LAFPI

A month of FREE shows. Reservations required. Call 310-974-9779 ext.1 or e-mail [email protected]

http://santamonicaplayhouse.org

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Palligator

2:30pm on the Main Stage

A Family Theatre musical for all ages – written by and starring Shelley Fisher.

Chemo Barbie: My Lady Bits’ Journey Through Breast Cancer

7:00pm on the Main Stage

In 2016, Heather Keller, a healthy young vegan runner, was diagnosed with breast cancer and her life changed forever. This is her heartbreaking, inspiring and ultimately uplifting story. Winner- 2017 Hollywood Fringe Encore Award. Rated: 13

(IM)PERFEKT

9:30pm on the Main Stage

Sometimes you need to (literally) lose a part of yourself in order to discover who you truly are. Actress Jannica Olin was the stereotypical blonde blue eyed Swede. Her long hair had always been a big part of her identity. Until suddenly, she lost it all. In (IM)PERFEKT, Jannica takes us on a journey of exploring and uncovering that which we think we are, have to be and maybe, ultimately aren’t. Rated: 14

Sunday, October 13

superfecunda

7:30pm on the Main Stage

Double trouble. Two spokesmodels (writer/performer Ashley Denise Robinson and performer Alexis Santiago) are hired to work for the travel agency they are the face of. Who authorized this? This two-woman romp is Two Broke Girls meets Waiting for Godot. Rated: 16 for language.

Friday, October 18

My Name Is Mommy

9:30pm on the Main Stage

A celebration of the exhilaration of motherhood, a dynamic and often hilarious journey as April Wish looks for the bits and pieces of herself she left behind when she stepped into her role as Mother. A love letter to her daughter, Clementine, as well as to the little girl she used to be herself. Developed with/Directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Rated: 16

Saturday, October 19

 

ForkPlay®

7:30pm on the Main Stage

Shelley Fisher’s award-winning food-musical – real food cooked on stage during the show. Celebrity guest chefs TBA. Rated: 18

 

 

Sunday, October 20

tHis Is Very IMPORTANT

7:00pm on the Main Stage

Three different women. Three different stories. One common denominator… HIV positive. This one woman show sheds a light on the lives of these women, the people in their lives, public perception and what we think we know about HIV.  HIV doesn’t discriminate. People do. Created, written and performed by Rahvaunia. Directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Rated: 16

Tuesday, October 22

A brand new play by award-winning theatre artist Wendy Hammers

I Am SO Breaking Up with Cancer

8:00pm on the Main Stage

Part stand-up, part informational, all inspirational,—an empowerment event focusing on the power of laughter and positivity as life-saving tools for all people by Wendy Hammers (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Sopranos, Oprah-Vegas), three plus years pancreatic cancer survivor.

Friday, October 25

The Book That Won’t Close – Confessions of a Love Addict

7:30pm on the Main Stage

Best known for her real life role as herself in the award winning documentary, “See What I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary,” TL Forsberg is an international performer, actor and diversity advocate. Follow a bi-culturally fluid Deaf woman through a series of bad relationships, until she meets a Transgender Orgasmic coach who walks her through a self-contained rehab for LOVE ADDICTION to confront her unhealed trauma and shame around the parts of her that are both hearing and Deaf. Through her unique relationship with TREVA, a Trans person who embraces both masculine and feminine, the protagonist learns to claim her place as a brilliant Hybrid on the path of healing and integration. The show is a dark comedy that includes music, dance, video projection and is not only inspirational but is “Edu-taining.” Directed and developed by award winning director Jessica Lynn Johnson and is inclusive and accessible to both hearing and Deaf audiences through the use of American Sign Language & spoken voice. Rated: 18

An Ocean in My Soul – a world premiere

8:00pm in the Artists’ Entrance Studio Upstairs

Santa Monica based scriptwriter and songwriter Charise Sowells shares the story of a biracial man torn between two worlds as an employee of his plantation owning father and a son to his enslaved mother, exploring the complicated existence of interracial overseers during slavery and how their unique position in society ripples throughout a family unit. It parallels the realities of the social construct of race in today’s times. The context is different, but the issues remain the same. Nothing is truly black and white in this country or the world beyond. There is a universalism in the oversimplified matters of life, a reminder we all need in today’s political environment. The evening will also feature songs and a sound bath with crystal singing bowls. All ages.

