Behind the Curtains...

Life After Tomorrow is an award-winning documentary that reunites more than forty women who played orphans in the Broadway production of ANNIE, revealing the highs and lows of their experiences as child actresses in a cultural phenomenon—from out-of-control stage mothers to being replaceable at the age of 12. At the age of 12? Talk about potential lifelong complexes waiting to happen. If you want to check it out, the DVD will be on sale February 26th...

Live theater and Broadway's always been associated with the streets of New York, but I wonder how many people ever think back to the once thriving Broadway Theater District in LA's Historic Core, comprised of 12 theaters concentrated in a 7 block span? Even in the present day, the theaters are still preserved in their unique architecture and character; and while LA might now be more known for Rodeo Drive and the glamour of Hollywood, LA definitely has its own historical theater culture to boast about as well.

Here's an interesting fact of the day: The Los Angeles Theater's 1931 opening featured Charlie Chaplin and his movie "City Lights".

Check out ExperienceLA for live theater events taking place all around greater LA.

-Sarah Koo, ExperienceLA Arts/Culture Marketing Assistant

Avenue Q in LA!

One of my favorite musicals is in town - Avenue Q! I had the lovely opportunity to see this hilarious musical again at its opening on September 7th. There's so many great things about this show, I'm not sure where to start...

I had first seen this show in Las Vegas two years ago, when it had a long run at the Wynn. My friends were familiar with the soundtrack, but I hadn't heard much of the musical except for one key track: "What Do You Do With A B.A. in English?" As a degree-holder of a B.A. in English, it's a song that's near and dear to my heart.

Fast forward two years later, having already seen the show, and having memorized all the songs - of course I jumped at the opportunity to see it again in Los Angeles. Appropriately, I asked my friend Trevor to accompany me - a fellow holder of a B.A. in English.

Avenue Q can be succinctly described as "Sesame Street for Adults". Although there are cute puppets and monsters, it's not another day in Sesame Street. The musical touches on topics relevant to life after college, sexuality, and politically incorrect commentary.

But while a lot of Avenue Q is fun for fun sake, at the heart of the musical is a story that any adult can relate to - trying to find one self and making decisions and racking up mistakes along the way. Perhaps what adds to the humor of the show is that most - if not all - the audience has walked along (or is still walking on) their own Avenue Q, looking for their own sense of purpose and trying not to listen to the "Bad Idea Bears" that so often lead us astray with their "good idea at the time" logic.

Avenue Q doesn't prescribe to giving anyone definite answers to what purpose means, but it really does provide the opportunity to laugh at the journey to find it. Goodness knows, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with a B.A. in English!

Avenue Q is presented by Center Theatre Group and runs at the Ahmanson Theatre until October 14th.

-Charity Tran, ExperienceLA Web Coordinator