“tick, tick… BOOM!” Begins Pierson Playhouse Run

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Theatre Palisades celebrated the four shows of its 2023-24 season during the annual meeting and awards show on Sunday, August 11, while its latest show—“tick, tick… BOOM!”—opened soon after on the evening of Friday September 6.

During the meeting portion of the evening on August 11, Theatre Palisades President Phil Bartolf reported that the theater is in a “renaissance,” that the prior season “surpassed expectations” with “solid audience” attendance.

The Board of Directors Election Results were announced by Hahnah Jackson, with Bartolf continuing as president, Nona Hale as VP of administration, Cynthia Wright-Banks as VP of building operations/acting treasurer, Sherman Wayne as VP of production and Rich Little as secretary.

When it comes to the awards, four shows that made up the season were up for recognition: “The Andrews Brothers,” “Towards Zero,” “Beau Jest” and “A View from the Bridge.”

The awards, hosted by Martha Hunter, Bartolf and Manfred Hofer, began with an opening number by Doug Green and Alexandra Banks, in which Green rewrites songs with lyrics about each of the shows to serve as a refresher for audience members. The program was also peppered with scenes and songs from the shows that make up the next season, which was announced by Hofer and includes “Jest A Second!” “The Wisdom of Eve,” “Deathtrap” and “Suite Surrender.”

For the Graphic Design award, Joanne Reich won for “A View from the Bridge,” while Wayne won the Set and Lighting Design awards and Susan Stangl won Sound Design for their work on “Towards Zero.”

Hunter, Maria O’Connor and Jackson won the Costume Design award for “The Andrews Brothers.” Cate Caplin was awarded Direction, while Hunter and Wayne were awarded Production, all for “A View from the Bridge.”

When it comes to acting, Jeff Coppage won Lead Actor for “Beau Jest,” while Tasha Taylor won Lead Actress for “The Andrews Brothers.”

Coppage took the stage to say he’s “never been so grateful” in his life, while Taylor noted that hers was a “dream role” with a “dream cast.”

Jason Culp won Featured Actor for “A View from the Bridge,” and Laura Goldstein won Featured Actress for “Beau Jest.”

Supporting Actor went to Andrew Chase for “A View from the Bridge,” and Supporting Actress went to O’Connor for “Towards Zero.” Joshua Farrell won Cameo Actor for his role in “A View from the Bridge.”

“tick, tick… BOOM!”

For those interested in supporting Theatre Palisades’ next season, “tick, tick… BOOM!” opened on September 6, with performances scheduled to run through October 13.

Written by Jonathan Larson (who also wrote “Rent”), the show is a “three-chapter pop rock musical about facing the crossroads in life and holding on to your dreams,” which was first produced Off-Broadway in 2001.

“It tells the story of young Jonathan, a promising young composer on the eve of his 30th birthday,” read a synopsis provided by Theatre Palisades. “His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city (tick); his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue (tick); and he’s still waiting tables and trying to write the great American musical before time; and life, passes him by (Boom!).”

Directed by Lindsey Johnson, with musical director Alexander Tovar and producers Hunter and Laura Goldstein, the cast is led by Destin Bass (Jon), with Anthony Galang in the role of his best friend (Michael) and Bimei Flores as his girlfriend (Susan). Multiple roles are taken on by Charlotte Nevins (Karessa and Female #1), Katherine Rogers (Female #2) and Ian Riegler (Male #1), who pop in and out of Jonathan’s scenes as needed.

As far as a review of the show, Bass is an absolute powerhouse in the lead role, captivating the audience with his talent—which includes diving into the neurotic brain of the author in a semiautobiographical story. His energy is overflowing, which is just what the role requires.

Flores and Nevins are also dynamic in the musical—especially during a poignant rendition of “Come to Your Senses.”

Throughout the performance, each actor shines in their respective role, but when they come together for the bigger musical numbers, their voices meld together in a way that demands to be heard and appreciated. The casting for the show is A-plus work.

The show itself is an ever-green topic in terms of relatability—as most people feel an extra layer of pressure when a big birthday or anniversary looms near. The relatability of the choice added to the enjoyment of the performance, with lyrics reflecting sentiments most people have felt.

“This play it not just about a man turning 30,” Johnson wrote in the Director’s Notes. “It’s about life. It’s about artistry. It’s about relationships. It’s about wanting to leave a legacy and how desiring that so desperately can leave a path of destruction in our wake. Is it still worth it?”

Performances will take place at Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. as well as Sundays at 2 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org.

The Alternate Application Process is Now Underway Through October 6

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Palisades Community Council has announced its newly elected area and at-large representatives, while the alternate application process is now underway.

Following a two-week voting period that ended August 30, JoAnna Rodriguez will represent Area One, Steve Cron for Area Two, Julia Nilsen for Area Three, Karen Ridgley for Area Four, Kimberly Bloom for Area Five, Lorie Cudzil for Area Six, Sharon Kilbride for Area Seven, Andrew Wolfberg for Area Eight and Chris Spitz as at-large.

