to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing at all times when possible and especially when outside in public.

Our warmest holiday wishes go out to all of our readers and we hope you manage to enjoy them without indulging in the usually group gatherings that seem to be causing most of the problems during this crisis! We also want to send out a very special thank you to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors who continue to publish our columns. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Kwanza to all!

Sincerely,

Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor

Los Angeles County continues to be in the purple tier, which means that theaters are still not allowed to operate yet for live performances. However, The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center and Playwrights’ Arena have announced the inaugural production of the Center’s innovative new live theatre series, “Garage Theatre” with “March”.

“March” may or may not take place some 25 years in the future. An authoritarian society is once again in the grip of a pandemic. In a world of existential danger, three Trans/Gender Non-Conforming women seek a safe place to hide from The Military. Darkly fearful and incorporating elements of magic realism, March begins its journey to the stage as a suspenseful, starkly political drama of peril and liberation.

The production is conceived and directed by award-winning director and founder of Playwrights’ Arena, Jon Lawrence Rivera. There will be performances at 7:30pm and 9pm every Saturday and Sunday through November 15 at the underground parking structure located below the LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood. Capacity for Garage Theatre is limited to 16 cars at each performance. Tickets are $20 per car and may be purchased online at www.lalgbtcenter.org/theatre.

Other theaters are continuing to offer events online instead. These online events are often available one time only, and are frequently not announced far ahead of the event, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what is available. Most are free to watch, some are charging a small fee. Here is a list of the theater web sites you can check to see what they are offering:

Until we emerge from these trying times, we encourage everyone to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing at all times when outside in public. Our warmest wishes go out to all of you during this crisis! We also want to thank the Public Relations representatives and our readers for their ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall and Sid Fish

Los Angeles County continues to be in the purple tier, which means that theaters are still not allowed to operate yet for live performances. Unfortunately, this has taken its toll on some smaller venues, which may not be able to reopen at all.

However, The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center and Playwrights’ Arena have announced the inaugural production of the Center’s innovative new live theater series, Garage Theatre. “March” is conceived and directed by award-winning director and founder of Playwrights’ Arena, Jon Lawrence Rivera.

“March” may or may not take place some 25 years in the future. An authoritarian society is once again in the grip of a pandemic. In a world of existential danger, three Trans/Gender Non-Conforming women seek a safe place to hide from The Military. Darkly fearful and incorporating elements of magic realism, March begins its journey to the stage as a suspenseful, starkly political drama of peril and liberation.

There will be performances at 7:30pm and 9pm every Saturday and Sunday from October 17 through November 15 at the underground parking structure located below the LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood. Capacity for Garage Theatre is limited to 16 cars at each performance. Tickets are $20 per car and may be purchased online at www.lalgbtcenter.org/theatre.

Many theaters are continuing to offer events online instead. These online events are often available one time only, and are frequently not announced far ahead of the event, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what is available. Most are free to watch, some are charging a small fee. Here is a list of the theater web sites you can check to see what they are offering:

Until we emerge from these trying times, we encourage everyone to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing at all times when outside in public. Our warmest wishes go out to all of you during this crisis! We also want to thank the Public Relations representatives and our readers for their ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall and Sid Fish

Although the Governor has established a new “tier” rating system for counties, Los Angeles County continues to be in the purple tier, which means that theaters are still not allowed to operate yet for live performances. Unfortunately, this has taken its toll on some smaller venues, which may not be able to reopen at all.

However, The Rubicon Theatre in Ventura is continuing their workaround for the situation with their Safe Distance Drive-In Concert Series featuring live shows in their “Rubicon Goes Retro” series presented at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura where you stay in your car for the performance, and listen to the show on your car radio! Here is more information on the upcoming shows they are offering:

     September 7-9: “MUSIC OF THE KNIGHTS: THE SONGS OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, ELTON JOHN AND PAUL McCARTNEY”.
The Phantom of the Operaphenoms’ TERI BIBB and DAVIS GAINES are slated to appear, as well as two-time Golden Globe nominee TED NEELEY of Jesus Christ Superstar, who brings his rock wail to “Gethsemane” and other songs.

Tickets are going fast, and early reservations are highly recommended. A 15% series discount is available through Rubicon Guest Services. For tickets, go to
www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

Of course, other theaters are continuing to offer online events instead. These online events are often available one time only, and are frequently not announced very far ahead of the event, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what is available. Most are free to watch, some are charging a small fee. Here is a list of the web sites you can check to see what they are offering:

Until we emerge from these trying times, we encourage everyone to stay safe by wearing a facemask and practicing proper social distancing at all times when outside in public. Our warmest wishes go out to all of you during this crisis! We also want to thank the Public Relations representatives and our readers for their ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall and Sid Fish

As August begins, we are seeing mounting cases of Covid-19 in the midst of reversing the re-opening of local businesses, so there is little chance of Southern California theaters opening again anytime soon. As before, no live stage shows are allowed at venues by mandate from state and local authorities due to the escalating Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

However, The Rubicon Theatre in Ventura has introduced a new workaround for the situation by creating their Safe Distance Drive-In Concert Series featuring live shows in their “Rubicon Goes Retro” series presented at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura where you stay in your car for the performance, and listen to the show on your car radio! Here is more information on the upcoming shows they are offering:

     August 3-5: “30th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT OF FOREVER PLAID”
featuring performers from the original New York run (LEO DAIGNAULT, JASON GRAAE, DAVID ENGEL and LARRY RABEN)
August 17-19: “JIMMY MESSINA AND FRIENDS”
with special guests “sittin’ in” – JOHN McFEE of THE DOOBIE BROTHERS on August 17, TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT on August 18 and KENNY LOGGINS on August 19
September 7-9: “MUSIC OF THE KNIGHTS: THE SONGS OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, ELTON JOHN AND PAUL McCARTNEY”
The Phantom of the Operaphenoms’ TERI BIBB and DAVIS GAINES are slated to appear, as well as two-time Golden Globe nominee TED NEELEY of Jesus Christ Superstar, who brings his rock wail to “Gethsemane” and other songs.

Tickets are going fast, and early reservations are highly recommended. A 15% series discount is available through Rubicon Guest Services. For tickets, go to
www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

Of course, other theaters are continuing to offer online events instead. These online events are often available one time only, and are frequently not announced very far ahead of the event, so you will have to visit the venue’s web site to see what is available. Most are free to watch, some are charging a small fee. Here is a list of the web sites you can check to see what they are offering:

Until we emerge from these trying times, we encourage everyone to stay safe and practice social distancing at all times when outside in public. Our warmest wishes go out to all of you during this crisis! We also want to thank the Public Relation representatives and our readers for their ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Steve Zall and Sid Fish