“Ice cream.” “Water fights.” “Peeing in the ocean and nobody knows.” A boy’s handwritten list to cheer up his despondent mom becomes a surprisingly funny and poignant ode to humanity. Daniel K. Isaac (Billions) takes audiences on a transcendent and tender coming-of-age journey that reminds us to pay attention to life’s smallest joys—and to each other.
This production includes audience participation. To get an idea of what this show is like, please watch this short trailer from the HBO documentary.
Runtime
Approx. 70 minutes, no intermission.
Warnings
Content Advisory: This production contains discussions of depression and suicide.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about self-harm or suicide, there is help available. Call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Age Recommendation: 16+
All Geffen Playhouse productions are intended for an adult audience; children under 10 years of age will not be admitted.
Daniel K. Isaac
Over four weekends, the Morgan-Wixson proudly presents our second New Works Festival featuring four full-length plays and three short plays. These plays will be presented in rotation over four weekends. Tickets may be purchased for each play, or you can choose to purchase a Two Play Pack, or a Festival Pass which offers the opportunity to see all four shows at a discounted price. Selected Plays MONARCHS by Danielle Frimer directed by Kristie Mattsson NO LOITERING by Amy Dellagiarino directed by Kirsten Hansen SEAMLESS by Dorinne Kondo directed by Melodie S. Rivers SOME TYPE OF ECSTASY by Khari Wyatt directed by Rondrell McCormick HERE BE DRAGONS by Wendy Gough Soroka NEIGHBORLY by John Connon SWIPED by Samara Siskind directed by Michael Heimos
For 46 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been one of the most original forces in contemporary dance, bringing artists, art and audiences together to enrich, engage, educate and change lives through the experience of dance. The company will perform a program of mixed repertory including Coltrane’s Favorite Things, choreographed by Lar Lubovitch. The work is inspired by and danced to John Coltrane’s 1963 “Live in Copenhagen” interpretation of Richard Rodgers’ “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. The backdrop for the dance is a reproduction of Jackson Pollock’s landmark painting "Autumn Rhythm." With this dance, Lubovitch reimagines the choreographic possibilities of jazz, creating a vibrant counterpart to the impulsiveness of two 20th century artistic giants. Aszure Barton’s poignant BUSK simultaneously celebrates and scrutinizes the essence of what it means to perform, laying bare complex layers of human experience and emotion through mesmerizing multitasking movements.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde). PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News). Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired one of the most beloved romantic comedy films of all time. Pretty Woman the film was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990. Now, 30 years later, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is “Big romance and big fun!” (Broadway.com). “Irresistible! A romantic fantasy. A contemporary fairy tale,” says The Hollywood Reporter. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL delivers on all the iconic moments you remember. Get ready to experience this dazzling theatrical take on a love story for the ages. Are you ready to fall in love all over again?
Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture - breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. THE CHER SHOW is the Tony Award®-winning musical of her story, and it’s packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon. THE CHER SHOW is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy®, and enough Tony Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!
For the 9th consecutive year, Murray & Peter present, “A Drag Queen Christmas”, the longest running drag tour in America. Get ready for Host Miz Cracker plus your favorite queens performing live on stage and very special guest Todrick Hall. We’ve got Winners, Fan Favorites, OGs, Miss Congeniality, plus queens from Season 15 and All Stars 8. VIP Meet & Greet tickets are available. The M&G starts at 6pm. The show starts at 8pm. There will be a 20-minute intermission. 18+ welcome. Check DragFans.com for the cast performing in your city.
You better watch out, you better not cry, because something magical is coming to the Playhouse this holiday season. Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, one of the creative minds behind 2021’s Head Over Heels, returns to the Playhouse to sleigh audiences with a brand-new holiday show that’s sure to leave you feeling merry and bright. So get ready to jingle all the way and joins us for a holly jolly spectacular you’ll never forget. “When has Sam Pinkleton, a Tony Nominee for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, ever been conventional?” -PLAYBILL
Two of the nation’s leading lawyers go head-to-head in the ultimate battle of wit, wisdom, and will in this powerful drama. With freedom of speech hanging in the balance, will this small-town courtroom bring us together or tear the nation apart? In a fresh production boldly reimagined for today, Inherit the Wind will make you rethink what you know and dare you to question just how much society has evolved. “Even more topical than half a century ago.” -NEW YORK TIMES
Not everything is as it seems behind the ivy-covered walls of Yale, where an unlikely bond leads to an unthinkable favor. Writing professor Bella Baird is looking for answers, but a fateful encounter with a mysterious student could lead to life-changing consequences for both of them. Nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play, Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp’s haunting 90-minute thriller will leave you wondering who you can trust and remind you everyone has a story — the question is how it ends. “An astonishing new play. For 90 minutes, you are dying to know what will happen.” -NEW YORK TIMES
A Heart-Warming Coming of Age Tale for All! “Pure, lively (and live) entertainment! It is remarkable to see two dozen children abandon their electronic devices to watch a live stage performance and, when prompted, hear their advice and warnings called out to the heroine. SNOWHITE at Santa Monica Playhouse provides such a theatrical (and non-CGI) experience!” Tolucan Times A charming tale of companionship, coming-of-age, and the magical bond between mothers and daughters, this colorful and vibrant musical fantasy for kids 2 to 102 takes audiences on a magical adventure as everyone’s most beloved young heroine journeys to find herself, her mother, and her true destiny, aided by Seven Silly Companions, a Most Magical Mirror, and You, the Audience! No evil Stepmother here, no shadowy forests or villainous potions; just a wondrously humorous and touching story of friendship, dedication and discovery, as Snowhite, and the audience, learn that love does, indeed, conquer all, even though it can sometimes be found in the most unlikely places.
What could be fancier than Christmas? Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles – and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, she has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She simply cannot wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, does Christmas still stand a chance of being splendiferous? Recommendation: Ages 4 and up. Great for the entire family.
On the Cripe Stage… Based on the popular children’s book of the same name, The Secret Garden follows the story of Mary Lennox, a young British girl born and raised in Colonial India. When the 11-year-old’s parents die in a cholera outbreak, she is sent to Yorkshire to live with a reclusive uncle, his invalid son — and a host of ghosts, spirits, and lost souls inhabiting Mary’s new home. With the help of the spirits, Mary and a young gardener uncover the mystery of the manor’s magical garden, bringing life to the neglected estate as Mary’s own personality blossoms alongside the flowers. Filled with amazing music, elegant choreography, and a heartwarming story of forgiveness and renewal, The Secret Garden is the quintessential holiday musical for all ages. Adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
On the Cripe Stage… Meet Christopher Francis Boone, a brilliant and neurodivergent 15-year-old boy standing in his neighbor Mrs. Shears’ backyard in the middle of the night. She is screaming at Christopher because he is standing over the body of Wellington, her sweet dog who has been speared with a garden fork. When Christopher vows to find the murderer, he doesn’t realize that there is more than one mystery to solve and he will be forced to take a perilous journey that will upend his world. Based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a thrilling and heartwarming adventure story featuring an unforgettable young hero. Please Note: This production contains some moments of sensory intensity — including lighting, video, and sound effects — reflecting the content of the novel and autistic experience. There is also strong language, violent behavior and domestic violence, and smoke/haze effects.