BINGE FREE FESTIVAL, the month-long theater festival of FREE shows at Santa Monica Playhouse, returns for a Tenth Anniversary Season this October. Following extensive repair and renovation to their Main Stage due to a flooding incident, the festival also unveils the re-opening of the refurbished Main Stage.
Santa Monica Playhouse has been a cultural treasure in the seaside community for 65 years. Now, the Playhouse is giving love back through Santa Monica’s ONLY fringe festival. The tenth season of the BINGE FREE FESTIVAL will feature five weeks of free performances, workshops, and music and primarily focus on Santa Monica and Los Angeles-based artists. But there will be exciting artists from near and far on view as well.
Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. This is just south of Wilshire. There is a municipal parking facility across the street.
All events are FREE, but reservations are REQUIRED.
Some events are family-friendly (See the descriptions below). There will be something for everyone.
To reserve your FREE tickets for an event go to: https://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com
The BINGE FREE FESTIVAL will run from October 14 through November 16.
Binge Free Festival is presented through generous grants from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the We Are Santa Monica Fund, and Playhouse PALS.
The roster of BINGE FREE FESTIVAL shows follows:
Tues, Oct 14 OPENING NIGHT
7:30pm How to Live Like a Millionaire, When You’re a Million Short, 60 min, 18+
Written & Performed by Marilyn Anderson
In her breezy, humorous style, bestselling author, comedienne, and film & TV writer, Marilyn Anderson provides tons of money-saving tips on how to SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS on entertainment, travel, shopping, fashion, health, beauty, home décor and more. The most popular BINGE FREE FESTIVAL event 10 years in a row! Seats fill up fast and her tips and advice are more important now than ever. Her book, on which the show is based, is an Amazon Bestseller – it was featured in Forbes and USA Weekly and was awarded Best Book on Saving Money & Living Well of the Year. Marilyn’s TV credits include Murphy Brown, FAME, Sherman Oaks, Friday the 13th – the Series, and Carol & Company, starring Carol Burnett.
Post show Opening Night Wine & Refreshments Reception with the artist
Wed, Oct 15
7:00pm Dream Role, 60 min, 16+
Written, Performed & Produced by Carmen Scott; Directed & Produced by Jen West
A dynamic blend of intimate storytelling and character portrayals based on the life of Carmen Scott, featuring various personas, personal revelations, and reflections on inspirational teachers and historical figures like Florence Scovel Shinn and Belle Starr. Carmen shares her journey, including her days as a party girl bartender to a car salesperson in Texas, detailing her relatable (and unrelatable) struggles and triumphs .It’s a heartfelt exploration of Carmen’s life, dreams, and the transformative power of theatre and creative expression. Dream Role is about the stories we tell and the roles we play, living in your purpose, forgiving your f*&ckups, and reclaiming the ability to write our own story.
Post-show Q&A with the artist.
Thurs, Oct 16
7:30pm STAGE MAMMA; From Child Star to Leading Lady, 60 min, 16+
Written, Performed & Produced by Rheagan Wallace; Directed & Developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, with Heather Dowling, solo character coach
“A virtuosic solo performance!” DoLA. In STAGE MAMMA: From Child Star to Leading Lady, award-winning actor Rheagan Wallace shares her extraordinary life with raw honesty, poignant reflection, and unexpected humor. Hailed as “a perfection of solo presentation” (Tracey Paleo, GiaOnTheMove.com) and “on her way to becoming a household name” (Amalisha HuEck, Discover Hollywood), this captivating solo show traces her journey from a small Texas town to the high-stakes world of LA, all under the relentless guidance of her unforgettable mother: a true “Stage Mamma.” Wallace brings to life a vivid cast of characters in a virtuosic performance that fuses storytelling, sharp insight, and real home videos into a dynamic multimedia experience. At its core, STAGE MAMMA is a celebration of survival and self-discovery, and a heartfelt tribute to the mother-daughter bond that fueled a remarkable journey.
Post show Q&A with the artist.
