Keith Ferguson as Lady Gaga Monster performing “Born This Way” with, from l, Jordan Kai Burnett and Karla Loaiza as background dancers.

In 2010, famed puppeteer Michael Earl (Mr. Snuffleupagus of Sesame Street) teamed with Roberto Ferriera to open Puppet School, where “imagination and creativity meet.” A new original musical, entitled Puppet Jukebox II — The Return of the Gaga is a vibrant, live stage show at the Whitefire Theatre, where a dynamic group of enthusiastic up and coming puppeteers let their imaginations run wild through music and creative expression. Tracing all the way back to the Renaissance period, with Commedia Dell’Arte, featuring puppets and “masked types” such as Punch and Judy, and Pulcinella — puppetry and carnival shows have flourished as a colorful, amusing form of entertainment.

As Earl poignantly states, “Viewpoints of the world are expressed through puppetry.” Puppets have proven to be a most expressive form to communicate ideas and moral messages — from Kukla, Fran & Ollie; to Pinocchio; to Bill Baird’s marionettes; to Sesame Street; to the Muppets and Avenue Q.

One very important message presented by the talented cast of characters was the sketch “Born this Way,” with lyrics by Lady Gaga, performed by Keith Ferguson, Karla Loiza, and Jordan Kai Burnett, where the vital message in this bully-ridden society of ours is reinforced: “Be appreciative of what you have — be who you are — because everybody is special and unique in his/her own way.” The song and its message is empowering to all those who feel they don’t fit in or belong — to find their own uniqueness and special inner voice. This show would be a great vehicle to present to schools nationwide, to increase tolerance and reduce bullying behavior and violence.

To introduce each decade of the “Jukebox” songs, a multi-media slideshow, with music of that particular era and real footage, serves as a segue to each new sketch. Pop culture icons and idols from the ‘60s through modern day are shown on the screen, bringing the audience a sense of nostalgia and a musical trip down memory lane.

Puppets resembling the likes of Britney Spears in “Oops!… I Did It Again”; Abba in “Dancing Queen”; and Elvis in “Hound Dog” wow the audience with extravagant song and dance numbers, sure to encourage all to sing, dance, and sway along.

Puppet Jukebox is a colorful, upbeat presentation of puppets, sure to bring magic and laughter to audiences of all ages. Puppet School is the perfect way to acquire a new set of skills, with fun and joy every step of the way.

For tickets or information regarding Puppet School, call (818) 986-9944 or visit www.puppetschool.com.

Allan (David Lengel) is torn between the advice of ex-wife Nancy (J.C. Wendel) and idol Humphrey Bogart (Jack Winnick) in “Play It Again, Sam.”

Forty-some years ago, in 1969, Play It Again, Sam had a successful run on Broadway, followed by its enormous screen success, right up there with Woody Allen faves, such as Sleeper, Interiors, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Zelig, and Annie Hall, to name a few. Now, this classic “plays again” at the Morgan Wixson Theatre, with its universal words of wisdom and hints of humor. Everything Woody Allen has written, directed, and/or starred in is a masterpiece — it seems his whole lifetime is spent gathering material!

Woody Allen is an iconic figure in both stage and screenplay. Play It Again, Sam features David Lengel as Allan Felix, the rim-glassed, quintessential nebbish, always in love with crazy, voluptuous females with so many layers and dimensions. The play’s fantasy scenes and dream sequences, portraying the main character’s “dream girls,” are quite effective in showing how the little nerdy guy always breaks the stereotype by getting the girl he pursues. The only problem: She, too, has got a lot of baggage.

Woody Allen, amidst all his own angst, is almost like an analyst himself: so tapped into the inner sanctum of human beings and their psyches.

Audiences of all generations love his material, as he writes so close to peoples’ real experiences of love, loss, and emotional trauma.

Play it Again, Sam is also a tribute to the old-time movies and beloved classics, like Casablanca, with Bogart, the great figure that he was, guiding and mentoring Felix in his love-life pursuits. Woody Allen’s latest, Midnight in Paris, is his 7th highest grossing film, with a plot steeped in history and literature — revisiting classic greats like Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein.

