sha in LA

Love Bites vol. 9

 

It’s that time of year again.  No, not me blogging…although that is quite a feat in and of itself.  It’s time again for the Elephant Theatre Company’s annual short play festival, Love Bites vol. 9.  Conveniently dubbed, An Evening of Not-So-Romantic Shorts & Dysfunctional Comedies.

 

I’ve been around the block with this before a few times having served as Stage Manager with the Elephant Theatre Company for too many years to count and can safely say this is one of my favorite line-ups in recent memory.  7 carefully selected pieces written, directed and performed by company members. 

 

This year features the following shows:

Empowerment by Dominic Rains, Directed by Matteo Ribaud

This Little Piggy by Marek Glinski, Directed by Elephant Theatre Company’s Producing Director Lindsay Allbaugh

Hard by Steven Korbar, Directed by Benjamin Caron

Reality Romcom: Day 98 With My Attained Pixie Dreamgirl by Kerry Carney, Directed by Elephant Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, David Fofi

Most Likely by Gloria Calderon-Kellett, Directed by Lew Abramson

Surprise by Mark Harvey Levine, Directed by Marisa O’Brien

Rox-N, Miss Thang by Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich, Directed by Julie Weidmann

 

There are a limited amount of ½ price tickets at the following online locations:

http://www.plays411.com/ (use promo code 008 for ½ price tickets)

http://www.goldstar.com/

 

Otherwise, tickets are $15 and the show runs Friday & Saturday nights at 8pm, Sunday at 7pm (no show on March 7^th) until March 14^th.

 

Elephant Theatre

6322 Santa Monica Blvd.

(SOUTH side of Santa Monica between Cahuenga & Vine)

 

Thanks for supporting live theatre.

 

X

 

The Elephant Theatre Company's Annual Season Launch & Silent Auction

Just a little reminder...

The Elephant's Annual
SEASON LAUNCH GALA & SILENT AUCTION
Debuting our 14th Season

Thursday, December 10, 2009
6:30 Cocktails
7:30 Season Announcement
9:30 Opportunity Drawing Winner Announced

Tickets $30
Includes Wine, Beer & Light Fare
Cocktail Attire

1076 N. Lillian Way
Hollywood, CA 90038
(On the corner of Santa Monica and Lillian, one block West of Vine)

THE SEASON LAUNCH WILL FEATURE:
Live Music
Over $22,000 in Silent Auction Items**
[Just in time for Holiday shopping!]
Celebrity Guest Readers
The Announcement of our 14th Season
50/50 Opportunity Drawing

Buy Your Gala Tickets NOW!

Click on the link above or call
323.960.4410
** All Auction Items must be paid for on December 10.
We will accept cash, checks AND credit cards!

 

Thank You For Supporting Our 14th Season!
Elephant Theatre Company is a 501© (3) non-profit corporation. All proceeds from the Season Launch Gala and Silent Auction will benefit the Elephant Theatre Company's 14th Season. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, volunteering time, or would like further information, please e-mail [email protected]

A Selection of Auction Items Available

Highlights
2 Night/3 Day getaway in Lake Arrowhead including a Belgian Waffle Breakfast
2 Tickets to the Rose Bowl Game
Ipod Nano with accessories
Signed Skateboard- Jason Dill
Your Name as a Character Name in our annual Love Bites Festival 2009

Art & Culture
Original Oil Painting by Aimee Hoover
Original Drawing by Robert Olson
Original Oil Painting by Annie Lapin
Original Oil Painting by Nancy Baker Cahill
Framed Photograph, Willie Romero Photography
Pasadena Musuem of California Art Membership
Theatre Lovers Package including tickets to: The Colony Theatre, East West Players, The Mutineers, etc.
4 House Seats to The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Mark Taper Forum

Entertainment
General Hospital Set Tour and Signed Script
Two and a Half Men live taping tickets (4), signed script and photos
Pee-Wee Herman Live Stage Show tickets at the Nokia Theatre
House of Blues Gospel Lunch for four
Two tickets to Sea World
Four tickets to The Rose Parade
Two tickets to the Rose Bowl Game

