Comedy

The critically acclaimed Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble concludes its 2008 Season with the World Premiere of a new comedy that is both poignant and timely. "Quixotic" by Kit Steinkellner is a modern re-telling of Cervantes' classic novel, Don Quixote.

In a grim American city during an economic downturn, Munsch-Litttleton Insurance is downsizing. Tensions are already running high in the gloomy office when office drone Arthur Quick begins to blur the line between fantasy and reality. Convinced that he is a knight errant, Arthur turns the office upside down in his quest to rid the world of evil.

"This is a story about seeing the magic in the mundane," says director Amanda Glaze. "Not only is Arthur able to break free from the drudgery of a cubicled existence, but he is also able to help the people around him to see the possibilities in their seemingly hopeless lives.”

From George W. to George Dubya!

43 PLAYS FOR 43 PRESIDENTS is exactly what the title says - 43 short plays, each dedicated to a U.S. President from George W. to George Dubya. Originally produced by Chicago's Neo-Futurists, this high-speed, high-energy evening uses a cast of six to tell the story of America and all of her Commanders-in-Chief through comedy, songs, drama and more! Before casting your vote this November, take a look back at where we've been and who's been in charge along the way!

L.A. Times CRITIC'S CHOICE!
"Vitally engaging... exhilarating... delightfully, thoughtfully provocative."

L.A. Weekly PICK OF THE WEEK!
"...witty, sardonic... adept at underscoring both the playful and the poignant."

BackStage West CRITIC'S PICK!
"...splendidly varied and imaginative... suffused with drama and humor."

Welcome to Boomtown, circa 1849, population 661 - no, 665 - make that 689 - and rising! William Shakespeare's great Tragedy of King Lear is transformed into fun family foolery in the time of the California Gold Rush when The Actors' Gang presents "King O'Leary," its third annual Summer-in-the-Park production. Performances take place outdoors in Culver City's Media Park (adjacent to the Ivy Substation) every Saturday and Sunday morning from August 9 - 31 at 11 am, and admission is FREE.

The Actors' Gang's wild and woolly take on Shakespeare's tale of sibling rivalry and madness is reminiscent of the music hall shows of the Old West with songs, slapstick and a surprising love story. The outdoor production, which runs just under an hour, incorporates live music, masks, puppets and lots of spectacle to create a Lear that's loads of fun for all ages.

"King O'Leary" runs Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am, August 9 - 31. Admission is FREE. Media Park is located next to the Ivy Substation at 9070 Venice Boulevard (near the intersection of Culver and Venice Blvds.) in Culver City. Two hours free parking is available throughout downtown Culver City; the Ince Parking Lot (corner of Culver and Ince) is directly across the street from the park. For more information, call The Actors' Gang Box Office at 310-838-GANG (310-838-4264) or go to www.theactorsgang.com.

A troubled young couple places an ad in a local sex rag. When the responding couple arrives and happily announces a different and darker agenda, the evening takes a twisted turn. THIS CONTRACT LIMITS OUR LIABILITY - READ IT! is a dark and comic exploration of sanctity, marriage, fidelity and life itself.

ADULTS ONLY - This production contains nudity and sexual situations.

The storied titans of Edwardian comedy will find new company on June 26th when the Ark Theatre presents Donaco Smyth’s “Capsized Flotsam.” In the spirit of past Edwardian legends, from Oscar Wilde to George Bernard Shaw to P.G. Wodehouse, Los Angeles playwright Smyth has concocted an outrageous mix of wit, manners and fantasy.
In 1904 London, a troubled novelist must juggle his mounting debt, plagiarism and the occasional hassle of an ill-timed out-of-body experience while struggling to keep his sexuality a secret and to prevent his irritated lover from marching out the door. This tsunami of threats and pressure mounts from all sides as the desperate writer strains valiantly, and hilariously, to hold it all together. Smyth brilliantly meshes the wit of Wilde and Wodehouse with the fantasy worlds of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and fuels it all with pure silliness. “Capsized Flotsam,” which previously met with popular and critical success in Florida and New York (The Village Voice called it “a raucous romp”), is the second of Smyth’s plays to romp across L.A. stages. His comedy, “Annoyed by Life” appeared at the Hudson Guild Theatre in 2004 and was directed by Ark Theatre member Douglas Leal, who is back to direct “Capsized Flotsam.”

Theatre of NOTE's "Season of Longing" continues with the West Coast Premiere of Boo Killebrew's hip and stylish play: "They're Just Like Us".
The famous actress wants to be unknown...
The wannabe rapper wants to be famous...
The slow kid wants the wannabe rapper to come to his 14th birthday party...
And the four unkowns willdo anything to be famous... Anything.
In the darkly satirical world of "They're Just Like US" (like the magazine), the wants are superficial and the needs are delusional.
What would you do to be famous?

Inspired by true events, I Gelosi tells the story of Italy's first great traveling theater troupe. In the late 16th Century The Gelosi Company takes the provinces by storm, thanks to the beauty, wit and charm of Isabella Andreini, one of the first women ever to play on the stage. Invited to perform at the Court of King Henri III of France, the Gelosi become the toast of Europe - until they risk the wrath of the Pope with a virulent theatrical satire.