18 Minutes of Fame
While searching for fame, Minkus found the more meaningful things in life.
December 16th - 18th
Written by Susan Morgenstern & Barbara Minkus
Directed by Susan Morganstern | Produced by Matt Aaron Krinsky & Diane Baroni
Join Broadway, film and television star Barbara Minkus as she shares an intimate show of personal moments, funny and poignant songs and her remarkable stories working with luminaries like Danny Kaye, Merv Griffin, Jerry Lewis and Charlotte Rae.
Featuring a variety of show-stopping songs, this one-woman, one-act, 75-minute multimedia musical (with live piano accompaniment) incorporates film, graphics, recordings, and photos to showcase Barbara’s exceptional journey of love, life, difficult decisions, family dynamics, and so much more.
"Minkus is brilliant at storytelling and wraps each segment of her life up with a song that will blow the roof off any theatre."
- The Tolucan Times
"Her incredible light shines brightly at every moment … she will live on in our hearts" - Broadway World
Running time: 75 minutes | Suitable For: all ages | Genre: Musical
Barbara Minkus began in show business in NYC in Julius Monk's review, "Bits and Pieces". She went on to receive rave reviews touring as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl" throughout the United States. She played Lucy in the original NY recording cast of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". On Broadway, Barbara starred in "The Education of Hyman Kaplan", directed by the great George Abbott.
On television, she was a regular for six seasons of "Love American Style", played Gittel the Witch in ABC’s "Curiosity Shop", and was the voice of Ms. Pacman in the ABC cartoon series, "Pacman". She made numerous television appearances over the years on "The Danny Kaye Show", "The Tonight Show", and made a record 20 appearances on "The Merv Griffin Show". Most recently, she guest-starred on HBO’s award-winning "Getting On".
After taking time out to raise her family, Barbara returned to theatre at The Santa Monica playhouse to appear in "Funny You Don't Look Like A Grandmother". She then brought "Picon Pie" to the Playhouse, playing Molly Picon, a role she helped research, and which she later reprised Off-Broadway. In L.A., she starred as Jennie Grossinger in the musical, "Saturday Night at Grossinger’s", directed by Susan Morgenstern, and went on to reprise the role with a Florida company.
Barbara presented "From This Moment On – Minkus Sings Porter" at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, and returned to AJU to present The Songs of Irving Berlin. Other musical theatre performances include Miss Lynch in "Grease" at the Muni Theatre in St. Louis, as well as Yente in "Fiddler on the Roof" at both the Muni and the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City. She starred in the LA and Off-Broadway Musical, "Don’t Leave It All to Your Children".
Last year, Barbara co-wrote and starred in "I’m Not Famous: A Musical Journey" with Barbara Minkus at the Santa Monica Playhouse for a 5-month run, which has been reworked and retitled: "18 Minutes of Fame: A Musical Journey with Barbara Minkus". She is very excited to be bringing the show to the Pico Playhouse in Los Angeles in the Fall of 2018, and then its New York debut in November 2018. Visit her at barbaraminkus.com
Winter Wishes: A Holiday Cabaret Theatre
Make Theatre West a part of your Holiday Celebration by joining us for Winter Wishes - A Holiday Cabaret Theatre. Featuring a talented cast of 15 singer-actors performing treasured songs and telling stories of holiday memories and wishes we will usher in this Magical Season of Joy and Light uplifting your spirits, making you laugh out loud and inspiring hope in your heart.
December 2 - 11
Friday-Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Written by: Various Artists
Directed by Victoria Lavan Liberty | Produced by Garry Kluger & Tessa Bell
With
Luis Anduaga • Amanda Boutaud • Harleigh Ford • Stella Grimaldi • Cody Kelepolo • Mimi Kmet
Robert W. Laur • Constance Mellors • Zoe Miner • Scottie Nevil • Alyssa Rupert • Michael Van Duzer
Musicians
Paul Cady • Bill von Ravensberg • Pete Snell • Jim Varley • Mara Wells
Stage Manager: David Mingrino | Musical Direction: Paul Cady | Writing Consultant: Tessa Bell | Lighting Design: Abbey Perez
Sound Design: David P. Johnson | Technical Supervisor: Malcolm Wilson | Publicity: Phil Sokoloff
Theatre West Managing Director: Eugene J. Hutchins
Victoria Lavan - Director
Victoria Lavan is a singer, actor, director, and award-winning teacher. Her performance career spans 30 years and includes regional opera, symphony, concert, music theatre, cabaret, and theatre credits. Her tribute to Barbara Cook “Glitter and Be Gay” ran for five weeks at the El Portal Theatre in LA and toured regionally. Victoria is Director of Vocal Health and Principal Voice Faculty at AMDA College of the Performing Arts. She has also served on the voice faculties of Ventura College, Pepperdine and UCLA. She maintains a private voice studio for professional performers in Los Angeles and online.
