Stage Raw: A Star is Hatched

A STAR IS HATCHED

​Meet Gertrude Stein (right), and her girlfriend, Alice B. Toklas. Gertrude and Alice were rescued from extermination at an animal shelter by All the Same, Wild and Tame, which graciously donated them to the L.A. Weekly. (What use is a newspaper if it doesn't own at least one live goose?)

Gertrude and Alice will be co-hosting the L.A. Weekly Theater Awards on April 4 at the El Rey, which is actually a junior high school sleepover. Pajama attire is strongly recommended. You really don't want to embarrass yourself by showing up in actual evening clothes, like uncool adults.
 
Nominee reservations are now being accepted at (310) 574-7208. Each nominee is entitled to one comp. The limit for each production is 10 comps. Tickets for significant others and the public go on sale March 12 at laweekly.com at the price of $20 plus fees. This is for a show that includes Alice, Gertrude, Craig Anton, Tom Ballatore, Jeffrey Combs, others yet to be announced, not to mention an after-show reception. (There, we just mentioned it.). The house band will feature the students of Peadmont Junior High's After-School Rock 'Round the Clock program. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:30.

Check back on Monday night/Tuesday morn for reviews of shows seen over the weekend. The review list can be found  by clicking the More tab directly below: 
Productions slated for review this weekend:

THE ADVENTURES OF PINNOCCIO Commedia dell'arte take on Carlo Collodi's classic story of a puppet boy, dramatized by Lee Hall. Deaf West Theatre, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; opens Feb. 25; Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; Sat., March 26, 8 p.m.; thru March 27. (818) 762-2998.

CABARET IDOL Season 2 James Mooney's weekly vocal competition, with winners voted on by the audience. Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill, 6122 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru April 24. (323) 466-9917.

BOOMERMANIA Baby Boomer musical lampoon, written and directed by Debbie Kasper and Pat Sierchio. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru March 27, boomermaniathemusical.com. (866) 811-4111.

THE CATHOLIC GIRL'S GUIDE TO LOSING YOUR VIRGINITY Annie Hendy's story of a Midwestern virgin who's determined to have sex before her impending 25th birthday. Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Dr., Burbank; Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 4 p.m.; thru March 6. (818) 955-8101.

THE FIX UP SHOW J. Keith van Straaten hosts a mock TV dating show. ACME Comedy Theatre, 135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. Wed., 8 p.m.

A HOUSE NOT MEANT TO STAND Tennessee Williams' gothic comedy and final play is shown for the first time on the West Coast. Directed by Simon Levy., $25-$35; $18 students. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A.; opens Feb. 26; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru April 18. (323) 663-1525.

IN MOTHER WORDS Theatrical anthology by Beth Henley, Lisa Loomer, Michele Lowe, Theresa Rebeck, Luanne Rice, Leslie Ayvazian, David Cale, Jessica Goldberg, Lameece Isaaq, Claire LaZebnik, Marco Pennette, Lisa Ramirez, Annie Weisman and Cheryl L. West. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood; Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 & 7 p.m.; thru May 1. (310) 208-5454.

KING LEAR A Wild West staging of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, set in the sprawling California of the 1850s. Directed by Marianne Savell., $30; $25 seniors; $20 students. Actors Co-op, 1760 N. Gower St., L.A.; opens Feb. 25; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 p.m.; thru March 13. (323) 462-8460.

LOVE SUCKS A 48-hour romp through the bars, backseats and bathroom stalls of New York City's Lower East Side, written and directed by Rob Mersola. Coast Playhouse, 8325 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; opens Feb. 25; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru April 11...

MEXICAN HISTORY 101 Ruben Amavizca-Murua's history lesson. (Fri. in English; Sat.-Sun. in Spanish). Frida Kahlo Theater, 2332 W. Fourth St., L.A.; opens Feb. 25; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m.; thru March 27. (213) 382-8133.

OEDIPUS THE TYRANT The Porters of Hellsgate present a new translation of Sophocles' classic, translated by Jamey Hecht. Sherry Theatre, 11052 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru March 13, brownpapertickets.com/event/149704. (818) 325-2055.