PLAYTIME!
Last year, Malibu’s Stacy Keach delighted us with a spot on portrayal of disgraced ex-president Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon.” This year, another legendary local is taking the stage at the Music Center. Veteran actor Martin Sheen is starring at the Mark Taper Forum in “The Subject Was Roses.”
Frank Gilroy’s play tells the story of a young man’s return home after World War II and one family’s quest to reconnect.
“It’s about his family,” Center Theater Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie said. “But it is essentially every family and every relationship. The words that Gilroy wrote are beautiful, but it’s the words that are unspoken that make this a great play.”
Sheen is no stranger to the material. He starred as the son in the original Broadway production. Now, almost 50 years later, he is playing the father.
“Martin’s a remarkable actor and it’s exciting he wanted to come back to the stage,” director Neil Pepe said. “Because of his history with the play, it’s been interesting to hear the stories about the original production and re-looking at it now.”
The original version of the play won a Pulitzer Prize and earned Sheen a Tony Award nomination back in 1964.
For Pepe, it’s been an extraordinary experience. “It’s always amazing working with great actors, but to work with someone who has such a deep history with the play makes it even richer,” he said.
So if you want to catch one of our great actors in action, head over to the Music Center where it’s easy to stop and smell the roses. “The Subject Was Roses” runs through March 21.
STING SINGS!
Another local resident is about to take the stage like you’ve probably never seen or heard him before. Look for Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting, to belt it out at the Hollywood Bowl this spring.
The last time the rock vet played that venue was back in the day with his old group, “The Police.”
Yes, he will be backed by musicians, but instead of a few guys he’ll have a full symphony orchestra.
Sting and London’s 45-member Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will perform symphonic arrangements of Sting hits and Police pleasers like “Fields of Gold” and “Roxanne.”
SONG AND DANCE AT SARDI’S
They’ve been singing and dancing up a storm for 17 years, raising $17 million along the way. Next week at the Beverly Hilton, they’ll be getting in tune once more. It’s all part of the annual “A Night at Sardi’s” to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Eric McCormack and David Hyde Pierce will join Samantha Harris, James Burrows and Peter Grand for a grand night of Broadway music. They’ll perform selections from longtime favorites like “Chicago,” “Cabaret,” “Funny Lady” and “New York, New York.” It’s a big night of Broadway fun, so let’s go on with the show.
Got a hot happening or cool event? Send the 411 to kimdevore@malibutimes.com.