Paul Cady - Musical Direction
Paul Cady has musically directed numerous shows such as Avenue Q, That Lovin Feeling (Righteous Brothers musical), Wizard of Oz and Nightmare Before Christmas to name a few as well as Theatre Wests' Love Actually Cabaret plus local cabaret performances. An actor and singer as well, Paul has performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, played Al in A Chorus Line at Casa Manana in Fort Worth, Johnny Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, San Diego Starlight Theatre, Samuel in the national tour of The Pirates of Penzance and Captain John Smith in The Spirit of Pocahantas for Disneyland.
Luis Anduaga
Luis Anduaga - Luis is thrilled to perform in Theatre West. His favorite theater credits include: FAME, 9 to 5 The Musical, and Pajama Game. He
hopes you enjoy the show! Follow him on Instagram @luiscarlosanduaga.
Amanda Boutaud
A proud new member of Theatre West, Amanda Boutaud is a French-Brazilian artist and writer who was given the gift of a diverse cultural background. Her hope is to make room for more respectful and harmonious communication by helping those around her to open their hearts to themselves and to each other. Theatre: The Addams Family (5 Star Theatricals), Thadius Steed (Theatre West), The Polar Express™ Train Ride (Rail Events Inc.), Authenticity (Hollywood Fringe), Ghost (AMDA), Fame (AMDA). TV/Film: “Life in Four Seasons” (Zonia). amandaboutaud.com
Harleigh Ford
Harleigh grew up in the Bay Area and began performing at 8 years old. At 18, Harleigh was a semi-finalist for the popular show The Voice which sparked her drive to pursue singing professionally. After receiving her BFA in Musical Theater from AMDA College, she went on to star in Stephen Schartz’s show Magic To Do on Princess Cruises. Harleigh has also performed at venues such as 54Below in NY and Rockwell Table & Stage in LA. Some of her favorite roles include Maureen in RENT, Vivienne in Legally Blonde, and Eponine in Les Mis. Instagram: @harleighford
Stella Grimaldi
Stella Grimaldi is ecstatic to be making her Theatre West debut. She recently earned degrees in Theatre (BA) & Law, History, and Culture (BA) from the University of Southern California, where she performed in several plays and musicals. She also recently wrote and directed her first short film Pauline and Her Sadie, produced by Onyx Films. She’d like to thank her friends and family for their love and encouragement.
Cody Kelepolo
Cody is thrilled to perform here at Theatre West. He studied Music Theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, CA. His recent credits include The Who’s Tommy, Tommy/Narrator (Norris Theatre), The Bodyguard, Frank Farmer (AMDA), Aida, Radames (AMDA), Ghost The Musical, Sam Wheat (AMDA), and Fame, Nick Piazza (AMDA). Cody is represented by The Movement Talent Agency. He would like to thank the cast and crew
for all their hard work to keep everyone and their communities safe during this time. codykelepolo.com / IG: @cody_kelepolo
Mimi Kmet
Mimi Kmet most recently appeared in Bittersweet Oranges, a one-act play, during Theatre West’s WestFest 2022. Other Theatre West productions include the cabaret Love, Actually and two plays - My Trans Wife and Matriarch - which she co-wrote and wrote, respectively, and performed in. Among her other credits are short films, including Pinkberry: A Cautionary Tale and Tuesdays at 4, and various other cabarets.
Robert W. Laur
Robert W. Laur*, actor/singer, is a 23-year member of Theatre West. At TW, Robert was John in The Night Forlorn (Or Waitin’ On Godsford) and nominated as “Best Featured Actor in a Play” by the 2018 Valley Theatre Awards; Thadius Steed in Thadius Steed; Betty Garrett: Closet Songwriter; Singer/Musician in 40th Anniversary Spoon River Anthology - directed by Betty Garrett. Appeared as Old Soldier/Judge Roan in 3-D Theatricals 2013 LA Ovation-Award Best Musical Parade and its 2018 revival. For the U.S. State Department, Bob toured India/Sri Lanka as King Sextimus in Once Upon A Mattress. Other roles: FDR - Annie, Herr Schultz - Caberet, Older Man - And The World Goes ‘Round. On YouTube, Robert is Steven Spielberg in the award-winning short, Steven Spielberg And The Return To Film School. Happy Holidays!
*AEA/ SAG-AFTRA
Constance Mellors
Sandy Meisner at The Neighborhood Playhouse also Stella Adler and Tracey Roberts. Off Broadway / LaMaMa / Paris Espace Cardin / Company Theatre / Theatre West. Shout out to Victoria Lavan for her inspiration and knowledge!
