Jesse Mandapat News

West Hollywood, 1979. It's a moment in time before cityhood, before sweeping demographic changes, before gentrification and exorbitant prices, before a decade of the tumultuous upheaval of historic events. It's a time that's slightly simpler and perhaps more naive and innocent.

Christopher Sepulveda and 3Gems Productions opened 'Be A Good Little Widow' by Bekah Brunstetter this weekend at The Odyssey Theatre in West LA.  Directed by Brandon Baer the cast includes Sandy Bainum, Sterling Knight, Khylin Rhambo and Adrienne Visnic. 

Death is never an easy topic to deal with, read about or view on film or stage. Playwright Bekah Brunstetter has crafted a play entitled Be a Good Little Widow about Melody (Adrienne Visnic) and her new husband Craig (Sterling Knight) who dies suddenly in an airplane crash. How does Melody, totally inexperienced about life and love, cope? Currently onstage at the Odyssey, Widow is a dark comedy that is simultaneously enjoyable and life-affirming entertainment.

Christopher Sepulveda & 3Gems Productions present a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre, BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW, written by Bekah Brunstetter (Producer/Writer "This Is Us," The Cake) and directed by Brandon Baer. BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW will preview on Saturday, May 18 at 8pm; Sunday May 19 at 2pm; Wednesday, May 22 & Thursday, May 23 at 8pm; will open on Friday, May 24 at 8pm and perform through Sunday, June 9 at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles.

Jon Lawrence Rivera, Artistic Director of Playwrights' Arena - the first and oldest theater dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and producing original works written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights - is thrilled to announce the extension of SOUTHERNMOST by Mary Lyon Kamitaki, with its original stars intact which includes Amielynn Abellera, Kimberly Alexander, Aaron Ikeda, Alberto Isaac, and Sharon Omi.

Jon Lawrence Rivera, Artistic Director of Playwrights' Arena - the first and oldest theater dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and producing original works written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights - is presenting  SOUTHERNMOST by Mary Lyon Kamitaki, with a cast that includes Amielynn Abellera, Kimberly Alexander, Aaron Ikeda, Alberto Isaac, Sharon Omi

Jon Lawrence Rivera, Artistic Director of Playwrights' Arena - the first and oldest theater dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and producing original works written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights - is thrilled to announce the cast for SOUTHERNMOST by Mary Lyon Kamitaki, which includes Amielynn Abellera, Kimberly Alexander, Aaron Ikeda, Alberto Issac, and Sharon Omi

Playwright Neil Koenigsberg, a founder/partner of PMK PR, must have experienced some pretty outrageous incidents in his tenure at PMK, as well as, in his stints as talent manager and film producer. Koenigsberg has taken probably one of his most far-fetched scenarios to base WINK on. Andrik Ochoa, totally at ease and comfortable on stage, plays the non-binary Wink as a total innocent with no bad attributes whatsoever.

Taking over the title role in Neil Koenigsberg's play WINK, Andrik Ochoa begins rehearsals this week after replacing Javen Marquise Smith. A non-binary actor, Ochoa is based in Los Angeles and was recently seen in the film 'Morir de Amor.'

Taking over the title role in Neil Koenigsberg's play WINK, Andrik Ochoa begins rehearsals this week after replacing Javen Marquise Smith. A non-binary actor, Ochoa is based in Los Angeles and was recently seen in the film 'Morir de Amor.'

It's easy to lose your way in Hollywood. A homeless gender questioning teenager and Dario Villanova, a former A-list actor who is now doing B movies, are both down on their luck in Los Angeles. When a synchronistic meeting connects these two souls, they quickly bond over music, art, and life's unexpected misfortunes. Sometimes the best way forward is to stop fighting the past.

The Playwrights' Arena's world premiere of playwright Donald Jolly's BABY EYES presents a volatile, in-your-face telling of Gio, a diminutive teenage boy surviving bullies and homophobia in 1950's Baltimore. Jon Lawrence Rivera expertly directs his talented cast at a fast, smooth pace. Rudy Martinez totally inhabits the pivotal role of the elfin Gio who spends his days at school running from a gang of bullies and his evenings avoiding his demanding racist father Sal (a commanding Ted Monte).

Automata, in association with Los Angeles Performance Practice, presents A Machine for Living, a post-gender, sci-fi, puppet-cinema thriller. Created and performed by Susan Simpson, alongside her masterful object manipulators, A Machine for Living follows the journey of a Southern California artist as she slowly evolves into a highly advanced alien being.

Greenway Arts Alliance will present THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET, adapted for stage by award-winning playwright Amy Ludwig (2006 LA Weekly Theater Award for 'Best Adaptation' of The House on Mango Street) and directed by Alexandra Meda (Artistic Director of Chicago's Teatro Luna).

From the playwright and producers of Hit the Wall comes the West Coast premiere of Exit Strategy by acclaimed Chicago playwright Ike Holter. First produced in Chicago in 2014 and then off-Broadway in 2016, this fiery and poetic play will be directed by Deena Selenow. Three preview performances are scheduled for September 26, 27, and 28, and opening is set for Friday, September 29 at 8pm. The run will continue through November 5 in the Davidson/Valentini Theatre.

From the playwright and producers of Hit the Wall comes the West Coast premiere of Exit Strategy by acclaimed Chicago playwright Ike Holter. First produced in Chicago in 2014 and then off-Broadway in 2016, this fiery and poetic play will be directed by Deena Selenow. 

Greenway Arts Alliance will present THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET, adapted for stage by award-winning playwright Amy Ludwig (2006 LA Weekly Theater Award for 'Best Adaptation' of The House on Mango Street) and directed by Alexandra Meda (Artistic Director of Chicago's Teatro Luna).

INTAR's 2016-'17 Season continues with the New York premiere of FISH MEN by Candido Tirado, opening tonight, February 21st. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

INTAR continues its 2016-'17 Season with the New York premiere of FISH MEN by Cándido Tirado.

INTAR has announced that the 2016-'17 Season will continue with the New York premiere of FISH MEN by Candido Tirado.