MUTT HOUSE & THE L.A. THEATRE SCENE

MUTT HOUSE (Culver City)

In this delightful musical there’s an awkward young man, (Ryan McCartan), who talks to animals, and a bevy of his furry friends who talk back. All reside in a rundown animal shelter that the cruel lady-Mayor, (Heather Olt), wants to close down. This means euthanasia for the dogs, none of whom deserve to die. When a Best-of-Show French Poodle, (Valerie Larsen), arrives, she is the most elegantly popular Sniff of the Week! 

It’s a charming show, with joyous canine songs and superb dance numbers by Janet Roston. Creator Tony Cookson’s message is clear: If you love animals help support No Kill groups. Otherwise, adopt one yourself and discover the love that always gives back. 

So, bring the grandkids – they’ll love it too. And don’t worry, there’s a happy ending with catchy song “All You Need is One!” At Kirk Douglas Theatre.

THE LOS ANGELES THEATRE SCENE is home to a staggering number of companies, all devoted to keeping theater alive. From Hollywood to Long Beach, from Westside to Downtown, exciting new projects take the stage. Here are a few of the theatres developing new works.

In LA: Theatre West has an in-house writing group - I just saw their impressive one-act festival; 

Blank Theatre’s long-running Living Room Series is committed to work by diverse voices; 

Rogue Artists Ensemble are starting a writers lab to do a festival of new work.

In NoHo: Road Theatre Company’s Summer Playwrights Festival has 50/50 male and female playwrights;

Actors Workout writers group creates short plays on one theme; 

& Group Rep presents plays from in-house writers. 

Sherman Oaks: Loft Ensemble gives new playwrights a production platform to explore and develop work; 

Whitefire has a theater development lab. 

Burbank: Garry Marshall Theatre has a new works festival. 

Topanga: Theatricum Botanicum's 'Seedlings' is a hotbed of development.

To Be Continued...

These comments are also in the August issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.