Theatre 68 Arts Complex Is BACK!

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Ronnie Marmo (Theatre 68) and Racquel Lehrman (Theatre Planners), two powerhouses in L.A. theatre, have partnered to bring you a new and improved, state-of-the-art theatrical complex! 

Ronnie Marmo, actor/writer/director/producer and proud artistic director of Theatre 68 since February 14, 2001, has partnered with Racquel Lehrman of Theatre Planners. Lehrman previously owned The Lounge Theatres for 15 years, currently owns the Lounge on Melrose and manages the Zephyr Theatre in West Hollywood. Both highly respected theatre professionals, they couldn’t be more excited about their joint venture bringing the ARTS back to NoHo Arts District!!

Theatre 68 is reopening its doors on September 17 in North Hollywood and now it’s bigger and better than ever! Renamed and fully remodeled, THEATRE 68 ARTS COMPLEX will open the new venue with the critically acclaimed one-man show, “I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce” written and performed by Ronnie Marmo and directed by Tony Award-winning stage and television star, Joe Mantegna. Followed by an opening night gala. The award-winning production will also celebrate its 400th performance September 24. The show officially returns September 17 – October 1, 2022.

During the pandemic, both Theatre 68 and Theatre Planners were struggling to keep the doors open and lights on in their respective locations. There were sleepless nights, yard sales, and basically trying anything possible to bring in money and keep the space thriving. 

“Ultimately, we couldn’t keep up with the bills and so we sadly had to close Theatre 68,” Marmo said. “We were heartbroken but we had to move on. The only thing that gave us a little peace was knowing the entire world was in this situation and not just us. But we had lost our home. We were devastated.” 

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Flash forward 18 months later, Marmo received an email from the landlords asking if he would consider coming back to the space. “So many different emotions came rushing in and I was stunned. After the Landlords had discussions with many potential tenants, they decided it would be best that Theatre 68 was to come home and reopen in the space. Having gone through so much during the pandemic and having to let the space go was so overwhelming for me and the company. I thought the only way I would have the heart, stomach and enthusiasm to open Theatre 68 back up was to bring in the incomparable Racquel Lehrman, a phenomenal producer in Los Angeles theatre.” 

After meeting, they both decided that they were ALL IN! “Her expertise is what we needed to take Theatre 68 Arts Complex to another level. And we did!”

“After losing the Lounge Theatre after 15 years during the pandemic, I’m excited to get a chance to open another theatre. I am thrilled to be coming over the hill to North Hollywood and continue doing what I love to do,” Lehrman said.

Marmo says, “It’s been difficult to see so many theaters go under and we feel beyond blessed to do our part to bring the ARTS back to the NoHo Arts District!”

Theatre 68 Arts Complex is opening its doors to fellow artists to help ensure everyone has a place to produce.

Check out the NoHo Theatre Rental Guide.

The facility consists of:

The Rosalie Theatre – 80 seats

The Beckett Theatre – 50 seats

The Emerson Theatre – 50 seats

The B-Mo Studios – 2 rehearsal spaces.

Additional amenities:

Large indoor/outdoor lobby, central box fffice and concessions, large marquee on Lankershim, patron AND artist restrooms, large green room/kitchenette.

Book now at theatre68rentals@gmail.com for your next production, class, workshop, or screening!

You are welcome to check the website as details continue to unfold (www.theatre68.com) and follow them on Instagram (@theatre68artscomplex). Theater 68 Arts Complex is located at 5112 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 90061.

RONNIE MARMO, THEATRE 68 (PRODUCER)

Ronnie Marmo, actor/writer/director/producer. Marmo is most recently known for his stellar performance in his one-man show, “I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce”, which he also penned – directed by the talented Joe Mantegna. The production is approaching 400 performances between Los Angeles, New York and Chicago and is headed out on a national tour in October. Marmo has produced over 110 plays. Some of his favorites include premieres of the work of some amazing playwrights including: John Patrick Shanley, Sam Shepard, Sam Henry Kass, John Grisham (adapted by Rupert Holmes) and others. Marmo has starred in more than 70 feature films and television shows, including recent guest star roles in “Criminal Minds” and “Lethal Weapon.” He also starred in “Ammore E Malavita (Love and Bullets)” an Italian film which won the David di Donatello for best picture (the Italian equivalent to an Academy Award). Ronnie enjoyed a three-year, 150-episode run on ABC’s “General Hospital” as Detective Ronnie Dimestico. He has directed and produced over 110 stage plays between Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Founded in L.A. by Marmo on February 14, 2001, he continues to serve as the proud Artistic Director of Theatre 68 in Los Angeles and New York City (founded August 29, 2011).

RACQUEL LEHRMAN, THEATRE PLANNERS (PRODUCER)

Racquel is the founder and managing director of Theatre Planners, her own bi-coastal theatre production firm which has been serving the New York and Los Angeles theatre scenes for nearly twenty years. She graduated from NYU-Tisch School of the Arts and lived in NY for many years producing theatre. Theatre Planners has since developed into a very busy and successful outlet for actors, writers, producers and theatre companies. Doing everything from producing, consulting, marketing and more, Racquel loves to make productions a reality and help to keep the theatre scene in L.A. alive and strong. Racquel is also the owner of The Lounge on Melrose and manages The Zephyr Theatre. To learn more about Racquel and Theatre Planners, go to www.theatreplanners.com.