While Neil Simon and Woody Allen share much in common, with choice of material, subject matter, and neurotic caricatures, the similarity ends there: Woody Allen is the master of symbolism — with his writing not so much stream-of-consciousness, but rather a story filled with strong character development and symbolic overtones, adhering to the motto, “To thine own self be true.”

As Felix Allan states himself, in his search for the perfect lover, or albeit platonic friend: “Not many women are deep enough to know what I’m all about.”

Play It Again, Sam runs through Feb. 12 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Morgan Wixson Theatre located at 2627 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica. For tickets, call (310) 828-7519 or visit www.morgan-wixson.org.

“Spring” by Tigran Hovumyan, the master painter of contemporary surrealism.

This past week’s Newsweek magazine had a feature article on the allure and widespread appeal of art collecting. To have a life rich with meaning and beauty, one should acquire good friends for companionship; good books for knowledge; and great art, for utmost enjoyment.

LA art enthusiasts (both seasoned collectors and novices) have a chance to view a most creative, expressive collection of surreal paintings by visiting Armenian artist Tigran Hovumyan. What a thrill it was to visit this opening exhibit at the exquisite Silvana, a gem of an art gallery in the heart of Glendale. One can witness Tigran’s works of art, and unpeel layer after layer of hidden meaning and mystique behind the soft palette of pastel colors, which reveal so much. Surreal art, a blend of realism and “beyond-real,” takes the viewer to another realm — reminiscent of works by Picasso and Dali. Tigran Hovumyan was born in Armenia, studied at the Yerevan Art School, and continued on as faculty of Painting. He has several solo exhibitions and experiences that have taken him throughout the world.

His current specialties are painting, graphics, and sculpture.

Preceding the art opening, curator Margaret Danielak presented a lecture called “Art Collecting 101“ extolling the virtues of art collecting. She cited the documentary Herb & Dorothy, about two Manhattan art collectors of modest means who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history. Art is the true embodiment of the soul. Tigran’s work reflects his vivid, colorful imagination and the way he can transform simple subjects (i.e. spring, music, and everyday people) into noble objets d’art, much like Van Gogh. Some of the artist’s pieces of particular note were “Forever Childhood,” “Wise Men Worshiping God,” and “Architect of the Heavens.”

Silvana Gallery is located at 1731 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Ste. 200, in Glendale. For more information, visit www.SilvanaGallery.com or call (818) 662-7070.

David Jite as “Raymond” in “Jesus on the Way.”

With the phenomenal popularity of spiritual bestsellers like Mitch Albom’s Have A Little Faith, and Jack Canfield’s Chicken Soup for the Soul series, the faith-based upbeat original stage play by Tai French, Jesus on the Way, is just the ticket this holiday season.

All too often, people face adversity, tragedy, and familial dysfunction, themes so vividly portrayed by this show’s ensemble, each character longing for connection and community. Jahmel A. Holden (actor, filmmaker, and spoken word artist) plays Reverend Alton James, whose drive-by church seems to be the answer — a “one stop shop” for prayer, healing, and religiosity, complete with one-time use “Free Repent coupons!” Donna (played by incredibly talented actress Anika C. McFall) finds herself alone amidst a bare tree, and bereft of romantic love, good health, and considered a “heathen” by her family she so desperately aims to please. There’s nothing like home for the holidays, “no matter how far away you roam.” This age-old theme rings true in this jazzed-up, fresh, laugh out loud production.

The audience will glean new messages on traditional scriptures and proverbs, and the holidays will surely never be the same again. The Jesus on the Way drive-thru church seems the perfect remedy for the “fast-fix,” instant gratification, “speed-date,” internet/cyber-space society in which we live. States Reverend Alton, “Go! On your way to work, on your way to school, on the way home, anytime of day!”

Likewise, run, don’t walk, to see and experience this unique, soul-searching journey that Donna and family undertake, to face whatever reality life dishes up. You’ll get your dose of biblical teachings and preachings, with a sprinkling of humor, subtly mixed with melodrama. Food, family, fighting, friction — all the usual family dysfunction ingredients are in the mix — but once you add “faith” the whole story changes, and each character blossoms to his/her fullest potential.

What the world needs now is “faith sweet faith.”

