As August begins, we are seeing mounting cases of COVID-19 in the midst of reversing the re-opening of local businesses, so there is little chance of Southern California theaters opening again anytime soon. As before, no live stage shows are allowed at venues by mandate from state and local authorities due to the escalating COVID-19 outbreak.

However, the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura has introduced a new workaround for the situation by creating a safe distance drive-in concert series featuring live shows in its “Rubicon Goes Retro” series presented at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura. Ticketholders stay in their cars for the performances, and listen to the show on their car radios!

Here is more information on the upcoming shows being offered:

Aug. 3-5: “30th Anniversary Concert Of Forever Plaid” features performers from the original New York run (Leo Daignault, Jason Graae, David Engel and Larry Raben).

Aug. 17-19: “Jimmy Messina and Friends” with special guests “sittin’ in” including John Mcfee of the Doobie Brothers on Aug. 17, Timothy B. Schmit on Aug. 18 and Kenny Loggins on Aug. 19.

Sept. 7-9: “Music of the Knights: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John and Paul McCartney.” The Phantom of the Operaphenoms’ Teri Bibb and Davis Gaines are slated to appear, as well as two-time Golden Globe nominee Ted Neeley of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” who brings his rock wail to “Gethsemane” and other songs.

Tickets are going fast, and early reservations are highly recommended. A 15% series discount is available through Rubicon guest services. For tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call (805) 667-2900.

Of course, other theaters continue to offer online events as well. These online events are often available one time only, and are frequently not announced very far ahead of the event, so you will have to visit the venue’s website to see what is available. Most are free to watch, some are charging a small fee. Here is a list of the websites you can check to see what they are offering:

3-D Theatricals

Homepage

https://www.thereceiptswithd.com/

A Noise Within

Home

Boston Court Pasadena

Home

Echo Theater Company

Home 3

L.A. Theatre Works (fee & free)

https://www.latw.org/broadcasts

https://latw.org/black-voices

Long Beach Opera

https://www.longbeachopera.org/

Morgan-Wixson Theatre:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC15-mNl7vwkjJ8H1T-yOIHw

Pasadena Playhouse

Home

Robey Theatre Company

https://www.robeytheatrecompany.org/

Rogue Artists Ensemble

https://www.rogueartists.org/rogue-lab

Sierra Madre Playhouse

https://www.sierramadreplayhouse.org/

South Coast Repertory

https://www.scr.org/

The Blank Theatre (fee)

https://www.patreon.com/TheBlankTheatre

The Blank Theatre (free):

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBlankTheatreCo

The Broad Stage

https://www.thebroadstage.org/

The Geffen Playhouse (fee)

https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/

The Matrix Theatre “Scraps”

The Road Theatre Company

https://www.roadtheatre.org/

The Soraya

https://www.thesoraya.org

The Wallis

The Wallis Studio Ensemble

https://thewallis.org/

https://www.instagram.com/wallis_studio_ensemble/

West Coast Jewish Theatre

https://youtu.be/R-xUdVDqZCk

Until we emerge from these trying times, we encourage everyone to stay safe and practice social distancing at all times when outside in public. Our warmest wishes go out to all of you during this crisis!

Steve Zall and Sid Fish of Scene in L.A. know a lot about L.A. theatre and are ready to share with CV Weekly readers. You can read more at CVWeekly.com/LEISURE.