Productions & Events

Filtering by: “workshop”

Unconditional, A Musical Memoir
Jan
19
to Jan 21

Unconditional, A Musical Memoir

Writer and performer Margot Rose (original cast member, I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road) — backed by a live, four-piece band — shares her funny and poignant story of family, loss, connection, community, and a backyard.

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Fountain Theatre Leadership Transition

After 34 years as artistic director, Fountain Theatre cofounder Stephen Sachs has announced his retirement at the end of 2024.

“After thirty-four years of serving Los Angeles and the national field as Artistic Director of the Fountain Theatre, I have chosen to retire by the end of this year. A flurry of feelings swirls through me as I reach this decision. Launching, nurturing, developing, and leading the growth of the Fountain Theatre for more than three decades have been the most joyous and meaningful years of my professional life.”


HUMAN INTEREST STORY

Written by Stephen Sachs (author of Bakersfield Mist)
Directed by Stephen Sachs
Produced by Simon Levy, James Bennett, Deborah Culver
Starring Tanya Alexander, Richard Azurdia, Aleisha Force, James Harper, Matt Kirkwood, Rob Nagle, Tarina Pouncy

Feb 15 – April 5, 2020

World Premiere – Written and Directed by Stephen Sachs (author of Bakersfield Mist). Newspaper columnist Andy Kramer is laid off when a corporate takeover downsizes the City Chronicle. In retaliation, Andy fabricates a letter to his column from an imaginary homeless woman named “Jane Doe” who announces she will kill herself on the 4th of July because of the heartless state of the world. When the letter goes viral, Andy is forced to hire a homeless woman to stand-in as the fictitious Jane Doe. She becomes an overnight internet sensation and a national women’s movement is ignited.

BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY

Written by Stephen Adly Guirgis

Directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos

Executive Producer Barbara Herman

Produced by Simon Levy

Starring Victor Anthony, Joshua Bitton, Lesley Fera, Liza Fernandez, Matthew Hancock, Marisol Miranda, Montae Russell

Previewed Oct. 16 – Oct. 18

Opened Oct. 19

EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 26, 2020

Walter “Pops” Washington is a retired New York City policeman. His wife has died and his son, “Junior”, has just been released from jail. They live in a rent-controlled apartment on Riverside Drive in New York City. Junior’s girlfriend, Lulu, and Oswaldo, a recovering addict, also spend time at the apartment. Walter has been pursuing a discrimination suit against the Police Department, because he was accidentally shot by another police officer.

New York Times Critic’s Pick! – “For theatergoers who are tired of the clear-cut eithers and ors of most mainstream play writing, ‘Between Riverside and Crazy’… is a dizzying and exciting place to be… ‘Riverside’ creeps up on you. And every time you think you’ve figured out where it’s going, Mr. Guirgis alters its course, forcing you to readjust your emotional bearings and your take on its characters.”

HANNAH AND THE DREAD GAZEBO

Written by Jiehae Park
Directed by Jennifer Chang
Produced by The Fountain Theatre in association with East West Players
Producing Underwriters: Diana Buckhantz and The Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation · Wendy Chang · Jean Christensen & Steve Warheit · Lorraine Evanoff · Laurie & Robert Silton · Jerrie Whitfield & Dick Motika
Starring Jennifer Chang, Hahn Cho, Monica Hong, Wonjung Kim, Gavin Lee, Jully Lee

Low-Price Previews Aug. 14-16
Opens Sat. Aug. 17
Runs thru Sun. Sept. 29

Hannah is two weeks away from becoming a board-certified neurologist when she receives a strange Fedex package from her grandmother in faraway Korea. Inside are two things: a bona-fide-heart’s-desire wish, and a suicide note. The mystery sends Hannah and her family on a surreal, funny, and poignant journey back to their roots in North/South Korea and the forbidden Demilitarized Zone that divides them. This startling new comedy about mothers, daughters and granddaughters twists together a strange series of events within one little family to explore generational shifts, opposing worldviews, fantasy and reality, and the mystery of human experience.

DANIEL’S HUSBAND

Written by Michael McKeever
Directed by Simon Levy
Produced by James Bennett, Deborah Culver, Stephen Sachs
Starring Bill Brochtrup, Tim Cummings, Jose Fernando, Ed Martin, and Jenny O’Hara

May 1 – July 28, 2019 – Show Closed on July 28th

Southern California Premiere

Michael McKeever’s witty, passionate, and deeply moving play takes an unflinching look at how we choose to tie the knot — or not. Daniel and Mitchell are the perfect couple. Perfect house, perfect friends — even a mother who wants them married. They’d have the perfect wedding too, except that Mitchell doesn’t believe in gay marriage. A turn of events puts their perfect life in jeopardy, and Mitchell is thrust into a future in which even his love may not be enough. Daniel’s Husband is a bold reflection on love, commitment, and family in our perilous new world.

