About two weeks ago I was asked to take over a role in Thieves of CA for an actor who booked a film. Like I often say…I’m the best 2nd choice actor in LA. 
The play is a new one by Boni Alvarez and the reading was directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera. For those that don’t know, a staged reading is basically an elevated rehearsal. There are minimal (if any) blocking, costumes, sets or props, and the actors carry their scripts. These are often done help a producer (The Getty) see the play in a more realistic setting than a simple reading around a table so they can make a better decision on actually producing it. Think of it as a large audition for the play.
The show is a play-within-a-play with a groups of actors doing an adaptation of Aeschylus’ Seven of Thebes. Their play is set in 2031, in a post-Trump Civil War-torn USA where CA has declared independence and Papa Don’s Barbarians are waging war to bring it back into the fold. The play breaks down when the actors, who are trying to get the show ready for The Getty in hopes they’ll produce it, start talking politics. It’s funny, sad, and very, very pointed. I played a sort of QAnon shaman guy…and had a great time.
There was some concern that the storms would cause the cancellation of the Saturday shows, but the heaviest rains held off for the most part so we got them all in. The people who made their way through the weather seemed to really enjoy it…except for those museum-goers who brought their kids and were unprepared for the language and themes of the play. This is definitely an R-rated show. 
Starring: Kimberly Alexander, June Carryl, Mark Doerr, Reggie Lee, Hazel Lozano, Ryan Nebreja, Myra Cris Ocenar, Vico Ortiz, Peter Pasco, and Rachel Sorsa
Dramaturg: Alana Dietze
Scenic Design: Alex Calle
Lighting / Prop Design: Lily Bartenstein
Costume Design: Mylette Nora
Sound Design: Cricket Myers
Coyote Puppet Design: Christian Anderson
Playwrights’ Arena Producer: Elmira Rahim
Stage Manager: Letitia Chang
Here’s a few images from the reading to give you a flavor of what we were doing. All the photos were taken by the Playwrights’ Arena photographer-in-residence, Kelly Stuart (IG: @lunamundo)
