Long Beach Playhouse to Welcome Alethia Christian Theatre & More for New 'Collaborative' Season

The Long Beach Playhouse is opening its Studio Stage for outside companies to produce their own shows on a fully equipped stage. Seven companies and individual artists have been selected for this year's Collaborative season. "It's a great way to give back to the artistic community," says Andrew Vonderschmitt, producing artistic director, "companies that don't have a spce of their own still have something to offer to the theatre going public. They just need a place to do it."

Among the companies chosen this year a few are returning for their second year and several are first time collaborators.

The Collaborative season continues through April, 2014 and hosts an array of theatrical offerings. A full list is below.

Alethia Christian Theatre
Nicholas Nickleby - Directed by Sasha Stewart
Dec. 6 - 15, 2013
Prepare to be transported into the unforgettable life of an admirable young man. Nicholas Nickleby is joined by a series of colorful and unforgettable characters who weave a story of adventure, laughter, sorrow, deceit, love, and triumph. You are sure to enjoy this masterfully written tale by Charles Dickens.

Gillian Summers
hush - Written and produced by Gillian Summers
Jan. 17 - 19, 2014
Set against the backdrop of 1970's working class Liverpool, the solo play 'hush' tells the haunting story of a young girl's coming of age. With honesty, humor and tenderness, Gillian draws us into her family, rich in dynamics and disco music.

Olio Theatre Works
Old Black Magic: A Haunted Musical - Directed by Terra Taylor Knudson
January 31 - February 9, 2014
Something wicked this way... sings? Ushered back to earth by Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, a cast of celebrity ghosts are given one last chance to settle their "past life issues" or remain in limbo forever. With toe-tapping tunes this show has proven to be one of OTWs most successful productions for 10 years running!

Held2gether
My Sketchy Valentine - Produced and directed by Darren Held
February 14 - February 15, 2014
Valentine's Day never seemed so inappropriate. You don't have to be an "other" to enjoy the twisted antics of Held2gether's "My Sketchy Valentine". A dozen outrageous comedic sketches that will make you question life, love, relationships and the validity of a good vodka tonic.

Catharsis Productions
What a Drag - Written and produced by Matthew Fauls
February 21 - February 23, 2014
What a Drag follows the story of Rose, a young drag queen, on the never ending journey to find her identity. This "fabulously true(ish) story" challenges the audience to think about their own lives and to question the people they surround themselves with.

No Excuses Theatre Company
The Translucent Frogs of Quuup - by Chris Larner, music by Mark Stevens Directed by Sophie Mura
March 7 - March 22, 2014
The Translucent Frogs of Quuup is a musical comedy filled to the brim with British silliness. Travel with Anthony and Edith from a London bank to the Amazon River in search of the elusive, maybe mythical, translucent frogs. Don't miss the U.S. Premier of this successful Edinburgh Fringe Festival show!

Panndora Productions
Out of the Box - Produced by Panndora Productions
March 28 - April 6, 2014
Stay tuned for something fresh, new and completely "Out of the Box!" Dedicated to supporting playwrights yet to achieve stardom, Panndora Productions proudly presents a new play drawn from their annual new works festival, Panndora's Box. Remember "Catching the Butcher"? What will it be this year?

Long Beach Playhouse
24 Hour Theatre - Produced by Madison Mooney
April 19, 2014
Five playwrights, five directors, one tech team, and twenty actors. We lock five playwrights in the theatre at 8pm to write five plays. In the morning, five directors cast, rehearse, tech, prop, and costume the new plays. At 8pm, you watch five world premieres. Voila! Theatre created in 24 hours.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.