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Fri, Oct 17, PUBLIC WORKSHOP
7:30pm Secrets & Safety: A Creative Sharing Guide for Writer-Performers, 60 min, 21+
Presented by Pina, Writer/Performer of Mafia Anonymous: The Women Speak
Do you carry a family secret? Or another kind of secret? A secret you might want to share in a solo show, a book, or a play? A secret that, if shared, could harm someone or violate their privacy? I’m a professional secret keeper. My day job ( shall remain anonymous).
We will explore SAFE, LOVING ways to share secrets on stage and beyond. You’ll be introduced to a practical tool that helps you gauge the emotional intensity and potential impact of your story before sharing it publicly or creatively. Creating a solo show can be deeply therapeutic but the stage is not therapy. One of my goals today is to help you build discernment—to know what to share, when, and how-with care, clarity, and Love Boundaries intact. All bodies, all ages, all abilities welcome. Recommended for those seeking new, honest ways to stay connected to family lineage, themselves, and evolving identity.
Sat, Oct 18
1:00pm Atypical Grace, 70 min, 12+
Written & Performed by Maria Fagan Hassani, , Director, Developer & Character Coach Heather Dowling; Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson; Acting Coach Christinna Chauncey
Marilynn runs a weekly support group for parents of children struggling with learning disabilities. These parents are as diverse as their children’s needs, but Marilynn continually seeks to meet them with empathy, while also exploring her own journey with forgiveness and breaking generational patterns. The parent group explores challenges related to ADHD, math, reading, and other learning disabilities. The parents rediscover that parenting doesn’t stop at the classroom door; it’s a never-ending job that’s best done with a healthy dose of forgiveness. Watch their trials, tribulations, and joys of raising children with so many needs unfold. This show is not autobiographical, but rather an amalgamation of the many years spent in private practice working with children who struggle with the learning process, as well as supporting their families.
Post show Q&A with Ms. Hassani
4:00pm MAFIA: The Women Speak, 60 min, 21+
Written & Performed by PINA – Fiction Based on Truth
Nella leads a women’s Mafia Anonymous group — a place where secrets unravel and stories are finally spoken. Rumors have long circulated that Nella’s father did business with the Mafia. She’s here to set the record straight… or is she? This one-woman show brings to life the voices of many, as Pina channels the raw, untold stories of women entangled in the shadows of organized crime — with humor, grit, and heart.
NO LATE SEATING
Sun, Oct 19
1:00pm The Hairdresser…your therapy session or mine?, 55 min, 16+
Written & Performed by Lauri Fraser, Directed by Jane Morris
Lauri Fraser has been doing hair for a few decades. As a raconteur, she improvises a haircut, weaving stories and a conversation with her special guest client. Who’s therapy session is it? The mirror reveals more than just the haircut.
Post show Refreshments Reception with the artist
Tues, Oct 21
7:30pm A Crack in Everything, 75 min, 13+
Written by Cynthia Spierer; Directed by Eric Scott Golovan; Associate Producer Suzanne Bressler Zoltan.
“There is a crack in everything – that’s how the light gets in.” When a hole appears between two apartments, so does the possibility of connection. Chaya, a young religious Jew, finds herself unexpectedly drawn to her neighbor, Marshall. But as secrets come to light, she must confront the boundaries of identity, love, and forgiveness in a world where intolerance lives next door. This moving ensemble piece is a tense and tender romantic drama about the cost of seeing someone clearly through a fractured wall.
