Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more
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2/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS
Theater in L.A. this week: ‘Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys
Creation’ and more
Margaret Odette heads the cast of “Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation” at the Ge en Playhouse. (Je Lorch)
By MATT COOPER
LISTINGS COORDINATOR
FEB. 9, 2020
6 AM
Here is a list of new plays, Critics’ Choices, etc., in L.A. for Feb. 9-16. Capsule reviews
are by Charles McNulty (C.M.), Philip Brandes (P.B.), F. Kathleen Foley (F.K.F.),
Margaret Gray (M.G.) and Daryl H. Miller (D.H.M.).
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2/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
Openings
The Father Alfred Molina stars in Christopher Hampton’s translation of French
playwright Florian Zeller’s drama about a man navigating shifting realities. Pasadena
Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Sun., 5 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat, 2 and 8
p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends March 1. $25 and up. (626) 356-7529.
pasadenaplayhouse.org
A Little More Love Connie The drag artist salutes pop music’s Olivia Newton-John
in this new show. Cavern Club Celebrity Theater, Casita del Campo, 1920 Hyperion Ave.
Silver Lake. Sun., Fri.-Sat., next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 22. $25. (800) 838-3006.
brownpapertickets.com
In Vogue: Songs by Madonna Australian cabaret artist Michael Griffiths salutes the
Material Girl. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Mon., 8:30 p.m.
$20–$40; food and drink minimums apply. (866) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
Center Theatre Group Library Play Reading Series Camila Villegas’ “Las Arañas
Cumplen Años”; performed in Spanish. Benjamin Franklin Library, 2200 E. 1st St., L.A.
Tue., 6 p.m. Also at Malabar Library, 2801 Wabash Ave., L.A. Wed., 6 p.m.; and Robert
Louis Stevenson Library, 803 Spence St., L.A. Thu., 6 p.m. Free.
CenterTheatreGroup.org
Frankenstein Four Larks mixes physical theater, live music and experiential design in
this new work inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic novel about a mad doctor and his
monstrous creation. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Lovelace Studio
Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8
p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 and 7 p.m.; ends March 1. $60. (310) 746-4000. TheWallis.org
Pin Ups ‘N Pin Downs Lucha VaVoom’s annual Valentine’s show features Mexican
masked wrestling, comedy and burlesque; 21 and over only. Mayan Theater, 1038 S. Hill
St., downtown L.A. Wed.-Thu., 8 p.m. $40-$55. luchavavoom.com
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2/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
Beautiful — The Carole King Musical Tune-filled bio-drama celebrates the
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter; for ages 11 and up. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts
Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Thu., 7:30
p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m. $48-$103. (805) 449-
2787. civicartsplaza.com
The Christopher Boy’s Communion David Mamet wrote and directs this new
mystery drama about a grisly murder in New York City’s Central Park; with Rebecca
Pidgeon, William H. Macy, Clark Gregg and Fionnula Flanagan. The Odyssey Theatre,
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3
p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $50. (310) 477-2055. ovationtix.com
Direct From Vegas — The Pack Is Back Musical revue salutes Frank Sinatra, Dean
Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna
Beach. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m. $50-$65. (949) 497-
2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Hurricane Diane The Greek god Dionysus returns to Earth as a modern-day lesbian
gardener on a mission to restore the balance of nature in the West Coast premiere of
Madeleine George’s comedy. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Thu.-Fri.,
8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends March 8. $30 and up. (619)
234-5623. TheOldGlobe.org
Isabella Rossellini’s Link Link Circus The actress and filmmaker explores the
connections between human and animal behavior in this family-friendly show. The
Lodge Room, 104 N. Ave. 56, Highland Park. Thu.-Fri., 7 p.m.; ends Feb. 19. $45 and
up. lodgeroomhlp.com. Also at Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway,
Malibu. Sat.-next Sun., 8 p.m. $95 and up. malibuplayhouse.org
Law and Order: The Musical! Sendup of the prime-time police procedural. The
Broadwater Second Stage Theater, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8
p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 15. $20. (800) 838-3006. brownpapertickets.com
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-09/theater-things-to-do-in-la-feb-9-16-revenge-song-vampire-cowboys-creation-geffen-play… 3/13
2/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
Loves Me/Loves Me Not Five short plays about love. Little Fish Theatre, 777 S.
Centre St., San Pedro. Thu.-Sat, 8 p.m. $20. (310) 512-6030. littlefishtheatre.org
Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation World premiere of Qui Nguyen’s
drama, with songs by Shane Rettig, about queer 17th century French swordswoman and
opera singer Julie d’Aubigny. Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave.,
Westwood. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends March 8.