Food & Drink

Rivera Downtown featuring Chef John Rivera
Dinner at Ago, Big Wangs, and Palm Restaurant amongst others.
1.75 Liters of Makers Mark, Kichen-aid Blender and a Deep Frier

Health & Beauty
Smashbox Cosmetics Package
Skin Rejuvination Package from Gina Mari Skin Care
Gift certificates from Salon Eleven and Helmet Salon
Hypnotherapy with Sandra Logan
One month Membership at Equinox Gym

Music, Literature and Memorobilia
40 Current CD's from Capital Records
Beatles complete set remastered (14 CD's)
Jon Lennon and George Harrison Box Sets
Simpson's Emmy Nominated signed script, lithograph
Mad Men first season DVD set signed by Jon Hamm
The Complete Arkangel Shakespeare- read by famous actors

Industry Related
Stella Adler Technique Class
Stella Adler Playwrighting Class
Elephant Training Lab Package (David Fofi and Patrick Pankhurst)
Reel Editing for an Actor or Director
Headshots with Erin Gibson Photography
Acting Coaching Session with Allan Miller

AND MUCH MUCH MORE !!!
(Including: Jewelry, Clothing, Kids Items, and Other Suprises!)

Get your tickets NOW!

we like to party all the time, party all the time

 

As we all know it’s almost All Hallows Eve and this year the holiday happens to fall on a Saturday night…which means everyone and their brother will be having a party…and that includes The Elephant Theatre Company.

 

If you happen to be out that night, stuck in traffic near Vine and Fountain because you didn’t realize that trying to drive anywhere in Hollywood on Halloween is near impossible, then find a spot to leave your car and walk on over to M Bar and join us.

 

We promise it will be better than sitting in traffic.

 

M Bar

1253 Vine Street

(cross street: Fountain)

October 31, 2009

9pm…

$10

Cash Bar

Costume Contest

x

red skies at night

 

Tracers, written by a group of Vietnam veterans, portrays the reality of ground warfare and its aftermath, avoiding Hollywood glorification of the fighting experience. Told in a series of interconnected vignettes, it's the story of six soldiers, their medic, and their drill instructor -- members of the same fighting unit -- whose lives are forever altered by their wartime experiences.

Tracers is one of those shows that usually gets produced, at some point, in most college theatres around the country since it’s inception in the mid 1980’s. In my 6 year tenure at Cal State Long Beach we did it, twice. It’s the perfect showcase for young men as they are around the same age as those who were shipped off to the war so many years ago.

However when Tracers is performed by older actors the show takes on a somewhat different tone. Perhaps it’s me, but it seems more grounded. Since the show’s timeline skips around from basic training to many years post-war, having older actors portray the characters lends weight to the later scenes. The after-effects of the war can be expressed, and believed, more readily from a veteran actor versus a 20 year old kid.

These thoughts became evident to me last night after watching the opening at The Elephant Theatre; produced by 881 Entertainment in association with Elephant StageWorks. The last time I worked on this show was about 17 years ago, during my aforementioned college years. However the group of actors that have assembled for this piece aren’t your angst ridden college types, they are just a bit older, wiser and have created a moving piece of theatre as guided by their fearless and award winning Director, David Fofi.

 

Tracers at The Elephant Theatre
4322 Santa Monica Blvd.
(between Cahuenga & Vine)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s at 8pm
October 21 – November 12, 2009
Sunday October 25; Benefit for Disabled American Veterans (by Donation)
Tickets are $20
http://plays411.com/tracers
(323) 960-4410
Limited amount of ½ price tickets available at GoldStar Events

x

Public Enemy at Troupe Vertigo's Cirque School

 

For the past few years a fellow blogger and coincidental friend of friends has been taking trapeze classes at Cirque School.  I've been toying with the idea of signing up for classes for the past year, even having a bookmark set and ready for me to take the leap which I sense will happen sooner rather than later.

This coming Saturday evening, July 18th, my theatre company is holding a fundraiser for our upcoming production of Block Nine at Cirque School.  The night will feature a screening of The Public Enemy starring James Cagney & Jean Harlow with an opening act created for the night by Troupe Vertigo, the owners of Cirque School.