Zoe Miner
Zoe Miner (recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University. Originally from a little bit north of San Francisco, she moved to LA when she was 10 years old to pursue acting. She has a couple of national commercials and an episode of Care Bears under her belt. She also dabbles in singing, song writing, and some screenwriting. She enjoys doing work at coffee shops, hanging out with her three year old brother, and playing the guitar. She joined Theater West in the winter of 2021.
Scottie Nevil
Scottie is thrilled to be making her post-grad debut on the TW stage. Before receiving her BA in Theatre from UCLA, Scottie appeared in a 2012 staged reading of In the Summer House at Theatre West. She has also worked with Lainie Kazan, the Cal Phil Corale, & stage managed/assistant directed the student developed Devised Puppetry Project exploring the art of puppetry through inanimate objects, shadowplay, and newspaper. IG: @scottieforshort
Alyssa Rupert
Alyssa Rupert is a singer/actress with extensive vocal training in many genres. She graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA College. Recent credits: Lead Vocalist (AIDA Cruises), Skullduggery (Sacred Fools), Invisible (54 Below NY/Director: Marc Kudisch), Spitfire Grill (Theatre Palisades). Favorite credits include providing background vocals for Kristin Chenoweth & the LA Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl & singing/appearing in YouTube’s Dear Class of 2020 Music Video with artist Shawn Mendes & choreographer Mandy Moore. Alyssa has performed as a professional caroler with Good Time Productions at Disney’s exclusive Club 33.
Michael Van Duzer
Michael Van Duzer: Performance: Bring Back Romance, Hands Beneath the Table, Our Man in Santiago Theatre West and Off-Broadway productions (Robby & Scenie Awards). Playwright/Director: Hopeful Romantic, Recalled to Life, and Posing Strap Pirates. Director: In On It, As You Like It, Lisbon Traviata, Double Dealer, Edward II, Golden Apple (MTG). Concert productions of Carmen, Boheme, Cenerentola and Lucia/Fille du Regiment (Opera Buffs), Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Man Who Saved Everything, and numerous WestFest shows (Theatre West).
Garry Kluger - Producer
Tessa Bell - Producer
Tessa Bell began her career at CBS Sixty Minutes and the CBS Evening News. She created the FYI Column for Premiere Magazine, and for many years was the President of Infinity Films & Video Inc. Since moving to LA in 2008, Tessa has produced three WIF International Short Film Festivals, Bipolar, a feature film by Jean Veber and the multiple award-winning family drama Life Inside Out, directed by Jill D’Agnenica as well as countless PSA’s for the WIF PSA Production Program. She is currently in development on Nice Trick a dramady to remind us of the magic in our lives. Her screenplay The Legend, based on the myth of the first female Pope, has recently won three awards for Best Screenplay, including Best Screenplay at the Firenze Film Festival. Tessa is a founding member of GreenLight Women whose mission is to champion professional women over the age of forty and promote diverse perspectives in media.
Producer/Writer Wild Flower Films LLC
Abbey Perez - Lighting Design
Abbey Perez (she/hers) has also designed lights for Victoria Lavan's 2021 Valentines' Day show Love, Actually, and Theatre West's Solo Show festival, Solopalooza. She works as a Production Assistant (i.e. "Dedicated Coffee and Errand Person") and is currently submitting her first feature film to festivals for the 2023 season.
Jim Varley- Drummer
Has worked with Seals and Crofts, Jose Feliciano, Kim Carnes, Neil Sedaka and the Sanford Townsend Band. Based in LA he also performed in Love Actually at Theatre West.
Pete Snell – Guitar
Has played with Lyle Lovett, Annie Lennox (Eurythmics), Macy Gray, Ricky Lee Jones, and many others. His project, In Vitro, was signed to Capitol Records and is now recording and playing locally in the L.A. area.
Bill von Ravensberg – Bass
Has toured and recorded with Andy Williams, Jennifer Warnes, Tom Jones and Neil Sedaka, among others. Based in LA he also performed in Love Actually at Theatre West.
Mara Wells – Harmonica
Is an established performer and session player in the Los Angeles area specializing in chromatic and diatonic harmonicas. Having also performed in Love Actually at Theatre West she is excited to bring color and emotional context to the music of Winter Wishes.
Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground
READ OUR RAVE REVIEWS!!!
"EISENHOWER showcases a tour-de-force performance
by the talented John Rubinstein."
-- LA Splash
"It is a historic masterpiece from playwright Richard Hellesen."
-- Entertainment Today
"The actor’s energy and passion never wane
under the unobtrusive, smooth direction of Peter Ellenstein."
-- Stage Raw
"Theatre West is the oldest extant venue in Los Angeles
and has yet again revealed its high standards in this play."
-- Curtain Up
Tony Award Winner in a World Premiere about our 34th President!