$30-$120. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.org
Tame: Up Close and Personal Magician and mentalist Blaise Serra performs in this
intimate show. The Montalbán, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $55, $110.
(323) 461-6999. themontalban.com
Groundlings Bar Fight Improv and sketch comedy. Groundlings Theatre, 7307
Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.; ends April 18.
$18-$25; opening night only, $50. (323) 934-4747. groundlings.com
Hamlet: The Rock Musical Revival of this 1970s musical adaptation of
Shakespeare’s tragedy of the melancholy Dane. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim
Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $49.50-$99.50. (866) 811-
4111. elportaltheatre.com
Rorschach Fest Open Fist Theatre Company opens its 30th anniversary season with a
selection of short works, performed in repertory. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas
Ave., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 and 7 p.m.; ends April 5. $15-$30;
passes, $40, $50. (323) 882-6912. openfist.org
THINGS TO DO
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‘This is the ultimate creature’: How ‘Frankenstein’ comes alive in Beverly Hills
Review: ‘Human Interest Story’ at the Fountain Theatre grapples with today’s crises
Rowing Blazers pops up in Santa Monica. Just don’t call it ‘preppy’ fashion
Vegan cuisine, rave gear and a pawn shop in West Covina: Four Hours
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-09/theater-things-to-do-in-la-feb-9-16-revenge-song-vampire-cowboys-creation-geffen-play… 5/132/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
Aleichem Sholom! The Wit and Wisdom of Sholom Aleichem Musical inspired
by the life and times of the Yiddish humorist. The Other Space at Santa Monica
Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 3:30 p.m. $35. (310) 394-9779.
santamonicaplayhouse.com
Can’t Pay? Don’t Pay! A protest by women against high prices at a local supermarket
gives way to looting in Cam Deaver’s translation of Italian playwright Dario Fo’s satire.
The Actors’ Gang Theatre, The Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd, Culver City. Thu.-Sat.,
8 p.m.; ends March 28. $25-$50. (310) 838-4264. TheActorsGang.com
Human Interest Story A newspaper columnist fabricates a story about a despondent
homeless woman threatening to commit suicide on the Fourth of July in this new drama
written and directed by Stephen Sachs. The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A.
Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 5. $25-$45; Mondays, $40, or pay what you
want (subject to availability). (323) 663-1525. FountainTheatre.com
Kinky Boots 3-D Theatricals stages Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper’s Tony-
winning musical comedy about a drag queen who comes to the aid of the owner of a
failing shoe factory. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive,
Cerritos. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 1. $25-$90. (562) 916-8500.
cerritoscenter.com
LBP Staff & Friends Cabaret Fundraiser/variety show. Long Beach Playhouse,
Studio Theatre (upstairs), 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m. $15, $30. (562)
494-1014. lbplayhouse.org
Out of the Eclipse Tony winner Joanna Gleason stars in the West Coast premiere of
her solo show about recovering from the back-to-back loss of both parents. The Los
Angeles LGBT Center, Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Sat., 8
p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m. $35. (323) 860-7300. lalgbtcenter.org
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-09/theater-things-to-do-in-la-feb-9-16-revenge-song-vampire-cowboys-creation-geffen-play… 6/132/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
Stomp! Long-running hit show mixes music, movement, percussion and physical
comedy. Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, 18111 Nordhoff
St., Northridge. Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m. $39 and up. (818) 677-3000.
thesoraya.org
Valentina The drag artist and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” regular is featured in an evening
of song, dance and stories. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State LA, 5151 State
University Drive, L.A. Sat., 8 p.m. $30-$50. (323) 343-6600. luckmanarts.org
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Family-friendly musical fable based on
Grace Lin’s children book, inspired by Chinese folklore, about a young girl on a mission
to save her village. South Coast Repertory, Julianne Argyros Stage, 655 Town Center
Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat.-next Sun., 2 and 4:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $24 and up. (714)
708-5555. scr.org
The Winter’s Tale A king’s jealousy sets events in motion in Shakespeare’s decades-
spanning romantic drama. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8
p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 11. $25 and up; student rush, $20; group discounts
available. (626) 356-3121. anoisewithin.org
Dirty Tricks with the New Bad Boys of Magic Daniel Donohue and Eric Siegel
mix magic and comedy; ages 21 and up only. The Three Clubs, 1123 Vine St., Hollywood.
