Director makes local debut with Moliere’s ‘The Miser’
JOYCE RUDOLPH
Director Craig Belknap makes his debut with Glendale’s classical
theater company A Noise Within for Moliere’s “The Miser,” opening
this weekend.
Belknap was the founder and artistic director of the Direct
Theatre in New York City and has directed more than 200 new and
classical works at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City and
many others.
The story is about Harpagon, the Miser, who loves money almost as
much as he loves himself. Determined to marry off his son and
daughter -- at a profit -- and take a young bride for himself at an
even greater profit, Harpagon’s attempts at courtship are almost
thwarted when a conniving matchmaker, a shrewd servant and a surly
cook all want money in order to do their work. But when Harpagon’s
secret love -- his buried treasure -- is stolen, romance is off and
the chase for the criminal is on.
Tickets range from $20 to $40. The play continues in repertory
with Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” until Dec. 7. The theater company is
at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. For reservations, call 240-0910.
SPECIAL EVENTS
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATED AT DOCTORS’ HOUSE
Displays showing how Halloween was celebrated during the Victorian
era are on exhibit at the Doctors’ House Museum throughout October.
Docents will be explaining how the Victorians lightened up the
serious holiday traditions, during tours from 2 to 4 p.m. every
Sunday.
A special celebration is planned from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26 at
which guests can enjoy a cup of hot apple cider and participate in
games and activities of days gone by. Guests are encouraged to come
in costume.
The Doctors’ House Museum is in Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St.,
Glendale.
FRIGHT GALLERY SCARES UP ANOTHER ATTRACTION
The Fright Gallery is producing another haunted attraction with
“Experiments in Terror” at the Burbank Media City Center.
The story line centers on Dr. C.J. Henderson, head of operations
for the Institute of Paranormal Research. Hazlewood Manor, a site of
many apparition sightings, has been de-constructed and brought to the
institute’s new research facility at the mall.
Members of the Fright Gallery come from various areas of the
entertainment industry. They created many haunted mansions for
Halloween seasons in the 1980s and 1990s until 1993.
Hazlewood Manor is next to the carousel on the first level of the
mall, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and 6 to
11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 1. Admission is $10 to
$15.
Special family friendly song and dance “Trick or Treat” matinees
for young children are from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26. Admission
is $2, $6 for children.
BALLERINAS PERFORM STORYBOOK FAVORITES
Media City Ballet Company dancers will perform storybook ballet
favorites from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday featuring selections from
“Sleeping Beauty,” “Red Riding Hood,” “Puss ‘n’ Boots” and “Peter and
the Wolf.”
Dancer Alexandra Stern, recently cast as “Clara” for the December
performance of “The Nutcracker” at The Alex Theatre in Glendale, will
dance the role of Red Riding Hood.
Admission is $13, $10 for children 3 to 12. For reservations, call
972-9692. Media Dance Center is at 237 E. Palm Ave., Burbank.
COLLEGE PRODUCES ‘MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’
William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” begins the
season for the Glendale Community College Theatre Arts Department,
opening this weekend in the Auditorium Mainstage Theatre.
Professor Ken Gray is the director. One of Shakespeare’s most
popular comedies, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” involves the strange
events that take place in a forest inhabited by fairies, including
the mischievous Puck, whose magic transforms the romantic fate of two
couples.
Shows are at 8 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday and continue at 8 p.m.
Oct. 16-18 and 23-25. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. on Oct. 19 and
26. Tickets are $10, $6 for students and seniors and $4 each for
groups of 10 or more and children 12 and younger. Tickets may be
purchased at the door. For information call 240-1000, ext. 5618.
MUSIC OF WOODLANDS COMES TO DESCANSO
Music of the woodlands will be presented in concert from noon to 3
p.m. Sunday at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge.
Musician Jon Sherman, who uses instruments created from natural
materials, will play original compositions featuring the songs of
birds. This concert will use the voices of seven bird species that
thrive amid California oaks. They include the American robin, canyon
wren, acorn woodpecker, red-tailed hawk, Bewick’s wren, hermit thrush
and Anna’s hummingbird.
Sherman’s concert is free with gardens admission. Descanso Gardens
is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. The gardens are open
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Parking is free. Admission fees are $6;
$4 for seniors and students; $1.50 for children 5 to 12; and free for members and children 5 and younger. For more information, call
949-4200 or visit www.DescansoGardens.org.
GROUP SHOW OPENING AT VILLAGE SQUARE
“Four Artists” is a group show of mixed media and pastel works by
artists Charles Borman, Teri Garcia, June Schnitzer and Loraine Veeck
opening this weekend at Village Square Gallery in Montrose.
