Students get experience with showcase
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Ida Fischer wants to give students of theater a place to showcase
their talents -- and get paid for it. That’s the purpose of the first
Dinner and a Show produced by her Burbank company Klok-Werk
Productions Inc.
Volunteers are helping the Burbank resident organize the event,
which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion Post 150 in
Burbank.
Guests will enjoy dinner prepared by Chef Alfred Cisneros before
sitting back to enjoy a variety show by students from Glendale
Community College.
It’s the first of many shows the former Hollywood talent agent
hopes to produce.
Funds raised will go to pay students to perform in future shows
and scholarships so they can continue their theater education, she
said.
Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20 at the door. For more
information, call 559-2238.
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Three companies have merged their expertise on a theater
experience for the whole family titled “When Tigers Smoked Long
Pipes,” opening at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Victory Theatre Center in
Burbank.
The collaboration is between The Victory Theatre, The Lodestone
Theatre Ensemble and The Orphans Theater Company.
Angela Kang of Orphans Theater Company, wrote the play, which is
receiving its world premiere at The Victory. It is directed by
Lodestone actor-director-technical expert Robert Shinso.
It is a magical journey combining elements of narrative style,
movement and music, bringing to life Korean folk tale figures such as
the cunning Tiger, the strong single Mother, the patriarchal God, the
hapless young Woodcutter and the brave and devoted Maiden.
Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m.
Sundays through July 20. The Victory Theatre Center is at 3326 W.
Victory Blvd., Burbank. Tickets are $15, $13 for students, and can be
reserved by calling 841-5421.
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Under the direction of Anahid Aramouni Keshishian, a group of
students have formed the Arena Theater Company to present previously
censored, oppressed and unexplored works.
The first production, “Props,” by contemporary Armenian writer
Aghasi Ayvazyan, opens Friday at MGN Paradise Studios, 1631 Maria
St., Burbank.
Show time is 7:30 p.m. and additional performances are Sunday and
June 20, 22, 27 and 29.
The play deals with the ongoing search for meaning and acceptance
-- lucidly abandoning four figures on stage, forcing them to create
and live among newly established borders of thought. Through absurd,
yet earnest verbal explorations, the characters inspire an aura of
intensity as they search for their place in their infinite
surroundings.
Ayvazyan will be in Los Angeles from Armenia to take part in
question-and-answer sessions following the first three performances.
Tickets are $20, and $15 for students with identification. Tickets
are available at Abril Bookstore at 243-4112, Sardarabad bookstore at
500-0790, IBEN Printing at 246-5553, or by calling 517-9896 or
240-7080.
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“Hotel Spotlight,” a one-act play/showcase performed by the
professional actors of the June Chandler Actors Workshop, opens at 8
p.m. June 18 at the Little Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd.,
Burbank.
It will consist of 10 all-original scenes (comedy and drama)
written by two female members of the workshop, and interwoven over a
common hotel-room setting.
Performances continue at 8 p.m. June 19, 21, 25 and July 2.
Tickets are a $5 donation at the door. Reservations are required 48
hours in advance by calling (626) 355-4572.
Chandler has taught acting classes at Glendale Community College
for more than 11 years. One of the writers, Mara Williams, lives in
La Crescenta.
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“Water/Works,” the annual juried exhibition of 80 paintings by
members of the Valley Watercolor Society, will be displayed through
June 26 at the Creative Arts Center in Burbank.
The Valley Watercolor Society has 280 members, most who live in
the San Fernando Valley or nearby communities. It began informally in
1977. The purpose of the society is to promote interest, knowledge
and appreciation of water media through meetings, exhibits, workshops
and other activities.
The top five winners are Mary K. Wilson of North Hollywood, who
received Best of Show; Heather Mackay Butler of Beverly Hills, second
place; Pong Apinyavat, Simi Valley, third place; Angela Hernandez,
Pasadena, fourth place; and Jean Sadler, Valley Village, fifth place.
The juror was Don Trout, who, among other activities, teaches
drawing, watercolor and mixed-media techniques for Glendale parks
department.
Gallery hours for the free exhibit are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday
through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The gallery is closed
Saturday and Sunday. The arts center is at 1100 W. Clark, Ave.,
Burbank. For more information, call 238-5397.
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Supporters of the Colony Theatre Company will be interested in
attending a benefit performance of “Tall Tales,” starring French
Stewart, Stephanie Zimbalist, James Avery, Norman Lloyd, and other
stars, at 8 p.m. June 23 at the Burbank Center Stage.
Short stories will not just be read, but performed by the stars.
Tickets range from $50 to $100 and include a post-performance
reception with the stars. Tickets are available by calling the Colony
Theatre Box Office at 558-7000. Burbank Center Stage is at 555 N.
Third St., Burbank.
* JOYCE RUDOLPH’s column appears Wednesdays. For events happening
this weekend, read her 48 Hours column Saturdays. Reach her at
637-3241.