Next Sun., 8 p.m. $10. badboysmagic.com
It Shoulda Been You Musical Theatre Guild offers a concert staging of this musical
comedy about a Jewish bride, a Catholic groom and their respective mothers. The Alex
Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $45, $49. (818) 243-2539.
musicaltheatreguild.com
Looking for Leroy The Robey Theatre Company presents a staged reading of Larry
Muhammad’s new drama about poet-playwright-activist Amiri Baraka, also known as
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-09/theater-things-to-do-in-la-feb-9-16-revenge-song-vampire-cowboys-creation-geffen-play… 7/132/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
LeRoi Jones. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $10
suggested donation. (213) 489-7402. robeytheatrecompany.org
Critics’ Choices
Disposable Necessities Neil McGowan’s play is set in the not-so-distant future, when
society’s privileged have become essentially immortal, able to download their identities
into new “modules” — i.e., bodies of the recently deceased — while have-nots must
content themselves with providing premium carcasses for the affluent. Director
Guillermo Cienfuegos and a lively cast nail down the laughs – or, conversely, the pathos
— in this richly imaginative world premiere, which challenges our expectations at every
twist of its deliciously disturbing plot. Just don’t lay bets on where the story ends up.
You’ll lose. (F.K.F.) Rogue Machine Theatre, Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice.
Sun., next Sun., 7 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $25, $40. (855) 585-5185.
roguemachinetheatre.com
Jitney Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Tony-winning revival of August Wilson’s “Jitney,” a
triumphant melding of acting and drama, puts the audience in the unique position of
eavesdroppers on the colloquial music of life. This early Wilson play, the first to be
written in his 10-play cycle exploring the 20th century African American experience,
takes place in the 1970s at a gypsy cap station threatened by the city’s urban renewal
program. Wilson takes us inside the drivers’ lives to reveal the way history has
challenged and changed their destinies. What was once dismissed as a minor Wilson
drama is now considered major. And it’s not because our standards have plummeted.
Rather, it’s that the play, when fully realized by a company of actors working in
communal concord, satisfies our growing hunger for complex and compassionate
character truth. (C.M.) The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Sun., next Sun.,
2 and 7 p.m.; Tue., 7 p.m.; Wed., 2 and 7 p.m.; Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; ends
Feb. 23. $30 and up. (619) 234-5623. TheOldGlobe.org
Red Ink In a beleaguered newsroom, the top editor huddles under a desk, shuddering
with fear. Declining revenues, corporate consolidation and staff cuts are just a few of the
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-09/theater-things-to-do-in-la-feb-9-16-revenge-song-vampire-cowboys-creation-geffen-play… 8/132/21/2020 Theater in L.A. this week: 'Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation' and more - Los Angeles Times
factors that have sent him there. The waking nightmare of journalists across America is
given bleakly humorous expression in Steven Leigh Morris’ new play, in which shifting
realities are a vivid metaphor for media’s changing circumstances. Nike Doukas directs
some of L.A.’s premier actors. (D.H.M.) Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A.
Sun., next Sun., 4 p.m.; Mon., Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 24. $30, $40. (800) 838-3006.
playwrightsarena.org
The Unseen Hand / Killer’s Head Resurrected Old West gunslingers,
extraterrestrials, and other outcasts take absurdist aim at midcentury American
conformity in these neglected, often hilarious chestnuts from Sam Shepard’s early
career, showcasing the underground playwright at his gleefully irreverent best. (P.B.)
Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8
p.m.; ends March 8. $32-$37. (310) 477-2055. OdysseyTheatre.com
What the Constitution Means to Me At a time when the Constitution is being
assailed by those who have sworn an oath to defend it, this buoyant and often-stirring
civics lesson is the theatrical curriculum Americans desperately need now. As much a
play as a performance piece, this category transcending offering by Heidi Schreck took
Broadway by storm last spring. Schreck is no longer performing in the work, which
reveals with courageous poignancy the way our nation’s founding legal document
intersects with the choices, opportunities, relationships and destinies of those who have
had to fight for their foothold in our imperfect democracy. For the L.A. premiere, Maria
Dizzia takes over the role of Heidi. Schreck’s autobiographical confidences about her
family history and reproductive choices may not have the same emotional rawness in
Dizzia’s portrayal, but the larger story about the ongoing legal struggle for gender
equality is powerfully served. (C.M.). Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown
L.A. Sun., next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; ends Feb.
28. $25 and up. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org
ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ARTS THEATER THINGS TO DO: ARTS & CULTURE
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Matt Cooper
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Matt Cooper compiles the Los Angeles Times’ theater, classical music, dance, museum
and gallery listings, and the movie openings and events & revivals listings, in addition to
writing the TV This Week column and Weekend Picks. In his spare time, he enjoys
seeing live theater, classical music and dance, visiting museums and galleries, going to
the movies and watching TV.
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