Purgatory is a steam bath and God is a Puerto Rican attendant in Bruce Jay Friedman’s upcoming play. “Steambath,” which premieres Saturday at the Odyssey Theatre, follows the life and afterlife of protagonist Tandy as he grapples with his own mortality. After stumbling into a steam bath, Tandy meets an odd assortment of characters – […]
Category Archives: Theater & Fine Arts
American adaptation unmasks Japanese theater form to reveal artistic complexities
Elvis Presley comes back to life in traditional Japanese theater in “Blue Moon Over Memphis.” Theatre Nohgaku, a Noh theater company, will perform the play as part of “2 Days of Noh,” a symposium on the classical Japanese musical theater form. The production will be held alongside an exhibit of Noh masks and a lecture […]
Event to celebrate Mexican independent publishing amid struggles of censorship
Vivid art blown up onto the Fowler Museum’s walls will represent the radical opinions found in independently published Mexican art books. Fowler will hold the Artbook Pop-Up, which is part of a three-day event called Radical Publishing Weekend, and will include a pop-up shop and discussion panel. Event visitors will be introduced to the Mexican […]
Comedic parody ‘Two Mile Hollow’ a challenging commentary on race, privilege
A rich, white family vacations in the Hamptons – but they’re portrayed by Asian-American actors. While “Two Mile Hollow” is a comedic parody, the play uses its casting to unpack and examine white privilege, while also creating roles for Asian actors. Produced by the theater collective Artists at Play and having premiered Thursday, the play […]
Alum’s production of play pays tribute to Jewish identity across generations
Alumnus Howard Teichman chose to stage playwright Neil Simon’s most autobiographical work as the West Coast Jewish Theatre’s latest production. But when Simon passed away in August, the show became a memorial to his legacy. Inspired by Simon’s personal life, “Broadway Bound” will run through Oct. 28 at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica. […]
Alum’s exhibit paints symbols in new light to challenge viewers’ expectations
Ordinary stairs serve as alligator teeth in the Hammer Museum’s new mural “Pink Dots.” The piece, created by alum Math Bass, was first unveiled Saturday and will be on display until Feb. 10. Featured on the lobby walls, “Pink Dots” is one of the Hammer Projects, a series that provides museum space to different artists. […]
Q&A: Alumna reflects on being a mother and woman of color on Broadway
Nicolette Robinson spends her days serving up lobster rolls on stage. The UCLA alumna recently made her Broadway debut, starring as Jenna in “Waitress.” The show, currently running at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York, focuses on a waitress who escapes the struggles of an abusive relationship in the kitchen. The first mother and […]