Doors open at 8pm with the movie screening starting at 9pm.  Entrance fee is $10 and there will be a Cash Bar as well as Concessions available.  We suggest you bring a low profile chair or blanket as official seating is limited.  Think of it as a movie screening in a cemetery but not.  Less crowds, more temperate and all for a good cause.

Troupe Vertigo Cirque School is located at 5640 1/2 Hollywood Blvd (valet parking will be available)

Hope to see you there!

x

 

I've got an Idea...

 

Elephant Theatre Company

presents the World Premiere of

THE IDEA MAN

By KEVIN KING

Directed by DAVID FOFI

 

with  KERRY CARNEY   MEGAN DOLAN*   DAVID FRANCO   ROBERT FOSTER  

GINA GARRISON*   LARVELL HOOD*   FRANK MERINO*   JAMES PIPPI  

GEORGE RUSSO   TIM STARKS*   MATT STURIALE*

(*alternating cast- please refer to online schedule)

 

MAY 8 – JUNE 6

Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8pm

 

 

General Admission: $20

Previews May 2, 3, and 7, $15 | Opening Night Gala May 8, $30

 

 

ELEPHANT THEATRE

6322 Santa Monica Blvd.

Hollywood CA 90038

(one block west of Vine on Santa Monica Blvd)

 

 

Produced by LINDSAY ALLBAUGH 

Associate Producer BERNADETTE SPEAKES  

Assistant Directors TARA NORRIS & MARISA O’BRIEN 

Set Design ELEPHANT STAGEWORKS  

Lighting Design by JOEL DAAVID 

Costume Design LOUIS DOUGLAS JACOBS

Original Score LANFAIR FIELD 

Sound Design MATT RICHTER

Assistant Set Design NOELLE LEIBLIC

Stage Manager SHANNON SIMONDS

Rehearsal Stage Manager BONNIE MCNEIL

 

 

Reserve Your Tickets Today!

(323) 960-4410

plays411.com/ideaman

ElephantTheatreCompany.com

play games, be entertained, support the arts!!

Join us on Saturday April 25th, 2009 for:
A BIG OLD BENEFIT PARTY!
All proceeds go to The Elephant Theater Company's
13th Season of World Premieres
 

7pm - 10pm
U-GAME-IT
A crazy video game room and a live DJ! With 7 flat screens, 6 X-boxes, and a Wii, play everything from Madden 2009 to Rock Band to Racing Games. Check it out at ugameit.com. You should definitely bring your younger friends, children, nieces, and cousins to this family friendly part of the night. Also, any adult males who like video games, of which, from what we understand, there are many.

THEN...

10 pm - 1 am
ELEPHANT CABARET
A Cabaret Night, full of comedic monologues, spoken poetry, a comedy sketch or two, and of course, lots of music! Clap along, be moved, and laugh!

Why:  'Cuz were Elephants, and THE IDEA MAN opens on May 8th!

When: Saturday April 25, 2009; 7pm - 1am

Where:

The Lillian Theatre

1076 Lillian Way

(south side of Santa Monica, between Vine & Cahuenga)

$$: Adults $20, 18 and younger $10. 

Includes unlimited video game playing, food, and beverages with a drink ticket included in the admission price, and access to the late night cabaret.  There will be a cash bar*. 
(*All attendees must present their ID to get a drink wristband.)

 

x

Love Bites vol. VIII

 

 

Love Bites vol. 8

February 14 - March 14, 2009

 

Elephant Theatre

6322 Santa Monica Blvd.

Hollywood, CA  90038

(one block west of Vine on Santa Monica Blvd.)