Chrissy Meth – a Dance with the Devil and the Journey Back to Self

9:30pm in the Artists’ Entrance Studio Upstairs

A motherless child grows up in the western suburbs of Chicago, facing the racially oppressive construct of her world, stumbling from one abusive relationship to the next, sinking into deep drug addiction. From the depths, she finds hope and begins to put the pieces back together. Song, multimedia and humor take the audience on Crystal Bush’s journey as she questions and challenges beliefs and social mores surrounding race and sex identity and discovers that it’s never too late to come back and find one’s self-worth.  Directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Rated: 18

Saturday, October 26

Fauntleroy

2:30pm on the Main Stage

Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Eric Jacobson’s stage adaptation of Frances H. Burnett’s Little Lord Fauntleroy. The story takes place at the turn of the Century (1899) in New York and England and explores the exciting, poignant and humorous adventures of a young boy meeting his reclusive, bitter Grandfather as he is groomed to assume an English title and become heir to a formidable Castle. All ages.

Hung Like a Seahorse

8:00pm on the Main Stage

Debra Ehrhardt, creator of the acclaimed one-woman show Jamaica, Farewell, brings this must-see production to the beloved Santa Monica Playhouse, written and performed by Quinn Fontaine and directed by Susan Mele. Based on his true-life story of being born in the wrong body, writer/performer Quinn Fontaine’s insightful, heartwarming, hilarious show is a celebration of healing. Healing the little boy inside who couldn’t wear the clothes he wanted to because he was born a girl. Being a prisoner in his own body for decades. Sneaking clever ways to feed his soul like the rolled-up sock in “tighty whities” worn under girl’s clothes. Healing the trauma of denying his authentic self and then healing through the transition to becoming the man he can finally be as an adult. A world premiere. Rated: 16

Sunday, October 27

Zumba Zelebration

Mandy Picks a Husband

6:30pm in the Artists’ Entrance Studio Upstairs

Almost 40 and totally single, Mandy takes us on a hilarious and raw 60-minute rollercoaster ride as she unearths the magic elixir for her unmarried soul. Spinning from boyfriend to boyfriend, from Bumble date to OKCupid catastrophe, Mandy relives her odyssey to find the perfect life partner while simultaneously searching to find herself. What does Brittney Spears got to do with it? More than you know. Amanda Broomell’s newest autobiographical solo dramedy about self-discovery and lifelong commitment

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Self-Hate Crime – The Trial, An Angst Ridden Comedy

7:00pm on the Main Stage

A new play written and performed by award-winning theatre artist Terrie Silverman. Rated: 14

Mulatto Love Child

7:00pm in The Other Space

Imagine Maggie Smith getting together with Shaft – you get Bellina Logan. A hilarious, touching and inappropriate overshare of a co-dependent.bastard child’s life with her acerbic English mother and the deep bond they forged. Performer/playwright Bellina Logan is winner of the United Solo 2018 Award for Best Actress. Directed by Maggie Soboil. Rated: 18

BFF ENCORE PERFORMANCES!

Tuesday, October 29

Under the Jello Mold

8:00pm in The Other Space

In this award-winning comic play, Jennie Fahn revisits her very colorful character of a mother during what turned out to be the final act of her mother’s life. Jennie’s mother was a force to be reckoned with — a former dancer never content to merely rehash her past, there was always a story to be embellished, always a name to drop, and always a lesson to teach. Jennie learns that not only were her post-mortem instructions hid in a specific place… Her mother was also hiding a long-held secret. Rated: 16 .

 

 

Saturday, November 2

Fertile

1:30pm on the Main Stage

Jenny has a plan. A plan to get pregnant. Everyone keeps telling her time is running out, SO , when those pesky urine tests keep coming back negative, Jenny decides to take action and fix the problem. That’s when she runs into real problems and real questions about fertility and motherhood. With a whirlwind of outside opinions from her mom, her friends, doctors, a beloved neighbor – and even God – Jenny must ultimately look within to discover what motherhood means to her, what it means to be Fertile. Written and performed by Heather Dowling. Rated: 14

Too Young To Be a Widow – U.S. Premiere

3:30pm on the Main Stage

When Susana Hornos asked Mr. Luppi for an autograph, she never dreamed she would end up marrying him. Not because he was a famous movie star, but because he was 40 years older than she. In fact, he was much older than her own father. The unlikely union turned out to be passionate, glamorous and sweet for fifteen blissful years until he became ill and passed away. She went from being a loving wife and best friend to a devoted nurse, then widow. She had learned the most important thing from her out-of-the-ordinary love story: a passion for living. Premiered in Buenas Aires (Picadero Theatre) and Madrid as a tribute to Federico Luppi.

