L.A. Theater Works Plays

Playwright Clifford Odets rocked the worlds of Broadway and Hollywood in this moving drama about a desperately self-destructive alcoholic actor and Georgie, his long-suffering wife. A searing, emotional play of love and redemption. "The Country Girl" stars: Harry Hamlin as Bernie Dodd Stacy Keach as Frank Elgin Mare Winningham as Georgie Elgin Jamie Hanes as Larry Rick Podell as Phil Cook Spencer Garrett as Paul Unger Mandy Siegfried as Nancy Stoddard Directed by Nancy Malone

Jimmy Porter barely ekes out a living running a candy stall by day and playing jazz trumpet by night. Although he usually takes his frustrations out on his emotionless wife, Jimmy's scathing tongue and self-loathing seems destined to destroy everything. Set in the UK at the dawn of the 60’s social unrest, this savage morality tale spawned the phrase “angry young man.” This hour includes a conversation with Dan Rebellato, author of "1956 and All That: The Making of Modern British Drama". An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Steven Brand as Cliff Moira Quirk as Alison Simon Templeman as Jimmy James Warwick as Colonel Redhorn Joanne Whalley as Helena Directed by Rosalind Ayres. Recorded by L.A. Theatre Works before a live audience at the James Bridges Theater, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in March, 2012.

In Stephen Belber’s political satire "McReele," the title character has served 16 years in prison for a murder he claims he didn’t commit. When another prisoner admits to the crime, the newly-pardoned McReele finds himself surrounded by political handlers who press him to run for office. As campaign hysteria grows, is McReele being used by the party machine – or vice versa? "McReele" stars Chris Butler as Darius McReele and Eric Stoltz as Rick. With Lauren Tom as Katya, Deidrie Henry as Opal, and Charles Janasz as Jim Cragen and others. Directed byJenny Sullivan.

In Stephen Belber’s political satire "McReele," the title character has served 16 years in prison for a murder he claims he didn’t commit. When another prisoner admits to the crime, the newly-pardoned McReele finds himself surrounded by political handlers who press him to run for office. As campaign hysteria grows, is McReele being used by the party machine – or vice versa? "McReele" stars Chris Butler as Darius McReele and Eric Stoltz as Rick. With Lauren Tom as Katya, Deidrie Henry as Opal, and Charles Janasz as Jim Cragen and others. Directed byJenny Sullivan.

We’ve all dreamed about escaping our everyday routines and setting off for exotic far-off locales. But an equal number of us have returned home with stories about vacations gone horribly awry. In our story this week, we’ll hear the hilarious exploits of a socially petrified Englishman who is packed off to rural America … only to find that the countryside isn’t quite as pastoral as he had imagined. Starring (in order of appearance): Sgt. “Froggy” LeSueur…………………... Kenneth Danziger Charlie Baker…………………………….........Paxton Whitehead Betty Meeks………………………………........Kate Williamson Rev. David Marshall Lee………………….. Martin McClendon Catherine Simms…………………………......Dina Waters Owen Musser…………………………….........Joey Slotnick Ellard Simms……………………………… .......Johnny Galecki Directed by Eric Simonson.

We’ve all dreamed about escaping our everyday routines and setting off for exotic far-off locales. But an equal number of us have returned home with stories about vacations gone horribly awry. In our story this week, we’ll hear the hilarious exploits of a socially petrified Englishman who is packed off to rural America … only to find that the countryside isn’t quite as pastoral as he had imagined. Starring (in order of appearance): Sgt. “Froggy” LeSueur…………………... Kenneth Danziger Charlie Baker…………………………….........Paxton Whitehead Betty Meeks………………………………........Kate Williamson Rev. David Marshall Lee………………….. Martin McClendon Catherine Simms…………………………......Dina Waters Owen Musser…………………………….........Joey Slotnick Ellard Simms……………………………… .......Johnny Galecki Directed by Eric Simonson

A teenage misfit is coming of age in the comforting glow of late-night horror movies. But when reality begins to intrude on his fantasy world, he realizes that hiding in the closet is no longer an option. Simon Helberg stars in "Doctor Cerberus" by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Also starring Steven Culp as Lawrence Robertson, Pamela J. Gray as Lydia Robertson, Jamison Jones as Doctor Cerberus, and Jarrett Sleeper as Rodney Robertson. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo. This play is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series featuring science-themed plays. Major funding for the Relativity Series is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, to enhance public understanding of science and technology in the modern world.

