“Marilyn, Mom and Me” Theater review

Alisha Soper and Laura Gardner
Photo by Paul Kennedy

Everyone loves a good showbiz story and the inaugural offering of ICT’s 2024 season leaves no one in the theater wanting.

The world premiere of “Marilyn, Mom and Me” by award winning playwright and director Luke Yankee delivers the goods in ways that you don’t see coming, surpassing all expectations and pre-conceived notions of what you think the show might be about.

Audiences can be forgiven for thinking that this might be one more example of a Hollywood tell-all biopic complete with celebrity impressions but it couldn’t be farther from that scenario in its explorations of insecurity, loneliness and closure that never comes, all under the unforgiving microscope of fame and glamour. The play details the friendship of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe and her co-star Eileen Heckart during the filming of the 1956 film “Bus Stop”, as related by Heckart to her son Luke Yankee.

The play never drags but moves deftly forward from the start, propelled by a stellar cast under the excellent and brisk direction of playwright Yankee in this fascinating auto-biographical work.

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Otoboke Beaver Is Headed For LA

Otoboke Beaver, from Kyoto, Japan, titled their latest album Super Champon, after a Japanese dish that seems to involve throwing every single ingredient in the kitchen into a bowl with some noodles. It’s an appropriate metaphor for the band’s musical style, assuming the dish is served hot, confusing and ultimately satisfying. Given the frantic pace of the tuneage, it’s not too far of a leap to call them a punk band, though  to follow their interviews, the members would tell you they feel that’s not quite complete.

One of the non-punk rock influences they like to cite is the Japanese comedy known as Manzai. The clip below is what came up when I checked YouTube for guitarist Yoyoyoshie’s recommendation – “a Manzaishi called Westland” – to a participant in their Reddit AMA who had asked the group to suggest a good funny show to watch. I can’t help but notice some aspects reflected in the song “Pardon” almost immediately. Continue reading

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Valentine’s Day 2024: A Food & Drink Guide

Photo courtesy of Pinstripes.

Valentine’s Day is mere days away, and whether you’re craving a decadently luxurious meal or seeking more affordable price points, we’ve got you covered. 

1.  ALK (acronym for “About Last Knife”) is the chic, lobby-level restaurant at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood with a kitchen manned by talented French Chef Olivier Rousselle. On Valentine’s Day, visit ALK for live jazz, a special Komos tequila cocktail, Komos chocolates to take home, and a special 4-course meal ($68 per person). Meal highlights include a shrimp ceviche amuse bouche and braised short ribs. More info

2. Savor an elevated Valentine’s dining experience at Morton’s The Steakhouse. This elegant dinner for two ($169) includes a 28 oz. New York Strip, two cold water lobster tails, shared salad, two signature steak toppers (such as black truffle hollandaise,  cognac au poivre sauce, or blue cheese butter), and two of Morton’s fantastic side dishes (choices include creamed spinach, jumbo grilled asparagus, smoked gouda au gratin potatoes, and more). Morton’s LA locations include DTLA, Woodland Hills, and Burbank. More info

3. Enjoy a drive to Los Olivos in Santa Barbara County and stop at Tensley Wine’s Tasting Room for the exclusive launch of their 2023 Rosé Grenache on February 14. Tensley Wine is growing in acclaim: it was hailed by Food & Wine for producing “The Best Syrah in America.” Priced at just $32 a bottle, this Rosé Grenache will make Valentine’s Day, or any day, very special. More info

4. Acclaimed izakaya-inspired restaurant n/soto is offering a very special, takeout-only Valentine’s Bento. Only 50 boxes, priced at $150 and serving two, are available. Each bento features 6 hand rolls per person, miso caesar salad, roasted beets, pork ribs, chicken kaarage, squid kaarage, hojicha panna cotta, and a black sesame brownie. Order via Resy.

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Movies Till Dawn: Return of the Like, Weird

*indicates that the film(s) are also available to view, rent, or purchase on various streaming platforms. Streaming presentations may differ from these home video releases.

Universal Classic Monsters Limited Collectors Edition” * (2024, Universal Home Video) You may ask yourself: do I need this deluxe repackaging of Universal’s best-known, best-loved horror titles like “Dracula” with Bela Lugosi and “Frankenstein” with Boris Karloff? Only you, dear reader, can answer that with total honesty, but I will say that this set compiles the aforementioned titles along with “The Bride of Frankenstein,” “The Wolf Man” (41), “The Mummy” (32), “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” the majority of which are foundational titles in horror history and essential owns for any genre fan. These alone, along with 12 hours of commentaries, featurettes, interviews and other supplemental material that accompany them, would warrant purchase alone, were it not for the fact that Uni has issued these films in various iterations on numerous occasions over the past few years. But: the Limited Edition does include the eight films in 4K and digital presentations, and the extras include material penned and hosted by the late David J. Skal, who was (for my money) one of the best horror film and culture historians of the last 25 years. And you get eye-popping cover art by artist Tristan Eaton, whose monster murals decorate the Universal back lot, where many of these films were lensed long, long ago. So: if you don’t have Dracula, et al, in your collection yet, here’s a visually striking package to fill that gap.

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Los Angeles Magazine Celebrates 2024 Best New Restaurants

Savor delicious tastes from Los Angeles’ most acclaimed new eateries when Los Angeles Magazine celebrates its 11th annual Best New Restaurants on Thursday, February 8, at California Market Center in DTLA.