Jesus on the Way runs through Dec. 18 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m. at The Big Victory Theatre located at 3326 Victory Blvd. in Burbank. For ticket information, visit www.vintagecityent.com or call (424) 260-3010.

Quite the clever conceit, the story revolves around a bankrupt film being performed by a near-bankrupt radio station, in the midst of a bankrupt economy/depression, set in the 1940s in Bedford Falls, small-town USA. The show is a “piffle,” so fresh and light it can almost float away, yet so deep and profound a moral message, once stated so eloquently by Mark Twain: “No man is a failure who has friends.” The ensemble of actors enters the stage; most of them dressed as ragamuffin vagabonds, yet delivers a stirring performance with utmost professionalism and credibility. The setting is perfectly simulated, as if the live audience is viewing a real life radio station, complete with script pages strewn and tossed across the stage floor, as each actor completes his/her lines.

The chorus of female holiday carolers (radio girls), featured in the pre-show, is authentic and cheerful, a successful attempt at lulling one into the festive Christmas spirit.

The radio call letters, KAWL, are a clever play on words, similar to the word “alms,” an attempt to encourage the studio audience to dig deep into their pockets and call to support the radio drive.

It was quite effective having many of the actors portray multiple characters with a range of voices (that’s what the old time radio shows were all about, i.e. Orson Welles). Courtney Sara Bell was remarkable, doubling as the debutante/actress Claudia La Belle, and Bailey’s young daughter, Zuzu, with a high pitched voice. The play also showcases the magical actors, Joey Miller/Jude Evans as Clarence, the angel who impresses the audience at show’s start with his sleight of voice.

It’s a Wonderful Life is a cherished holiday tradition, imparting a message of hope for time eternal: We should not forsake life, love, family, and community in seemingly dark times.

It’s a Wonderful Life runs through Dec. 17 on Fridays and Saturdays. Pre-show is 7:45 p.m.; show is at 8 p.m. The Missing Piece Theatre is located at 2811 Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. For tickets, call (818) 849-4039 or visit www.theatreunleashed.com.

*If you donate a toy for Toys for Tots at the event, pay what you want!

Karl Ravancho as Ken Gorman in “Rumors.”

Rumor has it that Providence High Arts, in association with Discovery Onstage, has built a program abundant with talent, creativity, and imagination, way beyond these students’ wildest dreams. With massive budget cuts affecting the arts in public schools, LA Unified has been heavily impacted, experiencing vulnerability and worry. Now more than ever, in today’s economy and this holiday season, we need the arts to keep people’s spirits alive, with hope and humor.

Discovery Onstage does just that, as its mission is to develop and nurture each and every student’s ability for self expression and critical thinking “from the imagination up.” Something truly imaginative and inspiring is happening at Providence High Arts, keeping the arts in public schools alive and well, as students (cast and crew) of Rumors participate in all phases of the production, from scenery to costumes to performance. The unique combination of a wide open space onstage, active parent community, and the most supportive, passionate staff, makes the PHS performing arts department the outstanding, impressive organization that it is.

Rumors, a brilliant farce, is set in NY, the center of the world for media and social activity. Neil Simon is the consummate NY playwright, and a central figure in American theatre. At an upper crust cocktail party/gathering, five couples play a sordid game of rumors. Slander and rumors have become the fodder of so many entertainment news programs; reality shows; and gossip tabloids. Each pair onstage has major issues of their own, waiting to unfold and unravel, or even get stuck in a social noose of fabrication and deceit.

Neil Simon, only next to Woody Allen in being the unofficial spokesperson for every dysfunctional person gracing the streets of NYC, speaks profound truths about the social milieu, through the disguise of farce, satire, and cover-ups. The ensemble of PHS Arts impeccably pulls off this performance, packed with action and wit-filled dialogue.

Performances of Rumors will be on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 2 & 7 p.m. at Providence High School located at 511 S. Buena Vista in Burbank. For tickets, call (818) 846-8141 ext. 203 or visit Providencehigharts.org.

Magician Albie Selznick and his bunny assistant in “Smoke and Mirrors.”

