Contrary to popular belief, tragedies and comedies do not have to be separate dramatic entities. It only takes a glance at this weekend’s theater picks to see that not every play can be classified in specific genre boxes (OK, so it’s pretty pretty easy to deduce given the title of “The Comical Tragedy…”). Go ahead and blur the theater lines by checking out The Next Big Thing, The Comical Tragedy or the Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch, Marx in Soho, and Dupe!
The Next Big Thing - Show tunes either come in the variety of tacky, cheeseball Julie Andrews dancing through grassy fields or tongue-in-cheek campiness a la “Hairspray” and “Dreamgirls,” right? “The Next Big Thing” defies those expectations, however, by featuring a soundtrack of 1980s rock. The story of a teenager striving to write a song that transcends a one-hit wonder, this breezy play takes the liberty to play with 1980s conventions while addressing timeless themes of creating immortality through music.
July 19th - August 16th. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 8 P.M. One Sunday performance (July 20th): 3 P.M.
- Price: $25.00 (Buy Now)
- Art/Works Theatre
- 6569 Santa Monica Boulevard
- Hollywood, CA 90038 (Map)
- More info at: Plays411
The Comical Tragedy or the Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch - An adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s popular graphic novel, this is the play’s second run in Los Angeles. Featuring an all new cast, script reworkings, and set re-imagining, this new and improved edition captures the same dark, eerie, and imaginative vibe. Imagine Tim Burton and Frank Miller’s love child and here’s the product.
July 18th - August 31st (excluding August 8th-10th). Fridays: 8 P.M. Saturdays: 4 P.M. and 8 P.M. Sundays: 4 P.M.
- Price: $18.00 (student/senior), $25.00 (general) (Buy Now)
- Bootleg Theater
- 2220 Beverly Boulevard
- Los Angeles, CA 90057 (Map)
- More info at: Rogue Artists Ensemble
Marx in Soho - History buffs rejoice! In this absurd tragicomedy, Marx comes back from the dead only to arrive on Soho New York. Greeted by eager and accepting liberal thinkers, Marx justifies his role in history and the mark he has left upon political philosophy. While Communist history may not sound that interesting, there are fewer compelling historical figures than the father of one of the most controversial political movements. Besides, who doesn’t love a good resurrection from the dead or fish out of water story?
July 16th - July 20th. July 16th: 2:00 P.M. July 18th: 8:00 P.M. July 19th: 4:00 PM, 8:00 P.M. July 20th: 2:00 P.M., 6:00 P.M.
- Price: $20.00 (except the July 19th show: $35.00) (Buy Now)
- Electric Lodge
- 1416 Venice Avenue
- Venice, CA 90291 (Map)
- More info at: Electric Lodge
Dupe - A cat-and-mouse story taking place in Los Angeles (hooray for some LA pride, right?), “Dupe” follows the story of a rabid photographer out to find his idol: a rock star. If celebrity-chasing isn’t an LA-based phenomena, I’m not sure what is. A dark comedy, “Dupe” is sure to appeal to those skeptical of blind celebrity worship.
Through July 19th. Fridays & Saturdays: 8 P.M.
- Price: $14.50 ($10.00 for students with ID) (Buy Now)
- Two Roads Theatre
- 4348 Tujunga Avenue
- Studio City, CA 91604 (Map)
- More info at: Two Roads Theatre
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