24th Street Theatre is extending the West Coast premiere of “Walking the Tightrope” through May 18. A hit with both adults and kids, “Walking the Tightrope” utilizes poetic language, live music and multimedia to explore themes of love and loss in a highly theatrical, stylized production that has received more than two dozen rave reviews and achieved a rating of “100% Sweet” on Bitter Lemons, the Los Angeles-based website that aggregates theater reviews. Culture Spot readers can win tickets to see the Saturday, April 13, matinee at 2 p.m. Please email editor@culturespotla.com for a chance to win.
How does one survive the death of a spouse? Stan is lost — until he rediscovers his will to live during a visit from his young granddaughter. Kids will tap into this moving exploration of adult grief through the character of Esme, who visits her grandparents’ seaside home, but can’t find Nanna. Written by Mike Kenny from an original idea by Gavin Stride, “Walking the Tightrope” is directed by Debbie Devine and stars Mark Bramhall, Tony Duran, Michael Redfield and Paige Lindsey.
“Walking the Tightrope” continues the groundbreaking work that earned 24th Street Theatre last season’s national TCG Peter Zeisler Award for risk taking and innovation in the American theater. This play is part of 24th Street Theatre’s 2012-13 season of sophisticated and provocative theater that appeals to and is appropriate for kids while maintaining the look and emotional depth of adult theater.
24th Street Theatre, 1117 W. 24th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007; (213) 745-6516; www.24thstreet.org.