Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA

By:
The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA), under the artistic direction of Ben Donenberg, returns after 16 years to The Japanese Garden on the grounds of the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center Campus with a summer production of William Shakespeare's romantic comedy "As You Like It," directed by Royal Shakespeare Company artist Kenn Sabberton, now through July 29. Tom Hanks and his wife actress Rita Wilson were spotted at the July 18th performance. Check out the photos from the evening's arrivals below!

The cast is led by Tessa Thompson as Rosalind; she is known for roles on "Veronica Mars," "Grey's Anatomy," "Heroes" and upcoming BBC America "Copper," as well as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" and Cordelia in "King Lear" here in Los Angeles. Peter Cambor, who played Nate Getz on "NCIS: Los Angeles" plays Orlando; Michael Dorn, well known as the Klingon Lt. Commander Worf from "Star Trek," plays both Duke Frederick and Duke Senior; Diane Venora, who played Hamlet for the New York Shakespeare Festival, as Jacques; John Lavelle, who played Ben in "The Graduate" on Broadway, as Touchstone; and veteran Los Angeles stage actor Tony Abatemarco as Adam and Corin. The cast also features McKinley Belcher, Kendra Chell, Brian Joseph, Gabriella Rhodeen, Andrew Schwartz, and Lindsay Rae Taylor.

The production features original music by Brian Joseph, who wrote original music for the Shakespeare Center's 2010 production of "Much Ado About Nothing," featuring Lyle Lovett and Helen Hunt. The scenery is by Gary Wissmann, costumes by Holly Poe Durbin, and the lighting by Trevor Norton.

Director Kenn Sabberton has set the play in present day Los Angeles, where Shakespeare's court is likened to the corridors of governmental and corporate power and financial influence, and where the events of the day have brought about a sorry and sour state of affairs, stemming from family strife and political maneuverings among the characters.
 
This production brings the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles back to the VA grounds for the first time since 1992. The VA location speaks to many long-time themes of the Shakespeare Center – including presenting Shakespeare in a relevant way through settings that speak to present-day Angelenos, working with veterans, and using theatre as a tool for personal and community transformation.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a cherished community resource committed to making Shakespeare accessible, relevant and enriching for students, educators, artists and audiences from all walks of life.

For tickets, scheduling and more information, visit www.shakespearecenter.org.

Photo credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
The stage before the performance of William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" by the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles at the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center Campus

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
The gardens during a performance of William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" by the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles at the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center Campus

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Actor Tom Hanks and wife actress Rita Wilson watch the performance

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Actor Tom Hanks and wife actress Rita Wilson

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Ben Donenberg, Artistic Director Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles with Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Ben Donenberg, Artistic Director Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, with Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Rita Wilson and Patrick Stansfield, Board Member Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
U.S. Marines pose with Harry Pregerson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Harry Pregerson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Ben Donenberg, Artistic Director Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles; Dominique B. Neal, Major RS Commanding Officer Marines; Lou Koff, California Vetrans Home and wife

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Harry Pregerson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Ben Donenberg, Artistic Director Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image
Dominique B. Neal, Major RS Commanding Officer Marines and Ben Donenberg, Artistic Director Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles

Photo Flash: Tom Hanks, Marines and More See AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Center of LA Image





Don't Miss a Los Angeles News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


The Most Happy Fella in Los Angeles The Most Happy Fella
North Coast Repertory Theatre (6/03-6/28)
A Haunting Revue II in Los Angeles A Haunting Revue II
Impro Theatre (6/06-6/26) PHOTOS
Bus People – A Hilarious & Optimistic Take on L.A. Public Transit in Los Angeles Bus People – A Hilarious & Optimistic Take on L.A. Public Transit
The Actors Company (6/06-6/28)
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
Mike Blaha: Pivotal Nomad in Los Angeles Mike Blaha: Pivotal Nomad
Broadwater Studio (6/07-6/24)
My Life is a Sonnet in Los Angeles My Life is a Sonnet
Broadwater Studio (6/07-6/27)
STRAITJACKET SIRENS in Los Angeles STRAITJACKET SIRENS
The Three Clubs (6/01-6/30)
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)
Dickens' A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story in Los Angeles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story
Rubicon Theatre (12/02-12/24)
Barbie Smith: God’s Favorite Tease in Los Angeles Barbie Smith: God’s Favorite Tease
Davidson/Valentini Theatre (6/07-6/27)