“Classic Couples Counseling,” a new Bardful comedy, written by Lloyd J. Schwartz, directed by Nick McDow Musleh, and produced by Garry Kluger and Benjamin Scuglia opens at Theatre West April 1-May 8, 2022.

Show Synopsis

Dr. Patricia Cataldo is a psychotherapist with a special celebrity clientele: They’re all couples from Shakespeare! She analyzes Kate and Petruchio; Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; Romeo and Juliet; Othello and Desdemona; Hamlet and Ophelia. She also has them all come in for group sessions.

They all trust her with their tender psyches. However, she has a few kinks of her own.

Dr. Cataldo’s case load is occasionally reduced by attrition. If you know any of Shakespeare’s plays, you’ll know how that happens.

Director

Nick McDow Musleh directs. Nick graduated from the UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television in 2006. Since then, he has performed at Theatre West and the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble, as well as guest starring and recurring roles on CBS. He most recently directed a short film adaptation of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and several productions for the Shakespeare Workshop at Theatre West, which he also moderates. TW credits include “Our Man in Santiago” by Mark Wilding, “A Thorn in the Family Paw” by Garry Kluger, “Against the Wall” by Charlie Mount, “Moose on the Loose” by Dina Morrone, “A Short Stay at Carranor” by Bill Blynn, and “The Socialization of Ruthie Shapiro” by Barbara Beery.

Playwright

Lloyd J. Schwartz is the playwright. A man of all media, he wrote for the TV series “Love, American Style,” “Alice,” “The Munsters Today,” “The A Team,” “The Love Boat,” “Baywatch” and more. As an ABC network executive, he supervised production on “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley,” “What’s Happening” and “Three’s Company.” With his father, TV legend Sherwood Schwartz, he co-created “Harper Valley P.T.A.” Lloyd also produced numerous iterations of the “Brady Bunch” and “Gilligan’s Island” franchises (created by Sherwood) for feature films, television and stage. With his wife Barbara, Lloyd created the long-running Storybook Theatre at Theatre West. He has also had 34 produced plays.

Cast

The cast for “Classic Couples Counseling” includes Rick Simone-Friedland, Deanna Gandy, Cecil Jennings, Amelia Vargas, Brandon Foxworth, Mary Elisabeth Somers, Joe Nassi, Barbara Mallory, Bill Sehres, Anne Leyden, Ashley Taylor, and Constance Mellors. Cast alternates: Samantha Layton, Alex Mashikian.

About Theatre West

Established in 1962, Theatre West is the oldest continually running professional theatre company in the city of Los Angeles. It is a membership collective of actors, playwrights, directors, and technicians. Theatre West’s alumni members include Ray Bradbury, Beau Bridges, Richard Dreyfuss, Sally Field, Betty Garrett, Martin Landau, Lee Meriwether, Jack Nicholson, Carroll O’Connor, Sherwood Schwartz, Joyce Van Patton, and Paul Winfield. Theatre West has produced more than 300 plays and musicals. Of these plays, nearly 70% are original works developed in its workshops and many have led to Broadway, regional tours, and feature films including “A Bronx Tale” by Chazz Palminteri and “A Very Brady Musical” by Lloyd Schwartz and Hope Juber. Our season continues with “Moose on the Loose” by Dina Morrone in June 2022, and Storybook Theatre’s “ Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is running Saturday matinees until June 2022. Theatre West is supported in part by The Ahmanson Foundation, California Arts Council, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Kaplan-Loring Foundation, and Peter Glenville Foundation.

Covid Protocol

Covid-19 safety protocols in effect on performance dates will be observed. As of this writing, that means that audience members must wear masks and be vaccinated (and able to show a vax card or digital record).

What Critics Are Saying

“Classic Couples Counseling” had its world premiere in North Hollywood in 2014. Here’s a sampling of the critical response to the play:

“Provides a prescription for fun and a cure via laughter.”—J. Hugus, L.A. Beat

“Hilarious…Really funny.”—M. Martell, Theatre Spoken Here

“Witty…A quick pace, a lively spirit, and quite a bit of laughter.”—-M. Christensen, Tolucan Times

“Uniquely original….a fun-filled comedy for all.”—L. Marchessi, The Geek Authority

“You’re in for a really delightful evening.”—-Van Nuys News Press

Whether you’re a fan of Shakespeare or just want to enjoy a hilarious comedy, you will enjoy “Classic Couples Counseling”…..because laughter, after all, is the best therapy.