Atwater Village Theater

World premiere of Walking to Buchenwald — A protean comedy with shattering consequences. When Schiller and Arjay take Schiller's parents to Europe, both couples learn what it means to be American in a world that no longer admires the U.S. Guinea pigs playing cricket, dead bodies that talk and an unexpected trip to a concentration camp lead to a shocking yet poignant conclusion. In a stroke of non-gender specific casting that dramatically illustrates the extent to which acting can change a story, two women…

World premiere of Fixed — Dually inspired by Calderón’s Spanish Golden Age Drama The Physician Of His Own Honor and the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning, which detailed New York’s then-underground drag queen “ball culture,” this fierce and funny new play by Boni B. Alvarez is set in the heart of L.A.’s Historic Filipinotown. Miracles Malcañang is a ladyboy masseuse who “walks” for Filipinotown’s infamous House of Malacañang. When Miracles’ forbidden love affair sparks tensions between the city’s hottest political family, two families must come together to understand the power of desire, identity,…

World premiere of Forever Bound — Are we all savages? A rare book dealer's desperate scheme to avoid bankruptcy goes shockingly awry in this darkly funny literary thriller with a surprise twist. WHO:  • Written by Steve Apostolina • Directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky • Starring French Stewart, Rob Nagle, Emily Goss, Steve Apostolina • Presented by Sankalpa Productions WHEN:  Previews: May 9 and May 10 Performances: May 11 – June 16 • Wednesday at 8 p.m.: May 9 ONLY (preview) • Thursday at 8 p.m.: May 10 ONLY (preview) • Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 11 (Opening Night), May 18, May 25; June…

World premiere of Cult  of Love — IAMA concludes its 10th anniversary with the final installment in Leslye Headland’s “Seven Deadly Plays” cycle — a black comedy that explores the final sin of “pride” through one family's feverish clash over who is right and who is crazy. The Dahl family gathers to celebrate Christmas in their rural Connecticut home. Raised as strict Christians and overachievers, the four adult children (along with their partners) have grown into varying degrees of belief and success. Their…

West Coast premiere of Cry It Out — Cooped up on maternity leave and eager for conversation, Jessie invites the funny and forthright Lina for coffee in their neighboring backyards. They become fast friends, quickly bonding over their shared “new mom” experience—and arousing the interest of a wealthy neighbor hoping for a similar connection. This insightful comedy takes an honest look at the absurdities of new motherhood, the dilemma of returning to work versus staying at home, and how class impacts parenthood and friendship.…

What Happened When — Echo Theater Company’s West Coast premiere of Daniel Talbott’s haunting ghost story returns with a different set of ensemble members. On a snowy night in a rural farmhouse, three siblings (Randall Clute,Joey Stromberg and Libby Woodbridge) huddle together in the dark with a flashlight, while the audience (unseen by them) gathers closely around. Expect to be fully immersed in this beautiful, provocative and disturbing memory play. (The production’s April run featured Klute alongside Ellen Neary and Chris Stack; the show…

Under Milk Wood —  Intensely beautiful, poignant and sublimely funny, this “play for voices” by the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas recounts the dreams, gossip and waking hours of the sleepy, Welsh seaside town of Llareggub — a name that seems innocent enough until you read it backwards. Unforgettable characters such as Captain Cat, Myfanwy Price, the Reverend Ely Jenkins, Organ Morgan, Polly Garter and Dai Bread populate this odd place, and their affectionate charm and humor still captivate and entertain 65…

What Happened When — Echo Theater Company’s West Coast premiere of Daniel Talbott’s haunting ghost story returns in a third and final rendition (following productions in April and July) with a third set of ensemble members. On a snowy night in a rural farmhouse, three siblings (Ian Bamberg, Matthew Gallenstein and, at alternate performances, Kenzie Caplan and Mara Klein) huddle together in the dark with a flashlight, while the audience (unseen by them) gathers closely around. Expect to be fully immersed in this beautiful, provocative and disturbing…

Southern California premiere of All Night Long — The thin line between waking and dreaming, the conscious and subconscious, is exposed in playwright John O’Keefe’s outrageously funny, surreal sit-com about 18 hours in the life of an all-American nuclear family. WHO: • Written John O’Keefe • Directed by Jan Munroe • Starring Phillip William Brock, John Patrick Daly, Cat Davis, Caroline Klidonas, Alina Phelan • Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company, Martha Demson, artistic director WHEN: Previews: Sept. 8 – 13 Performances: Sept. 14 – Oct. 21 • Fridays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 14 (opening), Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct.…