A teenage misfit is coming of age in the comforting glow of late-night horror movies. But when reality begins to intrude on his fantasy world, he realizes that hiding in the closet is no longer an option. Simon Helberg stars in "Doctor Cerberus" by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Also starring Steven Culp as Lawrence Robertson, Pamela J. Gray as Lydia Robertson, Jamison Jones as Doctor Cerberus, and Jarrett Sleeper as Rodney Robertson. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo. This play is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series featuring science-themed plays. Major funding for the Relativity Series is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, to enhance public understanding of science and technology in the modern world.

Starring Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hamilton and Missy Yager, the original cast was reunited for this exclusive L.A. Theatre Works performance of "This is Our Youth." In 1982, on Manhattan's Upper West Side, three pot-smoking teenagers are resoundingly rejecting the 1960’s ideals of their affluent parents. In hilarious and bittersweet detail, "This is Our Youth" follows forty-eight turbulent hours in the lives of three very lost souls at the dawn of the Reagan Era. Written by Kenneth Lonergan. Directed by Mark Brokaw.

Starring Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hamilton and Missy Yager, the original cast was reunited for this exclusive L.A. Theatre Works performance of "This is Our Youth." In 1982, on Manhattan's Upper West Side, three pot-smoking teenagers are resoundingly rejecting the 1960’s ideals of their affluent parents. In hilarious and bittersweet detail, "This is Our Youth" follows forty-eight turbulent hours in the lives of three very lost souls at the dawn of the Reagan Era. Written by Kenneth Lonergan. Directed by Mark Brokaw.

Barbara is a major in the Salvation Army - but she’s also the daughter of Andrew Undershaft, a man who’s made millions from the sale of weapons of war. The real battle, however, rages between between the devilish father and his idealistic daughter as they answer the question: does salvation come through faith or finance? "Major Barbara" by George Bernard Shaw stars: JB Blanc as Bill Walker/Dialect Coach Kate Burton as Lady Britomart Matthew Gaydos as Snobby Price/Bilton Brian George as Morrison/Peter Shirley Hamish Linklater as Stephen Undershaft Henri Lubatti as Adolphus Cusins Kirsten Potter as Barbara Undershaft Roger Rees as Andrew Undershaft Russell Soder as Charles Lomax Amelia White as Rummy Mitchens/Mrs. Baines Missy Yager as Sarah Undershaft Sarah Zimmerman as Jenny Hill Directed by Dakin Matthews.

Barbara is a major in the Salvation Army - but she’s also the daughter of Andrew Undershaft, a man who’s made millions from the sale of weapons of war. The real battle, however, rages between between the devilish father and his idealistic daughter as they answer the question: does salvation come through faith or finance? "Major Barbara" by George Bernard Shaw stars: JB Blanc as Bill Walker/Dialect Coach Kate Burton as Lady Britomart Matthew Gaydos as Snobby Price/Bilton Brian George as Morrison/Peter Shirley Hamish Linklater as Stephen Undershaft Henri Lubatti as Adolphus Cusins Kirsten Potter as Barbara Undershaft Roger Rees as Andrew Undershaft Russell Soder as Charles Lomax Amelia White as Rummy Mitchens/Mrs. Baines Missy Yager as Sarah Undershaft Sarah Zimmerman as Jenny Hill Directed by Dakin Matthews.

Dava Sobel’s thoughtful play brings to life the story of Nicolaus Copernicus, the Renaissance astronomer and mathematician who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe in which the Sun stands at the center. Plagued by self-doubt and threatened by religious censure, Copernicus resisted the publication of his work until just before his death in 1543. "And the Sun Stood Still" follows Copernicus in those final years as he works to complete his research with the help of Georg Rheticus, a young disciple from Wittenberg, Germany. Starring Robert Foxworth as Copernicus, John Vickery as Bishop Dantiscus, Kate Steele as Anna, Michael Kirby as Rheticus, and Greogry Harrison as Giese. Directed by Rosalind Ayres. This play is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series featuring science-themed plays. Major funding for the Relativity Series is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, to enhance public understanding of science and technology in the modern world.

Dava Sobel’s thoughtful play brings to life the story of Nicolaus Copernicus, the Renaissance astronomer and mathematician who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe in which the Sun stands at the center. Plagued by self-doubt and threatened by religious censure, Copernicus resisted the publication of his work until just before his death in 1543. "And the Sun Stood Still" follows Copernicus in those final years as he works to complete his research with the help of Georg Rheticus, a young disciple from Wittenberg, Germany. This hour includes a conversation with playwright Dava Sobel. Starring Robert Foxworth as Copernicus, John Vickery as Bishop Dantiscus, Kate Steele as Anna, Michael Kirby as Rheticus, and Greogry Harrison as Giese. Directed by Rosalind Ayres. This play is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series featuring science-themed plays. Major funding for the Relativity Series is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, to enhance public understanding of science and technology in the modern world.