When Albie Selznick was a little boy, age 9, he lost his beloved father, and the best way to deal with his fear and grief was to “cling to his magic.” By taking control and confronting his own demons, Selznick was miraculously able to transform himself to a top class magician/performer, reaching master illusionist level at The Magic Castle (where he will once again be performing with the Mums, a popular circus/theatre trio, on the week of April Fools’ 2012). Now, in his breathtaking, spectacular show, Smoke and Mirrors, at the Santa Monica Playhouse, he helps the audience to face their fears and escape into the fantastical world of magic, illusions, storytelling, and fun for all ages.

Albie states his philosophy, while performing one of his mind-boggling acts: “The world is a treacherous place…. Let magic help you… wherever you go… there you are… It’s only smoke and mirrors!”

He is a first class, state of the art performer, making magic come alive as the show progresses, with mind bending techniques and body movements sure to wow the audience. I was lucky enough to attend this show, on my birthday, and I can’t think of a better way to start a new year than by experiencing the world of magic — a premier performing art, allowing me entrance into a land of possibility and exploration.

A multi-media presentation, homage to Harry Houdini, the amazing magician, stunt performer, and escapologist, lets the audience know what a profound influence this man had on Albie Selznick. Albie, the writer/performer/captain of this one man show (with his bunny assistant), does it all: a “magician of all trades” with juggling, illusions, disappearing acts, and surprise tricks up his sleeve.

This show is the ideal choice for birthday parties, holiday get togethers, or just a fun “escape” out on the town.

Smoke and Mirrors runs on Saturdays at 7 and 10 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. The Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 4th St. in Santa Monica. For ticket information, visit www.smokeandmirrors.me or call (800) 595-4849.

From l, Kadeem Hardison, Kevin T. Carroll, Tessa Thompson, Robert Ray Manning Jr., and Robin Givens in a scene from “Blues for an Alabama Sky” at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Pearl Cleage’s 1995 drama, Blues for an Alabama Sky had its Los Angeles theatrical debut at the historic, majestic Pasadena Playhouse this past weekend. Amidst cloudy weather and threatening skies outside, all was calm and crystal clear Sunday evening, as Sheldon Epps (Artistic Director) and Stephen Eich (Executive Director) of the Pasadena Playhouse presented the show’s opening night, in conjunction with the Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project celebration.

Set in Harlem, 1930s, just following Harlem’s artistic renaissance decade, where clubs, such as the Cotton and Kit Kat saw their heyday, the Great Depression has struck, with harsh realities affecting artists, designers, and singers of the time. Blues for an Alabama Sky features a rich, diverse cast of characters, including Angel Allen, exquisitely played by Robin Givens, a struggling blues singer, weathering her own internal and external storms. Her best friend, Guy Jacobs (Kevin T. Carroll) gives a stellar performance as the perennial optimist and out of work costume designer, who, despite the circumstances, dreamily states in the opening act, “It seems like heaven here in Harlem….” He holds tight to the desire of taking Angel to Paris and the fantasy/myth of costuming the “magical Josephine Baker.” Entering the colorful picture is Leland Cunningham (Robert Ray Manning Jr.) in an “Alabama state of mind,” looking for love and connection while leaving behind “Alabama skies where the stars are so thick it’s bright as day.” In Leland, Angel sees a “rent check and a lucky charm,” and almost succumbs to the easy way out, rather than holding onto her integrity, gumption, and God-given talent.

Controversial social issues of the period are also explored, such as abortion, homosexuality, and Prohibition, all in a delicate yet powerful presentation.

Art truly does imitate life, as the five fictitious characters in Blues… retain their frustrated dreams, in hopes for a better tomorrow, just as Sheldon Epps held steadfast to his creative ambitions and the survival and transformation of the once darkened Pasadena Playhouse, facing financial blues of its own. Keeping it alive and weathering the storm gives renewed hope and life, with a five-play 2011-2012 season now underway.

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Ave. Blues for Alabama Sky runs Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets, visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org or call (626) 356-7529.

The cast of “Chaps” currently playing at the Lincoln Stegman Theater. Back row, from l, Tom Reilly, Robert Amour, and Jeffrey Markle. Front row, from l, Scott Robbins, Debbie Lowe, Bryce Webb, and Sara Locke.

