LOS ANGELES: L.A. Theatre Works has announced its 2015—16 season of radio and recorded audio theatre, featuring a slate of classic and contemporary works.
“We’re mixing plays like Nuremberg, Jane Eyre, and As You Like It with more contemporary work, like The Money Shot, God of Carnage, and The Mountaintop,” said producing artistic director Susan Albert Loewenberg in a statement. “We have a strong following of theatre lovers here in L.A., as well as listeners across America and around the world, who compel us to work at the top of our game, and to be entertaining, educational, and relevant.”
The season kicks off with Abby Mann’s Judgement at Nuremberg (Sept. 24–27), a stage adaptation of his Oscar-winning drama about the post-World War II, U.S.-led war-crimes tribunal as it weighs the fate of four Germans. Richard Dreyfuss, Alan Mandell, and Harry Hamlin will star. Shannon Cochran will direct.
Next will be Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolis (Oct. 22–25), about a close circle of small-town women as they gather in a beauty parlor before a wedding. Kate Burton, Jeanie Hackett, and Jane Kaczmarek will star. Jessica Kubzansky will direct.
Following will be Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Oct. 28), adapted by Charles Morey, starring Alexis Jacknow, Nicholas Hormann, and Michael Kirby. Matt August will direct.
Next is David Mamet’s American Buffalo (Nov. 19—22), about an ill-conceived scheme to steal a rare coin. Brian Kite will direct.
Following will be Jane Eyre (Dec. 10—13), adapted by Christina Calvit from Charlotte Brontë, about an orphan’s progression from a repressive boarding school to her troubled career as a governess. Marsha Mason will direct.
Next will be Neil LaBute’s The Money Shot (Jan. 28—31, 2016), about two aging Hollywood actors who film an intimate love scene and upset their significant others. LaBute will direct.
Next is Fathers and Sons (March 10—13, 2016) by Brian Friel, after the novel by Ivan Turgenev, about the clash of generations and philosophies in 19th-century Russia. Alfred Molina and Hector Elizondo will star, and Martin Jarvis will direct.
Following will be Shakespeare’s As You Like It (April 14—17, 2016), about a young woman banished from court who follows her exiled father into an untamed forest. Barry Creyton will direct.
Next is Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop (May 19—22, 2016), about Martin Luther King Jr.’s final hours in the Lorraine Motel before being shot outside of Room 306.
Following is God of Carnage (June 23—26, 2016), adapted by Christopher Hampton from Yasmina Reza’s play about two sets of parents who meet after their children have an altercation in the playground. Christina Hendricks and Geoffrey Arend will star, and Rosalind Ayres will direct.
The season will end with a production yet to be announced (July 14—17, 2016).
