A-LISTS theatre by tony reverditto
THE GRADUATE Cult novel . . . landmark Hollywood film . . . theatrical sensation! Benjamin Brad-
dock is a fresh-faced college grad who returns home, diploma in hand, to seek an answer to that age old question; “Now what?” Lacking any clear career path, Benjamin falls prey to the original “cougar,” the predatory Mrs. Robinson, wife of his father’s business partner. But it’s Mrs. Robinsons’ daughter who ultimately captures his heart. Kathleen Turner and Matthew Rhys (ABC’s Brothers & Sisters) reprise the roles they created in the original London production. Performances will be recorded to air on L.A. Theatre Works’ syndicated radio theater series and can be streamed on demand at
latw.org. Runs December 8 through December 12 at L.A. Theatre Works at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles 310.827.0889 or
latw.org.
NEXT TO NORMAL The production features the rock musical’s original star, Alice Ripley, reprising her
role as the grief-stricken family matriarch Diana Goodman. Ripley earned a Tony Award for her performance and launches a 36-week North American tour at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tony Award-winning director Michael Greif will again direct. The music must be great as the writers earned the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2009 Tony Award for Best Score. Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that the illness has on her family. It also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry and suburban life; all put to song and dance. Runs November 23 through January 2 at The Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Avenue, LA. Tickets: 213.972.4444 or
Centertheatregroup.org.
SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS This holiday season join Santa on a madcap adventure in outer space! Instead
of exposing your inner-child to another predictable mainstream holiday classic such as A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker, check out the fifth annual produc- tion of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. The Maverick has adapted the 1964 sci-fi box-office bomb into an updated retro-cool slapstick show. Santa has been abducted by green Martians in a flying saucer and two goofy earthling kids get caught up in the tussle. They come up against Mars’ own version of the Grinch, Voldar and try to get him to see the light. The looming questions are—will the children on Earth get any toys on Christmas day and will the Martians under- stand the true meaning of Christmas? The show is performed with a light hearted Saturday Night Live style that is suitable for children and even cranky adults. Runs December 3 through December 23 at the Maverick Theatre, 110 E Walnut Avenue, Fullerton. Tickets: 714.526.7070 or
mavericktheater.com.
TAKE ME OUT When Take Me Out, the prolific Richard Greenberg’s love letter to baseball, ran on
Broadway, it won the 2003 Tony Award. The liberal use of male nudity did create a lot of controversy at the time, so, if you are offended by the male
physique...this production may not be for you (yeah, right!). The cozy theatre space is set up like a minuscule base- ball stadium—one where the spectators risk getting wacked by the towels who the players keep shedding (that sounds very hot). Oh yeah, back to the plot (like it matters now) which tells the story of Darren Lemming, a sexy, handsome mixed-race center fielder for the New York Empires, who nonchalantly comes out of the closet at the peak of his stardom (is there ever a good time?). Runs through December 19 at the Cel- ebration Theatre, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Tickets: 323.957.1884 or
Celebrationtheatre.com.
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RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2010
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