Post show Q&A with the artists
Thurs, Oct 23
7:30pm Wise Ass Women from the Westside, 60 min, 16+
An evening of comedic storytelling featuring Pattie Fitzgerald, Wendy Hammers, and Susan Landon
Three wise (ass) women from the westside of LA share their wit and wisdom in comedic monologues, stand up bits, and stories. This 60-minute show will make you laugh a lot, cry maybe a little, and be grateful you are alive. Learn more about these artists and this show here: tastywords.com
Fri, Oct 24, A BFF MUSICAL SELECTION
7:30pm Trust Me, I’m From Essex, 60 min, 14+
Written & Performed by Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett; Directed by Lindsay Perry; Music by Aaron Wilson
“Lindsay is superb” Theatre and Arts Review. You can take the girl out of Essex – but can you take Essex out of the girl? A new, hard-hitting yet hopeful solo musical about following your dreams – no matter how unlikely they may seem. When Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett was growing up in Southend-on-Sea, sharing a home with her abusive bipolar father and drug addict brother, her dreams of escaping the stereotypical Essex girl’s fate consisted of (a) marrying Prince William, and (b) running away to the magical city of Los Angeles. But Prince William started losing his hair and besides, what’s the point of swapping one dysfunctional family for another? Which leaves the other option…
Post show Refreshments Reception with the artist
Sat, Oct 25
1:00pm Will Power Shakespeare Hour, length 60, all ages
2:15-3:15 Will Power workshop (come for the show, stay for the workshop; or just see the show; or just do the workshop!)
Written & Performed by The California Shakespeare Company
Join the ensemble players of The California Shakespeare Company as they perform scenes, sonnets and soliloquies from the greatest plays by the world-famous Bard. All ages are invited, especially students, teachers and anyone who enjoys great theatre and great literature. Since 1991, The California Shakespeare company has presented skilled actors on intimate stages throughout California, relying on the power of Shakespeare’s wonderful words.
NO LATE SEATING
4:30pm I’m Not Here Right Now, 50 min, 16+
Written, Performed & Produced by Becca Beberaggi
A one-woman show about every day job Becca Beberaggi has ever had—how she landed them, faked her way through them, lost them, and how one of them sent her into a full-blown manic episode. A millennial and middle child with a gift for dry, comedic storytelling, Becca takes you behind the scenes of her greatest hustle: tricking the system into hiring her. From pretending to be an analyst at Oscar Insurance to working for a shady casting director who sent her a cease and desist over a Facebook status (that everyone agreed with… allegedly), Becca lays it all out—raw, ridiculous, and completely unfiltered. You’ll leave this show laughing, feeling seen—and if you’re a terrible boss, probably squirming.
Sun, Oct 26
1:00pm John Huston: The Stuff that Dreams Are Made Of, 75 min, Rating
Written & Performed by Phil Stewart; Directed by Paul Linke; Produced by Leslie Stewart
John Huston, the legendary director, writer, gambler and hunter will share some of his most memorable moments. The events surrounding such films as The Maltese Falcon, Treasure of Sierra Madre, The African Queen along with The Misfits and many others. You will hear first-hand accounts of his victories and failures. The women he loved and lost through his reckless behavior. His relationships with Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Carson McCullers, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Eugene O’Neill, studio heads and rogue Mexican Generals, all contributing to the mythology of John Huston.
Post show Q&A with the artist
Tues, Oct 28
7:30pm FREE BRICKS, 70 min, 18+
Written & Performed by Sonja Marie; Directed by Ernie Silva
A brutally honest “sketch” that highlights the tale of our main character “Bricks.” An emotionally exhausted and burdened individual on a quest for self-acknowledgement and purpose. As she unravels her own personal hurdles, she decides to join the rest of the population of the Black women who are disappearing due to their Ancestors rescuing them off the planet.
Post show Q&A with the artist
Wed, Oct 29
7:30pm Earth, Wind & Car Fire, 60 min, 12+
Written & Performed by Janora McDuffie; Directed by Joseph Megel; Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson
A celebration of contradictions—queer and Southern, spiritual and sensual—and the courage it takes to be fully seen. This storytelling adventure follows Janora McDuffie’s journey through love, race, and sexuality. Told with humor, heart and a whole lot of soul, this coming-of-truth tale is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, tender confessions, and joyful revelations. Come for the storytelling, stay for the music, and leave with an experience that lingers long after the final bow.
