The Witches’ Brews The world premiere of “Kingdom City” continues through Sunday, Oct. 5 at La Jolla Playhouse (lajollaplayhouse.org or (858) 550-1010). Playwright Sheri Wilner superimposes Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” which ostensibly concerns the Salem witch trials, on a small town in Missouri, where a New York director selects “The Crucible” in order to accommodate a large drama class of 16-year-olds. Things go awry when John Proctor must kiss his wife before going to his execution. The two kids playing those parts are about to take the celibacy pledge at their church. Like so many school productions of plays and musicals these days, the production runs afoul of local educators and clergy, who ban the performance.
Moxie Theatre (6663 El Cajon Blvd., moxietheatre.com or (858) 598-7620) opened its tenth anniversary season with Liz Duffy Adams’ “A Discourse on the Wonders of the Invisible World.” Playing through Sunday, Oct. 12, the Adams play also concerns the Salem witch trials, but it comes at its story in direct and excruciatingly funny fashion. Abigail, who started the entire Salem witch-hunt, returns to a nearby town ten years later seeking succor from her co-conspirator, Mercy Lewis, regarding the deaths they caused. Instead, she finds herself on trial with the Devil. See one or see both, but do not miss either one.
The Old Globe Theatre has announced that Montego Glover, who set the stage aflame at the Playhouse and on Broadway as Felicia in “Memphis,” will take on the role of Nina in “The Royale,” Marco Ramirez’s new play that opens in previews at The Old Globe Saturday, Oct. 4. The work, which concerns an ambitious African-American prizefighter, continues through Nov. 2.
Scott Schwartz, who helms La Jolla Playhouse’s U.S. premiere of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Oct. 26-Dec. 7), says, “I have a show that I directed in [New York] called ‘Murder for Two,’ which is going to be at The Old Globe Theatre in January (Jan. 24-March 1). So I will in fact be back this season. I should buy a house.” Among Schwartz’s prior Old Globe directorial assignments were acclaimed productions of Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound” and “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” Extensions Once again, Lamb’s Players Theatre has extended its magnificent production of “Les Miserables,” this time through Nov. 2 at the home theater in Coronado (lambsplayers.org or (619) 437-6000). “Boomers” now plays through Oct. 12 at the Horton Grand Theatre downtown. San Diego Repertory Theatre has extended Hershey Felder’s “The Pianist of Willesden Lane” through Oct. 12. Pianist Mona Golabeck is extraordinary, and so is the story. No performance on Yom Kippur (Oct. 3). sdrep.org or (619) 544-1000. Honoring Cecil Lytle will become an “Arts Angel” at the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus diamond jubilee gala Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Westgate Hotel downtown. The event includes dinner, dancing, a wine raffle and a special tribute to the educator and legendary pianist, of whom symphony music director Steven Schick says, “From his years as provost to his advocacy on behalf of The Preuss School, from his impact on the music department to his brilliant performances with the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, Cecil Lytle has been a leader, a visionary and an activist. He is a consummate artist and a friend.” Tickets are $175 per person and may be purchased at lajollasymphony.com or by calling (858) 534-4637. Proceeds support the symphony’s artistic and educational programs The group is an independent nonprofit charitable organization.
Last but not least, UCSD professors Stephen Schick and Susan Narucki made us proud at the Carlsbad Music Festival Sunday, Sept. 21 with performances, respectively, of David Lang’s “darker” and “ark luggage,” the latter with a text by British filmmaker Peter Greenaway that concerns what Noah packs for his voyage.