Starring Bill BrochtrupTim CummingsJose FernandoEd Martin, and Jenny O’Hara; directed by Simon Levy.

HYPE MAN: A BREAK BEAT PLAY

Written by Idris Goodwin
Directed by Deena Selenow
Produced by Simon Levy, Deborah Culver, James Bennett & Stephen Sachs
Starring Chad Addison, Matthew Hancock, Clarissa Thibeaux

West Coast Premiere – Winner, 2018 Elliot Norton Award – A music group is on the verge of making it big on national TV when a police shooting of a Black teen shakes the band to its core, forcing them to confront questions of race, gender, privilege and when to use artistic expression as an act of social protest.

Feb 23 – April 14
Low-Priced & PWYW Previews Feb 20-22

Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Pay What You Want Mondays at 8pm

COST OF LIVING

Written by Martyna Majok
Directed by John Vreeke
Produced by Deborah Culver, James Bennett, Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs
Starring Tobias Forrest, Xochitl Romero, Felix Solis, Katy Sullivan - Understudy: Eileen Grubba

CRITIC’S CHOICE! – Los Angeles Times

The 2018 Pulitzer Prize winning play.
Opening October 20, 2018.

CAST:
Tobias Forrest, Xochitl Romero, Felix Solis, Katy Sullivan
Understudy: Eileen Grubba (November 12, 23 & 24)

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

Written by Stephen Sachs
Directed by Stephen Sachs
Produced by Simon Levy, Deborah Culver, and James Bennett
Starring Jessica Jade Andres, Deanne Bray, Adam Burch, Brian Robert Burns, Shon Fuller, Kyra Kotsur, Troy Kotsur, Aurelia Myers, and Stasha Surdyke

inspired by the screenplay for Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter

starring: Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur

with: Jessica Jade Andres, Adam Burch, Brian Robert Burns, Shon Fuller,

Kyra Kotsur, Aurelia Myers, and Stasha Surdyke

Previews: Wed July 11 – Fri July 13

Opens: Sat July 14 – Sun Sept 30

Fri 8pm, Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm, Mon 8pm

(MUST CLOSE SEPTEMBER 30th – CANNOT BE EXTENDED)

(Kyra Kotsur will perform as Jule the weekend of September 7-10)

THE CHOSEN

Written by Chaim Potok & Aaron Posner

Directed by Simon Levy

Produced by Stephen Sachs, Deborah Lawlor

Starring Jonathan Arkin, Steve B. Green, Dor Gvirtsman, Sam Mandel

EXTENDED AGAIN! – MUST CLOSE JUNE 10th

FRI 8pm

SAT 8pm

SUN 2pm

PWYW Mon 8pm (Limited Availability! Book Early)

ADDED SATURDAY MATINEES, 3PM, May 26th and June 9th

NO PERFORMANCES on May 11-14

Previews: January 17-19; Opened January 20, 2018

RUNAWAY HOME

Written by Jeremy J. Kamps
Directed by Shirley Jo Finney
Produced by Stephen Sachs, Simon Levy, Deborah Lawlor.
Starring Leith Burke, Jeris Poindexter, Armando Rey, Maya Lynne Robinson, Camille Spirlin, Brian Tichnell, Karen Malina White

Sept 16 – Nov 5
Sat 8:00
Sun 2:00
PWYW Mon 8:00

FREDDY

Written by Deborah Lawlor
Directed by Frances Loy
Movement and Dance Director Cate Caplin
Produced by James Bennett, Stephen Sachs, Simon Levy for the Fountain, & by Leslie Ferreira, Louie Piday for LACC Theatre Academy
Starring Marty Dew Mel England Alexandra Fiallos Jamal Hopes Tristen Kim Katie McConaughy Jackie Mohr Lamont Oakley Connor Clark Pascale Justice Quinn Savannah Rutledge Brianna Saranchock Trenton Tabak Jesse Trout Susan Wilder

The world premiere of a new play by Deborah Lawlor
SEPT 27 – OCT 14, 2017

Presented off-site at the beautiful Caminito Theatre
Los Angeles City College
855 N. Vermont Avenue, LA. 90029

BUILDING THE WALL

Written by Robert Schenkkan
Directed by Michael Michetti
Produced by Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs, Deborah Lawlor
Starring Bo Foxworth with Victoria Platt

World Premiere!
March 18 – May 21 (Extended until August 27th)
Previews March 15 – 17

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’ BABY DOLL

Written by Stage Adaptation ­by Pierre Laville and Emily Mann, based on Tennessee Williams' screenplay
Directed by Simon Levy
Produced by Deborah Lawlor & Stephen Sachs
Starring Daniel Bess, Karen Kondazian, Lindsay LaVanchy, Steve Hofvendahl, George Roland

West Coast Premiere of a new stage adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ BABY DOLL.
RAVE REVIEWS!
EXTENDED through OCT 30!

