By Steve ZALL and Sid FISH

October 2021

Many theatres are or will soon be reopening and announcing their upcoming schedules. However, the COVID-19 virus is still running rampant, so proof of vaccination is required by most theaters in order to attend performances, and masks must be worn at all times during the performances. The information presented in this column is the latest available at the time of printing; however readers should check with the theater to confirm before making definite plans.

Here are the shows that have announced opening dates or are already running this month:

Opening

“Aleichem Sholom: The Wit and Wisdom of Sholom Aleichem” Based on Sholom Aleichem’s letters and stories, the controversy surrounding his stories and plays, and his passionate involvement in the creation of a new homeland coupled with the personal recollections of those who knew him first hand, Aleichem Sholom is written by the internationally acclaimed duo of Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie, with lilting songs by Emery Bernauer, E. Rudie and Sholom Aleichem himself.

Audiences are treated to an in-depth look at the joyous and poignant events that inspired the foolish philosophers, philosophical fools, comical shtetl folk and not-so-comical scoundrels that populated Sholom Aleichem’s world.

Written by Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie, with music by Emery Bernauer, E. Rudie and Sholom Aleichem, and directed by Arthur R. Tompkins, it runs through Oct. 30 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets, call (310) 394-9779 Ext. 1 or visit www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com/aleichem-sholom.

“The Root Beer Bandits – A Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild West Musicale” This is the story of a woman with dreams of becoming a songwriter in 1860. In an effort to prove that women are capable of anything, she disguises herself to ride for the Pony Express. Her name is Pollyanna Peppercorn, and her adventure is just beginning.

When Polly (Tiffany Daniels) delivers a letter to Sheriff Bailey (Clayton Snyder) of Sarsaparilla City, they discover that Copper Penny (Kelly Brandeburg) is scheming to steal the city’s famous gold label root beer supply with her partner Zeke (Josey Montana McCoy). Alongside Sally Sue Tucker (Cloie Wyatt Taylor), a trailblazing entrepreneur, and Sheriff Bailey, Polly sets things right and makes it clear that everyone is capable of greatness, no matter what their circumstances may be.

Written by Joseph Leo Bwarie and Lori Marshall, with music by Rachael Lawrence, lyrics by Lori Marshall, and directed by Joseph Leo Bwarie, it runs through Oct. 31 at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank. For tickets, call (818) 955-8101 or visit www.garrymarshalltheatre.org.

“Ascension” Do you know about it? The Second Sun? It’s real. It’s going to take us home! The Echo Theater Company presents the world premiere of “Ascension,” an immersive, interactive sci-fi, futuristic cyber play that strikes at the heart of our assumptions about faith, memory and reality.

Rebel is trapped inside a long, narrow pod. Nobody knows she’s in there … nobody but the audience. For some strange reason, the minds of the audience and hers are psychically linked and only the audience can help her escape.

Written by D. G. Watson and directed by Ahmed Best, it runs through Nov. 18 at the Echo Theater Company at Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater. For tickets, call (310) 307-3753 or visit www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.

“Holding Court” Court is a young woman who seems to have had every advantage: A loving, supportive family, a top-flight education. Yet she’s troubled. She’s afflicted by shame and guilt because of failure to live up to her own expectations. A messy love life and self-destructive coping strategies like petty lies contribute to her emotional burdens. She runs through a gamut of therapists without doing the work that it takes to benefit from treatment until she encounters one particular practitioner who sees through her mechanisms and connects with her. Court understands that to achieve health, she has to become the hero of her own story. Can she forgive herself for all the stumbles she’s made on her life path? One extraordinary day, she finds herself in a situation of deadly danger. She must now become a hero for real, and damn fast or someone will die. Will Court rise to the occasion?

Written and directed by Courtney Scheuerman, it runs Oct. 8 through Oct. 16 at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets, visit www.onstage411.com/holdingcourt.

