On Theater: Costa Mesa Playhouse announces 51st season

Having recently — last month, to be exact — celebrated its golden anniversary, the Costa Mesa Playhouse has announced an intriguing mixture of old favorites (three) and new titles (two) as it prepares to launch its 51st season.

“In celebration of our 51st year,” theater President Michael Brown noted, “the playhouse delivers a brave, diverse and compelling season that guarantees something for everyone.”

The new season gets underway Aug. 28 with its most familiar offering — James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter,” the movie version which earned Katharine Hepburn half an Oscar (she shared with Barbra Streisand for “Funny Girl”). This historical dramatic comedy will run through Sept. 20.

Something completely unfamiliar arrives in October with “A Behanding in Spokane.” No, not “beheading.” This 2010 black comedy by award-winning Irish playwright Martin McDonagh originally starred Christopher Walken as an aging killer who lost his hand nearly 30 years ago. Performance dates are Oct. 23-Nov. 15.

“Nine,” the musical stage version of Fellini’s classic movie “8½,” is next on the list, appropriately playing through Valentine’s Day. This Arthur Kopit adaptation offers a slew of roles for singing actresses, but there’s only one male role. The show opens Feb. 12 and runs through March 13.

Neil Simon has written some very funny plays over the last half-century, but few this side of “The Odd Couple” contain quite so many laughs as “Rumors,” a play that can find humor in attempted suicide. The playhouse has designated the April 7- May 1 slot for this Simonized fun fest.

Finally, the Costa Mesa theater has scheduled “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” a two-act show, written by David Nehls and Betsy Kelso. It’s set in Armadillo Acres, Fla., home to, as Brown promises, “adulterers, strippers, murderous ex-boyfriends, Costco and the Ice Capades.” It’ll be on stage from June 3 through July 3.

The playhouse is offering season tickets in three categories — a preview subscription for $77, good for pre-opening performances; a flex pass for $82, good for any other performances except for the gala opening night and the after-show reception. A season subscription that includes gala night may be obtained for $92.

Curtain times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. The playhouse is at 611 Hamilton St. in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 650-5269 or visit https://www.CostaMesaPlayhouse.com.

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OC Playwrights Alliance

The Orange County Playwrights Alliance will present staged readings of four one-act plays Sunday at the Newport Theatre Arts Center.

The titles are “Suppose They Gave a War...” by Arthur Kraft of Seal Beach, “The Stupendous Appendage of Stuart” by Jordan Young of Orange, “Gentlemen’s Pact” by Karen JP Howes of Huntington Beach, and “When Penguins Fly” by Eric Eberwein, also of Huntington Beach.

The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the theater, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach, and reservations may be obtained by calling the theater at (714) 902-5716.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot, Coastline Pilot and Huntington Beach Independent.