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Hollywood Fringe Cabaret

amytofte — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 06:20:11 +0000

I had a nutty time putting together this story on the Hollywood Fringe Cabaret venue. We were all crazy busy preparing our shows and getting ready for the opening week of the Fringe.

But I got to know Jon and Bella, just two of a huge team of awesome people who make the Fringe happen. And I’ve been spending a lot of time at Fringe Central Station in between shows. It’s a pretty cool space. If you haven’t come out to visit the Fringe…shows are happening until closing night June 24th.

Enjoy!

LA Stage Times article on the Fringe Cabaret

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

amytofte — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 03:37:31 +0000

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is pretty much an LA institution. And if you remember watching The Waltons…you’ll know who Will Geer was. Reading the history of the theater is really fascinating. Check out their history on their website below. My article was with two giddy, funny ladies. We had a great conversation about living life knee-deep in repertory.

Enjoy!

Full article on Theatricum Botanicum at LA Stage Times

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

The Sleeper at Theatre Tribe

amytofte — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 03:24:12 +0000

I met the wonderful Stuart Rogers for this interview on his company’s latest production of The Sleeper. We talked shop and all things small theater. Couldn’t put some things in the story because they were off the record.

Enjoy!

LA Stage Times article for THE SLEEPER @ Theatre Tribe

Medea gets a twist with The Children

amytofte — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:04:39 +0000

I had a delightful interview with playwright Michael Elyanow about his new script going up at the beautiful Theatre @ Boston Court in Pasadena. This show has opened and is getting rave reviews, so that’s always exciting. I can’t wait to see the show.

Enjoy!

The Children full article at LA Stage Times

Creepy Dolls and Reborning

amytofte — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:51:30 +0000

The Chance Theater in Orange County has been pretty hard to ignore over the years. They consistently show up their LA counterparts come award season. I was particularly curious about the topic of this play about what are called “reborn dolls.” We had an interesting conversation about how art, life and consumerism all seem to collide in our modern therapies.

Full Story about Reborning at LA Stage Times

Drag Queens and TransGender

amytofte — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:08:04 +0000

I had the most delightful interview with the playwright for this world premiere at LATC. The pictures alone are compelling and when you read about the true story that sparked the play…it’s pretty astounding.

I’ve been blessed with covering some exciting shows these days at LA Stage Times. Must be something in the water… Enjoy!

Girl Most Likely To…full story at LA Stage Times

Propaganda Fun at Greenway

amytofte — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:25:10 +0000

I had a fun interview with two CalArts alums (playwright, producer) and the director for this new project going up at Greenway. This is a theater with a really interesting business model that keeps it going strong and producing how and what they want to produce. Which is pretty awesome.

Enjoy!

Bewildered Herd full article at LA Stage Times

Eternal Thou anthropomorphizes technology

amytofte — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:33:27 +0000

This is the kinda show that’s right up my alley. I had tons-o-fun interviewing Matthew McCray. He’s another LA theater rat I’ve known for a while that I finally got to interview for a real story. I also know some of the CalArts people on this show. Can’t wait to see it.

Enjoy!

LA Stage Times full article for Eternal Thou

The Elephant Man

amytofte — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:48:24 +0000

Small theaters in LA are often getting a shot in the arm from film/tv people. This production is no different. So many people come here to make a living in “The Industry”…and only then are they able to go back to what their training in theater was all about. And they also have the means to do it their own way.

Enjoy!

The Elephant Man at Theater68 in Hollywood

1969: before I was born

amytofte — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:41:10 +0000

This interview was a two-parter between the producers/director and the playwright (Damon Chua) who is now living in NYC. I actually know Damon from time we both spent at the Last Frontier Theater Conference in Alaska. We also kept running into each other in LA theaters. The world gets very small, very quickly.

I saw the show on opening night. I like this kind of work because it takes what we think we know about a time, place, people…and finds new connections and insights.

Enjoy!

LA Stage Times article for 1969

Circle X gets Naked

amytofte — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:29:29 +0000

This is another great project happening at [Inside] the Ford. When I go into these interviews I’m always running into people I know. This was no different…CalArts is everywhere. Which is kinda awesome.

LA Stage Article on Circle X’s Naked Before God

Working and Working and Working

amytofte — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:05:36 +0000

You can tell I’m busy when I don’t post.

I have the regular job plus these little articles I do in my off-hours. Of course, for me, there feels like no such thing as off hours. But the day-job has been particularly busy the last two weeks.

How fitting I did this story last week about a revival of the 1970s musical Working. This theater is very close to my house so I can’t wait to get out and see it. I’ve seen more musicals in small theaters being in LA, and I think I actually like them better that way. Maybe it’s the disconnect from the audience I’m getting from most large-scale musicals?

I usually say I hate musicals. Which sometimes is true. But then I see one I like and I have to make the caveat. If that keeps happening are the musicals getting better? Am I turning into an old person? WTF?

Either way…check it out and determine for yourself. I get the feeling this one will be good.

Full article on Working at LA Stage Times

Chekhov on Crack

amytofte — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:12:24 +0000

I got to see this new show from Theatre Movement Bazaar today. It was delightful. This was a really fun interview since Tina and Richard also had a show in Edinburgh last summer while I was there. I still have a soft spot for the first show of theirs I saw (Dry Cleaning) a few years ago…but the recent Chekhov adaptations are pretty awesome.

