Steven Leigh Morris, founding editor of Stage Raw, curated his list of the 10 best Los Angeles theater productions of 2024. Among them were three shows that featured the creative talents of CalArts alumni and faculty: Nora (Antaeus Theatre Company), Pascal and Julien (24th Street Theatre), and Tiny Little Town (Theatre Movement Bazaar).
Nora
Antaeus Theatre Company’s Nora, a stage adaptation of the film by legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman (itself based on Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House), delivered a powerful examination of gender, power, and personal awakening. Directed by Cameron Watson, the production distilled Ibsen’s classic to its essential core. CalArts alum Brian Tichnell (Theater MFA 11) played the role of Torvald Helmer, the domineering husband whose controlling nature forces Nora to confront the unsettling truths of her life.
Pascal and Julien
Pascal and Julien, written by Daniel Keene and directed by Debbie Devine, brought a moving and family-friendly story to life at 24th Street Theatre. The play follows a young boy searching for a new father figure. CalArts alum Paul Turbiak (Theater MFA 08) delivered a compelling performance in the title role of Pascal, while Dan Weingarten (Theater MFA 04) helmed the role of lighting designer.
Tiny Little Town
Tiny Little Town was a satirical musical adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector. Created by past CalArts faculty and guest artists Tina Kronis and Richard Alger, the production reimagined Gogol’s classic farce in a 1975 small-town American setting. CalArtians played key roles in bringing the show to life:
- Ishika Muchhal (Theater BFA 22), Paula Rebelo (Theater BFA 13), and Nikhil Pai (Theater MFA 12, School of Theater faculty) performed in the cast.
- Ellen McCartney (School of Theater faculty) designed the production’s wildly imaginative costumes, from exaggerated period pieces to towering, absurdly oversized wigs.
Find the full listing at Stage Raw.
