With the approach of fall, the theatre season heats up here in L.A.
Lovers of the dance, mark your calendars for the West Coast premiere of the Australian Ballet Company’s “Swan Lake” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Oct. 9-12 which opens the “Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center” season. The production was choreographed by Graeme Murphy.
With the approach of fall, the theatre season heats up here in L.A.
Lovers of the dance, mark your calendars for the West Coast premiere of the Australian Ballet Company’s “Swan Lake” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Oct. 9-12 which opens the “Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center” season. The production was choreographed by Graeme Murphy.
The New York Times praised the Australian company’s presentation for the clever way they “link the modern legend of Diana, the Princess of Wales, to the central psychodrama of Tchaikovsky’s ballet.” The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center is located at 135 N. Grand Ave in downtown Los Angeles. For tickets and information call 213-972-0711 or go on line to musiccenter.org.
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The fun begins at the Pasadena Playhouse with their production of Cole Porter’s musical gem “Kiss Me Kate,” starring multi-Emmy Award winning Wayne Brady (TV’s “Let’s Make a Deal,” “Whose Life Is It Anyway?”) as Fred/Petruchio.
The Playhouse’s artistic director, Sheldon Epps also directed the musical co-starring Merle Dandridge (Broadway’s “Spamalot” and “Tarzan”) as Lilli/Kate with Joanna A. Jones as Lois/Bianca and Terrance Spencer as Bill/Lucentio and Brad Blaisdell and David Kirk Grant as the two gangsters who sing the comedic delight “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” and if you do “the women you will wow.”
The musical takes place at a theatre in Baltimore in 1948 where an all black company is presenting Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”
As the play within a play begins we meet Fred and Lilli, the stars of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” who will be playing Petrucio and Kate. They are now divorced, but it is obvious that the flame of love has not totally been extinguished. The music and lyrics by Cole Porter are wonderful and include “Another Op‘nin, Another Show,” “Why Can’t You Behave?” and the beautiful love song “So In Love.” Kate also gets to sing the other comedy song, “I Hate Men” as she belts out fun lines like “… He may have hair upon his chest, but sister, so has Lassie. Oh I hate men!”
“Kiss Me Kate” runs now through Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Ave. in Pasadena. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. Talkback Tuesdays on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 following the 8 p.m. performance. Tickets and information available at PasadenaPlayhouse.org or phone 626-356-7529.
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The Pantages opens it’s new season with a bang on Sept. 30th with “Jersey Boys,” the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The musical sensation began at the Ahmanson Theatre, then moved on to New York where it won the Tony for Best Musical. Later it took up residence in Las Vegas, became a Clint Eastwood film and now it’s back at the Pantages through October 19th.
Next on the agenda, the 2013 Tony Winner for best revival, “Pippin.” The new version is colorful and filled with circus act excitement. “Pippin” runs from Oct. 21-Nov. 9.
“Kinky Boots” won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical” and will play from Nov. 11-30. And just in time for the Christmas holidays “Wicked” returns from Dec. 10-Feb. 1. This musical about Oz is a real winner for all ages, but young girls in particular love this show. The story is clever, the music soars and the show gives you a whole new perspective on who the Wicked Witch really was. Other shows coming to the Pantages will be “Newsies” followed by “Motown” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” For tickets and information go to HollywoodPantages.com.
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The Geffen Playhouse opens their new season with the sweet harmonies of classic spirituals in the new coming-of-age musical play “Choir Boy,” with an ensemble of terrific young actor-singers. For tickets and information go to GeffenPlayhouse.com or call (310) 208-5454.
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“Marjorie Prime,” the season opener at the Mark Taper Forum, runs through Oct. 19. Playwright Jordan Harrison’s new work uses science fiction techniques to explore new possibilities for science fact in the not too distant future.
The basic story revolves around Marjorie (Lois Smith) who has dementia. Her daughter Tess (Lisa Emery) and son-in-law Jon (Frank Wood) are trying to help her retain her memories and in the process they work with a mysterious figure named Walter (Jeff Ward).
Who is he anyway? It is obvious that Tess doesn’t like him around, but Jon feels Walter may be helping Marjorie retain her life long memories as her mind seems to be fading away. I must confess I didn’t get the underlying twist in Harrison’s play because I missed a few of the clues he presented.
So listen carefully and think about the word “Prime” in the title as you view this play about a “life lived, and a life remembered.” It is bitter sweet as Tess tries to understand her rocky relationship with her mother before she slips away.
Nov. 12 to Dec. 21 the taper presents the Joe Orton comedy, “What the Butler Saw.”
