Arts & Entertainment

‘Lobby Hero’ at Playhouse

In “Lobby Hero” at the Long Beach Playhouse July 19 to Aug. 16, we meet Jeff, the luckless midnight-shift security guard in a Manhattan high-rise apartment building and his supervisor William. Jeff was kicked out of the Navy and is deeply in debt to loan sharks. William, strict, yet caring, tries to help Jeff get his life together. Into this dynamic come two cops, rookie Dawn and overbearing Bill, who are investigating a murder. In this setting, these ordinary individuals are capable of both great good and significant harm.

As the plot unfolds, we learn William’s brother is a suspect in the murder case. Dawn has a crush on her partner Bill who is having an affair with a woman who lives in the apartment building. Jeff has a crush on Dawn, who is attracted to Bill and has absolutely no interest in Jeff. As conflicts escalate, the characters’ secrets and lies begin to unravel, leading to tension and confrontations.

Sean Gray, producing artistic director for the Playhouse, noting the stereotypes and intricacies of human behavior, says, “Kenneth Lonergan’s brilliant script examines racial bias that is inherent in America’s justice system and sexism in law enforcement with nuance and humor.

“All of the characters find themselves in situations that test their morals and are often motivated by a mix of noble and selfish impulses.”

Carl daSilva was selected to direct the show. Previous Playhouse shows directed by daSilva include The Pillowman, Fences, Death of a Salesman and The Graduate. Lonergan is among daSilva’s favorite playwrights and he considers it an honor be the show’s director.

Madison Mooney, Playhouse executive director said, “There’s a reason this play has received so many awards and nominations. It handles difficult situations and topics with laugh-out-loud lines delivered by four outstanding actors.”

The four-person cast is a half-and-half mix of returning and debuting performers. Returning actors are Trevor Hart as Jeff and Brandon Prado as Bill. Making their debuts are Ashley O’Connor as Dawn and Nate Memba as William.

“It’s a perfect summer show, it’s funny, & thought-provoking,” said Madison. “Buy a ticket, you’ll be glad you did!”

Ticket prices are adults $25, seniors $20 and students $20 on Friday. Saturday and Sunday adults are $30, seniors $25 and students $20. Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., across from the Long Beach Recreation Golf Course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Performances are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday, 3-8 p.m. and Sundays 1-2 p.m. on scheduled matinees.

The Studio Theater is on the 2nd Floor. There is no elevator and the theater is only accessible by stairs.

Youth Chorus Recruiting for New Season

The Long Beach Youth Chorus has opened enrollment for its next season’s.

“We’ve seen how performing develops self-confidence, self-expression and a real sense of community that comes from being in a chorus,” said Executive Director Stan DeWitt. It also provides opportunities for children to perform in venues that they otherwise would never experience. Singing with the Long Beach Symphony at the huge Terrace Theater is another such opportunity. The group has sung there twice recently.

Registering for the chorus’s ’25-’26 season allows any of their singers in grades 7-12 the chance to go on the New York tour. It also gives the young singers the chance to develop their solo and choral singing skills.

Under the new artistic leadership of Harlee Balajadia and Madeline Reynolds, the choir has blossomed in the past two years to become the premiere civic children’s chorus in the Long Beach area.  

The chorus rehearses on Sunday afternoons at St. Matthew’s Church at 7th and Temple, 3:30-5:30 p.m. for singers in grades 7-12 and 4:30-5:30 p.m. for singers in grades 2-6. Enrollment also includes training in music fundamentals such as ear training, sight-reading and music theory. Tuition is just $150 for the entire season and scholarships are available if needed. Tour costs are not included in season tuition, but the Chorus is doing significant fundraising to help offset those costs.

For more information about the chorus, visit www.longbeachyouthchorus.org or email stan@longbeachyouthchorus.org or call (562) 972-3324.