NBY, MARCH COLUMN 2020: Our Man in Santiago, Taming The Lion, Show Me A Hero & A Body of Water.

Henry Kissinger & Richard Nixon

OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO (Cahuenga)

This comic spy thriller is inspired by the true story of a botched attempt by the U.S. to overthrow Chile’s democratically elected leader back in early 1970. According to Gabriela Garcia Marquez, a plan was hatched by the Nixon Administration and the Chilean military for a coup that had to be aborted when “someone made a mistake in the Pentagon and requested 200 visas for a purported Navy chorus!” In this new political farce, by Mark Wilding, the CIA enlists an inexperienced, unsuspecting agent to follow up with a last-ditch effort to hasten the coup d'état.  As director Charlie Mount states: “It’s about consequentialism. In politics, do the ends justify the means?” Starring Steve Nevil as Richard Nixon and Michael Van Duzer as Henry Kissinger. Produced by Benjamin Scuglia at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. Los Angeles. Tkts: (323) 851-7977 or www.TheatreWest.org.

TAMING THE LION (Beverly Hills)

Here is another new play, based on a true story, this time set in Hollywood in the 1920’s silent film era. Actor William Haines, after 50 films was the number one box-office draw by 1934. However, he was openly gay, a fact that MGM attempted to conceal with Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg trying to force him to marry a woman to please his fans. In the play, when Haines reveals his devotion to his male lover, Mayer sends Joan Crawford over to talk sense to him. Playwright Jack Rushen has twice won the Julie Harris Award from the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild. Director is Melanie MacQueen, familiar to audiences as she appears annually in “The Manor.”  Produced by David Hunt Stafford for Theatre 40. At Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Dr. Beverly Hills. Tkts: (310) 364-0535 or www.theatre40.org. Free parking.

SHOW ME A HERO (North Hollywood)

Oriana Fallaci & Alexander Panagoulis

In 1974, Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci went to Greece to interview freedom fighter Alexander Panagoulis after the collapse of the military dictatorship there. Panagoulis had been imprisoned and tortured for his actions and, when he and Oriana met, they fell in love. Her book, “A Man” was inspired by his life. She was at his side when he once again risked his life to gather evidence against corrupt government leaders. Their dynamic love story is being dramatized by playwright and novelist Willard Manus who lived in Greece for many years as the Mediterranean Correspondent for the Canadian “Financial Post.” This new play is premiering in Los Angeles and is directed by Daniel E. Keough of Theatre West. Produced by Write Act Repertory’s Artistic Director John Lant with Anne Mesa. At Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove St. NoHo. Tkts: (800) 838-3006 Ext. 1 or www.Brownpapertickets.com/event/4510530.

A BODY OF WATER (Hollywood)

In this lyrical drama, a couple in their fifties wake up in an isolated house above a picturesque body of water with no idea of where they are or why they are there. This situation is further complicated by the arrival of a mysterious young woman with a questionable explanation. According to playwright Lee Blessing, his play is about lost identity and rediscovering love and examines the wisdom of embracing a pure moment of joy even when nothing else is certain. Directed by Nan McNamara and produced by Crystal Jackson for Actors Co-op. Blessing has written a new ending to this often-seen play and will participate in talkbacks after the Sunday matinees. At the Crossley Theatre, 1760 N Gower St, on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Tkts: (323) 462-8460 or www.ActorsCo-op.org. Free parking.

NBY: FEBRUARY 2020 COLUMN: Christopher Boy's Communion, The Andrews Brothers, Nowhere On The Border, West Adams & The Bluest Eye.

THE CHRISTOPHER BOY’S COMMUNION (West Los Angeles)

This new play, written and directed by David Mamet, is being staged for a very limited run and features an all-star cast that includes William H. Macy and Rebecca Pidgeon (I saw them both in his original production of “Oleanna” in NYC), Clark Gregg (founding member Atlantic Theatre Co) and Fionnula Flanagan (EMMY winner, two TONY nominations) and others. The story involves a grisly murder that has taken place in Central Park and, knowing and admiring Mamet’s work, this promises to be a volatile and meaningful drama. It’s a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles. There will only be 10 performances from Feb. 13-23. For reservations call (310) 477-2055 or online at

https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/10240066

  THE ANDREWS BROTHERS (Long Beach)

In this madcap salute to the swinging ‘40’s, written and created by Roger Bean whose “Marvelous Wondrettes” is still roaring across the land, a USO show is threatened with cancellation when a certain trio of singing sisters (clue: last name Andrews!) fail to show up. When three earnest and determined stagehands, who believe that “The Show Must Go On!” perform the act with some cross-dressing and a lot of chutzpah - it sure does. Featuring over 25 songs made famous by the Andrew Sisters, including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Slow Boat To China,” “Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree” and “Accent-chu-ate the Positive” it’s a valentine to the heroes of World War ll. Directed and choreographed by Jamie Torcellini, with a rambunctious live band led by music director Brent Crayon. At International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach. Tkts: 562-436-4610 or www.InternationalCityTheatre.org

NOWHERE ON THE BORDER (North Hollywood)

In this timely play, set in the hostile wasteland between nations, a Border Watch volunteer confronts a Mexican man who claims to be looking for his missing daughter. Playwright Carlos Lacámara, who was two years old when his family left Cuba, made a visit there in 2000 and was moved by the hardships of life on that island. Here he reveals the personal dramas that drive people to cross borders, both physical and emotional. Directed by Stewart J. Zully for Road Theatre Company. At The Road on Magnolia, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. NOHO. Tkts: 818-761-8838 or www.roadtheatre.org

WEST ADAMS (Los Feliz)

Back in the 1980’s my husband and I bought a beautiful Victorian house in West Adams and became friends with the neighbors as well as other lovers of classic homes there. This new play, by Penelope Lowder, is listed as a dark comedy about race and class. I’d better get to see it since the promo notes state that: “Perhaps reshaping a newly adopted neighborhood in your own image isn’t as lofty as one might think!” Directed by Michael A. Sheppard. At Skylight Theatre, 1816½ N Vermont, Los Feliz. Tkts: 213-761-7061 or http://SkylightTix.com

THE BLUEST EYE (Hollywood)

Lydia Diamond adapted this play from the novel by Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison. It’s a portrait of a black girl’s coming of age in the racially turbulent 1940’s and explores the toll taken on a community, a family and an innocent girl. As Morrison stated, “I do not want to dehumanize the people who wound this girl, because that would simply repeat their mistake.” Directed by Bernadette Speakes with choreography by Shari Rhone. At The Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood. Tkts: 323-856-4249 or 323-960-1055 or www.Plays411.com