Sunday, November 3

Love in Bloom

3:30pm in The Other Space

The 10^th anniversary production of the Rudie-DeCarlo “Critic’s Pick of the Year” (American Radio Network) feel-good bawdy musical comedy, a tribute to the wenches and rogues of the Bard. The 8-member cast, in the renowned Actors’ Repertory Theatre commedia-carnival style, creates a host of over thirty characters, bringing to the stage all the stuff that dreams (and musicals) are made on.

Hollywouldn’t

4:30pm on the Main Stage

Lisa Verlo’s journey across Hollywood’s unsettling sexual landscape, directed by and developed with Jessica Lynn Johnson, is a musical memoir told with candor and insight into the life of an actress before women dared to speak up. With original songs co-written with Frank Simes, Musical Director for The Who, Lisa Verlo brings humor and a light heart to a heavy subject. Creative visuals and video projections add to the multimedia recounting of her experiences on the casting couches of LA. Rated: 17

 

Wake Up Lil Susy

7:00pm on the Main Stage

Follow Susy, a bright and bubbly blond on the outside, through five dramatic decades of self-discovery as she takes on taboo topics such as sexual trauma, fundamentalist Christianity, depression, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Journey with Susy Porter, as she shares her story through music, puppets, multimedia, and a cast of colorful characters all played by Susy herself! This vulnerable and creative performance speaks to the #metoo and #timesup movements, bringing her darkest secrets into the light. Its time to wake up, little Susy. Rated: 17

Beast of the City

7:30pm in The Other Space

A young girl grows up surrounded by movie-stars – Natalie Wood, Clark Gable, Yvonne De Carlo and Ann Margaret – becomes a Hollywood Starlet, then stops playing by the rules. From singer song-writer @WB Music to life-time member at the Actors Studio. The fame, the fall, but rising again and again. Playwright/performer Kristin Andersen-Groh says, “If one girl coming to Hollywood can be helped or one man informed, this work and my life will have been worth it.” 15

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Saturday, November 9

Dear Yoko

1:00pm on the Main Stage

Asian-American Anzu Lawson learns the lesson of a life as she learns to portray the most famously hated Asian Woman in the world, Yoko Ono. Written and performed by Anzu Lawson, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Rated: 12

 

Leaving Prince Charming

3:30pm on the Main Stage

21-year-old Lara is looking for love. One day she stumbles (or rather, swipes) upon a handsome young man who treats her like royalty. But one day, he doesn’t. The magic fades. Will this beauty stay with the beast? Or can she break the spell by midnight? Follow an unorthodox fairy godmother as she travels down the rabbit hole of intimate partner abuse, manipulation, and trauma bonding. This is a love story, but not the kind you’re expecting. Written & performed by Lara Repko. Developed and directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Rated: 14

Sunday, November 10

Mamaisms: Old-Fashioned Wisdom for a New Generation

2:30pm on the Main Stage

“What we’ve learned from Mama, we’ll carry with us for a while and then some. Criticism or praise, hostility or peace, even if we’re Mamas, we were all born children and we’ll be children all our lives. Come, be reminded, laugh and cry at the Mamaisms we grew up with and maybe learn a new one or two!” Written and performed by Sonia Jackson, developed and directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Rated: 12

 

The Long Goodbye – A Mother Who Can’t Remember, A Daughter Who Can’t Forget

4:00pm on the Main Stage

A story about how a devastating disease – Alzheimer’s – was the catalyst for forgiveness and healing between an angry, resentful daughter and her demanding and abusive mother. The show spans continents (America, Asia, Europe and Africa) and cultures. Written and performed by Mattilyn Rochester. All ages. First developed at Beyond Baroque under the guidance of Terrie Silverman.

 

Cat Sh!T Crazy: From hot Mess to Hot Mama in 4 Simple Cats

7:30pm in The Other Space

Cindy D’Andrea is a hot mess. Her boyfriends are addicts, cheaters, or married, she’s got mommy issues and childhood trauma, and her fitness clients won’t listen to her. Four cats and many years later, Cindy is a happy cat owner and rescuer. For the first time in her life, she experiences unconditional love. Who needs a boyfriend when you have cats? And then, the unthinkable happens, and all is lost. Can Cindy rally and rescue the one who needs it the most? We shall see. Directed by David Harper. Rated: 15