Arts & Entertainment

‘Marilyn, Mom & Me’

Attempting to better understand his complicated relationship with his mother, playwright Luke Yankee, son of award-winning actress Eileen Heckart, delves into her friendship with Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. International City Theatre opens its 2024 season with the world premiere of Yankee’s deeply personal comic drama, “Marilyn, Mom & Me,” which he also directs.

Performances take place Feb. 16 through March 3 at ICT’s home in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Two low-priced previews are set for Feb. 14 and 15.

Eileen Heckart, the no-nonsense Broadway actress, and Marilyn Monroe, the glamorous Hollywood legend, developed an enduring bond during the filming of Bus Stop – perhaps the most important film of Monroe’s career. Forty-five years later, Yankee tries to unravel his mother’s relationship with Monroe to better understand his own path with this highly critical, yet loving woman.

If Luke can get his mom to open up about Monroe, maybe it will make her a more sympathetic mother – or at least help him to connect with her on another level.

“In 1956, when Marilyn was cast as the lead in the film Bus Stop, she was the biggest star in the world,” says Yankee. “She had taken the previous year off to study with Lee Strasberg and had become the poster child for ‘method’ acting, where an actor must experience every moment truthfully. My mother was cast as her best friend in the movie, and, as a part of her newly discovered style of acting, Marilyn was determined to make my mother her best friend – both on screen and off. Reluctantly, Eileen went along with it for the sake of the film and found herself emotionally entrenched in Marilyn’s life.”

“My mother loved to talk about her career… except when it came to Marilyn,” he continues. “Whenever she would do so, she would get very quiet and change the subject. If pressed, she would burst into tears. No one else she worked with had this effect on her.”

Road Theatre and Rogue Machine company member Laura Gardner stars as Heckart, alongside Alisha Soper, who previously played Monroe on two Ryan Murphy series, “American Horror Story” and “Feud: Bette and Joan.” Local Long Beach actor Noah Wagner portrays “Bus Stop” director Joshua Logan, Arthur Miller and Laurence Olivier, and Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield, winner of Ovation and NAACP Theater awards for “The Color Purple” at Celebration Theatre, takes on the roles of Rosetta LeNoire and Ella Fitzgerald. Emmy winner Brian Rohan, seen on stage at Ensemble Studio Theatre, Pasadena Shakespeare Company, and Laguna Playhouse, plays Luke.

Yankee, a nationally recognized playwright, director, author, actor and teacher, has previously directed three productions at International City Theatre: Crimes of the Heart, Private Lives and Shipwrecked.

“This play is so important to me, I wouldn’t entrust the world premiere to just anyone,” he states. “I have tremendous respect for artistic director caryn desai, who is a wonderful director and caring producer. She has helped me assemble a team of top theater artists.

The creative team for Marilyn, Mom & Me includes set designer Dan Volonte, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Dave Mickey and prop designer Patty Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The production stage manager is Don Hill.

“Marilyn, Mom & Me” runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Feb. 16 through March 3. Two preview performances take place on Wednesday, Feb. 14 and Thursday, Feb. 15, both at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $49 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (except Friday. Feb. 16, opening night, for which tickets are $55 and include a post show reception), and $52 at Sunday matinees. Low-priced tickets to previews are $37.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.

MTW Offers ‘42nd Street’

In February, Musical Theatre West (MTW), Southern California’s premier theatre company, is kicking off its 2024 season by bringing Broadway to Long Beach! Filled with sparkling costumes and dazzling songs, MTW’s production of 42nd Street will run for a limited time, Feb. 9-25, with an official opening night celebration on Saturday, Feb. 10. Tickets start at $20 each and are available by phone at (562) 856-1999 or online at musical.org.

“For our first production of 2024, we wanted to bring the quintessential Broadway experience to Long Beach and “42nd Street” is the perfect choice,” shared Paul Garman, executive director and producer for Musical Theatre West. “Our mission is to enrich and excite the community with high-quality theatrical productions. Our hope is to welcome even more families and individuals from across Southern California to experience the magic of Broadway right in their own backyard.”

Based on the 1933 movie of the same name, “42nd Street” follows Peggy Sawyer (Emma Nossal), a small-town dancer who uses her naïve charm to win her way into the hearts of the audience and onto the chorus line of the biggest show on Broadway.

Beloved by generations, “42nd Street” celebrates the “hip hooray and ballyhoo” of musical theatre and the courage to chase one’s dreams. Audiences can expect to be amazed by an incredible cast, ensemble talent that includes working professionals alongside 10 students from the Orange County School of the Arts, a stunning score, and thrilling choreography.

Musical Theatre West’s production of 42nd Street will premiere at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

‘Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo’

The world’s foremost all-male comic ballet company brings their internationally beloved troupe of dancers to the Carpenter Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach on Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. as part of their 50th anniversary season tour.

Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo’s appearance marks their eighth visit to the Carpenter Center and includes a program featuring gems from across the company’s groundbreaking repertoire, including Swan Lake, a piano ballet, and the choreographic fireworks of Paquita. Blending high art with humor, the company’s athleticism and comedic brilliance are the perfect recipe for a hilarious night out.

Their appearance on Feb. 3 marks their final stop on the West Coast portion of their 50th anniversary tour and the last chance for L.A. audiences to enjoy the most fun they’ll have at the ballet this season.

Tickets: $55, available online at carpenterarts.org.

The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach.

Its 1,054-seat theatre gracefully accommodates large and small productions, including a season of performances showcasing emerging and established musicians, dancers, actors, speakers, comedians, and visual artists, as well as other artistic, educational, and cultural experiences that enrich lives, promote lifelong learning in and through the performing arts, and serve as a gateway between the university and the greater community.

Rolling Stones Music

The iconic music of the Rolling Stones is set to captivate audiences at the Long Beach Arena on Saturday, Feb. 3, as the power of Long Beach Symphony features a full evening of the timeless, legendary, enduring masterpieces elevated by a full orchestra.

Under the baton of Brett Havens, Windborne’s Mick Adams will bring as much nostalgia to the stage as unparallel energy in an unforgettable experience with hits such as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Under My Thumb,” “Sympathy For The Devil,” “Wild Horses,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Let’s Spend The Night Together” and, of course, the ultimate in “Satisfaction” and more.

For an enhanced concert experience, audiences are encouraged to bring their picnic baskets, libations, and dancing shoes! Catering services can also be reserved ahead of the concert.

Long Beach Symphony is unique for offering a full symphony concert with a band, dance floors at the sides of the stage, and the socially engaging indoor picnicking welcoming home-brought favorites or pre-ordered catering.

Tickets and info: https://longbeachsymphony.org/music-of-rolling-stones/.