Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 – March 31…a gift for us!
In celebration of their 17th year in Los Angeles, Ronnie Marmo and Theatre 68 are proud to present A Theatre 68 Festival of great works.
Both the Theatre 68 Mainstage and the Flex theatre will be utilized for the festival, which will feature acclaimed works by Tennessee Williams, Sam Henry Kass, as well as several world premieres. The Festival will open February 8th, 2018. Theatre 68 strongly believes in fostering artists, helping them grow to their maximum potential. It is Artistic Director, Ronnie Marmo’s belief that all artists should be able to work on their dream projects. With this festival, he is giving his company members the artistic freedom to do just that.
WHEN:
February 8 – March 31
WHERE:
5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
TICKETS>>
We asked Theatre 68 artistic director Ronnie Marmo about the idea to do a theatre festival to celebrate their anniversary.
Why a theatre festival to celebrate Theatre 68’s 17-year anniversary?
At Theatre 68, we strongly believe in fostering artists, helping them grow to their maximum potential. It is my belief that all artists should be able to work on their dream projects. With this festival, I hope to give my company members the artistic freedom to perform, write or direct without the worry of breaking the bank. I have been running my show “I Am Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce” directed by Joe Mantegna, for nine months now. It’s still going with sold out performances through March. Because of that, I wanted to make sure I shared the stage with my company. Through a series of obstacles and guidelines we have settled on these six shows. Thank you for supporting our members, we hope to see you there!
Why did you choose the works of Tennessee Williams, Sam Henry Kass?
I’ve been a fan of both playwrights for a long time. My guidelines for the festival were: Pick your dream project and propose them to me. When they brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” to me, I thought it would be wonderful to produce for the company. As far as Sam goes, early in my career I did “Lusting After Pipino’s Wife,” and I fell in love with his writing. And just last year, I was blessed enough to do the 25th anniversary revival production. I love Sam and his writing. His words have found a home here at Theatre 68.
How did you choose the other world premiere works?
Both the other plays are written by company members who I wanted to nurture and foster their writing. They both presented parts of there projects over a period of time, and then finally when they were completed, they pitched them to me and I thought it was a great idea to include them in the festival. Nothing makes me happier than giving members of our company an opportunity to premiere their work.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
Theatre 68 is now in it’s second year in our new home after taking over Antaeus’ space. We are so proud to be in the middle of the NoHo theatre community.
We will be running two shows a night, officially breaking in our two theatres at the same time! It’s so wonderful to have our building a buzz!
Seventeen years has gone by in a blink…here’s to another 17 years for Theatre 68!
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Written by: Tennessee Williams
Directed by: Kenneth James Billington
Assistant Director/Producer/Stage Manager: Skyler Patton
Producer: Ciarra Siller
Costume Designer: MJ Scott
Sound Designer/Assistant Costume Designer: Caitlin Cardile
CAST
Ciarra Siller (Maggie), Dennis Hadley (Brick), Charles Hoyes (Big Daddy), Katie Zeiner (Big Mama), Caitlin Cardile (Mae), Skyler Patton (Mae u/s), AJ Brody (Gooper), Kyle Gundlach (Gooper u/s), Jarrod Robbins (Reverend Tooker), and Alan E. Ramos (Doc Baugh)
SYNOPSIS
In Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the dysfunctional but wealthy Pollitt family gathers to celebrate aging patriarch, Big Daddy’s, birthday. Lurking under every practiced interaction between the Pollitts is an ulterior motive. Under every smile, a challenge. And under every statement, the specter of mendacity. For the Pollitts, the truth is as hazy as the late summer sun in Mississippi, and sometimes the only way to find it is to journey through the lies.
VENUE: Theatre 68 – Mainstage – February 8th through March 30th, 2018
Performances on Thursday and Friday at 7pm. 2-hours 30 minutes running time with intermission
Trust
Written by: Steven Dietz
Directed by: William Kircher
Assistant Director: Veniese Razo
Co-producers: Heidi Rhodes and Liz Izzo
Technical Direction by: AJ Relland
CAST
Zach Cowan (Cody Brown), Swen Temmel (Cody Brown), Heidi Rhodes (Leah), Elizabeth Izzo (Becca) Caroline O’Brian (Gretchen), Caroline Henry (Holly), Paul Mcgee (Roy)
– Zach Cowan as Cody Brown Feb 8th – March 2th
– Swen Temmel as Cody Brown March 8th – March 30th
SYNOPSIS
Trust is a full-length comedy by Steven Dietz. It’s a contemporary play that combines love, lust and lying.