Post show Refreshments Reception with the artist
Thurs, Oct 30
7:30pm The Advocate, 90 min, 18+
Written, Directed & Produced by Zach Ring; Performed by Rob Nagle, William Duffy Reina Guthrie, Clarissa Park, Hilary Kang Oglesby
Barney “Rose” Rosenfeld is a down and out commercial actor; he is most well known as the face of the disgraced life insurance company, Abaddon Insurance. Following a class action lawsuit against Abaddon in 2020, Barney is unable to find work. Barney catches his lucky break when an old friend – a producer named Tucker Griswold – comes to him with an opportunity: a multi-billion-dollar real estate developer from China – Lillian Yi – wants to break into the entertainment industry. She needs a script reader; Tucker needs an advocate who will push the projects he wants to secure funding for. Though Barney is severely dyslexic, Tucker passes him off as an expert, claiming that the analysis of an unpaid, 17-year-old genius – Addison Behr – is Barney’s doing. When Addison catches onto the ruse, Barney and Tucker are forced into a corner; a corner with potentially violent consequences.
Fri, Oct 31, AN ALL-AGES HALLOWEEN SPECIAL EVENT
5:00pm Absolutely Halloween, 60 min, all ages
Written & Directed by Chris DeCarlo & Evelyn Rudie; Performed by Isabel Lindley, J.T. Melaragno, Cydne Moore, Joseph Perez, Charlotte Robinson, Graham Silbert, Megan Wright
“An absolute family treat!” The Tolucan Times. Audiences 2 to 102 have fun saving Halloween as they take a musical comedy journey with a bevy of delightful characters, learning super lessons about life, love, laughter and sugar along the way. Featuring internationally acclaimed Actors’ Repertory Theatre. Now in its 19th sell-out year. It’s Around Town’s “Favorite Pick!” It’ll be yours, too!
Post show Photo Opps & Halloween Nibbles Reception with the cast
Sat, Nov 1, A FAMILY THEATRE SELECTION
1:00pm Jane and the Magic Album, 60 min, 3+
Writer, Composer, Director Sergei Stern; Performed by Jane Ellen Stern, Aubrey Clyburn, Marcello Padilla, Tara Parker.
A fun and educational musical for kids and families about a 9-year-old girl named Jane who struggles to adjust after moving from Wyoming to California. She discovers a Magic Album that brings historical figures like Shakespeare, Einstein, and Sally Ride to life, guiding her through the challenges of change while helping her embrace an artistic destiny and find her place in the new world. An engaging story performed by four amazing actors with beautiful music and catchy tunes!
Q&A, Goody Bags and Photos with the cast after the show
A BFF MUSICAL SELECTION
4:00pm Rag Doll on a Bomb Site, 50 min, 16+
Book, Lyrics, Composer, Choreographer & Performer Shelley Cooper; Director & Developer Kelsey Miller; Developer & Producer Jessica Lynn Johnson
On opening night of The Threepenny Opera, Kurt Weill demands the show be canceled—Lotte Lenya’s name is missing from the program. Desperate to perform, she relives her traumatic past through emotional songs and haunting dances. Sung. Danced. Lived. But will it be enough to change his mind? A Best Dance and Physical Theatre Show Nominee at Hollywood Fringe 2025. “Dancer, singer, actor Shelley Cooper weaves a poetic spell that really does create a sense that you’re watching Austrian-American actress Lotte Lenya make her way in 1928 Berlin.”
Sun, Oct 2, A BFF FIRST LOOK SPECIAL EVENT
2:00pm The Summer I Got Old, 60 min, 12+
Written & Performed by Paul Linke, Directed by Chris DeCarlo
The French have a term Coup de Vieux which describes the feeling or sense of suddenly realizing one has gotten old. It’s one of life’s biggest surprises and one that if we live long enough, we will definitely experience. THE SUMMER I GOT OLD is a monologue about one man’s personal account of that moment and an exploration into the last great taboo, aging and mortality.
Post show Refreshment Reception with the artist
Tues, Nov 4
7:30pm The Six at Ten, 75 min, 12+
Written & Directed by Warren Sata; Performed by Theda Weston, Madeleine Lemay, Tim Torre, Misha Kofman
An evening of storytelling to tickle the imagination, dabble in courageousness and inspire our best efforts. We present stories to bridge gaps between courage and nurturing, catharsis amidst a mini-vacation to the fair, love and faith in war, ceremony ritual to honor and call a muse of the sea and second chances at first impressions.
