Meet Rick Shaw, the new owner of the Secret Rose Theatre. He is no stranger to the entertainment world. Rick began as a stand-up comic and became a comedy writer and producer for TV, radio, other comedians, magazines and live events. He produced “The Nanny” and wrote numerous other sit-com episodes.
The 2 Roads Theatre in Tujunga Village was the first theatre you owned? Rick: My wife Shari Shaw (www.sharishaw.com) is one of L.A.’s top acting coaches. She taught her scene study class at 2 roads theatre. In 2005 we had an opportunity to take it over from the previous owner, Ed Gaynes. I ran the Two Roads for 7 years and upgraded it quite a bit. I also produced and directed the long-running hit, ‘It’s Just Sex’ there as well as the ovation-nominated, ‘Kowalski’.
Tell us about the success of “It’s Just Sex.” It’s headed for Off Broadway I hear!
Rick: ‘It’s Just Sex’ ran for almost two years at the Two Roads and became L.A.’s longest-running comedy. It is the story of three normal couples, in varying stages of marital crisis who, during one wild night, end up swapping partners and then dealing with the consequences of their actions on their marriages and their lives. It’s a wonderful hilariously funny, thought-provoking feel-good play – and was a hit with critics and audiences alike. We are looking to open the play off-Broadway in NY, hopefully this spring, at the Actor’s Temple Theater on 47th St.
What do you like about the NoHo Arts District?
Rick: NoHo has become a center of creative and artistic energy in L.A. It’s very exciting for me to move into the heart of the district at the Secret Rose just off Lankershim and Magnolia. I think the district will continue to grow as a destination for entertainment as the theaters, restaurants, bars and galleries meld into more of a true destination area where you can come and have a great night out – see a show, a movie, hear a band, have dinner, a few drinks.
You are a seasoned comedian, comedy writer producer and director, how is Secret Rose going to change?
Rick: I hope to harness the energy of the area at the Secret Rose and have it continue to be a destination for top-quality plays and musicals as well as music, comedy and dance shows – and film screenings. (I’m putting in state of the art video capability to make a terrific intimate screening room).
The theater is also available for acting classes, writer’s workshops, seminars, film screenings, video, film and photo shoots, auditions, rehearsals, script readings – as well as any other kind of group, business or community meetings. Rental hours are available for all of the above – and the price for play and musical production rental is much cheaper than you will find in Hollywood.
I am also interested in transforming the outside of the Secret Rose with a bright, eye-catching mural – representing the theater, the arts and the arts district – that can become a landmark of the arts district. I am looking to work with some creative enthusiastic local artists in a Secret Rose Theater mural competition. And I’m thinking about creating an intimate outdoor stage, behind the theater, for outdoor concerts and shows on warm summer nights. There will also be outdoor film screenings.
And your last thought?
Rick: Primarily want to get the word out that I am bringing a new energy to the Secret Rose and that it is available for rentals – for classes, productions, film screenings, art exhibits, film & video & photo shoots, rehearsals, auditions, castings, script readings, etc. I’m hoping to bring the same creative, positive and professional energy to the Secret Rose I brought to the Two Roads. I’d like to make the space a hub for the creative and artistic energy of the arts district community.
For more info, Contact:
Rick Shaw 818-762-2272 2roads@sbcglobal.net