WestFest at Theatre West

When Theatre West was founded sixty-three years ago, its initial purposes included serving as a laboratory situation where writing, acting and directing could be developed and perfected. This included the development of new and exciting works, works of a non-commercial and experimental nature, with an eye to enhanced performances but presented with minimalist production design. At least once each year, Theatre West has included a festival of such works, providing audiences an opportunity to experience a wide variety of new work developed within the company. WestFest has become among Theatre West’s most enduringly popular attractions.

 WestFest 2025 presents four full weekends of shows, a different presentation each week, to entice the loyal audiences who have returned for WestFest every year, as well as to introduce new audiences to the richly varied work of the city’s longest-running, continuously operating professional company.  Each week’s program runs about 85 minutes, no intermission. A reception with food and beverage follows each performance. The calendar of events follows:

Week One September 26-28 

Let the Sun Shine In

Directed by Victoria Lavan

With the artists of Theatre West’s Musical Theatre Workshop

Come dance in the aisles and sing along with our vocalists as they perform the songs of the 60s and 70s.

Home Depot 

Written and directed by Clara Rodriguez

With Anne Leyden and John Combs

There’s no place like Home Depot, except maybe for Lowe’s

Tequila Sunrise

Written and directed by Clara Rodriguez

With Bonnie Kalisher Dukes and Donald Moore

When is the next downtown train coming? None of your business.

Week Two  October 3-5 

Clive and Cecily Face the Music and Dance 

Written by Tom Walla

Directed by Michael Van Duzer

With Connie Mellors, Michael Van Duzer, Jeanine Anderson, David Mingrino, Beto Ruiz.

Dire circumstances force an English aristocratic couple to embrace a highly unusual plan of action.

In Whose Eyes 

Written by George Kappaz

Directed by Bill Sehres

With George Kappaz, Meagan Truxal, Dan Frischman, Walter Rodriguez, Anibal Silveyra, Kathie Barnes

A man stands trail for the actions of his life and faces an eternity of consequences

Week Three  October 10-12   

Amanda Doesn’t Date Much Anymore 

Written by Steve Nevil

Directed by Elayne Heilviel

With Danielle Weeks and Daniel Korth

Welcome to a night when 'Save the Date’ may have a whole other meaning.

Hence the Confusion 

Written by Jeanine Anderson

Directed by Bill Sehres

With Jeanine Anderson, Bryan Siu, Meg Lin

A play about a son, two mamas, confusion, and rice.

Current Resident 

Written by Ben Scuglia

Directed by Charlie Mount

With Allen Schack, David Mingrino

Shadow of Thunder

Written by Monika Vidakovic

Directed by Thomas Mendola

With Monika Vidakovic, Peter D. Michael, Paula K. Long, Lily Cadot, Mustafa Hamoudeh

After the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, Serbian princess Olivera is sent to marry Sultan Bayezid, known as The Thunderbolt, the man who killed her father. Torn between vengeance and duty, she enters his harem.

Week Four  October 17-19  

An Evening of Laughter at the Ellen Idelson Comedy Celebration

Ellen Idelson (1961-2003) was a Theatre West member, writer, producer, and actor who gained her greatest prominence as a comedy writer for television (Ellen, Holding the Baby, Grosse Pointe, Will & Grace, Dream On, Suddenly Susan, The Nanny, Caroline in the City, and more). Our annual comedy writing competition is named in her memory.

The Loan 

Written by Mark Wilding

Directed by Michael Van Duzer

With Connie Mellors, Dina Morrone, George Tovar

It’s do or die for Caroline Morgan as she begs her humorless and extremely devout sister for a loan---money that could change Caroline’s life forever.

Table for Three 

Written and directed by Tom Walla

With Anne Leyden, George Tovar, Matthew Gademske, Meg Lin

The course of true love never runs smoothly, but this is ridiculous.

The Heartbreaker 

Written by Bryan Siu

Directed by Angela Bruning

With Artin Karimi and Apurv Khanna

Andy is about to get broken up….not by their soon-to-be-ex who’s ready to call it quits, but by a professional named Charles, hired to break his heart.

That Time of Life 

Written and directed by Elayne Heilviel

Cast TBA

After years together, a woman and her husband each decides to tell it like it is….But who’s listening?

Leaky Brain Syndrome 

Written and directed by Clara Rodriguez

With John Combs and Clara Rodriguez

A brain leak is the least of Maggie’s problems.

Comedies, dramas, music; plays about nations at war and warring couples; people searching for love and companionship while others run away from the same

Produced by Donald Moore for Theatre West.

At Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, in Los Angeles, CA 90068. This is near Universal City, North Hollywood, and Studio City. There is parking available on the street and in a privately-operated parking lot across the street (Fee charged, credit card only).

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 pm. Admission is a suggested donation of $20, at the door.

Website: http://theatrewest.org