Post show Q&A and Refreshments Reception with the cast
Thurs, Nov 6
7:30pm My Great Turnaround; What God and Argentine Tango Taught Me About Life, 70 min, 16+
Written, Created & Performed by Ruthie Danziger; Directed, Produced & Developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson; Special Guest Argentine Tango Pro Daniel Ledesma
When fun-loving Ruthie experiences a life altering event, she is forced into chaotic despair. Can she find the tools to recreate peace of mind, tranquility and humor? Reminiscing upon her colorful life she realizes she’s survived games like Machanayim, Slip ‘N Slip, and Jewish camp in Kerrville, Texas! She begins to laugh at her own jokes again. Yet Ruthie questions her mental health. During this reflective time the depths of her faith are revealed. She begins to fall not just in love with God – but in reliance on God…which interestingly leads her to falling in love with Argentine Tango. Will this be enough to reignite her passion and purpose in life or will she Tango alone? This fun solo show uses comedy, truthfulness, multimedia and fabulous Argentine Tango dances to examine positive ways to face life challenges and aging with grace and complete trust in faith.
Post show Q&A and Refreshments Reception with the cast
Sat, Nov 8
1:00pm tHis Is Very IMPORTANT, 90 min, 16+
Created, Written & Performed by Rahvaunia Johnson. Directed & Developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson
Take a powerful journey with Eena, who believes we should all “do better when we know better” and “vibrate higher.” In this one-woman show, Eena creates space for Mary, Samantha, and Val to share their deeply personal stories of life, love, and HIV. Mary is a devout Christian and ER nurse saving herself for marriage—how will her church and colleagues respond? Samantha, born with a birth defect, craves love in all the wrong places. Will she finally find what she’s searching for? Val, an influencer with 1.2 million followers, seems to have it all—until she faces a diagnosis that could her perfect image. tHis Is Very IMPORTANT is a rollercoaster of “edutainment”—emotionally raw, surprisingly funny, and deeply moving. HIV is just one part of a larger story about love, stigma, identity, and resilience. You’ll laugh, cry, relate—and leave forever changed. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance.
4:00pm Adopted by Appalachians, 60 min, 13+
Written & Performed by Paulina Combow; Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson; tech/art Producer Luis Villanueva
Featuring Special Agent Fox Mulder from The X-files to serve as a mentor and partner to our young detective in her investigation, and Appalachian Queen Dolly Parton as the musical narrator, this show turns the Whodunnit genre on its head. A Mystery Solo show set in a time before DNA technology, AKA the 90’s in the rural South, that follows a young detective who wants to believe in the paranormal but gets sidetracked by the real life cold case to uncover her true identity.
Sun, Nov 9
6:30pm Poison Gun, length min, Rating
Written & Performed by Dee Freeman; Directed by Juliette Jeffers
“Utterly riveting.” NoHoArts. Loe is a young, precocious math genius in rural 1960s Louisiana who helps her moonshining Granddaddy bury his fortune across his one-hundred-acre farm. Lots of people are interested in Granddaddy’s money, including his customers and the people he loans money to. Granddaddy has lots of enemies including the white county moonshine inspector who vows to “shut that nigger’s moonshine operation down.” He has also gained notice by the local Ku Klux Klan (KKK) for harboring his civil rights activist daughter and son-in-law. Even Loe’s daddy gets in a heated argument with Granddaddy over some farm equipment. One night, Loe’s world gets shattered as she awakens to see her Granddaddy’s house in flames across the fields. The fire turns out to be a coverup for the double murder of Loe’s grandparents and the lead investigator is a manipulative, racist cop who finds out about Granddaddy’s money as a cat-and-mouse game unfolds.
Tues, Nov 11, A BFF FIRST LOOK SPECIAL EVENT
7:30pm Letter From David, 75 min, all ages
Written & Performed by Albie Selznick; Directed by Laura Maccabee
A kid’s quest to work with David Bowie. Did he succeed? Come and find out.
