2025 STUDIO COLLABORATIVE SEASON

Join us for the 2025 Studio Collaborative Season where we offer outside, local theatre companies and performing arts organizations the opportunity to produce their own shows in our Studio Theater.  We have a diverse and unique line up planned, so out a description of the shows below!

1. TED TURNER AND THE LAST ROUND UP

Company: Noah Wagner, Producer

Dates: Jan. 10, 11 @ 8pm, Jan. 12 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $20

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/ted-turner-and-the-last-round-up/

Description: 

The man who brought satellite television and 24-hour cable news to the world, and who devoted his late life to environmental causes, spends his waning days in Montana, trying to remember it all and wondering what it meant, all while dealing with a degenerative mental condition.  His interlocutor guides him along.

2. BULL

Company: G.R.F. Productions, D. Loriston Scott, Producer

Dates: Jan. 17, 18 @ 8pm, Jan. 19 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $25

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/bull/

Description: 

Gospel music and songs of the South abound, when local minister Fred Shuttleworth struggles with racial tensions in 1960’s Birmingham and enlists the aid of Dr. Martin Luther King to defy the laws enforced by the Commissioner of Public Safety, a ruthless segregationist, Eugene “Bull” Connor.

Company Statement:

GRF Productions creates bold, authentic stories that resonate. Founded in Long Beach and rooted in the diverse energy of Los Angeles, we elevate fresh voices and perspectives, championing narratives helmed by women and people of color. Our mission is to bring you meaningful yet relatable productions that spark connection, inspire conversation, and celebrate the vibrancy of real, human experiences. At GRF, we believe in storytelling that not only entertains but also reflects the world we live in—unfiltered, fearless, and unapologetically inclusive.

3. ELEANOR’S STORY: An American Girl In Hitler’s Germany

Company: Ingrid Garner, Producer

Dates: Jan. 24, 25 @ 8pm, Jan. 26 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $25

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/eleanors-story-an-american-girl-in-hitlers-germany/

Description: 

TELEGRAPH’S #1 Theatre Pick, Edinburgh Fringe 2017

Based on Eleanor Ramrath Garner’s best-selling memoir, this internationally acclaimed adaptation—performed by her granddaughter, Ingrid Garner—details Eleanor’s youth as an American caught in WWII Berlin.

During the Great Depression, 9-year-old Eleanor’s family moves from the U.S. to Germany in pursuit of work. But when war breaks out as they are crossing the Atlantic, return to America becomes impossible. While desperate for Allied victory, the family faces bombings, Gestapo threats, the final battle for Berlin, and the perils of Russian occupation.

Punctuated with humor and accompanied by cinematic sound and video, Garner embodies her ancestors in this coming-of-age odyssey, delivering an account of war more relevant than ever.

Company Statement:

Ingrid Garner is an award-winning playwright/actor based in Los Angeles. Her work highlights exceptional stories of tenacious women in fierce circumstances.

4. 9/10ths

Company: Greg Atkins, Producer

Dates: Jan. 31, Feb. 1 @ 8pm, Feb. 2 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 Student/Senior

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/9-10ths/

Description: 

9/10ths is an award-winning anthology of nine 10-minute scenes that take the

audience into the brain of playwright Greg Atkins. In Tempus Fugit, a time-travel comedy, Gary wants to propose, until his girlfriend–from the future—arrives to try and stop him.  A corporate team building outing goes horribly wrong in Loanly Ladies. Then there is Bunnies, where two friends meet in a hotel room, one on the run and the other there to arrest him in a sweet and humorous look at friends facing the inevitable. Swipe is a fast and funny look at the modern world of dating. These, plus five other playlets take the audience on a wild ride through a variety of styles, characters and worlds.

Producer Statement:

Greg Atkins is the creative force behind Atkins Ink, an international entertainment company that has written/directed shows for: South Coast Repertory, Laguna Playhouse, Costa Mesa Playhouse, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Hispanic Media Coalition, State Farm Gamerhood, Activision, Facebook and the Disney Company to name a few.  Atkinsink.com

5. ICON’S ONLY

Company: Green Light Group Productions, Danielle Moore, Producer

Dates: Feb. 7 , 8 @ 8pm, Feb. 9 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 group rate for groups of 10+

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/icons-only/

Description: 

Icons Only is a new cabaret tribute to multiple extraordinary women of the 20th century and beyond, through the lens of original musical theater songwriting. The piece explores cultural influencers ranging from the queen of jazz Ella Fitzgerald to Audrey Hepburn, who served as a spy in the Dutch resistance before becoming an award-winning actress and humanitarian; record-breaking pilot Grace Huntington; boundary-pushing painter and Disney concept artist Mary Blair; and multiple icons of pop, R&B, and country music. Featuring music & lyrics by Danielle E. Moore (Audrey; Ink & Paint; BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop), Icons Only reveals untold stories of trailblazers both revered and unknown, with the goal of putting audience members in their (often fabulous) shoes. 

