MOTEL 66 by Carol Kaufman Segal
The theatre world is coming back alive in our area, and I am very pleased to have been able to attend my first live production since March of 2020. This world premiere of Motel 66, by The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, consists of twelve new one-act plays that take place in different cities along Route 66. It is performed as two separate programs of six short plays in each program. It opened June 17 and will continue through August 1. Six plays under the title of Head East are featured Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and six plays under the title of Go West are featured Fridays and Sundays at 8 PM. There will be no shows on July 1, 2, 3, and 4 (July 4th weekend).
A Different Man by Lloyd Pedersen
Directed by Larry Eisenberg
Featuring Fox Carney & Katelyn Ann Clark
A couple, looking for a way to entice their sex life, begin celebrity role-playing.
Cleveland and Dallas by Steve Shaw
Directed by Barbara Brownell
Featuring Paul Cady & Mark Stancato
Will a man be able to console a close musician friend back from his life of despair?
Midnight Meeting by Denise Downer
Directed by Linda Alznauer
Featuring Kelly Goode, Melissa Lugo, Manny Rodriguez, & Sal Valletta
Will a teacher stay with the married man she thinks she loves, or will she decide to move on after encountering a ghost at the motel?
The Journey by JC Gafford
Directed by Bruce Kimmel
Featuring Erika Bowman & Maria Kress
The road trip of two longtime friends tasks an odd turn when one of the women reveals the music in her soul.
Venus Flytrap by Van Boudreaux
Directed by Heidi Mendez
Featuring Todd Andrew Ball & Jennifer Whitney
When two lost souls happen to meet, does it promise an adventure along Route 66?
Last Exit for Lodging by Bill Fitzhugh
Directed by Melanie Lee
Featuring Jennifer Karraz, Chris McGahan, Cathy Diane Tomlin, & William Wilson
A traveler finds herself getting nowhere in a rat-trap motel dealing with a bad-tempered manager until the higher-ups intervene.
GO WEST
Creative Differences written and directed by Tom Lazarus
Featuring Michael Gabiano, James Lemire & Troy Whitaker
Casting changes heat up the "hot set" of the 60's TV show Route 66.
Somebody Else by Fox Carney
Directed by Marie Broderick
Featuring Stephanie Colet, Julie Davis, Lisa McGee Mann, & Patrick Skelton
An illicit tryst turns out to be more than a man can handle due to his carelessness.
You Only Live Once by Craig Holland
Directed by Sascha Vanderslik
Featuring Michele Bernath, Rishi Mehta, & Aroon Nayer
A younger brother wants to help his older brother make a bold and major change in his life with help from out of this world.
Saving Laura by James J. Cox
Directed by Kathleen Delaney
Featuring Alex Brown, Jennifer Collins, & Doug Haverty
Two teachers help a young woman find solace in literature as a sudden violent event fast approaches.
A Farewell to Palms by Stan Mazin
Directed by Stevie Stern
Featuring James J. Cox & Lloyd Pedersen
Two middle-aged gay men meet together at their favorite Route 66 motel.
Stuck In The Middle With by Doug Haverty
Directed by Helen O'Brien
Featuring Raquel Brooks, Truett Jean Butler, Beccy Quinn
Three women from different states meet and become instant friends, that is until they each discover that they each have a key to the same motel room!
**
The Group Rep offers top actors, writers, and directors within their company. I am not always a lover of short plays, but I found every one of these twelve plays of interest with superb performances by everyone involved - writers, directors, and actors. You may choose to see one evening of six plays at a cost of $20 for each. But you can purchase tickets for all twelve plays at a special price of $30. If you are like I am, believe me, after seeing six plays, you will be anxious to see the other six plays as well. The plays are presented in the newly built outdoor theatre, The Yard, which is a wonderful experience as well as offering covid guidelines.
The Yard at the Group Rep is located outdoors at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. One evening of shows is $20, Tickets for both evenings of shows are $30. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thegrouprep.com. Reservations can be made by phone, 818-763-5990, and tickets paid for at the door.
