Arts Briefs: ‘Engine of Our Ruin’ extended at Victory Theatre Center
Summer of ‘Ruin’
The Victory Theatre Center’s world premiere production of political comedy “The Engine of Our Ruin” has been extended through July 17. The play by Jason Wells tells a story of “miscommunication in an unnamed Middle Eastern country” which “turns a sensitive trade negotiation into a humorous morass of misguided idealism, manipulation, and one-upmanship,” says Marquee’s Lynne Heffley.
With a cast that includes Brian Abraham and Ryan P. Shrime, the play is energized by fast-paced dialogue as a diplomatic mission goes comically bad. Politics has played a part in Wells’ other works, including “Men of Tortuga” and “Perfect Mendacity,” both of which debuted at Chicago’s esteemed Steppenwolf Theatre.
“The Engine of Our Ruin” is performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $24 to $34. The Victory Theatre Center is at 3326 W. Victory Blvd. in Burbank. More information at (818) 841-5422 and www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org.
Free Movies
The Old Pasadena Summer Cinema festival will present screenings of several classics, modern hits and kids movies in a series of public outdoor screenings, beginning July 8 at 8:30 p.m. with 1985’s “The Goonies” in the One Colorado Courtyard.
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On subsequent nights at the same location will be “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), Paul Newman’s “Cool Hand Luke” (1967), the Coen Brothers’ “Raising Arizona” (1987) and several others. At other locations will be screenings of horror classic “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” George Lucas’ “American Graffiti,” and director Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild,” among many others.
More information at www.oldpasadena.org/summercinema.
Back to ‘Curb’ and Burbank
HBO recently announced a new season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which will likely reteam star Larry David with his onscreen manager as played by Jeff Garlin. Until then, Garlin can also be seen on ABC’s sitcom “The Goldbergs” and will appear onstage this Saturday at Flappers in Burbank. Garlin is a frequent performer on the Flappers stage and Saturday is the second of a two-night run, with shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are $20, with a two item minimum.
Flappers is at 102 E. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. More information at flapperscomedy.com and (818) 845-9721.
‘Tennessee’ Without a Script
The Impro Theatre’s “Tennessee Williams Unscripted” is now playing at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, directed by Brian Lohmann.
The Impro theatre company creates full-length, completely improvised plays around various themes. In the past, the company has tackled the likes of Shakespeare, Chekhov and Jane Austen to hilarious results. With “Tennessee Williams Unscripted,” the group will dive into the Southern culture and particular qualities of the great playwright Tennessee Williams, author of “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” and “The Glass Menagerie,” among other Broadway classics.
The show continues through July 31. The Falcon Theatre is at 4252 Riverside Drive in Burbank. More information at (818) 955-8004 and falcontheatre.com.
Summer Camp Playhouse
“Panto Camp at the Playhouse” is a summer camp hosted by the Pasadena Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Productions, offering kids ages 8 to 13 a week of song, dance and improvisation. The interactive week has kids exploring modernized versions of Grimm fairy tales and other stories. The Panto Camp offers two separate sessions on July 18 through 23, and July 25 through 30.
The cost is $425 per child. More information at (626) 737-2867 and PantoCamp@pasadenaplayhouse.org.
Marquee staff