Post show Q&A with the artists
Thurs, Nov 13
7:30pm Trans Mom vs Family court: Justice Sees No Gender, 60 min, 14+
Written, Performed, Produced & Composed by Rejyna Douglass-Whitman; Directed & Developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.
Winner of the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival Transcendent Craft and Daredevil Awards, Trans Mom vs. Family Court isn’t a play you sit back and watch. It’s a line in the sand. In 1995, after being fired and evicted for beginning transition, Rejyna was pulled into a brutal custody fight. No attorney. No safety net. Just truth, love, risk, raw will. Using reenactment, live looping, original music, courtroom audio, photographs, and video clips, she tells the story no one else could. This isn’t a lecture or therapy session. It’s a live wire. In a year where hundreds of anti-trans bills threaten families, this show asks what you’re willing to witness, support, and defend. Not someday. Right now. Applause won’t fix what’s happening. But presence matters. Being in that seat matters. People who care will be there. Will you be one of them, or will you have to explain why you weren’t?
Post show Q&A with the artist
Fri, Nov 14
7:30pm Black Don’t Crack, 90 min, 15+
Host Miles Otway; Featuring Alia Atkins & Darrell Goss; Headliner Jeff Keller; Producer/Performer Mz. REKA. Co-Producer/Performer Zuleika Moreno. Special Pop-In Guest Andrew Searles.
We are Thrilled to present this hilariously comical coalition at BFF! Black Don’t Crack is an ensemble of uniquely brilliant and talented Comedians offering their clever perspectives. Collectively they will bring this spectacularly witty, funny, charismatic & thoughtfully entertaining, comedic innovation to life. Black Don’t Crack is comprised of a Boomer, Gen X, a Millennial and Gen Z. So, relate ability is undeniable. Just to zest it up even more, we have all the seasonings on the table! This uber talented and intelligent Comedic Collective is bringing twice the spice. So you can most Definitely look forward to this hilariously funny Nite of Clever Comedy!
Post show Refreshments Reception with the cast
Sat, Nov 15
DOUBLE FEATURE DAY – NEW FOR 2025
Three Double Features today (6 shows in all) – each one 45 minutes long – see as many as you like – make a day of it! the Snack Bar will be open
Double Feature ONE!
1:00pm Marilyn Monroe, Unknown Letters, 18+ A WORLD PREMIERE
Written, Produced & Performed by Natasha Mikha
In this intimate solo performance, actress and singer Natasha Mikha embodies the private soul behind the most iconic woman in Hollywood history: Marilyn Monroe. Told entirely through Marilyn’s real letters, diary entries, and poems—interwoven with live performance of her classic song “I Wanna Be Loved by You”—this monologue strips away the glittering myth to reveal the woman who lived underneath it all: Norma Jeane. We journey through her rise to stardom, her battles with identity, her desperate longing for love, and her quiet unraveling behind closed doors. With moments of tenderness, haunting honesty, and raw vulnerability, the piece invites the audience to experience Marilyn not as a sex symbol, but as a sensitive, poetic spirit who was never truly seen. Norma Jeane: Fragments of a Life is not an impersonation—it is a resurrection of Marilyn’s inner voice, written in her own hand and spoken through Natasha’s heart.NO
2:00pm My Unexpected Journey Into Magic, 18+
Written & Performed by Ian Michael Scheller; Directed by Heidi Jo Scheller/Tim Swiss
One part magic show, one part play, this story of one man’s path to discovering his true calling features plenty of storytelling and audience participation. Before he found magic, Ian was an artist, an actor, a musician, and a film maker. One day he saw his two-year-old son Max playing with a deck of cards. Seeing this, he thought, “if I start studying magic now, by the time he is ten, I might be OK.” And thus, Ian embarked on a new trajectory – to study the art of magic, only to find out it was magic all along that was his destiny. Travel with Ian as he rides the wave of the .com boom into the rising cliffs of A.I.! Peer into personal stories that surprise and entertain! And yes – There will be magic!
Double Feature TWO!
