Gil Kaan - Page 16

The national tour of SUN & SEA literally beaches at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA October 14th through the 16th. In its west coast debut, the producers of SUN & SEA will transform the Frank Gehry-designed former warehouse space into a sunny day at the beach with the installation of twenty-five tons of sand. Touring vocalists will be supplemented by L.A.-based choral group Tonality. Had the chance to get some behind-the-scenes’ scoop from MOCA’s associate curator of performance and programs Alex Sloane.

The Echo Theater Company world premieres D.G. Watson’s ASCENSION October 5, 2021 at the Atwater Village Theatre. Echo’s associate artistic director Ahmed Best directs this immersive, interactive, sci-fi mystery thriller featuring Karen Sours Albisua, Leandro Cano, Samantha Cavestani, Elise DuRant, Steve Hofvendahl, Gloria Ines and Charrell Mack. Had the opportunity to pose a few questions to Ahmed, a black-belted Star Wars innovator.

Chris Eckert, creator of the LGBTQ THE GALE, will appear next on The Groundlings stage in A GROUNDLING ON ELM STREET. This very funny performer/writer also teaches at The Groundlings School. Had the chance to throw out a few inquiries to the quick-witted Chris.

Co-playwrights Stan Zimmerman and Christian McLaughlin’s HAVE A GOOD ONE world premieres at the Dorie Theatre at The Complex October 2, 2021. Stan also directs a cast that includes Megan Cournoyer, Adrian Gamez, Tom Plumley and Tanner Stine. Had the chance to get some behind-the-scenes and early history of Stan’s most prolific career.

The Foundation for New American Musicals (FNAM) will honor Marc Shaiman with their inaugural Inspire Award at their FNAM ALL-STAR BENEFIT AND FUNDRAISER October 24th at a private Pacific Palisades residence. Scheduled to appear that night: Megan Hilty, Matthew Morrison, Bruce Vilanch, Marisha Wallace and Marissa Jaret Winokur. Marc took a brief moment from his many obligations to answer my queries with his snappy quips.

LA Opera has opened their 35th season with Verdi's IL TROVATORE. Conducted by James Conlon and directed by Francisco Negrín, live performances at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through October 10th will be supplemented by two live streams October 3rd and 6th. IL TROVATORE stars Guanqun Yu in the role of Leonora. Had the chance to query Guanqun on her vocal regimen and her lightbulb moment when she realized she wanted a career singing opera.

The shiny new and improved version of the Garry Marshall-mentored THE ROOT BEER BANDITS re-opens the Garry Marshall Theatre stage on October 2, 2021. As with any Garry Marshall production, re-vamps and rewrites are also welcomed and encouraged. Original creators Joseph Leo Bwarie and Lori Marshall (book and lyrics) and Rachael Lawrence (music) have polished the 2019 production even further for this 2021 show with more songs, more story, and more live music. Had the chance to shoot some questions at Kelly Brandeburg, who’s reprising her role as Copper Penny, on her BANDITS history and her brush with the Smithsonian.

The Groundlings’ latest Friday/Saturday night show A GROUNDLING ON ELM STREET began previews back on The Groundlings stage live September 18, 2021. Had the chance to chat with one of The Groundlings hilarious company members, the always funny Michael Churven on his Groundlings history, his tendency to slip into his Australian drawl, and his Superman stint that kept Ed O’Neill breaking up.

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) presents the first show of its reopening season, the Southern California premiere of TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL opening October 7, 2021. Jenny Sullivan directs Linda Purl as Rosemary Clooney and David Engel as various men in her life. Had the chance to poise some queries to Linda on Rosemary and being lucky and bilingual.

MICHELANGELO’S SISTINE CHAPEL: THE EXHIBITION featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s timeless frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel has reached Los Angeles for the first time. Audiences can view Michelangelo’s masterpieces up close, closer than in the actual Sistine Chapel. Had the chance to chat with Martin Biallas, SEE Attractions’ CEO and producer of THE EXHIBITION, on some behind-the-scenes details of putting THE EXHIBITION together.

Comedian/actress Sandra Bernhard will be enthralling her adoring audience with A DECADE OF MADNESS AND MAYHEM, a night of her standup comedy, October 8, 2021 at The Wallis. Renown for her outspokenness and outrageousness, the always very candid Sandra will speak her witty mind in her usual laughs-inducing act that only Sandra Bernhard can do. Had the chance to delve a little into Sandra’s always deliberating psyche.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment will west coast premiere playwright Sandy Rustin’s adaptation of Jonathan Lynn’s screenplay CLUE September 24, 2021. Prolific director Casey Hushion steers a cast of Jeff Skowron, Heather Ayers, Ted Barton, Mary Birdsong, Sarah Hollis, John Shartzer, Cassie Simone, Harrison White, Rachel McLaughlan, Michael Cavinder, and James Tolbert. Had the opportunity to learn some behind-the-scenes of CLUE and other productions Casey has worked on.

Laura Benanti, Tony Award winner and one of Broadway’s favorite leading ladies, will be debuting at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in their Cabaret Series September 23rd, 24th and 25th. Including songs from her self-titled CD in her set list, Laura will certainly wow the Samueli Theatre audience. Had the chance to throw out a few inquiries to the enchanting Ms. Benanti.

Coinciding with DREAMGIRLS 40th Anniversary, DREAMGIRLS’ original Effie Jennifer Holliday will perform her concert HERE’S TO LIFE at The Wallis October 9, 2021. Had the chance to chat with Jennifer of her current LIFE, her signature song, and her one-upping lockdown.

Songstress Therese Lee will debut her one-woman concert RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s September 29, 2021. Therese and I have crossed paths many a time, in years past, working the Red Carpet. I grabbed the chance to catch up with my former co-reporter.

Crimson Square Theatre Company presents Laura Eason’s SEX WITH STRANGERS opening September 24th at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. This two-hander, directed by Benjamin Burt, features Cameron Meyer and Casey King as the titular STRANGERS. Had the chance to question Cameron on SEX WITH STRANGERS as well as her extensive Los Angeles theatre background.

Mark Wilding will finally world premiere his interrupted world premiere of OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO September 24, 2021 at Theatre West. Charlie Mount directs this satirical take on a political incident still relevant to today’s international climate. Had the chance to chat up Mark, the always working WGA Award-winning writer, on SANTIAGO, his Sophie’s Choice of television vs. theatre work, and his hand in creating Ellen’s Puppy and Grey’s camp scene.

Performance artist John Fleck will present four live, work-in-progress performances of his musical cabaret/special event it’s alive, IT’S ALIVE! at the Odyssey Theatre starting September 18th. Had the chance to chat up this infamous NEA FOUR artist on his creativity, his patience in the makeup chair and his creative history with David Schweizer.

The highly anticipated opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will finally be happening when the Academy Museum open its doors to the general public September 30, 2021. Located at the corner of Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, the former site of the May Company Department store, the Academy Museum has added a spherical extension designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The 300,000 square foot Academy Museum houses more than 50,000 square feet of gallery space, offices, two movie theatres, and a 10,000 square foot grand lobby just named in honor of Sir Sidney Poitier. Had to chance to extract some preview details of the Academy Museum from Amy Homma, the Academy Museum’s Senior Director of Education and Public Engagement.

Blue13 Dance Company presents SHAADI, an interactive Indian wedding, on the private grounds and Victorian mansions of the Heritage Square Museum September 17th and 18th. The audience will participate in the celebratory nuptials partaking of provided drinks, music and a DJ. Had the chance to chat with Blue13’s Founder/artistic director Achinta S. McDaniel who choreographed these wedding festivities.