The 99-Seat Beat: Lost superheroes, a mother-daughter reunion, âCabaretâ and more
Plays about people struggling with their roles in society abound this week, as our look at L.A.âs small stages includes the New American Theatre comedy âMeanwhile, Back at the Super LairâŠ,â the Boston Court Pasadena family drama âHer Portmanteau,â Celebration Theatreâs take on âCabaretâ and opening weekend at Theatricum Botanicum with âCoriolanusâ and âA Midsummer Nightâs Dream.â
âSuper Lairâ at the New American
The essentials: Without crime, city life would be idyllic for everyone â except, of course, the superheroes. This dark comedy by Greg Kalleres finds the Human Fly, Silver Streak, Leopard Woman and Rhino Man as unemployed and on the dole, searching for meaning in a society that no longer values them.
Why this? Kalleres displayed his gift for punchy comedy in âHonky,â a satire of race and advertising, which was an L.A. Times Criticâs Choice in 2016. Jack Stehlin, the artistic director of the New American Theatre, takes the helm of this premiere at his companyâs new home in Hollywood.
Details: New American Theatre, 1312 N. Wilton Place, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays; ends June 23. $15-$30. NewAmericanTheatre.com
âHer Portmanteauâ at Boston Court
The essentials: Playwright Mfoniso Udofia has been telling the story of a Nigerian American family, loosely based on her own, in a cycle of connected dramas. In âHer Portmanteau,â the second play of a projected nine, a Nigerian American woman and her two adult daughters â one raised in Nigeria, the other in the United States â have an emotional reunion.
Why this? Although itâs a conventional family drama in structure, according to New York Times critic Jesse Green, âHer Portmanteauâ builds emotional power with specific details, infusing âtired, tempest-tossed old forms with new blood.â The director for the playâs West Coast premiere is Gregg T. Daniel, who has a reputation for provocative material, fierce staging and memorable casts.
Details: Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave. In previews now, opens Saturday, ends June 30. Performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. $20-$39. (626) 683-6801 or BostonCourtPasadena.org
SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter »
âCabaretâ at Celebration Theatre
The essentials: âCabaretâ was first staged in 1966, but its bleak vision of giddy decadence succumbing to fascism doesnât really get old. And even if youâve seen the musical, you havenât seen it done the Celebration way.
Why this? When director Michael Matthews and choreographer Janet Roston put their heads together on Celebrationâs âThe Color Purple,â the result was a raucous production.
Details: Celebration Theatre @ the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., Los Angeles. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays; ends July 15. $35 and up. (323) 957-1884 or www.celebrationtheatre.com
âCoriolanusâ and âMidsummer Nightâs Dreamâ
The essentials: Back in the 1950s, Will Geer built a theatrical haven for his fellow blacklisted actors and singers on his rustic property in Topanga. The outdoor amphitheater is still a refuge for city dwellers and theater fans â and Geerâs family members still run the show. Every summer Botanicum offers five plays in repertory, and this weekend it opens the first two offerings, âCoriolanusâ and âA Midsummer Nightâs Dreamâ (the latter the one constant from season to season).
Why this? There may not be anything more fun than Botanicum in the summer. Shakespeare couldnât have asked for a better set designer â especially for âMidsummerâ â than leafy Topanga, or better lighting than the filtered afternoon sunshine or the woodsy darkness. Take kids, grandparents, friends and tourists, along with a picnic and some cushions (because the seats are kind of hard).
Details: Will Geerâs Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. âCoriolanusâ opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, âMidsummerâ opens at 4 p.m. Sunday. See website for repertory schedule. $25-$38.50. (310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com
The 99-Seat Beat appears every Friday. Our reviewers shortlist offerings with an emphasis on smaller venues. Some (but not all) recommendations are shows we've seen; other picks are based on the track record of the company, playwright, director or cast. Comprehensive theater listings are posted every Sunday at latimes.com/arts.
MORE THEATER:
'The Color Purple' national tour turns down the wattage
For the Berkeley Rep revival of 'Angels in America,' the play is the thing
Wearing a 'Red Speedo,' Lucas Hnath goes swimming with sharks
In Atwater, a dark secret at the center of 'Forever Bound'
The Actors Co-op production of 'Violet' might make you believe in miracles
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.