June was a tough month for theatre, with companies across the country closing their doors, pausing their programming, and struggling to keep up with the economic challenges of creating theatre. So it is as important as ever to see shows! I've also recently started a theatre-going group, if you would like to join our group to see one of the shows below. Message me on instagram!
June 16 – July 16
Produced by CASA 0101 and Brown Fists Productions
Death of a Salesman, written by Arthur Miller and directed by Corky Dominguez in a mostly Latino cast, is a two-act tragedy set in late 1940’s Brooklyn. The central character, Willie Loman is experiencing an epic battle against time, exhaustion, and encroaching mental and psychological debility. He desperately must find a way to reconcile his life and the deep pain it has caused his family. It won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. Many critics consider it to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century.
Why I’m seeing it: I am an Arthur Miller fan and am excited to see this take on the “American Dream” themes with a predominately Latino cast.
June 18 - July 16
Produced by Center Theatre Group in Association with SpringHill
In the days leading up to one of Muhammad Ali's (formerly Cassius Clay) most anticipated fights, the heavyweight boxing champion forms an unlikely friendship with the controversial Hollywood star Stepin Fetchit (born Lincoln Perry). With a rhythmic script by award-winning performer and playwright Will Power and direction by Emmy Award® winner, Debbie Allen, Fetch Clay, Make Man explores the improbable bond that forms between two drastically different and influential cultural icons. One a vibrant and audacious youth, the other a resentful and almost forgotten relic—together as they fight to form their public personas and shape their legacies amidst the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-1960s. This true story is as powerful and poetic as Clay himself while also humorous and irreverent like Fetchit’s signature act. Finding commonality in contradiction, Fetch Clay, Make Man examines the true meaning of strength, resilience, and pride.
Why I’m seeing it: I already saw this show and recommend it, it feels like a sequel to “One Night in Miami” and was overall a good production!
June 25 – July 17, 2023
Produced by Anteaus
We can’t wait to delve into this world of loss and redemption – themes we find particularly timely during the pandemic. We know that director Nike Doukas (The Hothouse) is the perfect person to bring this world of magical beasts and magnificent storms to life!
Why I’m seeing it: I like Anteaus as a company and want to compare it to the other production of Tempest I saw this year. The theatre nerd in me likes to compare different productions of the same show since they are always up for wildly different interpretations.
June 27 - July 30th
Presented by Center Theatre Group
Direct from Broadway, the critically acclaimed and much beloved production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony®-winning triumph is coming to the Ahmanson with its Broadway stars to boot. Into the Woods features Montego Glover as The Witch, Stephanie J. Block as The Baker’s Wife, Sebastian Arcelus as The Baker, and Gavin Creel as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf – all reprising their Broadway roles – in a production called “radiant” (Variety), “enchanting” (The Wall Street Journal), and “a priceless revival with a perfect cast” (The Washington Post). Directed by Lear deBessonet (Hercules), this theatrical event honors Sondheim’s legendary memory and his Broadway masterpiece like never before.
Why I am seeing it: To round out my Sondheim for the year. I’ve never seen a production of “Into The Woods” and feel like this would be the one to see.
July 13
Produced by SORORITY
Organized with gina young, SORORITY: NOT ME presents a series of character studies by a coterie of queer women and nonbinary performing artists. A diverse group of performers. A diverse group of performers—Taylor Blake, Derya Derman, A'raelle Flynn-Bolden, Tova Katz, Jade Phoenix Martinez, and Naz Riahi—explore other lives, the responsibility of the artist, the self and the non-self, distance and proximity, who we are versus who we want to be, and possibly saxophones.
Why I am seeing it: I have always wanted to check out a SORORITY production and this is the first time I have had the opportunity!
“Stew”
July 12 - August 6
Produced by Pasadena Playhouse
Mama’s in the kitchen early preparing her famous stew for a big event, but even as her daughters and granddaughter help, she still feels like time is running out. Soon these three generations of Black women begin to feel their past and present closing in. A finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Zora Howard’s hilarious, haunting, and taut 90-minute drama has a lot more cooking underneath the surface.
Why I am seeing it: Pasadena Playhouse is a Tony-Award-winning theatre, and I want to make sure their new plays are just as supported as the “Sondheim Celebration” last season.
July 14 - July 29
Produced by HERO Theatre
A celebration of joy, romance, and community, NOTHING, NOTHING is a site-specific adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing set and performed entirely in a Baptist church! This adaptation puts the bonds of love, family, and faith to the test in a hilarious comedy of errors.
Why I am seeing it: I love a Shakespeare adaptation, and I have been a big fan of the HERO team for a long time, and haven't had a chance to check out their work before. Plus a friend of mine is Stage Managing!
What shows are you seeing? What shows should be added to this list? Let me know via instagram!