Arts & Entertainment

ICT Premieres Warsaw,

International City Theatre presents the world premiere of a haunting new drama by British playwright and screenwriter Paul Webb (Selma). Directed by ICT artistic director caryn desai [sic], Warsaw opens May 1 for a three-week run through May 17. Performances take place at ICT’s home in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Two low-priced previews are set for April 29 and April 30.

A woman fighting for her life after a devastating accident (Suzanne Ford) draws four very different visitors to her bedside – a doctor (Anna Van Valin), the doctor’s estranged fiancé (Elias Scoufaras), a truck driver (Spencer Del Carmen), and a hospital volunteer who believes he once knew her long ago (Bruce Nozick). As the four keep vigil, they realize that the comatose patient holds vital pieces missing from their own lives. Warsaw is a moving meditation on survival, forgiveness, and the invisible threads that bind our lives together.

“Warsaw is about the survival of love against all odds,” says Webb. “It’s a celebration of the power of the human spirit, a quality embodied by 74-year-old Krystyna, fighting for life in a New York hospital after miraculously escaping death in a traffic accident. A group of people gather in the hope she will regain consciousness. They all have questions. Only Krystyna has the answers.”

“This is the rare play that blends intimacy with historical resonance,” says desai. “It examines how choices, losses and the weight of survival shape us, sometimes in ways we don’t fully understand. Bringing this world premiere to ICT gives audiences a chance to experience the profound ways lives can intersect, shaping us in ways we never forget.”

Webb, who lives in Reading, England, travelled widely in America as a teenager, acquiring a lifelong fascination with the country and its people. After a career in teaching followed by several years in the oil industry, he wrote his first play, Four Nights in Knaresborough, at the age of 50. It was produced in London, had a national tour and drew the attention of the film industry. He was subsequently commissioned by Stephen Spielberg, Michael Mann and Ridley Scott, working closely with all three over a number of years. Paul wrote Selma, the 2014 film about the voting rights campaign in Alabama, led by Dr. Martin Luther King. Shortly after, Paul turned once again to the theater. Hold On! premiered at the St. Louis Black Rep in January 2024. Paul recently completed Six Easy Steps, an intimate history of the marriage between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the defining influence of their confidante, Louis Howe. Paul is currently working on a play about the epochal summit meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in Iceland in 1986.

ICT’s creative team includes set designer Destiny Manewal, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Hunter Moody, and prop designer Patty Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA, and Richie Ferris, CSA. The stage manager is John Freeland, Jr.

Warsaw runs May 1 through May 17 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Two preview performances take place on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30 both at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $56 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, except opening night (Friday, May 1), and $59 on opening night and at Sunday matinees. Low-priced tickets to previews are $44.

International City Theatre is located in Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center’s Beverly O’Neill Theater at 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.

‘Side By Side’

Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company presents Side by Side by Sondheim, a vibrant and reimagined celebration of one of musical theatre’s most iconic voices.

Originally premiering in 1976 as a London revue celebrating the work of Stephen Sondheim, the piece has become a beloved tribute to his enduring impact on the art form. Featuring songs from shows for which he wrote music, lyrics, or both – including Follies, West Side Story, Company, A Little Night Music, and Gypsy – this production is overflowing with Landmark heart and brings together a cast of 26 phenomenal performers in a dynamic, ensemble-driven take on the classic.

With wit, warmth and soaring musicality, Sondheim’s songs shine as a joyful tribute to connection, love and the shared human experience – filling our beautiful historic space with music that soars to the rafters.

As Landmark looks toward the future and continues to define what it means to be a community theatre, we are committed to embracing talent, inclusivity and the joyful creation of art. This production reflects that vision – artists coming together in celebration, collaboration and a shared love of storytelling that we are proud to sustain for years to come.

Share with us another unforgettable theatrical experience from the heart of Long Beach.

Presented in the stunning sanctuary of First Congregational Church of Long Beach, this production runs from May 8 through May 17, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $30 to $40 with a $5 convenience fee and are available for purchase online.

Taste of Able ARTS Work

Get ready for an afternoon filled with creativity, connection and celebration at the upcoming Taste of Able ARTS Work hosted at 3841 Atlantic Ave., on May 9 from 1 to 3 p.m.

This free, lively community event invites guests to experience the heart of Able ARTS Work through interactive creative arts activities, giving attendees of all ages and all abilities the chance to explore their artistic side in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or simply curious, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Guests can also take part in an opportunity drawing, browse unique merchandise, and enjoy light refreshments throughout the afternoon. Adding to the festive atmosphere, the event will feature a touch of music, art and fun, all designed to bring people together and celebrate the power of creativity.

More than just an event, this is an opportunity to connect with the Long Beach community, learn more about the mission of Able ARTS Work, build relationships, spark inspiration, and share a joyful experience centered around inclusion and artistic expression.

For more information, call: (562) 208-3320.

Spring Concert/Tasting

On May 9, celebrate both food and music with the innovative Long Beach Youth Chorus. Join the fun for a special food-themed event called “Taste the Music” featuring tastes by local chefs and benefitting Food Finders, which combats food insecurity. The 5 p.m. tasting event will be followed by a 7 p.m. concert “If Music be the Food of Love” by the chorus, with all songs about food. Discounted concert tickets are available for taste attendees.

The chorus has been known for innovative programming and events since its founding ten years ago. Its Summer Arts Institute and Long Beach Family Arts Festival have been a great celebration of the breadth of the arts in the city, and last year’s Sing-a-Long Beach was a huge hit. With this program, the chorus now extends its innovative event planning to include its concerts.

Tasting event tickets are $40 and include food samples from the approximately ten participating chefs and kitchens. The proceeds will be divided between the Chorus and Food Finders.

This will kick off a busy month for the chorus that will include its Family Arts Festival and Sing-a-Long Beach, followed by a guest appearance for the Long Beach Symphony’s Family concert on June 7. Then, 24 members of the chorus will travel to New York City for an appearance and performance at Carnegie Hall. This will also be the chorus’ third performance under Artistic Director Harlee Balajadia.

The May 9 concert will be held at Community Congregational Church in Los Alamitos, 411 Katella Ave. Advance tickets (which include a discounted concert ticket for taste attendees) can be purchased at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/taste-the-music.