MY MAÑANA COMES

Written by Elizabeth Irwin
Directed by Armando Molina
Produced by Stephen Sachs
Starring Richard Azurdia, Pablo Castelblanco, Peter Pasco and Lawrence Stallings

Four busboys in the kitchen of an upscale restaurant learn the hard way how to deal with pay cuts that could jeopardize their dreams for a better life, their dignity and their friendship. Fast-paced, hip and funny, the play brings to colorful life the camaraderie, sharing of dreams, competition and traitorous backstabbing that climaxes with a powerful dramatic turn at the end.
Runs April 16 – June 13

DREAM CATCHER

Written by Stephen Sachs (author of CITIZEN, BAKERSFIELD MIST, CYRANO, HEART SONG)
Directed by Cameron Watson (director of PICNIC, TOP GIRLS, COCK, THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION)
Produced by Simon Levy and Deborah Lawlor
Starring Elizabeth Frances & Brian Tichnell

Performances thru March 28

THE PAINTED ROCKS AT REVOLVER CREEK

Written by Athol Fugard
Directed by Simon Levy
Produced by Stephen Sachs for the Fountain Theatre
Starring Gilbert Glenn Brown, Thomas Silcott, Philip Solomon, Suanne Spoke

West Coast Premiere of Athol Fugard’s new play
Oct 30 – Dec 14, 2015

THE PAINTED ROCKS AT REVOLVER CREEK

Written by Athol Fugard
Directed by Simon Levy
Produced by Stephen Sachs for the Fountain Theatre
Starring Gilbert Glenn Brown, Thomas Silcott, Philip Solomon, Suanne Spoke

West Coast Premiere of Athol Fugard’s new play
Oct 30 – Dec 14, 2015

I AND YOU

Written by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Robin Larsen
Produced by Stephen Sachs, Deborah Lawlor
Starring Jennifer Finch and Matthew Hancock

Previews 4/2 – 4/10
Runs 4/11 – 6/21

REBORNING

Written by Zayd Dohrn
Directed by Simon Levy
Produced by Stephen Sachs and Deborah Lawlor
Starring Kristin Carey, Ryan Doucette, Joanna Strapp

January 21 – March 15, 2015

BROOMSTICK

Written by John Biguenet
Directed by Stephen Sachs
Produced by Simon Levy
Starring Jenny O'Hara

EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 14TH!

THE BROTHERS SIZE

Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Directed by Shirley Jo Finney
Produced by Simon Levy
Starring Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock and Theo Perkins

May 30 – Sept 14

MY NAME IS ASHER LEV

Written by Aaron Posner
Directed by Stephen Sachs
Starring Jason Karasev, Anna Khaja, Joel Polis

EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 18TH!
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8pm; Sundays, 2pm
Los Angeles Premiere. Adapted by Aaron Posner from the beloved, best-selling novel by Chaim Potok (The Chosen) and set in post-war Brooklyn, the powerful story of a Jewish boy’s struggle to become an artist at any cost, against the will of his parents, community and tradition. A recent hit Off-Broadway. Winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play and the John Gassner Playwriting Award.

 

THE NORMAL HEART

Written by Larry Kramer
Directed by Simon Levy
Produced by Deborah Lawlor, Stephen Sachs

Winner of the 2011 Tony Award for `Best Revival of a Play`.

“The play must be seen by anyone who truly cares about the human condition.”
BroadwayWorld.com

EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 15TH 2013!

HEART SONG

Written by Stephen Sachs

Closed 8/25/13

Ovation Nomination – Best Season. Outstanding! -Los Feliz Ledger

ON THE SPECTRUM

Written by Ken LaZebnik

Closed 4/28/13

Ovation Nomination – Best Season. Rave! -The Hollywood Reporter

IN THE RED AND BROWN WATER

Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney

Closed 2/24/13

Los Angeles Times: Best in Theater 2012 – Best of Los Angeles Theatre 2012

THE BLUE IRIS

Written by Athol Fugard

Closed 9/16/12

2012 Ticketholder Awards (Runners-Up): Top 10 Play Productions, Best Actor, Best Playwright

CYRANO

Written by Stephen Sachs

Closed 7/29/12

LA Stage Times: Highlights of 2012 Theater. L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards : Best Production