Who and what are to blame for Hollywood’s unsavory reputation as a capitol of greed and insincerity? For Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Mamet, the onus falls squarely on movie producers. Adam Arkin, Jeff Goldblum, and Dina Waters star in David Mamet’s "Speed the Plow."

Who and what are to blame for Hollywood’s unsavory reputation as a capitol of greed and insincerity? For Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Mamet, the onus falls squarely on movie producers. Adam Arkin, Jeff Goldblum, and Dina Waters star in David Mamet’s "Speed the Plow."

The true story of a reclusive elderly woman who created a fantastical world of light and sculpture in her small South African village. But her inner life has come under threat from her wary and superstitious neighbors. "The Road to Mecca" by Athol Fugard stars Julie Harris as Miss Helen, Amy Irving as Elsa Barlow, and Harris Yulin as Marius Byleveld. Stage manager and live sound effects: Amy Strong. Recording, editing, mixing, and original music by Raymond Guarna. Our director is Steve Albrezzi.

The true story of a reclusive elderly woman who created a fantastical world of light and sculpture in her small South African village. But her inner life has come under threat from her wary and superstitious neighbors. "The Road to Mecca" by Athol Fugard stars Julie Harris as Miss Helen, Amy Irving as Elsa Barlow, and Harris Yulin as Marius Byleveld. Stage manager and live sound effects: Amy Strong. Recording, editing, mixing, and original music by Raymond Guarna. Our director is Steve Albrezzi.

L.A. Theatre Works remembers our friend and colleague Steve Julian with an encore presentation of "Cyrano de Bergerac," which features Steve's exemplary voice work as the narrator. Edmond Rostand's classic story of the poetic warrior with a colossal nose comes to life in the definitive adaptation and translation by Anthony Burgess. "Cyrano de Bergerac" was adapted for radio and directed by Barry Creyton, and stars (in alphabetical order): Caroline Aaron as Lise/Mother Marguerite Hugo Armstrong as Le Bret Kalen Harriman as Foodseller and others Gregory Itzin as Comte de Guiche Hamish Linklater as Cyrano Anna Mathias as Duenna and others Morgan Ritchie as Valvert, Bellerose and others Jason Ritter as Christian André Sogliuzzo as Ragueneau and others Devon Sorvari as Roxane Matthew Wolf as Cuigy and others The narrator is Steve Julian. Additional voices by Rhonda Aldrich, Sam Boeck, Tommy Cramer, James Ferrero, Brendan Frost, Horacio Galaviz, Daniel Jimenez, Jayne McLendon, Delila Outlaw, Maggie Dewan Smith, Corinne Spicer, Joey Stromberg, Marcelo Tubert, and Scott Willis. Music Composer, Recording Engineer, Sound Designer & Editor: Mark Holden. Assistant Engineer and Co-Sound Designer: Wesley Dewberry.

L.A. Theatre Works remembers our friend and colleague Steve Julian with an encore presentation of "Cyrano de Bergerac," which features Steve's exemplary voice work as the narrator. Edmond Rostand's classic story of the poetic warrior with a colossal nose comes to life in the definitive adaptation and translation by Anthony Burgess. This hour includes a conversation with Sue Lloyd, author of "The Man Who Was Cyrano: A Life of Edmond Rostand." "Cyrano de Bergerac" was adapted for radio and directed by Barry Creyton, and stars (in alphabetical order): Caroline Aaron as Lise/Mother Marguerite Hugo Armstrong as Le Bret Kalen Harriman as Foodseller and others Gregory Itzin as Comte de Guiche Hamish Linklater as Cyrano Anna Mathias as Duenna and others Morgan Ritchie as Valvert, Bellerose and others Jason Ritter as Christian André Sogliuzzo as Ragueneau and others Devon Sorvari as Roxane Matthew Wolf as Cuigy and others The narrator is Steve Julian. Additional voices by Rhonda Aldrich, Sam Boeck, Tommy Cramer, James Ferrero, Brendan Frost, Horacio Galaviz, Daniel Jimenez, Jayne McLendon, Delila Outlaw, Maggie Dewan Smith, Corinne Spicer, Joey Stromberg, Marcelo Tubert, and Scott Willis. Music Composer, Recording Engineer, Sound Designer & Editor: Mark Holden. Assistant Engineer and Co-Sound Designer: Wesley Dewberry.