go to Unknown Theater’s last show in the awesome 1110 Seward space. Performance artist John Fleck at 8 pm, bands at 10 pm.

AD Chris Covics said in an email to the mailing list this morning,

“In less than 12 hours, we lost our space at 1110 Seward, but through the generosity of so many of you, we managed to find a new space to set down roots (literally: we’re taking up the stage and moving it). We should be ready to open our next show, Mondo Don Juan, on schedule on August 20!”

More power to them. Please go, watch John Fleck “saturate the audience with Trader Joe’s products,” and be part of this company’s transition into their next home. I wish I could be there.

LAT: Bennett Bradley of Hollywood’s Fountain Theatre won awards for directing and producing plays that burrowed deeply into the African American experience, but friends and colleagues remembered Monday that he savored and contributed to nearly all of the arts.

When he didn’t show up to lead a 5 p.m. rehearsal of the Fountain’s West Coast premiere of “The Ballad of Emmett Till,” the show’s stage manager went to his home and found his body, said Stephen Sachs, the company’s co-artistic director.

–article

“Los Angeles Shakespeare Company founder Geoffrey Forward went public Friday with an announcement that he has filed an $11.9-million negligence and inverse condemnation claim against Los Angeles County, claiming that 80 “outrageous acts” on the part of various county departments over the course of several years caused construction delays that led to the foreclosure sale of the company theater, the Globe, in Topanga.”

– Diane Haithman in the LAT, via AJ.

headline: “Another LA theater critic gets the ax.” Right after SLM’s downmotion at the LA Weekly, Daily Breeze theater critic Jim Farber has been let go. My proud, former, first, last and only city, what’s happening to you? Where are the days when a director of 24 with her head alternately in the sand and the clouds could get eloquently slammed for her improvised choruses, at the fabled hands of SLM’s witticisms? Where, oh where, are the smackdowns going to come from now?

STADIUM DEVILDARE, which is now open at NOTE in Los Angeles, got a nice review in the LA Weekly: “The creativity of co-directors Richard Werner and Karen Jean Martinson’s production makes for jaw-droppingly weird fun. “

I spoke to Rich briefly over the weekend, and he’s really happy with how the show turned out. I’m so proud of him. This production has been a long time coming. It. Must. Be. Seen. Like, if you’re in LA and you don’t go to see this, you’re so crazy.

“Within the limitless confines of the Stadium, contestants battle for the ultimate prize, the suit of Guts ‘N Glory, a protective armor that will enable a warrior to confront and defeat America’s greatest enemy – a cipher known only as G*dzilla X. Enter a parallel game universe where we find a reflection of our own world, where familiar situations explode with violence and the showpower of extreme events. Root for your favorite contestant and discover the terrifying secret behind STADIUM DEVILDARE!”

Fri/Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. (except Feb 24th) through March 23rd.
Tickets: $22; Student/Senior $18
1517 N. Cahuenga (just north of Sunset)
Hollywood, CA 90028

Reservations By Phone: (subject to availability) :
323.856.8611

Parking Info : Arclight Cinemas (enter on Ivar, just south of Sunset) $3.00 will get you parking for the evening. Bring your ticket to the NOTE box office and we will validate.

Angelenos, “Come witness the battle, cheer for your favorite contestant and discover for yourself the terrifying secret of STADIUM DEVILDARE.” It opens Feb. 15.

And the countdown continues:
Only 10 more shopping days till STADIUM DEVILDARE, the glorious theatrical production, opens at NOTE.
Several contestants battle for possession of a mystical suit of armor (the suit of Guts N Glory) that will enable them to defeat America’s greatest enemy known only as G-dzilla X (perhaps the rubber costume, perhaps the the war in the Middle East).

(Yes, I think it’s fantastic that both Rich and I are opening shows in the same week. 13 Ways opens on the 12th.)

Rich “Tough Guy” Werner’s mind-blowing, gore-spattered, makes-American-Gladiator-look-like-a-tea-party, makes-little-girls-cry, puts-the-ass-kicking-back-in-theater production of STADIUM DEVILDARE at NOTE now has a trailer, shot by Ezra:

Mmm, trailer. So delicious. Seriously, if you’re in Los Angeles, “Come witness the battle, cheer for your favorite contestant and discover for yourself the terrifying secret of STADIUM DEVILDARE.” It opens Feb. 15.

Oh, they also have both merch and swag. You can buy a T-shirt supporting your favorite contestant.

In support, Style Over Substance will be hosting a countdown:
Only 25 more shopping days till STADIUM DEVILDARE, the glorious theatrical production, opens at NOTE.
Several contestants battle for possession of a mystical suit of armor (the suit of Guts N Glory) that will enable them to defeat America’s greatest enemy known only as G-dzilla X (perhaps the rubber costume, perhaps the the war in the Middle East).