And Jessica from Boston Court was totally delightful. We had a much longer “off the record” conversation.

Enjoy…and get thee to the theater!

The Treatment at Boston Court FULL ARTICLE

Interview with Jon Marans

amytofte — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:05:39 +0000

I had the pleasure of interviewing the very cool Jon Marans (Old Wicked Songs) about his new play opening in Hollywood. He was completely delightful and kind for our phone interview. We tried in vain to connect for coffee while he was here for the show but, alas, we were both too busy.

Sometimes I hate myself because I’m still so gushing over professional writers. But then…I’m getting paid to write the article. Funny how that works. And how I forget to see myself.

I’ll be pestering to see him on my next trip to NYC. We had a really great conversation about writing.

Full Article on LA STAGE TIMES

A Furious Family Adventure

amytofte — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:16:22 +0000

This was my largest group interview so far. Very fun…but very hard to write. Had to cut some of it, which made me feel bad. This is a terrific LA company and they’ve been through a lot together. And they’re premiering a Los Angeles playwright…yay!

Enjoy!

LA Stage Times Full Article

Dance/Theater/Comedy Mash-Up...or the cool things we do in Los Angeles

amytofte — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:28:49 +0000

It’s assignments like this that make it so much fun to write about our current theater scene in Los Angeles. These two dancers are smart, funny and you just know you’re gonna have a good time. I’m figuring out when I’m going to the show. Hopefully, tonight!

Check it out…

LA Stage Times Full Article on casebolt & smith

All Kinds of Nerve

amytofte — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:28:04 +0000

I had a really fun interview with Adam Silver (Sixth Avenue Productions) and Michael Matthews (director for 6th Ave’s current production of Nerve). At one point we were giggling about something called “Grinder”…yeah, I’ll let you look that one up and figure it out for yourself.

More proof of the great theater coming out of LA. I’m seeing the show next weekend.

Enjoy!

Read the full article at LA Stage Times HERE

Dear Santa...

amytofte — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:58:34 +0000

Here’s a fun little holiday article I did for some of the small theaters in Los Angeles. Small theaters everywhere can always use a boost (any time of year) if you have a little extra to donate and support the arts.

Enjoy!

Dear Santa…LA Stage Times full article

Atomic Holiday Free Fall at Actors' Gang

amytofte — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:15:27 +0000

Here’s my latest from LA Stage…the guy I interviewed, Stefan Haves, was the coolest guy on the planet. When I walked in the door he threw some 3-D glasses on me, grabbed my hand and led me through this black light installation. He was kinda like Willy Wonka meets a totally normal guy you’d want to date.

Check out his wacky show…

Atomic Holiday Free Fall Full Article at LA Stage Times

Holiday Round-Up: Naughty & Nice

amytofte — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:54:00 +0000

I had a great, busy time connecting with a bunch of LA theaters on their up coming holiday shows. A little something for everyone.

Enjoy!

LA Stage Times Naughty & Nice Holiday Round-Up

Artists at Play Push Buttons

amytofte — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:42:30 +0000

I interviewed a terrific team of Founders for this new theater company in LA. We laughed…A LOT…about the perils of producing. But they were so impressive how they talked about their roles and their mutual respect for each other.

I finally saw the show they are producing last night (CHING CHONG CHINAMAN) and really loved it.

I think I’ve found a great way to support theater with my writing by focusing on the people making the work first…then I see the show after the article comes out.

I don’t feel so pressured to review work. So many times ‘reviewing’ work for me requires a conversation. I have plenty of strong opinions…but putting all that into concise print just feels like knit-picking. Theater should start conversations. So many times I feel like reviews just end them.

Theater is meant to be consumed and experienced on an individual pallet. I totally dug this one like black olives and Tabasco.

Artists at Play Full Article at LA STAGE TIMES

Short Eyes at LATC

amytofte — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:20:00 +0000

I interviewed the uber-handsome and ultra-cool Julian Acosta for this feature on the Pinero play Short Eyes.

We lost track of time and talked passionately about theater for 2 hours.

Life is hard.

Rarely Produced Short Eyes at LATC full article

Girl Power at Theatre Banshee

amytofte — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:14:23 +0000

I had the pleasure of interviewing these two lovely ladies at Theatre Banshee in Burbank.

Part of our conversation was about how a set had glitter over 17 years ago when they first took over the space and they would still find it from time to time. We actually found some that was painted over on the floor. I was pleased to inform them that glitter is the herpes of the art world. A little saying I learned at CalArts. That’s my degree in action, folks.

I’m hoping to catch the Banshee show soon. I will be buying a brownie.

LA Stage Article on Theatre Banshee

Using Magic to Heal

amytofte — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:11:01 +0000

Here’s my latest feature for LA Stage Times. I met with this magician/actor Albie Selznick and Bettina Zacar (director) and it was so much fun. He’s uses magic throughout the show to tell his story. It’s a very inspired, unique approach to the One Man Show.

I asked him if the bunny was his Obi-Wan. He said, “Yes! He started out as Donnie Darko and ended up my Obi-Wan.”

I could write a whole goof off addendum with these interviews. They are tons of fun.

And I can’t wait to see his show. If you live in LA, please check it out.

Smoke & Mirrors full article

9 Circles Within 9 Circles

amytofte — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:56:14 +0000

Here’s the link to my first Feature for LA STAGE TIMES…boo-yah!

9 Circles Within 9 Circles by Amy Tofte