Life’s transformations are told in folk tales
48 HOURS
Three companies have merged their expertise on a magical theater
experience for the whole family titled “When Tigers Smoked Long
Pipes,” continuing at 8 tonight 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.
“When I wrote this play, I wrote it with adults in mind, but I
wanted to bring my grandmother and young cousins to something that
would appeal broadly to many age groups,” she said. “Folk tales
appeal to all ages.”
The production is a series of five Korean folk tales with the
common theme of transformation.
In one story, an adolescent girl becomes a lotus blossom and
transforms into a grown woman. The girl has to sacrifice her life to
help her father, and marry a dragon king under the sea, but the
marriage doesn’t work out. It represents the girl blossoming into the
woman she is to become to be married to the right person.
Kang recommends the show for children 8 to 13.
“I think they will connect with those stories on a real basic
level because they are real human stories with comic elements,” she
said.
Korean drums will give children a great sensory experience while
the scenery will captivate their attention, she added.
Robert Shinso, who is Lodestone Theatre Ensemble’s
actor/director/technical expert, created the sets.
The play is a magical journey combining elements of narrative
style, movement and music, Shinso said. The characters become
narrators and help move the story along.
“We are 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,” he said.
His sets transform during the tale through lighting.
“In one story, we go from a village into a raging storm at sea and
then back up to the land to a king’s palace,” Shinso said. “The scope
in how you tell it in the space and time, that’s where the
imagination comes in. The audience will create in their own mind what
they want to see.”
The production reminds adults of the joy of life and the
transformations of life, said Maria Gobetti, artistic director for
The Victory.
“I think the writing and Robert’s direction are magical,” she
said. “This is a gorgeous piece with a set that is a real delight
visually. And the story is emotionally very fulfilling.”
To make the experience family friendly, Gobetti added, children
accompanied by an adult will be charged only $5.
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 $11
each for groups, and can be reserved by calling 841-5421.
SPECIAL EVENTS
STUNT ROAD BAND PERFORMS AT GOURMET NIGHT
Stunt Road, led by Glendale resident Andy Roth on lead guitar,
will perform for the “Midsummer Night’s Cuisine” from 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday at Holy Family High School, 209 E. Lomita Ave., Glendale.
The band plays classic rock music from the 1960s and 1970s. The
band includes Mark Watson on bass guitar and vocals, Dave Nelson on
drums and percussion, and Luke Theule on keyboards and vocals.
The event will raise funds for the high school endowment fund to
provide scholarships to less fortunate families who want to send
their daughters to the high school.
Guests will feast on an evening of gourmet foods from the area’s
top restaurants.
Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, call 247-2222.
HAWAIIAN SHIRT CONTEST PART OF CAR SHOW
The Road’ers Car Club will meet for its monthly Cruise-in car show
from 6 to 9 tonight at Bob’s Big Boy, 1407 W. Glenoaks Blvd.,
Glendale.
The highlight will be the Hawaiian Shirt Contest. There will be a
$50 first prize and $25 second prize awarded for the best Hawaiian
shirt.
Trophies will go to the top cars in their categories. There will
also be raffles and a 50/50 opportunity drawing. All classic, hot rod
and muscle cars are welcome. D.J. Jim will be spinning his oldies but
goodies. For more information, call Rick Fox at 240-9461 or e-mail
roaderscarclub@hotmail.com.
Receiving the Best of Show trophy in May was Max Norris and his
1926 Ford Model T Coupe.
UNDER THE OAKS CONCERT SERIES BEGINS
American music is the recurring theme of this year’s Under the
Oaks Concert Series beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday at Descanso Gardens in
La Canada Flintridge.
Opening the season is Buzzworld. Best known for Celtic music, the
group will focus on American folk music and show that Europe was the
source for much of it. The concert will highlight the indebtedness of
American folk music to British and Irish ballads, and the development
of American folk music through European influences.
The series is free with gardens admission. Under the Oaks theater
seating is first-come, first-served. Descanso Gardens is at 1418
Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge.
PENELOPE’S CAFE OFFERS ACOUSTIC ROCK
Penelope’s Cafe Books and Gallery is now offering live music from
6:30 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tonight, David Allen and
Michael Schneider will be playing acoustic rock ‘n’ roll.
The cafe is also showing new artwork. On display are Jim Jordan’s
landscape photography and George Cook’s nature photography.
Penelope’s Cafe is at 1029 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge.
For information, call 790-4386.
SUMMER SINGERS HAVE OSCARS NIGHT
Oscar-winning songs are featured in the 20th annual La Canada
Presbyterian Church Pops Concert titled “A Night at the Oscars” at 8
p.m. today and Sunday.
The Summer Singers and many soloists are combining under the
direction of Paul Mayo to present Academy Award-winners and nominated
songs spanning the years 1936 to the present.
Highlights are Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” from
1936, and 1997’s popular song from the movie “Titanic,” “My Heart
Will Go On.”
The concert is on the patio of the church at 626 Foothill Blvd.,
La Canada Flintridge. Tickets are $12 at the door. Free child-care is
provided. For more information, call 790-6708, ext. 200.
