California’s Stages Are Beginning to Cautiously Open

It seems clear that we are coming out of the cursed pandemic, but the exit strategy in some ways is even more confusing than the establishment was.  Governor Cuomo has announced that Broadway can resume on September 14, but only a couple of shows are opening on that date.  Other New York shows have announced starting dates in October, November, and even December. 

Governor Newsom has stated that California’s restrictions will be removed by June 15, but again, as a practical matter, what does that mean?  I hear the Dodgers are allowing people with proof of vaccination to buy tickets in the field-level seats, while unvaccinated guests will be relegated to socially distant seats in the upper bleachers, but who is going to check?

The Hollywood Bowl opened on May 15 with the first of two free concerts featuring Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic.  They had limited audiences made up of healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers as a gesture of thanks for all they have done for Los Angeles.  On May 17, the premier screening of Amazon’s movie Pink:  All I Know So Far was screened, including an appearance by Pink, for an invited audience. The main season will start on June 15 and includes more than 50 performances, including 14 concerts with the LA Phil and special guests Christina Aguilera, James Blake, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, H.E.R., Kool & the Gang, Yo-Yo Ma, and many others. 

If you have never visited the Bowl, do yourself a favor.  An evening out in this iconic landmark is memorable. Performances include classical, pop, reggae, jazz, and film, so you should be able to find something.  Admittedly, with 18,000 seats, parking, entering, and exiting require a little additional effort, but there are several off-site parking lots with free shuttles, and the structure is designed to move people quickly. (www.HollywoodBowl.com)

Another outdoor perennial is Laguna Beach’s Pageant of the Masters, a truly unique experience which is world famous.  Since 1932, local artists have presented an evening’s entertainment where they use living people to recreate works of art on stage.  There is a live orchestra, narrator, and hundreds of local volunteers.  The presentation is fascinating.  Often the actors have their faces and bodies painted outlandish colors so that on the set, they look exactly like the original painting, sculpture, mobile or even jewelry! 

My favorite moment of each show is when in full flood lighting, we see them move a set on stage.  Then, actors take their places on the set (often with belts and rigging holding them in odd positions), and when all is set, the stage goes dark and then restores with specially designed stage lights and boom, we see a familiar painting. The transformation is pure magic.  The show runs this year from July 7 – September 3, with tickets at www.PageantTickets.com.  Be sure to allow time for dinner and a stroll through Laguna Beach.

With Governor Newsom’s announced return to normalcy on June 15, theatres are now finalizing their schedules.  Broadway in Hollywood will be the first major theatrical company to open when it presents Hamilton on August 17 at The Pantages. That show was originally slated for October 12, so two months’ tickets have suddenly become available.  Since Hamilton is currently selling tickets for performances at The Pantages through January 2, Broadway Hollywood will present My Fair Lady starting October 7 at the Dolby Theatre.  Hamilton is currently selling tickets through January 2 but all the other shows in Broadway Hollywood’s season have been moved to the Dolby (and one to the Ahmanson), so it looks like Hamilton will have a long run at The Pantages.

Broadway in San Francisco has just announced that their season will begin on October 13 with Jesus Christ Superstar.  They were originally slated to lead off with Mean Girls in July, but that tour has adjusted their national schedule due to Covid concerns.  Like Hollywood, SF will also feature the tour of Moulin Rouge, a show you should book today! 

Broadway in San Jose is opening their season with Hamilton on October 12, even though it will still be running in Hollywood.  The Hollywood production is a “sit down” production – produced just for an open run in L A — while the San Jose production is one stop on a national tour. 

Broadway in San Diego kicks off with Hairspray on November 16.  Palm Desert’s McCallum Theatre opens on December 3 with the same touring production of Hairspray. 

Los Angeles’ Center Theatre Group commences their seven-show season at The Ahmanson on November 30 with The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol.  Continuing in 2022, their season includes Dear Evan Hanson, Hadestown, The Prom, To Kill a Mockingbird, and others, so early tickets should be considered.

Will masks be required?  Vaccine Passports necessary?  Will moustaches stage a comeback?  No one is quite sure at this moment, and everyone is kind of figuring it out as they go.  However, folks are eagerly grabbing tickets and good seats will go early.  Oh, and as a reminder, be sure you are buying your tickets from the actual theatre’s ticketing system.  There are many re-sellers that sure look like the official sites but sell their tickets at double and triple the actual prices.