A new play starring Tony-Winner John Rubinstein in a one-person play about Dwight D. Eisenhower, President, War Hero, Philosopher. His leadership rebuilding Europe and waging peace in the Cold War offers unique and informative perspectives on the troubles facing America and the world today.
Previews: October 23 & 27
Opens: October 28 - November 20, 2022
Friday-Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Post-Show Discussions with the Director and Star after the November 4th, 12th, 13th, and 18th shows.
ASL Interpreted show on November 11th.
Written by: Richard Hellesen
Directed and Produced by: Peter Ellenstein
With
John Rubinstein as Eisenhower
Set Concept: Pierre Vuilleumier and Alicia Maccarone | Set Realization: Ernest McDaniel | Costume Design: Doug Spesert | Lighting Design: Esquire Jauchem
Projection Design: Joe Huppert | Technical Supervisor: Malcolm Wilson | Publicity: Sandra Kuker and Phil Sokoloff
Theatre West Managing Director: Eugene J. Hutchins
Little Red Riding Hood
A Fun and Interactive Musical
Our award-winning musical retelling of the beloved fairy tale, a sneaky wolf intercepts Little Red Riding Hood in the woods and tries to pull a fast one on her grandma, only to discover that Little Red and Grandma have a big surprise in store for him! Not too scary, not too dark, it’s just right for ages 3-9. There’s humor, songs and lots of audience interaction that make this show great fun for the whole family. If you’ve got little ones, you won’t want to miss this production from the company Los Angeles Magazine called the "best in the City for the squirmy set."
October 29, 2022 - January 28, 2023
Saturdays at 1pm
*Spanish Language Shows on Saturdays, Nov 19, Dec 17, and Jan 21 at 11am
**ASL Interpreted Show Jan 14 at 1pm
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lloyd J. Schwartz
Directed and Produced by Barbara Mallory
Set Design: Ashley Taylor | Costume Design: Mylette Nora | Publicity: Phil Sokoloff
Theatre West Managing Director: Eugene J. Hutchins
Official Media Sponsor
WestFest 2022
For the first time since 2019, WestFest returns to the Theatre West stage. These past three years we’ve missed you, our audience, and finally, we can once again invite you to join our actors, writers, directors, and visual artists for an evening of theatre that will bring tears to your eyes and stir laughter in your heart. We welcome you back to WestFest!
October 7 - 16, 2022
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm
Week One - October 7-8 at 8pm | October 9 at 2pm
This Almost Joy
Written by Barbara Lindsay | Directed by Donald Moore
That place of being almost, almost, any moment now, almost, but not quite....
With
Jeanine Anderson ● Bonnie Kalisher ● Richard Reich ● Bill Sehres
~
The Dead Comedian
Written & Directed by Lloyd J. Schwartz
Dead comedians get the best laughs.
With
Cecil Jennings
~
150 Years Of Walking
Written by David Lee Lindsey | Directed by Veronica Thompson
The more things change, the more they remain the same; can the cycle be broken?
With
Daphne Jones ● Aron Cobbs ● Aneisha Hughes ● Joe Nassi ● Jarrol Taylor
~
A Perfect Evening
Written & Directed by Clara Rodriguez
Sometimes it’s hard to find love, even in a fancy French restaurant.
With
Philip Sokoloff, Seemah Wilder Idelson, Ari Wojciech, and Sara Ballentine
~
Starry Night
Written and Directed by Clara Rodriguez
Camping can be dangerous in a lot of different ways
With
Zoe Echo ● Cecil Jennings ● Paige Pedersen
~
NEIGHBORS
Written and Directed by Arden Teresa Lewis
Feuding neighbors find an incongruous bond when a difficult teenager runs away.
With
Heidi Appe ● Alan Schack
Week Two October 14-15 at 8pm | October 16 at 2pm
Bittersweet Oranges
Written by Marc Littman | Directed by Rick Simone
What happens when a long simmering dark family secret boils over?
With
Mimi Kmet ● Ernest McDaniel ● Cecil Jennings ● Amelia Vargas
~
Strangers In A Lost Land
Written & Directed by Cecil Jennings
On a desert island, two survivors of a ship wreck have a stranger encounter
WIth
Amelia Vargas ● Tessa Nesbet ● Charles Smith
~
Just Like That
Written and Directed by James A. Goins
Complex issues come to surface as political and racial tensions pull apart the hearts and minds of a young married interracial couple
With
Cynthia Vassor ● Ari Wojciech
~
Spider Wars
Written & Directed by Donald Moore
Oh, what a tangled bed we leave....
With
Rick Simone ● Ashley Taylor
~
Death And Cold Cuts
Written by Garry Michael Kluger | Directed by Arden Teresa Lewis
They say that "love is a many-splendored thing." Wanna bet?