 “Mamma Mia!” You can dance, you can jive and you’ll have the time of your life when 5-Star stages this massively popular musical for the first time! The impossible-to-resist hits of the Swedish pop group ABBA power this sunny, funny show about a young woman’s search for her birth father. Whether you grew up bopping to the beat of hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance On Me,” “Chiquitita” and “Money, Money, Money” or discovered ABBA on the big screen, 5-Star’s production will lift you higher than a pair of bedazzled platform boots.

Written by Catherine Johnson, conceived by Judy Craymer, with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and some songs with Stig Anderson, and directed by Richard Israel, it runs Oct. 15 through Oct. 24 at the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks. For tickets, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.5startheatricals.com.

“The Book of Moron” Robert Dubac’s newest Off-Broadway solo hit, “The Book Of Moron” has been described as one of the most “hilarious” “intelligent” and “scorching” satirical attacks on idiocracy since Mark Twain. (And “idiocracy” isn’t even a word. How dumb is that?)

Are you are craving for some satire that cuts with a clever intelligent edge? Are you are tired of adolescent comedies generated by the mediocrity of television? Then buckle up for a hilarious joy ride over the pot-holed highways of cultural hypocrisy! It’s comedy on steroids. Think your funny bone can handle it?

Written and directed by Robert Dubac, it runs Oct. 16 only at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets, call (818) 508-4200 or visit www.elportaltheatre.com.

“Sh-Boom Life Could Be a Dream” Hey, cool cats! Take a trip to Springfield and meet the Crooning Crabcakes as they prepare to enter the Big Whopper Radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time! The ’60s hits say it all: “Fools Fall in Love,” “Tears on my Pillow,” “Runaround Sue,” “Earth Angel,” “Stay,” “Unchained Melody,” “Lonely Teardrops” and “The Glory of Love.” This delightful, award-winning jukebox musical, written and created by Roger Bean (“The Marvelous Wonderettes”) will leave you laughing, singing, and cheering – let’s hear it for the boys!

Written by Roger Bean, with music by Nick Guerrero, and directed by Jonathan Van Dyke, it runs Oct. 17 through Oct. 31 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets, call (949) 497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

“Terry Barber Sings the Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber” The world’s greatest countertenor returns to El Portal to sing the amazing songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Terry returns to El Portal by popular demand after his thrilling concert in 2019.

Written and directed by Terry Barber, it runs Oct. 17 only at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets, call (818) 508-4200 or visit www.elportaltheatre.com.

“Blues in the Night” Set in 1948 in a rundown Chicago hotel, three women and a man share their stories about the misery and humor of life, love and the dogged determination to do more than just survive. The drama reveals itself through 26 hot, torchy, glorious songs by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Alberta Hunter, Harold Arlen, Jimmy Cox, Ida Cox and more.

Written by Sheldon Epps and directed by Wren T. Brown, it runs Oct. 22 through Nov. 7 at the International City Theatre Long Beach Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

“Never Swim Alone” In the slyly witty and unexpectedly suspenseful “Never Swim Alone,” two men are locked in a ruthless competition of one-upmanship under the watchful eye of “The Referee,” a young woman with a secret connection to the boys these men used to be.

Written by Daniel MacIvor and directed by Amanda Weier, it runs Oct. 23 through Dec. 12 at the Open Fist Theatre Company @Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets, call (323) 882-6912 or visit www.openfist.org.

“Poor Clare” Clare is just a regular noblewoman living in 13th century Italy, trying out hairstyles and waiting to get married … until a man named Francis starts ranting in the courtyard. But what happens when your eyes are opened to the injustice of the world around you – and you can’t look away?

 Written by Chiara Atik and directed by Alana Dietze, it runs Oct. 23 through Nov. 29 at the Echo Theater Company Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets, call (310) 307-3753 or visit www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.

“The Serpent” Go ahead – take the apple. The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble re-envisions the groundbreaking, Obie award-winning “The Serpent” by Jean-Claude van Itallie, a unique “ceremony/celebration/exploration” that delights in life as seen through the Book of Genesis and other iconic events.

