Curtains UP – theatres are opening once again

Okay, so June 15 has come and gone, and Californians can pack their auditoriums at 100%.  Why is it so difficult to find a live show?  I am sick of Zoomed and digital performances; I want to be part of that communication that goes on between an audience and a live performance, the interaction that guarantees no two performances will be the same.

Slowly and cautiously, theatres are relocating the keys to the front door, actors are signing in again at the stage door, and the ticket scalpers are anxiously rubbing their hands together.  And once again, I beg you to make sure you are buying your tickets directly from the theatre.  The scalpers (re-sellers) use very deceptive names, so they appear to be the theatre, but sell the tickets they have purchased at double or triple the box office rate.

The biggest must-have ticket in Southern California is the return of Hamilton to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre on August 17.  Tickets are currently available through January 2, though the show is likely to go on and on past that date.  The August opening is two months earlier than originally anticipated so there are a lot of very good seats available.

In Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil reopened their war horse Mystere on June 28.  O, probably their best Vegas show, returns to the Bellagio on July 1 and Michael Jackson ONE starts up again on August 19.  They will not reopen Zumanity and haven’t announced dates for Love or Ka.  As Cirque is declining, upstart Spiegleworld is growing.  A decade ago, a show called Absinthe opened in a relatively small tent on the forecourt of Caesar’s Palace.  Seating was in concentric circles around a central raised stage about 20’ in diameter.  It was conceived as an anti-Cirque production and featured terrific circus acts and some really, raunchy comics.  It was a big hit. Four or so years ago, the company opened Opium which takes place on a spaceship aimed at Uranus.  Again, great acts, raunchy comedy, and lots of audience interaction in a small room.  Last year, their newest show, Atomic Café, opened for several months before its pandemic closure.  Same formula, this time set in a wild west saloon.  Absinthe and Atomic Café have now reopened, and Opium is planned to resume, but no date has been announced.  Although most of the raunch is aimed at straight viewers, there are plenty of gay-friendly references including a very gay gentleman who sticks large swords down his throat (do I need to describe the banter?).  Virtually none of the hunky male performers can keep their shirts on for more than a moment or two.  I suppose some of the women are sexy as well, but who am I to judge?  Because of the small venues, there is always plenty of audience interaction in all three shows.

Speaking of Vegas, Ru Paul’s Drag Race Live re-opens at The Flamingo on August 15.  We can all agree that Ru Paul’s Drag Race, All Stars, Canadian, British, Australian, and Spanish versions aren’t fetching Mama Ru nearly enough shekels, so here is one more opportunity to contribute to the cause.  On a less cynical note, all those franchises exist because we love them and can’t get enough.  I know I will be in the ticket line soon enough.

LIVE (Photos by Denise Truscello)

Of California’s major gay theatre companies, Palm Springs’ Desert Rose Playhouse was the first out of the chute in late June, christening their beautiful new theatre with The Miss Firecracker Contest.  San Francisco’s New Conservatory Theatre Center kicks off their 40^th season on October 8 with Interlude by Harrison David Rivers.  San Diego’s Diversionary Theatre encourages you to buy tickets to their 35^th season but gives no hints as to what or when it will be.  Weho’s Celebration Theatre is in a period of transition after its long-time artistic director “resigned” after an actor filed a sexual assault claim against him for being too “hands on” in the crowded backstage area.

As I mentioned last month, the Hollywood Bowl and its little sister, the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, are operating at 100% capacity.  Also worth a look is the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach.  Great entertainment under the stars celebrates summer living in California!