The artists’ reception is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibit
closes Nov. 8. The gallery is at 2418 Honolulu Ave., Suite C,
Montrose. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and by
appointment by calling 541-9952.
Teri Garcia, June Schnitzer and Loraine Veeck are members of Women
Painters West. Charles Borman is a Glendale resident and owner of
Village Square Gallery, and is former professor at California State
Los Angeles.
COMPOSER CONDUCTS MUSIC TALK
Composer and conductor Patrick Kavanaugh will give a talk on
“Raising Musical Kids,” based on one of his many books, at 10 a.m.
today at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
The program will be an interactive seminar for parents and
grandparents, as well as for anyone who wants to learn how to get
children interested in music and how to instill a love of music in
them.
Kavanaugh, the father of four boys, has composed a variety of
opera, orchestral, chamber and electronic music. He has conducted
across America and overseas. He has taught university-level courses
in music history, theory, orchestration, composition, counterpoint
and electronic music.
He earned a master’s degree in music and a doctorate in musical
arts from the University of Maryland. He is executive director of the
Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship in Washington, D.C., and
artistic director of the MasterWorks Festival and Orchestra.
The church is at 1020 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. For more
information, call 240-3860.
DIVERSITY CELEBRATED AT UNITY FEST
The city of Glendale is sponsoring the Unity Fest 2003 Celebrating
Unity through Diversity from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Verdugo
Park, 1621 Canada Blvd., Glendale.
There will be international villages offering food, entertainment
and arts and crafts from all around the world in addition to
international exhibitions and demonstrations.
RESIDENTS PERFORM WITH SYMPHONY
The Pasadena Symphony, led by conductor Jorge Mester of Montrose,
will perform at 8 tonight at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
Residents performing are Terry Cravens, Betty Sirri and Lois
Johnson, assistant conductor, all of La Canada Flintridge, Douglas
Davis of La Crescenta, and Barbara Don and Sharon Harman, both of
Glendale.
The all-Beethoven program features internationally acclaimed
violinist Ilya Kaler performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D
Major, Op. 61. Mester also conducts two other compositions by the
incomparable composer, the Leonore Overture No. 3 and Grosse Fugue,
Op. 133.
“Insights,” a pre-concert lecture by Milton Stern, begins at 7
p.m. The Pasadena Civic Auditorium is at 300 E. Green St., Pasadena.
Tickets range from $14 to $66, $5 for children 5 to 14, and $10
student and senior rush tickets, which are available the day of the
concert. For tickets, call (626) 584-8833.
SINGING COOL JAZZ AT THE SMOKE HOUSE
Jimmy Spencer sings jazz backed by the Karen Hernandez Trio at
8:30 tonight at the Smoke House Restaurant.
With his bass/baritone voice, Spencer delivers everything from
rhythm and blues to jazz and pop. His current CD, “A Song for You,”
is a compilation of old standards and some new compositions. He is
accompanied by some of the finest musicians on the jazz scene today.
The Smoke House is at 4420 Lakeside Drive in Burbank. For more
information, call 845-3731.
TASTE CHICAGO OPENS IN BURBANK
Taste Chicago, touting Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot
dogs and more, opens this weekend in Burbank.
The celebration continues from 5 to 10 tonight with food, live
music and prizes. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. A
charity raffle will benefit Autism research.
The restaurant is at 603 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank. For more
information, call 563-2800.
ON STAGE
‘LATE NIGHT CATECHISM’ PRODUCED AT FALCON
“Late Night Catechism” is continuing in an open-ended run at 7:30
p.m. each Sunday at The Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
It was written by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. Directed by
Marc Silvia, the interactive comedy features an irrepressible
“Sister” teaching a class of “students” (the audience). Parochial
school was never this funny!
The Falcon is at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Tickets are $25.
For reservations, call 955-8101.
‘DAMN YANKEES’ ENDS TODAY
“Damn Yankees” ends its run today at Glendale Centre Theatre.
Written by Abbot, Wallop, Adler and Ross, the musical is about one
fan’s attempt to save his favorite baseball team. It has entertained
numerous generations since it first premiered on Broadway. Tickets
range from $16 to $20.
For the children, “Jack and the Beanstalk” by Byron Simpson
continues at 11 a.m. Saturdays through Nov. 15. Tickets are $12 and
$10 for children.
For reservations, call 244-8481. Glendale Centre Theatre is at 324
N. Orange St., Glendale.
COMEDY NIGHT AT MARIE CALLENDER’S
Glendale now has a comedy club. Shows begin at 9 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays at Marie Callender’s, 707 N. Pacific Ave., Glendale.
Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 503-7388. Dinner
packages are available. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.
‘EVENING WITH JACK KLUGMAN’ AT FALCON
“An Evening with Jack Klugman” continues at The Falcon Theatre in
Burbank.
Klugman relates tidbits about working with such legendary figures
as Humphrey Bogart, Henry Fonda, Ethel Merman, Judy Garland and Tony
Randall, as well as sharing his battle and recovery from throat
cancer.
He recently completed touring the United States and Canada,
starring in Ernest Thompson’s “On Golden Pond.”
“An Evening with Jack Klugman” continues through Oct. 19.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m.
Sundays. Ticket prices for adults range from $25 to $37.50. For
reservations, call 955-8101. The Falcon Theatre is at 4252 Riverside
Drive.
FUNKY PUNKS RETURN TO THE FALCON
The Troubadour Theater Company’s Funky Punks are back at The
Falcon Theatre in Burbank with an all-new “Circus Spectacular!”
The Troubies have transformed the Falcon Theatre stage into a
rollicking three-ring circus. Lion tamers, acrobats and jugglers
abound as these misfits of mayhem find any excuse to wreak havoc.
It’s 60 minutes of family entertainment.
Performances are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $12, $10 for children 12, younger. The Falcon Theatre is
at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. For reservations, call 955-8101.
‘WISHING WELL’ IN WORLD PREMIERE AT VICTORY
The world premiere of Jon Klein’s comedy “Wishing Well” continues
at The Victory Theatre in Burbank.
It is directed by Maria Gobetti and co-produced by Tom Ormeny,
Robert E. Alschuler, Susan Alschuler and Gobetti.
It’s about a family of strong women and their men. Secrets define
their lives and shocks of discovery force them to change.
Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m.
Sundays through Nov. 16. Tickets range from $22 to $24. The Victory
is at 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. For reservations, call
841-5421.
‘A FEW GOOD MEN’ AT THIRD STAGE
Aaron Sorkin’s military courtroom drama, “A Few Good Men,”
continues in its Los Angeles premiere at 8 tonight at the Third Stage
in Burbank.
The play is directed by David Blanchard, who also is playing the
role of Lt. Jonathan Kendrick. Co-producing the play are Birdman and
Old Country Productions.
Before the film, the play was on Broadway, and even though it went
on national tour, it was never produced in Los Angeles.
Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays until Nov. 22.
Tickets are $20, $15 for students and seniors. The theater is at 2811
W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. For reservations, call 842-4755.
A NOISE WITHIN’S PRODUCING ‘CORIOLANUS’
A Noise Within is producing William Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus.”
Coriolanus, a creature singularly bred for violent combat, braces
for a meteoric rise as Rome’s greatest warrior. Unable to sever the
tentacle-like apron strings of his honor-seeking, bloodthirsty
mother, Coriolanus struggles to grasp control of a universe filled
with treachery and rebellion. It is only when Coriolanus uses honesty
as a blunt instrument to strive for real depths, does he discover his
real self.
Company artistic co-directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez
Elliott are directing this piece. Geoff Elliott is in the starring
role.
It plays in repertory through Dec. 6. Tickets range from $20 to
$40 and can be reserved by calling 240-0910. A Noise Within makes its
home at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
ART EXHIBITS
ARTISTS SHOW OPPOSITE STYLES AT BRAND GALLERIES
Two artists portraying the figure in opposite styles are
exhibiting at the Brand Galleries in Glendale.
Zhenya Gershman’s nearly life-size interpretations of contemporary
male and female forms are painted in the artist’s unique use of her
oil media placing them in their own visual world.
For her “Men in Tutus” series, Miriam L. Preissel hired a
professional choreographer, make-up artist and costumer to photograph
19 unlikely men invited to appear in tutus on a dramatically lighted
stage.
The exhibit ends Oct. 18. The galleries are in Brand Park, 1601
W. Mountain St., Glendale. 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.
For more information, call 548-2051.
PHOTOGRAPHER SHOWS WORKS OF NEW YORK
Los Angeles photographer Rick Penn-Kraus’ exhibit, titled “New
York: B&W; Photos from Before You-Know-When,” continues at the Wax
Poetic salon and art gallery in Burbank.
In addition to being an art photographer, Penn-Kraus is design
director at the international public relations firm Hill & Knowlton.
His photography has appeared on the covers of numerous national
best-selling books.
The exhibit continues through Oct. 20. Wax Poetic is at 3208 W.
Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. For more information, call 843-9469.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241, e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or fax
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