EL NOGALAR

Written by Tanya Saracho

Closed 3/11/12

RAVE! -LA Times. Critic’s Pick! 5 Stars! – BroadwayWorld.com

BAKERSFIELD MIST

Written by Stephen Sachs

Closed 12/18/11

LA Weekly: Top 10 Theatre Experiences, 2011. StageSceneLA: Best New Plays 2010-2011

A HOUSE NOT MEANT TO STAND

Written by Tennessee Williams

Closed 5/22/11

2011 Ticketholder Awards (Runners-Up): Best Production. StageSceneLA: Outstanding Production/Comedy

THE TRAIN DRIVER

Written by Athol Fugard

Closed 1/30/11

StageandCinema.com: Best of 2010. StageHappenings.com: Top Productions 2010.

OPUS

Written by Michael Hollinger

Closed 9/26/10

Back Stage Garland Awards: Best Production. LADCC Awards nominations: Best Production.

THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL

Written by Ifa Bayeza

Closed 5/30/10

OVATION Awards: Best Production. Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards: Best Production.

SHINING CITY

Written by Conor McPherson

Closed 12/19/09

LA Times: Top 10 Production of 2009. LA Weekly Awards: Revival Production of the Year.

COMING HOME

Written by Athol Fugard

Closed 8/29/09

NAACP Award Nominations: Best Production. 2009 OVATION Nominations: Best Production.

PHOTOGRAPH 51

Written by Anna Ziegler

Closed 5/31/09

StageSceneLA.com Awards: Best Production. Back Stage Critic’s List: Best Production.

GEM OF THE OCEAN

Written by August Wilson

Closed 2/22/09

LADCC Awards: Production of the Year, Director, Actor

THE ACCOMPLICES

Written by August Wilson

Closed 9/14/08

LADCC Awards: Production of the Year, Director, Actor

AND HER HAIR WENT WITH HER

Written by Zina Camblin

Closed 6/15/08

RAVE! -LA Times. Critics Pick! -Back Stage West. GO! LA Weekly.

VICTORY

Written by Athol Fugard

Closed 3/23/08

LA Times: Best of 2008. 2008 Ticketholder Awards: runner-up Best Production.

THE MILK TRAIN DOESN’T STOP HERE ANYMORE

Written by Tennessee Williams

Closed 11/18/07

Winner 2008 Back Stage West Garland Award for Direction. Nominated for 2 L.A. Weeky Awards.

TAKING FLIGHT

Written by Adriana Sevan

Closed 8/27/07

Critics Pick! -Back Stage West. Critics Pick! -San Diego Union Tribune

SOJOURN AT ARARAT

Written by Gerald Papasian and Nora Armani

Closed 7/29/07

Pick of the Week! -LA Weekly

MISS JULIE

Written by August Strindberg

Closed 5/6/07

Selected: 50 Best Productions of 2007, LA City Beat. OVATION Award for Supporting Actress.

MASTER CLASS REVIVAL

Closed 1/7/07

TAXI TO JANNAH

Written by Mark Sickman

Closed 12/6/06

An excellent cast and an impressive production! -The Hollywood Reporter

THE GIMMICK

Written by Dael Orlandersmith

Closed 10/1/06

Winner of the L.A. OVATION Award for Best Solo Performance. Critics Choice -LA Times.

LITTLE ARMENIA

Written by Lory Bedikian, Aram Kouyoumdjian, & Shahe Mankerian

Closed 9/3/06

Critics Choice! -CityBeat. Insightful! Appealing! -LA Weekly

JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE

Written by August Wilson

Closed 7/21/06

L.A. OVATION Awards: Best Production and Best Director. Winner of 2 NAACP Awards.

WHAT I HEARD ABOUT IRAQ

Written by Simon Levy

Closed 1/28/06

ReviewPlays.com Best of 2006: Runner-up, Best Director. 2005 Entertainment Today Ticketholder Awards Runners-Up: Top Plays of 2005

ACTS OF DESIRE

Written by Yussef El Guindi

Closed 12/18/05

Reccomended! -LA Times. Critics Choice -Back Stage West.

YELLOW MAN

Written by Dael Orlandersmith

Closed 8/28/05

LADCC Awards: Best Production. L.A. Weekly Awards: Production of the Year.

MASTER CLASS

Written by Terrence McNally

Closed 7/25/04

LA Ovation Award: Production of the Year. Beverly Hills Outlook Theatre Award: Stage Actress of the Year

DAISY IN THE DREAMTIME

Written by Lynne Kaufman

Closed 5/23/04

Back Stage West Honorable Mention: Best Production. Beverly Hills Outlook Theatre Awards: Top Five Stage Productions of the Year