Written by Jean-Claude van Itallie and directed by Ron Sossi, it runs Oct. 23 through Dec. 12 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (310) 477-2055 Ext. 2 or visit www.OdysseyTheatre.com.

“The Soldier Dreams” A darkly funny and moving play about life, death, grief – and dancing. As David lies in a virus-induced coma, his lover, Richard, plays host to David’s family members, each of who feel they had the most special connection. In this poignant homage to those we love who have left us, the audience becomes witness to everyone’s – including David’s own – memories of David.

 Written by Daniel MacIvor and directed by Amanda Weier, it runs Oct. 23 through Dec. 12 at the Open Fist Theatre Company @Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets, call (323) 882-6912 or visit www.openfist.org.

“That Lovin’ Feeling – Tribute to the Righteous Brothers” Gene Sironen and Larry G Jones have performed to standing ovations, especially in the senior marketplace. Their portrayal of the Righteous Brothers is not only a brilliant recreation of the blue-eyed Soul Duo, but it also brings back the history and memories of a wonderful era gone by. Songs include “Unchained Melody” “Rock and Roll Heaven” “Little Latin Lupe Lu” “Ebb Tide” “Soul and Inspiration” and, of course, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”

Written by Gene Sironen and Larry G. Jones, it runs Oct. 23 only at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets, call (818) 508-4200 or visit www.elportaltheatre.com.

“A Perfect Ganesh” Adult themes. No one under 12 admitted. The pilgrimage tradition is turned on its head when two outwardly unremarkable, middle-aged women throw themselves into a rousing tour of India, each one having her own secret dreams of what the fabled land of intoxicating opposites will do for the suffering she hides within. Margaret, an uptight example of WASP prerogative, has just discovered a lump in her breast but hasn’t told her friend. More adventurous Katharine seeks a respite from the haunting of her son, Walter, and even thinks of kissing the leprous hordes of Bombay to atone for the way she rejected him and maybe, she thinks, contributed to the gay-bashing in which he died. Faced with the women’s despair who but Ganesh, the Hindu god with an elephant’s head, could intervene? Fluid in his power to assume any guise, at peace with all things, Ganesh is the spiritual center around which the play spins itself, drawing upon the tragic and the comic, the beautiful and the deplorable. Can Ganesh bring relief to the pain abiding within each of the women’s hearts?

Written by Terrence McNally and directed by David W. Callander, it runs Oct. 29 through Nov. 21 at the Pico (formerly the Pico Playhouse) in Los Angeles. For tickets, visit www.onstage411.com/ganesh.

Continuing

“Our Man in Santiago” A comic spy thriller inspired by the true story of a spectacularly botched U.S. attempt to overthrow Chile’s democratically elected leader. In this new political farce by two-time Emmy nominee and WGA award-winner Mark Wilding (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” “Good Girls,” “Charmed”), the CIA enlists an inexperienced, unsuspecting agent to follow up with a last-ditch, poorly conceived and wildly dangerous effort to hasten the 1973 Chilean coup d’état.

Written by Mark Wilding and directed by Charlie Mount, it runs through Oct. 24 at the Theatre West in Los Angeles. For tickets, visit www.TheatreWest.org.

 Local theme parks continue to operate at high, if not full, capacity. Most require advance reservations online, as well as advance ticket, and possibly food, purchases. Attendees will need an app in many parks to be able to take full advantage of those attractions that have reopened. Attendance is no longer limited to California residents only in most parks. Please check their websites for details, restrictions and availability before planning a trip:

Area theaters continue to expand their online offerings in spite of reopening with many more events to experience on a virtual basis. Some of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, while others are ongoing and can be viewed anytime on-demand. Visit each of the websites to see what they are currently offering. Free content as well as pay-per-view will be available to choose from.

Steve Zall and Sid Fish