‘THE HOSTAGE’ OPENS AT ALLIANCE THEATRE
“The Hostage,” by Brendan Behan, is in its opening weekend at the
Alliance Theatre in Burbank.
Produced by the Ovation award-winning Alliance Repertory Company,
the play is directed by Stephanie Shroyer and stars Ovation
award-winning actor Morlan Higgins (“After the Fall”).
The story is about a young British soldier captured and held by
the IRA in exchange for the release of another IRA soldier condemned
to be hanged the next morning. And where does the IRA take him? The
last place anyone would look ... a rowdy and lively house of ill
repute. As the night progresses, the protestant British soldier is
introduced to song, drink, dance and love by a hilarious group of
bawdy boarders.
The soldier, with his newfound romance with the young Catholic
girl of the house, seeks to shut out the wild political passions of
the boarding house inhabitants and its guests. But it’s only for a
matter of time before the world outside catches up with the life
inside.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 7
p.m. Sundays through July 27. Ticket prices are $20, and are
available online at www.tix.com or by calling (800) 595-4849. The
Alliance Theatre is at 3204 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank.
CHANDLER WORKSHOP ACTORS IN SHOWCASE
“Hotel Spotlight,” a one-act play/showcase performed by the
professional actors of the June Chandler Actors Workshop, continues
at 8 tonight at the Little Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd.,
Burbank.
It will consist of 10 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. Wednesday and July 2. Tickets are
$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.
CHILDREN’S AUTHOR SIGNS FOURTH BOOK
Children’s author Aline Bezdikian of Glendale has published her
fourth book, “Lorig and the Animals,” and will be signing the book at
3:30 p.m. today in the Children’s Room of the Glendale Public
Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale.
The story talks about eight animals with eight strengths or
abilities based on the different human intelligences: verbal,
musical, kinesthetic, naturalist, intrapersonal, interpersonal,
mathematical and spatial. The story is for children 4 to 10.
PLAY DEALS WITH SEARCH FOR ACCEPTANCE
The Arena Theater is presenting its first production, “Props,” by
contemporary Armenian writer Aghasi Ayvazyan, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at
MGN Paradise Studios, 1631 Maria St., Burbank. The play is directed
of Anahid Aramouni Keshishian.
Additional performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and June 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.
WOODTURNERS SHOW WORKS AT BRAND
The Glendale Woodturners Guild and the American Assn. of
Woodturners are combining forces for a wood-turning exhibit, “Trees
to Treasures -- American Assn. of Woodturners Put a Lid on It,” at
Brand Library Art Galleries in Glendale.
The American Assn. of Woodturners will have its national
convention in Pasadena in late June. As a special part of that
meeting, the Brand Galleries is hosting this juried and invitational
exhibit titled “Put a Lid on It,” with works by top international
woodturners.
The Glendale Woodturners Guild, one of the largest and most
award-winning wood organizations in the United States, will present
more than 140 selected works by local turners.
A reception will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, which also marks
the opening night of the convention. To accommodate the many
out-of-town visitors, the gallery will have extended hours from 5 to
9 p.m. Friday. Both Brand Library events are free and open to the
public. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit continues through
July 5.
Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday
and 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission to the galleries and
reception are free. Brand Art Galleries are in Brand Park at 1601 W.
Mountain St., Glendale. For more information, call 548-2051.
ON STAGE
CENTRE THEATRE OFFERS ‘THE MUSIC MAN’
Real-life husband and wife, Bill Lewis and Charlotte Carpenter of
Burbank, are starring in Glendale Centre Theatre’s romantic musical
“The Music Man” by Meredith Willson.
Lewis is also directing the play about a fast-talking,
fly-by-night salesman who falls in love with River City’s no-nonsense
librarian. Lewis plays Harold Hill opposite Carpenter’s Marian Paroo.
“The Music Man” continues through July 12. Tickets range from $14
to $17. “Cinderella” continues at 11 a.m. Saturdays until June 28.
Tickets are $12, and $10 for children. For reservations, call
244-8481. Glendale Centre Theatre is at 324 N. Orange St., Glendale.
THEATRE BANSHEE PRODUCING ‘RED NOSES’
The laughs continue over at the Gene Bua Theatre in Burbank with
Peter Barnes’ “Red Noses,” produced by Theatre Banshee.
Directed by Glendale resident Sean Branney, the play is known as
the funniest ever written about the Black Plague. It’s the tale of a
priest who decides to fight the plague’s suffering by becoming a
clown. He and his followers spread medieval mirth and merriment and
confront forces darker than the plague itself.
The company’s last production, “The Weir,” received awards last
year from the L.A. Drama Critics Circle, Backstage West and the
Valley Theatre League, and received three L.A. Weekly Award
nominations.
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays
through July 13. The Gene Bua Theatre is at 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd.,
Burbank. Tickets are $15, and $12 for students, seniors and groups.
For reservations, call 628-0688.
‘3 LITTLE PIGS’ COMPLETES RUN AT FALCON
The Falcon Theatre is producing “3 Little Pigs,” written by Carole
Unter and directed by Joseph Leo Bwarie, through Sunday.
