MACHINAL, AVENUE Q and More Set for Long Beach Playhouse's 2013 Studio Season

On May 13, 2013, the Long Beach Playhouse opens its 2013 season. Opened in 1963, the upstairs theater has become LBP's counterpoint to the more traditional offerings in its Mainstage Theater. This smaller 99-seat space is intimate and inviting. While smaller, there is no less attention given to the quality of its productions.

"This season's plays will challenge, haunt, amuse and entertain. They were selected for their messages, their edginess and their ability to present stories which are timeless and yet uniquely suited to the 21st century," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, Producing Artistic Director for the LBP.

The season opens with Machinal. Written by Sophie Treadwell in 1928, it is based on the true story of executed murderess Ruth Snyder, a woman who struggles to live within the confines of society's expectations and ultimately finds that she cannot . Machinal is considered by many to be expressionistic theater at its best.

May 2 - June 1, 2013

The second play of the season, Vigils, is written by twenty-something playwright Noah Haidle. Haidle's story is an eccentric romp through raw and concealed emotions of a young wife and her dead husband's soul which she keeps in a box. Eventually she is forced to make the decision to set him free, and in doing so, set her own soul free as well.

June 15 - July 13, 2013

What can be new about Shakespeare? In its third offering, that question is answered in the title: A Midsummer Night's Gay Dream. With an Athenian law against gay marriage, the fate of two pairs of same-sex lovers follows a hilarious course. This adaptation shows us that the fight for marriage equality is nothing new and still supremely significant.

July 27 - August 24, 2013

Equus, Peter Shaffer's masterpiece was inspired by a crime involving a 17-year-old boy who blinded six horses in a small English town. Schaffer created a fictional account that is something of a detective story, involving the attempts of psychiatrist DR. Martin Dysart to understand the boy's actions while wrestling with his own life's purpose.

September 7 - October 5, 2013

Like the Mainstage, the Studio will this year end its season on a musical note - a queer musical note as the LBP presents Avenue Q, winner of the Tony Triple Crown for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. It is part flesh, part felt and all heart.

October 19 - November 16, 2013

Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00. Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, Calif., right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm & Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees only. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.lbplayhouse.org or call 562-494-1014.

Download the PDF of the Season Brochure here.