This is a contemporary dramatic comedy set against a backdrop of the rock music scene. In a world ruled by love, lust and lying, a spiral unwinds. Cody is a rising star musician. Becca is his fiancèe. Gretchen is a dressmaker, fitting Becca for her wedding dress. Leah is a rock star past her prime who Cody meets while on the road. Roy is a public radio announcer smitten with the young bohemian, Holly. As the lives and loves of these people continue to intersect, attraction gives way to seduction, and secrecy holds sway over truth. Becca and Cody’s marriage-to-be grows as rocky as Roy increases his hilariously futile attempts to charm Holly. Gretchen and Leah’s past is unearthed, brought on by Gretchen’s attraction to Becca. As the final concert of Cody’s tour concludes, new bonds have been formed, old wounds remain; friends looking for answers, lovers looking for that elusive word: trust.
VENUE: Theatre 68 – Flex Theatre – February 8th through March 31st, 2018
Performances on Thursday and Friday at 7pm. 90 minute running time.
Requiem
A World Premiere
Written by: Carlos Javier Castillo
Directed by: Hector Negrete
Co-producers: Isabel Wagner and Carlos J. Castillo
CAST
Peter Osterweil, Rebecca Ciocca, Devin Denman, Courtney Beaver, Aj Retland, Veniese Razo, Carlos J Castillo
SYNOPSIS
REQUIEM Is the story of a man who has lost his faith in society. Troubled by his past, his current job and relationship. He struggles to fit in and subsequently looks to a firearm for answers. A comedic snapshot of an American workforce and their plight to exist in the nightmare.
VENUE: Theatre 68 – Flex Theatre – February 9th through March 31st, 2018
Performances on Friday and Saturday at 10pm. 60 minute running time.
Jack Stevenson, A Decent Man
Written by: Johnny Cannizzaro
Directed by: Lee Aronsohn
Co-Producers: Paulie McGee and Johnny Cannizzaro
CAST
Johnny Cannizzaro, Lionel Medina Jr, Sara Pauley, Alexis Brandt, Danielle Baker, Mariel Martinez, Emily Craig, John Scott, Becky Ciccoa, Stephen Cohen
SYNOPSIS
Jack Stevenson, A Decent Man centers around the exploits of a sex crazed sociopath, who after marrying into wealth, deceitfully attempts to maintain a highfalutin lifestyle while continuing to carry on his sexual indiscretions.
VENUE: Theatre 68 – Mainstage
Performances on Friday at 11pm and Saturday at 10pm.
Burt…A Homeless Odyssey
A World Premiere
Written by Sam Henry Kass
Directed by Ronnie Marmo
Assistant Director: Hope Bello LaRoux
Co-producers: Ronnie Marmo, Katy Jacoby, Veniese Razo
Technical Director: Peter Osterweil
CAST INCLUDES
Ed Dyer “Burt”, Laura Lee Botsacos “Sadie”, Jenny Nwene “Lorna”, Chris Kelly “Cop 1 / Mime / Barron Trump”, Thomas F. Evans “Cop #2”, George Russo “Lawyer”, Raf Mauro “Rabbi”, Toni Perrotta “Volunteer”, Nima Jafari “Immigration Officer”, Hansford Prince “Homeless Guy”, Drew Hinckley “Actor”, Hope Bello LaRoux “Young Woman”, Kelly Mullis “Society Woman / Melania Trump”, Joseph Covino “Isaac”
SYNOPSIS
This show pays homage to people who aren’t recognized. The creative souls, artists and street-people. The lost and forgotten we pass-by on the street and don’t give a second glance. But guess what? In this play, we are going to stop and listen to them.
Theatre 68 – Mainstage with performances on Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.
No performances on: Feb 18th, March 18th.
Extremities
Written by: William Mastrosimone
Directed by: Jenny Nwene
SYNOPSIS
Marjorie, is attacked in her home by Raul, but manages to turn the tables on him, tying him up in her fireplace. Her roommates come home to discover the attacker bound with cords, belts and other household items.
When Terry and Patricia, Majorie’s roommates, come home, they are shocked and begin discussing how to handle the situation: call the police or take matters into their own hands? The incredibly gripping drama portrays the act of rape and its aftermath as the victim turns the tables on her attacker, reaching a climax of fever pitch suspense.
CAST
Virginia Novello
David Hardy
Marissa Fennell
Caroline Dingwall
VENUE: Theatre 68 – Flex Theatre – February 9th through March 31st, 2018
Performances on Saturday and Sunday at 7pm. 90 minutes running time.