Embarking on a fun-filled adventure in storytelling and
architecture, the “3 Little Pigs” playfully rewrite their own classic
tale as they learn about the power of the imagination and the
importance of friendship.
Show times are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays. Tickets
are $10. The Falcon Theatre is at 4252 Riverside Drive, in Burbank.
For information and reservations call 955-8101.
COLONY’S ‘THE NERD’ WANDERS ONTO CENTER STAGE
The Colony Theatre Company is producing Larry Shue’s comedy, “The
Nerd,” starring French Stewart from the TV show “3rd Rock from the
Sun.”
Directing the play is David Rose who was also at the helm of the
Colony’s “Fuddy Meers,” and “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”
The story is about a former GI who finally meets the guy who saved
his life. The man, however, turns out to be a bumbling oaf with no
social sense, little intelligence and less tact.
Show times for are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m.
Sundays through July 6. Tickets range from $29 to $35 with discounts
for students and seniors. For reservations, call 558-7000. The Colony
makes its home at the Burbank Center Stage, 555 N. Third St.,
Burbank.
ART EXHIBITS
SETSU DISPLAYS ‘PORTRAITS AND PANORAMAS’
The Art of Japanese American artist Setsu is featured at The
Forest Lawn Museum in Forest Lawn, Glendale through Aug. 3.
The exhibit represents the journey one has on the path of life as
well as experiences that touch the lives of Los Angelenos each in a
unique and personal way. Setsu specializes in portraits capturing the
story her subjects have to tell and reflecting on her experiences as
a Japanese American citizen. All of her paintings bring together the
influence she has felt, from her background to the painting styles of
Van Gogh and Renoir.
To complement the exhibit, the Forest Lawn Museum will conduct a
series of events that are open to the public at no charge.
A Meet the Artist event is planned for 1 p.m. today, then the
public can take an art class in the Artist Series at 1 p.m. Sunday.
“Screen and Sound,” a film series devoted to art and its elements, is
planned for 1 p.m. Thursday.
The exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Aug. 3.
Forest Lawn Museum is at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, 1712 S.
Glendale Ave. Admission is free. For more information, call (800)
204-3131, ext. 4545.
PAINTINGS ON EXHIBIT AT WAX POETIC SALON
Under the title, “Maladies and Other Disappointments,” Chad Bell
is showing his most recent collection of oil paintings at Wax Poetic
Salon in Burbank.
The self-taught draftsman and sculptor, Bell was inspired by the
loose paint strokes of Lucian Freud’s later pieces and turned to
painting. He is also influenced by the works of Egon Schiele, Chuck
Close, as well as the dark sensibilities attributed to the folk of
the upper Midwest.
The exhibit runs through June 30. Wax Poetic Salon, specializing
in skin care, waxing and massage, is also a boutique and art gallery.
It is at 3208 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
ARMENIAN ARTISTS SHOW AT FOREST LAWN MUSEUM
“From Ararat to America,” an unprecedented collection of art by
contemporary Armenian artists, is featured in a exhibit at Forest
Lawn Museum in Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Glendale.
An Armenian Cultural Festival and Storytelling Theatre Workshop
will be at 11 a.m. today.
Artists in the exhibit are Martiros Adalian, Raffi Adalyan,
Vladimir Atanian, Vahe Berberian, Vahe Fattal, Charles Garabedian,
Gaspar Gharibyan, Kaloust Guedel (Guedelekian), Vachag (Vachik
Der-Sarkisian), Samvel Harbardzumyan, Narine Isajanyan, Emil Kazaz,
Alina Mnatsakanian, Alexander Sadoyan, Sev (Henrik Khachatryan),
Zadik Zadikian, Zareh, and Suren Karapetian.
The exhibit continues through July 13. Forest Lawn is at 1712 S.
Glendale Ave. For more information, call (323) 340-4561.
‘PASTEL PERFECTION’ BRIGHTENS GALLERY
Whites Art Store and Gallery in Montrose is showcasing an
exhibition of soft pastel paintings by Bruce Trentham and Loraine
Veeck titled “Pastel Perfection.”
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9
a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. This exhibit continues through July 3. The
gallery is at 2414 Honolulu Ave., Montrose. For more information,
call 957-4071.
A LITTLE JAZZ WITH DINNER
RESTAURANT OFFERS MUSIC FROM ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s
The Oceanview Bar and Grill offers live entertainment six nights a
week for diners.
Entertainers perform a combination of piano and jazz guitar
pieces, and some accompany with vocals. Musical selections include a
mix of music from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s to opera to Celine Dion.
Some entertainers also perform their original pieces and invite
diners to sing along with them.
Jennifer Russell and Michael Gayle sing jazz while playing piano
and guitar from 7 to 10 tonight. Singing behind the piano the rest of
the week are Bill Howe on Monday; Travis Warren, Tuesday; Mary Ekler,
Wednesday; Alexandra Caselli, Thursday; and Bob Fetherolf, Friday.
The Oceanview Bar and Grill is at 3826 Ocean View Blvd. For more
information, call 248-2722.
* If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please call
JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or fax
them to 241-1975.