Los Angeles area theaters are filled with fantastic shows to enjoy.
Review: CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical spectacular returned to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a brief run October 4 – 16, 2022.
This production celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Broadway debut of CATS is flawless. The felines’ frenetic glory shines like the moonlight as they romp through a night of energetic dancing to Webber’s tunes, and singing the words from T.S. Eliot’s poems. It is a whimsical treat for audiences of all ages. The show has an uber-talented cast to tell the stories of the Jellicle Cats. Every featured player grabs the spotlight with gusto, especially the gyrating egotistic Rum-Tum-Tugger (Hank Santos), also superb Mr. Mistoffelees (Ibn Snell), Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat (John Zamborsky), Old Deuteronomy (Camron Schutza), Jennyanydots (Michelle E. Carter), Mungojerrie (Brian Craig Nelson), and Rumpleteazer (Taryn Smithson). The shabby old glamor cat Grizabella ironically was played by the young and pretty Tayler Harris, whose beautiful voice made the show’s signature song “Memory” very memorable.
CATS, a Broadway in Hollywood presentation, is at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a short run October 4 – 16, 2022. Go to www.hollywoodpantages.com.
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Review: Ballet Hispánico Noche De Oro was at The Wallis Oct. 7 and 8, 2022. It was a big ‘WOW!’ with the rich Latin culture at the heart of the three distinct dances offered by celebrated choreographers. Choreography by Michelle Manzanales, “Con Brazos Abiertos” was a nostalgic, and sometimes humorous, look at traditional Mexican dances through modern eyes. “Tiburones” from Annabelle Lopez Ochoa presented a dance that lampooned the way Latinos have been portrayed in movies and television, with an air of fierce defiance from the dancers. And Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s artistic sensitivity was evident with the upbeat “18+1” as he explored the Hispanic community’s journey through dance. The acclaimed troupe of dancers, proficient at Latin, jazz and ballet, were breathtakingly wonderful.
Preview: THE MAMBO KINGS & CAMILLE ZAMORA, at The Wallis on October 13, 2022. The show is a sultry, passionate, and exciting evening of Latin music from Spain and the island of Cuba, featuring the celebrated Mambo Kings and star soprano Camille Zamora. As part of Sing for Hope’s Artistic Residency at The Wallis, a thrillingly passionate evening of music from Spain, Cuba, and the Americas will be presented. Camille and their nation’s leading Latin jazz artists will share their favorite musical treasures, from classical Zarzuela arias to tangos to boleros, and, of course, the exciting Afro-Cuban rhythms of the Mambo Kings.
The Mambo Kings & Camille Zamora, Oct. 13, 2022, at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, in the Bram Goldsmith Theater, located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. Go to www.TheWallis.org and check the schedule for upcoming shows: Bodytraffic Oct. 21-22; Osvaldo Golijov: Falling Out of Time Oct. 27; Lillias White with Seth Rudetsky Nov. 3; and many more great performers.
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Review: Cindy & The Disco Ball: The Musical is a fun family show at the Garry Marshall Theatre every Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Oct. 7 to 30, 2022. It’s a cute take on the classic Cinderella story set in the 1970s. After the show, asking a trio of pre-teen girls what they liked best about the show, they all squealed “the dancing!” Indeed, the choreography by Anna Aimee White showcased all the right moves as the groovy show moved along.
A glittering Soul Sister (sassy songbird Malynda Hale) creates some magic for Cindy (sweet Jasiana Caraballo) and the challenging relationship with Cindy’s stepsister Eleanor (peppy Abigail Kate Thomas). The boogie-on-down journey has the girls’ boyfriends Buddy (dy-no-mite Christopher Baker), and Tommy (earnest Hayden Kharrazi) helping to relate the messages about confidence and supporting high school arts programs. The original musical features the signature sounds of the ‘70s, with book and lyrics by Joseph Leo Bwarie and Lori Marshall, music by Rachael Lawrence. Bwarie and Christine Lakin co-directed. And a shout-out to the scenic design by Tom Wagman that frames the Disco Era perfectly.
Cindy & The Disco Ball: The Musical is at The Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake. Go to www.garrymarshalltheatre.org.
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Review: I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce starring Ronnie Marmo played at Theatre 68 Arts Complex Sept. 17 through October 1, 2022. It was an encore engagement of the successful one-man show that is an intense study of the controversial comic thanks to Ronnie Marmo’s mesmerizing performance. Of course there are very funny bits from Bruce’s stand up routines, but this show exposes the inner pain that drove his humor. To watch him fight for the freedom of speech, that every fearless comic who followed in his footsteps enjoyed, is riveting. The show opens with the legend’s death then explores his life. Throughout there are ‘gotcha’ moments so well crafted that director Joe Mantegna deserves kudos for the abundance of gasps, howls, and teardrops from the audience.
Be on the lookout for a return engagement of I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce at the Theatre 68 Arts Complex, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Go to www.theatre68.com for information about future shows.
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Preview: BERNIE SHINE DOG GONE GREAT MAGIC is at NoHo’s El Portal Theatre Oct. 22, 2022. Veteran magician Bernie Shine thrills with his up-close magic and tickles your funny bone with entertaining stories and anecdotes from a lifetime in showbiz. Bernie has been described as “reclusive and exclusive,” a performer who quietly chooses his venues, doing it in his own unique manner. You won’t find him on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, or the typical promotional platforms pursued by many. His magic is like a message in a bottle, a special surprise to those who happen to find him. Shine has created completely original effects, and his magic is close-up and personal, intimate and inexplicable. Add to that some magical mentalism in a manner never quite seen before.
Bernie Shine Dog Gone Great Magic plays Oct. 22, 2022 at the historic El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, California, in the NoHo Arts District. For tickets call 818-508-4200, or go to ElPortalTheatre.com.
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Preview: MINDPLAY has its world premiere at the Geffen Playhouse, Nov. 8 to Dec. 18, 2022. Created and performed by Vinny DePonto, he asks a simple question– What’s on your mind? An impressive mentalist, DePonto says the show is a love letter to the imperfect mind. The audience will be lead on a raucous romp through the back channels of their innermost thoughts, exploring the fragmented and flawed nature of our memories. And he dares to ask us to question whether we can trust the voice inside our heads. In the spirit of the Geffen’s long tradition of magic comes an entirely new theatrical event in which your thoughts play a leading role. Wow, sounds like Mindplay is a mind-blowing experience.
Mindplay opens Nov. 8, and runs through Dec. 18, 2022 at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. For tickets call 310-208-5454 or go online at www.geffenplayhouse.org.
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