 

For TICKETS:

(323) 960-4410 

Plays 411

General Admission: $15

Valentine's Night Champagne Celebration: $20

 

WRITTEN BY: 

Jami Brandli, Gloria Calderon Kellett, Tony Foster, Ron Klier, Steven Korbar, Tony Foster, Louis Jacobs, Noelle Leiblic, Tim McNeil

 

DIRECTED BY: 

David Fofi, David Franco, Christopher Game, Gina Garrison, David Schneider, Tom Stanczyk

 

STARRING: 

Robert Brewer, Eric Bunton, Megan Dolan, Kate Huffman, Louis Jacobs, Matt Maenpaa, Tim McNeil, Frank Merino, Tara Norris, Marisa O’Brien, Charles Pacello, Patrick Pankhurst, JJ Pyle, Ryan Radis, Matt Rimmer, Pamela Roylance, Greg Sheehan, Maeve Sullivan, Yecenia Torres, Caryl West, Max Williams

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now that the technical stuff is out of the way, here's the personal plea for patronage. (assuming you make it all the way to the end of this post)

 

Love Bites is a collection of short plays written by company members, directed by company members and of course performed by company members.  As the name states, this year we present Volume 8, meaning there have been 7 other incarnations of Love Bites.  What started many years ago as a random One Act Festival has blossomed into this lovely vehicle for emerging company playwrights and directors.  It has also become a fundraiser for our company.  Please join us for a fun evening of quality theatre at an affordable price.  The show runs for a month, February 14th - March 14th, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm sharp.  We sincerely hope you will join us for "an evening of not so romantic shorts & dysfunctional comedies." 

 

Thank you for your continued support of live theatre!

 

x

 

special guest readers...

Special Guest Readers for The Elephant Theatre Company Season Launch Gala & Silent Auction on Wednesday December 3rd:

Chad Allen
("Dr. Quinn", Medicine Woman, Save Me, End of the Spear)

Kate Burton
("Ellis Grey" on Grey's Anatomy, Empire Falls, Spring Awakening on Broadway)

David Denman
("Roy" on The Office, Shutter, Big Fish, The Replacements)

Patrick Fabian
(Valentine, Veronica Mars, Joan of Arcadia)

Frances Fischer
(Unforgiven, Titanic, Gone in 60 seconds)

Sam Hennings
(E-Ring, JAG)

Matthew Lillard
(Scooby Doo, SLC Punk, Scream, Scream 2, Hackers, She's All That)

Jon Polito
(American Gangster, The Man Who Wasn't There, The Big Lebowski, Miller's Crossing)

Richard Riehle
(Office Space, Grounded for Life)

The Elephant Theatre Company Season Launch Gala & Silent Auction

The Elephant Theatre Company is embarking upon its 13th year in 2009 and to celebrate / raise funds for production we are having a Season Launch Gala and Silent Auction complete with over $20,000 worth of merchandise to bid on AND a 50/50 opportunity drawing to boot! What is a 50/50 opportunity drawing you may ask? Well it’s kinda like a raffle but due to legal reasons we’re not allowed to use the word raffle, so pretend I didn’t say that word. Essentially we sell “tickets” for $5 each (or 5 for $20) – the more tickets we sell the greater the pot - the winner splits the total 50/50 with The Elephant. For example, last year we sold a little over $4000 in tickets and the winner got half of that!

Below is just a brief sampling of some of the items up for bid** in the auction:

Wii and Wii Fit

IFly gift certificate

4 passes to the Aquarium of the Pacific

House Seats to Wicked

Santa Barbara Getaway

Fisher and Paykel Washer and Dryer

Dinner for 2 at Ago

$500 in Smashbox Cosmetics

4 Pasadena Tournament of the Roses Tickets

Weekly Organic Vegetable Delivery for 1 month

Family Membership to the LA Zoo

2 Disneyland Park Hopper Passes

Urban Trails Doggie Training classes

Now here’s the fun part, the Season Launch Gala and Silent Auction is happening this coming Wednesday evening!!! Yes, I shoulda posted this sooner but time got the best of me. So if you’re looking to have fun, get some great deals for the holidays and help out the arts all in one fell swoop then join us this Wednesday December 3rd at The Lillian Theatre. Tickets to the event are $30 and include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and can be purchased in advance either online at Plays411 or by calling (323) 960-4410.

** All Auction Items must be paid for on December 3rd. Please bring checkbook or cash with you.

Thank You for supporting our 13th Season!

Now for the legal stuff: The Elephant Theatre Company is a 501© (3) non-profit corporation. All proceeds from the Season Launch Gala and Silent Auction will benefit the Elephant Theatre Company's 13th Season. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, volunteering time, or would like further information, please e-mail [email protected].

x