There were two contested seats: Area Three (with candidates Joe Layton and Nilsen) and Area Six (Cudzil and David Schwarz). All candidates—contested or not—participated in a Candidates Forum on Thursday evening, August 8, at Palisades Branch Library.

“I feel so blessed and honored to have been elected to represent Pacific Palisades and Marquez Knolls where I’ve lived and raised my kids for over 20 years,” Nilsen wrote to the Palisadian-Post after the election results. “It’s my passion that this same small town within the city of Los Angeles continues to be the ideal place for children to go to school and enjoy the parks and community without fear, where seniors feel treasured, and where just about anyone can be in the annual Fourth of July parade.”

Cudzil has lived in the Palisades for 12 years, nine in the area.

“I am honored to have been elected to be the Area Six representative for the PPCC,” Cudzil said. “I am looking forward to working with a great team of fellow Palisadians who want to keep our community a beautiful and safe place to live.”

All of the area and at-large representatives will serve a two-year term, which begins in October.

“The Election Committee will present its formal report on the election results at the September 12 PPCC meeting,” PPCC wrote alongside the results. “We thank all the candidates who participated in the election, the Election Committee who oversaw the election, and all the constituents and residents who took part in voting.”

Those who are interested in serving as alternates to the representatives are encouraged to apply by Sunday, October 6, at 5 p.m.

“The primary representatives are elected by the community, while the alternate representatives must apply and are elected by the board,” according to PPCC. “Up to two alternate representatives (1st and 2nd alternates) will be chosen for each seat.”

The alternates are encouraged to attend PPCC meetings and to participate in discussions about issues. They will not vote on PPCC matters, unless the primary representative is absent.

“Applicants for alternate area representative must live within the specified boundaries of the area for which they are applying,” PPCC wrote. “Applicants for alternate at-large representative must either live, own property or operate a business within Pacific Palisades.”

Those who are interested in applying can submit a statement of any length, indicating for which position they are applying (area or at-large, 1st or 2nd alternate—or both).

“The statement of each area alternate applicant shall include the number of years residing in Pacific Palisades, the number of years as a resident of the area and the number of years at the current address,” PPCC detailed. “The statement of each at-large alternate applicant shall include the number of years residing in Pacific Palisades or running a business or owning property in Pacific Palisades, and the applicant’s current residence, business or property address. All applicants’ statements shall include the position on issues the applicant believes are of importance to the community or the applicant’s area. The statement may also include a few biographical facts, including any skills that the applicant would bring to PPCC.”

Candidates will then be reviewed and nominated by the Three Chairs Committee, which consists of three former PPCC chairs. Applications can be sent to info@pacpalicc.org.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Though fall is just a few weeks away, Pacific Palisades saw its highest temperatures of the year so far during a recent heatwave, which began on Wednesday, September 4, and extended to Tuesday, September 10.

“The Huntington Palisades saw a high temperature reading on September 6 of 95 degrees,” reported Craig Weston, who tracks weather from the neighborhood. “On September 9, some areas of the [Alphabet] Streets saw 98-degree readings.”

These readings surpassed the Palisades’ previous high for the year, which was 82 degrees on January 28. Since 2014, the highest temperature recorded in the Palisades by Weston was 107 degrees on July 6, 2018.

On September 6, areas of Northridge, North Hills and Sherman Oaks saw temperature readings of 117 degrees.

“Downtown Los Angeles recorded a temperature of 112 degrees, which marks only the third time since July 1, 1877, that a high of 112 or more has been reached there,” Weston explained. “Long Beach Airport tied a record of four consecutive days of high temperatures of 100 degrees or hotter.”

Los Angeles County Health Officers issued excessive heat warnings, including for West and East Santa Monica Mountains, for September 4 through September 10 at 8 p.m. Los Angeles County Beaches and Malibu Coast had excessive heat warnings in place from September 5 to September 9.

A number of power outages were reported by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, with 164 customers in the Palisades affected as the Palisadian-Post went to print Tuesday evening.

“High pressure over the California desert region, coupled with an offshore flow to keep the marine layer at bay, is creating conditions for temperatures to be as much as 25 degrees above normal,” Weston wrote at the start of the heatwave.

Sports across Southern California were rescheduled or moved to the early morning hours or later in the evening due to the high temperatures, Weston explained, including the Charter Bowl between Palisades Charter High School and Granada Hills, which was moved to Stadium by the Sea from the San Fernando Valley for the cooler temperatures.

“As the week progresses, the heatwave should dissipate greatly,” Weston wrote.

As the Post went to print, highs for the rest of the week were expected to be in the mid 70s, reaching 74 degrees on Thursday, September 12; 75 on Friday, September 13; 75 on Saturday, September 14; and 74 on Sunday, September 15.