Company statement: 

Green Light Group Productions (GLG) was founded to close the gender gap in musical theater authorship as the first (and only) U.S.-based producing organization dedicated to developing and producing musical theater written and composed by women and nonbinary artists. Its inaugural development opportunity for new work, Sound Balance, opened in Fall 2024 with support from NYSCA/A.R.T. New York and The Pride Network’s Transformational Leadership Initiative. www.greenlightgroupproductions.com

6. LBP STAFF AND FRIENDS CABARET FUNDRAISER 2025

Company: LBP, Madison Mooney, Carole Louise, & Serena Bottiani-Henderson, Producers

Dates: Feb. 14 &15 @ 8pm, 2025

Tickets: $20

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/lbp-staff-and-friends-cabaret-fundraiser-2025/

Description: 

The Staff & Friends Cabaret Fundraiser is back and better than ever! This year’s two night event will showcase beloved volunteers and staff members of the Playhouse performing songs, scenes, stand up, and more! Let’s celebrate with a night of fun and raise some funds for LBP!

7. WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE . . .

Company: VanderHart Productions, Bruce Hart, Producer

Dates: Feb. 21, 22 @ 8pm, Feb. 23 @ 2pm, & Feb. 28, Mar. 1 @ 8pm, Mar. 2 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $25 General Admission, $22 Senior, $15 Student

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/with-friends-like-these/

Description: 

Dive into the campy world of “With Friends Like These…,” an LGBTQ+ stage show that humorously reimagines the classic film The Women. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Los Angeles, the story follows Kyle Freeman, a successful lawyer whose life takes a nosedive when he discovers his husband, Conrad, is cheating with Trevor, a charming waiter. In his quest for support, Kyle turns to his fabulous friends: Donna, a bold gossip reporter; Adam, a dramatic TV writer; Rodney, a steady schoolteacher; and Sidney, the frenemy who stirs the pot. As secrets unravel in Beverly Hills and Bel Air, the show explores love, betrayal, and self-discovery, celebrating friendship and the fabulousness of LA life—A VERY Gay Farce: Muscles, Mayhem, and Cocktails!

Company Statement:

VanderHart Productions is an independent production company dedicated to the creation of LGBTQ+ content for stage and screen.  We have produced seven successful stage productions in Southern California including “Honey I’m Home” and “With Friends Like These…” and several feature films including the cult favorite “Homewrecker” and the romantic comedy “Open: breaking the rules”.  Our goal is to create entertaining, inclusive, and positive LGBTQ+ entertainment. 

8. UNSCREWED: An Unscripted Screwball Comedy

Company: Modjeska Unscripted Theatre, Nick Slimmer, Producer

Dates: Mar. 7, 8 @ 8pm, Mar. 9 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $25

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/unscrewed-an-unscripted-screwball-comedy/

Description:

“Unscrewed: An Unscripted Screwball Comedy” takes spontaneity to the next level, delivering a fresh experience every night. Each performance is a completely improvised, full-length play with a whirlwind of zany characters, unexpected twists, and hilarious misunderstandings, all tailored by the audience’s suggestions. Think of it as a love letter to the chaotic charm of classic screwball comedies like “Bringing Up Baby” and “His Girl Friday,” where quick wit and slapstick reign supreme. As the cast dives into offbeat scenarios and playful banter, no two nights will ever be the same. Whether it’s a mistaken heirloom or a wild chase for a missing pet, expect the unexpected in this delightfully unpredictable romp!

Company Statement:

Modjeska Unscripted Theater (MUT) is an improvisational theater group founded in 2016 as the in-house improvisation ensemble of Modjeska Playhouse. MUT performs full improvised or “unscripted” theatre, producing full-length unscripted plays. MUT prides itself on its ability to use to create theater through character and relationship driven unscripted plays.

The MUT motto: “Serve your partner, serve the scene, serve the story”

9. BLACK DECEMBER

Company: Black Girls Productions, Shaneisha Dodson, Producer

Dates: Mar. 14, 15 @ 8pm, Mar. 16 @ 2pm, 2025

Tickets: $25

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/black-december/

Description: 

Black December is a drama set in the South at the Odessa plantation and spans across four decades (1940, 1970, 1990, and present day). The story follows the lives of three Odessa women, each grappling with a mysterious generational curse that strikes every December causing them to lose something or someone that they love. As the Odessa women struggle with love and loss, they must figure out a way to break the curse to experience genuine happiness. The show explores themes of resilience, faith, trauma and family.

Company Statement: 

Black Girlz Productions was founded by Shaneisha Dodson. Our goal is to bring awareness to social issues through performance art,  film and cultural events. Our motto is Dream BIG or Go Home! 

10. PLAYS IN A DAY 2025

Company: LBP, Alex Shewchuk, producing

Dates: Mar. 22 @ 8pm, 2025

Tickets: $10

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/plays-in-a-day-2025/

Description: 

Join us for an exhilarating evening of theatre. Witness the work of exhausted writers, frantic actors, and impulsive directors as they strive to create the debut performance of a show that will never be seen again! All the shows presented will be written, rehearsed, and performed in just one day!

11. LBP NEW WORKS FESTIVAL 2025

Company: LBP New Works Committee producing

Dates: Mar. 28 & 29 @ 7pm, 2025

Tickets: Free

Ticket Link: https://lbplayhouse.org/event/lbp-new-works-festival-2025/

Description: 

The annual festival nurtures emerging and established playwrights to develop new scripts. Reading 100+ scripts a year, the New Works Literary Committee chooses two top plays to receive a stage reading with critical feedback from professional theatre critics and an audience talk back.