In times of war, when reality is often dark, lonely, and gloomy, a radio or road show (a la Bob Hope’s USO Road shows) is an attempt to enliven and empower the troops’ spirits. Chaps is a hilarious musical comedy, set in WWII, where the Tex Riley and his Radio Roundup singers are scheduled to perform for a war-weary, eager audience. When things go awry, and the “cowboys go missing,” the Brits (stereotypically accustomed to a “stiff upper lip,”) are forced to improvise and act out as American cowboys on the range, for the show must go on.

The irony here, given the historical backdrop of friction between the British and Americans (dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War) makes the premise of the show priceless!

The ensemble, led by the classy Leslie Briggs-Stratton (Jeffrey Markle), and accompanied by a smooth, harmonic live band, are hilarious and entertaining as rag-tag cowboys in this rip-roaring Country-Western extravaganza.

The show ends up as a laugh out loud hootenanny, with slapstick physical humor, impromptu gags, and a sensational sound effects guy who chimes in right on key.

The British performers, transformed from London West End to the Wild West … had to improvise “out of their hats and boots,” literally, in the heat of battle — all in the name of entertaining the troops. A true show-stealer is Mabel Halliday (Debbie Lowe), with a quality of voice and stage presence comparable to Ethel Merman in Annie, Get Your Gun.

She is an energetic pistol, a song and dance dynamo, with a spectacular voice and charming country drawl. Reprises of old western standards are refreshing and wholesome, with a menu of old time cowpoke faves, like “Ragtime Cowboy,” “I’m an Old Cowhand,” and “Jingle, Jangle, Jingle.”

Adding a nice touch is home-made baked goodies and warm cup of cocoa, coffee or tea at intermission. Chaps is pure, wholesome family fun for a pre-Veterans Day autumn afternoon or evening of amusement.

Chaps plays through Nov. 20 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The Lincoln Stegman Theatre is located at 6020 Radford Dr. For tickets, call (818) 509-0882.

From l, Cynthia Manous plays middle sister Agnes, Chelsea Pitillo plays youngest sister Maggie, and Elizabeth Kimball plays oldest sister Janet in “Seatbelts Required.”

Seatbelts Required, a new play by Kimberly Demmary, brings together three sisters, coming to terms with their mother’s recent death, each in their own way, and in the process, forming a deep bond.

Their characters develop, as they “come to life” on stage, as they maneuver this gut-wrenching journey. The play showcases LA natives, Cynthia Manous (Agnes); Elizabeth Kimball (Janet); and Chelsea Pitillo (Maggie), highly talented actresses with natural chemistry, remarkable range of emotion, and the inherent ability to share the message of how truly precious life is.

With shades of Albee’s Zoo Story, the first scene begins with light hearted banter, and gradually crescendos to an intense, almost volatile, powerful second act. Grieving over their mother’s death serves, theoretically, as the backdrop, yet so much angst, tension, and fury over harrowing memories of their childhood is seething beneath the surface. Sibling rivalry is an age-old theme, dating from biblical times (Joseph and his brothers; Cain and Abel), yet Seatbelts takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level. The three sisters seem to be in competition from the moment they were born, with a manipulative mother who pitted one against the other, resulting in a bitter family dynamic as adult siblings.

The second act is much more powerful than the first, as dark secrets unfold and memories unravel. The moment Maggie (Pitillo) discovers the White Album amidst her mother’s belongings, and sings “Blackbird,” I became entranced. More secrets are uncovered, as Maggie brings out a letter from “Mommie Dearest,” addressed to each daughter.

Light and darkness are significant and symbolic throughout the show, with lights flickering on and off in the opening scene. Each secret revealed sheds light on the darkness of their formative years. One insightful line recited by one sister says it all: “Aren’t we really all the same as our mother?” A re-enactment of a puppet show added an evocative, cathartic touch, as the sisters vented their grief, in an ironic and seemingly innocent venue. As each sister “drank up,” in commiseration, their inhibitions lessened and empathy increased. Quite a powerful performance!

All this “mama-drama” took place in a tiny 37 seat theatre, with room for enormous potential.

Seatbelts Required is running through Nov. 27 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The Actors Workout Studio is located at 4735 Lankershim Blvd. For tickets, call (818) 506-3903.