Gil Kaan - Page 17

East West Players, in partnership with San Francisco’s EnActe Arts and New York City’s Hypokrit Productions, presents the virtual world premiere of Lavina Jadhwani’s THE SITAYANA (OR HOW TO MAKE AN EXIT) beginning September 25, 2021. Lavina’s updated, upending take on the Hindu epic The Ramayana recounts the story through Sita’s eyes, rather than Ram’s eyes as in the original. Audiences attending the livestreams will be given a choice to one of the three unique incarnations of Sita. Had the chance to pose a few questions to THE SITAYANA’s director Reena Dutt on her history with THE SITAYANA and what she’s been doing the last pandemic months to keep creatively sane.  

Multi-awarded cabaret singer Jeff Harnar will make his Feinstein’s at Vitello’s debut with his cabaret act I KNOW THINGS NOW: JEFF HARNAR SINGS SONDHEIM September 30, 2021. With a lengthy resume as an opening act. Jeff has played some of the biggest venues, including Carnegie Hall, all over the world. Had the chance to find out what THINGS Jeff KNOWS NOW.

Group Rep will be inaugurating their 2021 season with Neil Simon’s LONDON SUITE September 17, 2021. Got the chance to delve into some Group Rep history and future plans from their always busy, very handy artistic director Doug Haverty.

The highly anticipated, much delayed Los Angeles production of HAMILTON has finally opened to full houses of enthusiastic and appreciative audiences. London transplant Jamael Westman heads this cast currently at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre reprising his Olivier Award-nominated role of the titular Alexander Hamilton. Had the chance to chat with Jamael (pronounced ‘Ja-mel’) a few hours before he headed to the Pantages for his Wednesday evening performance.

The Skirball Cultural Center will house the Los Angeles debut exhibit of Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds opening October 7, 2021. Organized by the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Seattle, under license by ViacomCBS Consumer Products, this comprehensive exhibition will display costumes, props, scripts of the original Star Trek TV series, as well as its numerous reincarnations that successfully followed. Had the chance to get some inside scoop on this encompassing presentation - a Trekkie’s must-see - from Laura Mart, Skirball’s managing curator.

Kritzerland celebrates their eleventh anniversary of producing monthly shows with KRITZERLAND’s 115th September 12, 2021 at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s. Had the chance to talk to Robert Yacko, a Kritzerland staple on his long relationship with Kritzerland, as well as on fun stuff on his resume.

A bastion of underground and freaky performances and performers, the Cavern Club Theater has recently begun its schedule of live shows, with next up Kay Sedia in THE TACO CHRONICLES opening September 3, 2021. A familiar staple at the Cavern Club Theater entrance as well as on stage, is the ever-effervescent Mr. Dan, who will greet you, seat you and spout off witty safety messages pre-show. Had the chance to delve into Mr. Dan’s mind to see what makes him tick!

A working writer in stage, screen and newsprint, Gary Goldstein just had his first novel The Last Birthday Party published and available to all. Gary managed to carve out some time from prepping his upcoming Book Soup podcast to answer a few of my queries.

Samuel Garza Bernstein’s autobiographical THE SECRET WORLD OF DANNY LOPEZ opens September 10, 2021 at The Two Roads Theater. This one-man show comedically covers issues on religion, ethnicity, wealth, transient poverty, and gender nonconformity, all within sixty minutes. Had the chance to pepper Samuel with a few of my investigating questions.

The Broad Stage will west coast premiere the chamber opera BIRDS IN THE MOON September 1, 2021; outdoors on Santa Monica’s Lot 27. With music by Mark Grey and libretto by Júlia Canosa i Serra, Elkhanah Pulitzer directs Maria Elena Altany and Austin Spangler, backed by the Friction Quartet.

2020 Hollywood Fringe Scholarship Winner Tomoko Karina has just premiered her JAPANESE LOVE STORY – SHIZUKA at The Broadwater, with performances running through August 29, 2021. Had the chance to chat with Tomoko on her path to her JAPANESE LOVE STORY.

The infamous Troubies will be back LIVE on the Getty Villa stage in LIZASTRATA world premiering September 9, 2021. Since 1995, the Troubadour Theater Company has been producing laugh-filled, stomach-clutching programs of entertainment marrying the Classics with modern pop songs and references (i.e., FLEETWOOD MACBETH, MUCH ADOOBIE BROTHERS ABOUT NOTHING, CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING). Had the chance to revisit with Matt Walker, the Troubadour Theater Company’s founder/artistic director/director to chat about Troubies’ latest, sure-to-please creation.

2Cents Theatre Group’s GATSBY AN IMMERSIVE ILLUMINATION - CHAPTER 1: EAST EGG will open August 13, 2021 as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. 2Cents Theatre Group’s co-founder and current artistic and managing director Kristen Boulé directs the GATSBY cast of: Bill Posley, Sarah Schulte, Colin Wilkie, Ren Montoro, Chris Lanehart, and Sam Sheeks. Got the chance to chat with Kristen on GATSBY that she co-created, the ACTING OUT INK FEST she produces and her new venture Loose Change.

Tony and Grammy winner John Lloyd Young makes his first LIVE post-pandemic performance in Los Angeles with JOHN LLOYD YOUNG: REUNIONS at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s August 21, 2021. Got to catch up with John again after all these socially distant months to chat about his busy schedules - quarantined and future.

Center Theatre Group, in association with The Fire This Time Festival and Watts Village Theater Company, has been premiering playwright Roger Q. Mason’s THE DUAT online as part of their series NOT A MOMENT BUT A MOVEMENT. Taibi Magar directs THE DUAT with Gregg Daniel and percussionist David Leach. Had the chance to throw out a few queries to the always busy Roger.

Theatre 40 celebrates its 55th Anniversary season with the world premiere of Marilyn Anderson’s AS GOOD AS GOLD September 16, 2021. Got the chance to chat with David Hunt Stafford, Theatre 40’s artistic and managing director on Theatre 40’s history and plans for the future.

Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) will hold its fundraiser GMCLA’s GALA 2021 August 14, 2021. The GALA will be streamed live from the Toluca Lake home of GMCLA Board Members Greg Weaver and Haig Youredjian, with a limited number of donors attending. Hosted by Kalen Allen, the GALA will be honoring Dr. Jerry Abraham with GMCLA’s annual Voice Award. Had the chance to query Greg on his history with GMCLA.

Hollywood Museum founder Donelle Dadigan headed a re-opening ceremony of her Hollywood Museum August 4, 2021; commemorating the donated additional props from Bill and Patrick Shea to the Back to the Future Part I, II, III exhibit. On behalf of the Museum and the Shea father and son, Donelle presented a $5,000 check to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which Michael accepted via video.

After inclusion in numerous theatre festivals, Kevin Neighbors brings his solo show VERSATILE: stories from inside the closet of a half Black gay man to the Hollywood Fringe Festival for three performances August 5th, August 17th, and August 29th. Had the chance to toss out some questions to Kevin on his life-time journey to VERSATILE.

The Muse Collective will stream the world premiere of Peter Gray’s THE KARENS beginning August 13, 2021. Muse Collective’s founder and artistic director Michael Alvarez directs the cast of Morgan Danielle Day, Felicia Santiago and LaurenSage Browning. Got the chance to chat with Peter on his KARENS and his creatively productive relationship with Michael and his Muse Collective.