The Naked Stage
The female version of “The Odd Couple,” by Neil Simon, is the next production of The Naked Stage Readers’ Theatre to be presented Friday to Sunday, July 28 to 30.
The play debuted on Broadway in 1965 and spurred a film, a TV series and even a cartoon version. Finally, Simon revamped the play for the female version in 1985.
In this much-loved comedy, two polar-opposite personalities become roommates, one a carefree slob, one an uptight neurotic; hilarity ensues.
The curtain goes up each day at 4 p.m. at the theater, located at Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar. Entrance is 100 pesos.
Collective exhibit
La Misma Mesa artist collective presents Estados de Conciencia (States of Consciousness) Friday, July 28, 7 p.m. at the Fabrica de Arte Chapala gallery and restaurant, located next to the Banamex offices in downtown Chapala.
This Guadalajara-based painters’ group are students of Consuela Velazquez.
Monologue Festival
The tenth Festival de Monólogos “Teatro a una Sola Voz” (Monologue Festival: Theater of a Single Voice) finishes up Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29 at the Auditorio de la Ribera, with performances at 7 p.m.
The titles of the final two presentations are “León, el bueno para nada” and “Zoológica.”
Although this event is mainly of interest to experienced Spanish speakers, learners of the language may also wish to try out their listening skills.
Norma Jean
Lakeside Little Theatre will present a special summer fundraiser production, “M.M. xx,” to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the death of Marilyn Monroe.
Her apparent suicide, like her life itself, continues to be a mystery, shrouded in rumor and political intrigue. If you’ve ever wondered what that last night might have been like, you won’t want to miss this one-woman show of that final evening, listening in as Marilyn remembers her triumphs and regrets, her many loves and her Faustian bargains for fame.
Written by British playwright David Lewis, and directed by Peggy Lord Chilton, “M.M. xx” features Candace Luciano as Monroe.
More than her doomed final act, the play also provides an intimate portrait of the life of the woman who was born ordinary Norma Jean Mortenson but died one of the world’s enduring icons.
LLT has added this special pre-season fundraising show to support the ongoing upgrading of the theater building and technical equipment.
Show dates are Friday, August 4 through Thursday, August 10. Saturday and Sunday will feature matinées at 3 p.m.; all other shows begin at 7:30 p.m. There is no show on Monday, August 7.
Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at LLT’s box office, 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday and Thursday and one hour before curtain. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 766 0954.
Janus Quartet
The classical Janus Quartet will perform at Haus de Musik (Constitucion 112, Ajijic) Friday, August 4, 7 p.m.
This recently formed string quartet was started by Chris Wilshere with the mission of placing chamber music within the reach of the public. The musicians are young Mexicans with a great passion and commitment to becoming professionals.
The Janus Quartet debuted in Guadalajara’s PALCCO performance hall in August 2016 and has already been invited to attend international festivals. The players are all members of the Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de Zapopan.
The quartet is comprised of Diana Laguna, violin; Francisco Vidal, violin; Luis Rincon Barrios, viola and Areli Medeles, cello.
The quartet will play Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1 in F, Op. 18, and Shostacovich’s String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op.110.
Tickets, 200 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, as well as This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 331-148-7493 (cel).
Oaxaca in Chapala
If you missed the spectacular Guelaguetza performances recently in Poncitlan, you still have a chance to see them in Chapala, Sunday, August 6, 6 p.m. in Chapala’s main plaza. Workshops on making kites, pinwheels and puppets are held July 27 through Monday, August 7, 5 p.m. on the plaza.
Naked Stage audition
Auditions for the Naked Stage Reader’s Theatre production of “Private Lives” will be held Wednesday, August 9, 10 a.m. at the theater, Hidalgo 261 in Ribera del Pilar. The play by Noel Coward will be directed by Fred Koesling.
Private Lives is a classic 1930 comedy of manners. It concerns a divorced couple who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetually stormy relationship, is it possible they still have feelings for each other? Noel Coward’s biographer, Philip Hoare, wrote, “For all his comic brilliance, Coward may have been one of the greatest tragedians of his time – one whose dark amusements still ring as clear as a chilled Martini today. That is the playwright’s greatest achievement – to make us laugh so much we forget to cry.”
Koesling is looking for two women and two men. Production dates are September 22-24.
Contact Koesling with questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.