‘Shrew’ books the revived Orpheum

A lot of theater folk saw the renovated 2,000-seat Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A. last Sunday, at the Ovation Awards ceremony. Now comes word that the first multi-week production to be scheduled since the renovation is “The Taming of the Shrew,” in a Zoo District production next August.

No, the sub-100-seat Zoo District isn’t planning to take on the expense of producing at the 2,000-seat level. Instead, the production will be based primarily in the enormous lobby. Capacity will remain at 99.

Orpheum operator Steve Needleman has agreed to waive the rent on the space for five weeks. The L.A. Conservancy, which has long promoted the use of the old vaudeville movie palaces, including the Orpheum, will provide marketing services.

-- Don Shirley