My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Long Beach Shakespeare Company's New Works Festival to Feature Original Works This June

LIFE AND DEATH IN COWBOY COUNTRY, REFLECTIONS IN A D'BACK'S EYE, and more will be staged at the Helen Borgers Theatre.

By:
Long Beach Shakespeare Company's New Works Festival to Feature Original Works This June

Long Beach Shakespeare Company will continue its 2026 New Works Festival with a second weekend of performances on June 6 and 7 at the Helen Borgers Theatre.

Part of the company's 2026 season, The Stuff of Legends, the festival highlights new plays and developing works by contemporary writers. The June lineup includes Life and Death in Cowboy Country / The Deed, Reflections in a D'Back's Eye, and Department – Episode 2: "Anchor Store."

Reflections in a D'Back's Eye

Reflections in a D'Back's Eye explores gun violence explores gun violence in America in an unexpected way takes a look at how gun violence is baked into the country's DNA. The dates for performances will be: 6/6 4:30 PM and 6/7 4 PM.

Life and Death in Cowboy Country

Life and Death in Cowboy Country where a bounty hunter's quarry is only mortally wounded rather than outright killed, it gives the hunter an opportunity to talk to a dead man. The Deed in which Mack has a permanent solution for Julie’s temporary problem. Julie has always wanted to die. Mack has always wanted to kill someone. The dates for this double feature performances will be: 6/6 2 PM and 6/7 8 PM 

Among the featured presentations is Department – Episode 2: "Anchor Store," in which Chancy is back from vacation in this Mad Men meets murder mystery set in a Department store in 1946 Chicago  a live radio-style presentation that combines voice performance, sound effects, and theatrical storytelling. The production continues one of the festival's recurring formats, blending elements of classic radio drama with live theater. The dates for performances are 6/6 8 PM and 6/7 1 PM

The New Works Festival provides opportunities for playwrights, directors, actors, and audiences to engage with new material through staged readings, workshop productions, and audience feedback. The program is designed to support the development of original work and encourage dialogue between artists and audiences.

"The New Works Festival is one of the most exciting parts of our season because it allows audiences to encounter stories at the very beginning of their journey," said Artistic Director Holly Leveque. "Every classic play was once a new work. This festival gives audiences the opportunity to be part of that creative process."

Founded in 1990, Long Beach Shakespeare Company produces both classical and contemporary theater and has expanded its support of new work through initiatives including the New Works Festival.

Ticket Information

Performances will take place June 6–7, 2026, at the Helen Borgers Theatre, located at 4250 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach.

General Admission Price:  $30 and Student Admission Price:  $20

Tickets available at LBShakespeare.org or at the Helen Borgers Theater. Tickets, information, and directions to The Helen Borgers Theatre, at 4250 Atlantic, Long Beach, CA, 90807, available at www.LBShakespeare.org.
 



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Orchestrations - Top 3
1. Anders Eljas, Brian Usifer - Chess
21.1% of votes
2. Ethan Popp, The Rescues - The Lost Boys
20.8% of votes
3. William David Brohn - Ragtime
13.1% of votes

Need more Los Angeles Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


The Most Happy Fella in Los Angeles The Most Happy Fella
North Coast Repertory Theatre (6/03-6/28)
Mike Blaha: Pivotal Nomad in Los Angeles Mike Blaha: Pivotal Nomad
Broadwater Studio (6/07-6/24)
The Show Has Been Cancelled (Due to the End of The World) in Los Angeles The Show Has Been Cancelled (Due to the End of The World)
Broadwater Second Stage (6/16-6/27)
Melt : The Play in Los Angeles Melt : The Play
The Marilyn Theatre at the Lee Strasberg Institute (6/11-6/13) PHOTOS
My Life is a Sonnet in Los Angeles My Life is a Sonnet
Broadwater Studio (6/07-6/27)
Hunting the Irish Heiress in Los Angeles Hunting the Irish Heiress
Newport Theatre Arts Center (6/05-6/05) VIDEOS
MISS MAGNOLIA BEAUMONT GOES TO PROVINCETOWN in Los Angeles MISS MAGNOLIA BEAUMONT GOES TO PROVINCETOWN
Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre (6/17-6/28) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Chameleon - A New Musical in Los Angeles Chameleon - A New Musical
Hudson Theatre - MainStage (6/03-6/07)
Jenn Collela: LIVE at the Nikko in Los Angeles Jenn Collela: LIVE at the Nikko
Feinstein's at the Nikko (6/04-6/05) PHOTOS
A Haunting Revue II in Los Angeles A Haunting Revue II
Impro Theatre (6/06-6/26) PHOTOS