3:30 If Truth Be Told, 18+
Written & Performed by Jenn Brown; Directed by Lee Costello
A rollicking show of personal comic stories told by a woman who has seen a few things. Actor comedian and storyteller Jenn Brown examines how the truth can play out in a variety of ways by sharing the reality behind a few of her life’s adventures.
4:30 HOOLIGANI, 16+
Written, Produced & Performed by Venessa Verdugo; Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson;
After the fall of the Soviet Union and with madame Heidi Fleiss in jail, the Los Angeles sex trade was open for the taking. Enter Tatyana, a Russian woman who created a family empire trafficking young Ukrainian women in 1990s Los Angeles until a simple misstep made it all come tumbling down. As she attends the sentencing phase of her trial in front of the jury (the audience) who has already found her guilty of human trafficking, Tatyana agrees to tell them the truth about everything in exchange for the sentence she hopes for.
Includes a brief post-show Q&A
DOUBLE FEATURE THREE!
6:00pm Cruel Landlord, 13+ A WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL
Written & Directed by Madeleine Lemay; Performed by Jackie Brehiman, Emmet Sempek, Celine Athan, and Berry Under Your Bed
Four residents conspire a plot to murder their wicked landlord on 4th of July. With song and cheek parodies of popular musical numbers, the group works together to rid of the landlord, but in the end they are too late and discover he has already passed.
7:00pm The Best of Constance & Florence, all ages
Written by Lou Stone Borenstein; Directed by Mike Veasey; Performed by Kate Huffman and Rosie Byrne
A British comedy written and directed by Americans, The Best of Constance & Florence is Monty Python meets Absolutely Fabulous meets Keeping Up Appearances meets The Odd Couple meets Abbott & Costello. Introverted Constance and extroverted Florence are neighbors from opposite sides of the same pond who struggle to communicate during a series of tea times in which Florence keeps trying to pull Constance out of her shell and have an adventure.
Includes a brief post-show Q&A
Sun, Nov 16 CLOSING DAY
2:00pm Naturally Tan, 80 min, 13+
Written, Produced & Performed by Tanya Thomas; Directed & Developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson
“Best Bet for Weekend Culture” LA Times. Told through the bold perspective of a vivacious drag queen named Tanvi, Naturally Tan follows Tanya Thomas’ desperation to fit in as a minority in Singapore and her search for acceptance in America. Fueled by assimilation pains, Tanya delves into the heart of colorism that plagues the Asian diaspora, the complexities of racial identity, and the consequences of damaging beauty standards. Will Tanya hide behind her insecurities forever or will she embody her worth as a woman of color, mother, and artist? Experience a powerful amalgamation of seriocomic elements, music, dance, and compelling visuals through 35 multicultural characters as Tanya guides the audience through her transcendent cross-cultural path to self-worth. Naturally Tan adds a distinct voice to the full range and diversity of Asian American and Pacific Islander stories. Naturally Tan is a one-woman show written and performed by Tanya Thomas, with direction and development by Jessica Lynn Johnson.
Post show Q&A and Closing Day Refreshments Reception with the artist
6:00pm Big Hair: A Rad and Wild Love Affair, 60 min, 13+
Written & Performed by Maegan Mandarino
“A powerful testament to Mandarino’s talent, her vision and her sensitivity as a writer and performer.” BroadWorld.com. A musical dramedy about the short-lived love affair of two comedic legends. It’s what we’d like to call MODVILLE – or Modern Vaudeville. Presented by their alter egos, Dr. Frankenstein and Roseanne Roseannadanna, we witness a relationship that – over 20 years later – still resonates with the modern heart.
Post show Closing Night Wine & Refreshments Reception with the cast
And now, an appeal:
While we enjoy staging the Binge Free Festivals, making free shows available for all, we can use your support. Our Save the Main Stage campaign seeks to reinforce the restoration of the Main Stage auditorium with additional funds to keep it a space where you can laugh, cry, and reflect while you enjoy wonderful entertainment. Your tax-deductible contributions in any amount can be made at https://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/donate.html or by contacting the Playhouse at 1-310-394-9779 ext. 1 or theatre@SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com