In addition to enjoying tastings from best new restaurants — both present and past — your ticket also allows you to indulge in a special selection of boutique wines, innovative cocktails, and other special experiences.

Participating restaurants include  Ardor, ATLA Venice, Baar Baar Los Angeles, Bar Chelou, Casa Madera,Casaléna, Charcoal Sunset, Dante Beverly Hills, ĐiĐi, Donna’s, Espelette Beverly Hills, Hank’s, LAVO Ristorante, Loreto, Love & Salt, Mirate, Mr. T Los Angeles, OMG Kabob, San Laurel by José Andrés at the Conrad Los Angeles, Saucy Chick Goat Mafia, Thai Central Cuisine, Tenkatori West L.A., Uchi West Hollywood, XUNTOS, and Yakiya. You’ll find desserts from BAKE SOME NOISE, Bertha Mae’s Brownie Co., Etoile Filante Patisserie, and I Like Pie Bake Shop.

Pair these sublime food tastings with superior wines from Bernardus Winery (Santa Lucia Highlands), Croix Estate (Russian River Valley), Flanagan Wines (Sonoma County), Frey Vineyards (Mendocino), Innumero Wines (Sonoma County), Lasseter Family Winery (Sonoma Valley), Limerick Lane Cellars (Sonoma Valley), Michael Mondavi Family Estate(Napa), Miner Family Winery (Napa Valley), Mt. Beautiful Winery (North Canterbury, New Zealand), St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery (Napa Valley), and Thibido Winery (Paso Robles).

Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased here.

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Movies Till Dawn: Female Trouble

* indicates that this title is also available to stream, rent, or purchase on various platforms. Please note that streaming options may differ from these home video presentations.

Sisters with Transistors” * (2020, Metrograph Pictures) Laurie Anderson narrates this doc about the pioneering women of electronic music whose full due still remains frustratingly out of reach. The most well-known of the ten artists profiled are Wendy Carlos and Suzanne Ciani (whose ear-splitting appearance on “The David Letterman Show” is included), though crate diggers will recognize BBC composers Daphne Oram and Delia Derbyshire (“Doctor Who”), as well as Bebe Barron (who scored “Forbidden Planet” with ex-husband Louis), theremin virtuoso Clara Rockmore, and experimental forerunner Pauline Oliveros. The film’s central thesis – that these composers helped usher electronic music from curiosity to mainstream art form without receiving the same recognition as their male peers – is underscored through modern and vintage interviews and clips (Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore being aurally assaulted by Maryanne Amacher’s performance), as well as director Lisa Rovner’s visual flourishes (sly stock footage of happy teens appearing to dance to the composers’ work). Attention to these composers’ works has grown exponentially in the last two decades; one hopes that “Sisters” pushes them further into the spotlight that has so long alluded them. Metrograph’s DVD includes two excellent panel/Zoom discussions – one with Ciani and newer electronic artists (including Moor Mother and Modular Princess), and another featuring Alissa DeRubeis and Suzi Analogue, among others – and a Q&A with Rovner.

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Farewell Runyon Canyon Honor Cooler

Runyon Canyon Entrance, January 23, 2024. Photo by Else “Evil E” Duff

For nearly two decades, Runyon Canyon hikers and dog walkers could count on grabbing a bottle of water or a snack at a stand located right by the park’s entrance at the Fuller Avenue gate. Ran completely on the honor system, people were trusted to leave money based on suggested pricing. With the rise of payment apps easing the ability to pay, the selection of beverages and snacks grew. Options included a variety of drinks, fresh fruit, protein bars, chips, and at one point – freshly squeezed orange juice. Free treats were available to dogs along with a watering station. Today the stand is gone.

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watt’s picture of the week – sunday, january 21, 2024

my pedro town just got a new mural at the sp slip (berth 73, building g), it reminds people we get sunrises cuz we’re pointed east – different than the other so cal water towns!

photo by mike watt

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mike watt’s hoot page

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watt’s picture of the week – sunday, january 14, 2024

maybe saying anything about this is saying too much?

photo by mike watt

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mike watt’s hoot page

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The Jim Irsay Collection Gives L.A. A Rock And Roll History Lesson…With Guitar

L-R Harmonica player Billy Branch, keyboardist Michael Ramos, lead singer Kevin Cronin, guitarists Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Mike Wanchic (hidden) at the Jim Irsay Collection. All photos by Bob Lee for the LA Beat. 

Jim Irsay, to answer a question that has come up to a lot of LA classic rock fans recently based on a curious ad for this event appearing on their Facebook page, is the billionaire owner of the Indianapolis Colts. He’s a collector, philanthropist and also a  singer and guitar player, who likes to play shows around the country with his famous friends and show off his collection to other fans. The shows are always free to the public and feature a mix of famous rockers, each of whose favorite charity has probably gotten a nice check recently. Irsay himself was unable to attend this show at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, due to illness (as was promised guest Steven Stills) but with a band that included REM’s Mike Mills on bass, Kenny Aronoff on drums, guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd serving as bandleader and emcee, and special guests Buddy Guy, Ann Wilson, Kevin Cronin, Peter Wolf, and Billy Gibbons, the show managed to go on.

(Photo gallery and continued review after the jump).

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