Jay Quantrill

The Theatricality of Greek Myths

Myths in the Modern Theater Mary Zimmerman, of Chicago’s Lookingglass Theater, is a true national treasure – if by no other measure than the MacArthur Genius Fellowship she was awarded for adapting “seemingly untheatrical source material from classic world literature into compelling theater.” (the MacArthur Foundation’s own words). “Arabian Nights,” “The Notebooks of Leonardo da … Continue reading The Theatricality of Greek Myths

Memories Are the Heart’s Reality

In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams’ first success and now on stage at A Noise Within theater in Pasadena, a still young man, Tom Wingfield, relives the memories of his last months, living through the Depression with what was left of his family after his father had run out on them. He returns to the scene … Continue reading Memories Are the Heart’s Reality

An acclaimed playwright creates a script about – of all things – an acclaimed playwright.

Oscar Wilde, was an Irishman of uncommon wit, reached the pinnacle of his career with the opening in London of his highly acclaimed farce, The Importance of Being Ernest, in February of 1895. Within four months, Wilde began serving a sentence of two years at hard labor in England’s Redding Gaol that would ruin his … Continue reading An acclaimed playwright creates a script about – of all things – an acclaimed playwright.

A 17th Century Tragedy Gets A 21st Century Look

Los Angeles’ premiere classic theatre, A Noise Within, has brought to the stage Shakespeare’s Othello, directed by Jessica Kubzansky, one of the Southland’s most respected directors. And Ms. Kubzansky has given us a 17th century script adorned in 21st century styles, outfitting civilians characters in business wear, with dress blues and camo gear for military … Continue reading A 17th Century Tragedy Gets A 21st Century Look

Novel Entertainments – Part 3

This is a three part series. To read Part 1 of this series, which discusses the recent production of The Picture of Dorian Gray that was performed at the Pasadena Playhouse, please go to Novel Entertainments – Part 1. To read Part 2 of this series, which discusses the recent productions Creation (Pictures for Dorian Gray) by the Gob … Continue reading Novel Entertainments – Part 3

Novel Entertainments – Part 2

This is a three part series. To read Part 1 of this series, which discusses the recent production of The Picture of Dorian Gray that was performed at the Pasadena Playhouse, please go to Novel Entertainments – Part 1. In a short run recently at Red Cap, co-presented with Center Theatre Group, the members of The Gob Squad … Continue reading Novel Entertainments – Part 2

Novel Entertainments – Part 1

Ever read a book and wish you could experience it, live? That’s what playwrights are in business to do, isn’t it? But how can the hundreds of pages of a novel be captured in “the two hours’ traffic of the stage?” With nearly 600 pages, The Cider House Rules by John Irving needed two plays … Continue reading Novel Entertainments – Part 1

BORROWING SHAKESPEARE'S MAGIC: Five History Plays on LA Stages

For more than a year now, we’ve been living through the historic and historical – and at times hysterical – theatricality of our times. To suggest that the Shakespearean heights are daily surmounted in the Tweeted Tussles of our Clownish Head of State, has become a cliché of journalism – which, like it or not … Continue reading BORROWING SHAKESPEARE'S MAGIC: Five History Plays on LA Stages

JAQ is a Los Angeles based dramatist in professional theater (stage mostly, but also film and TV). He's had the luck to work with many Legendary theater artists, including Ted Mann, Salome Jens, Mitch Ryan. In other capacities he has worked with Arena Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, and The Mark Taper Forum, et al. He's written, directed and produced plays and musicals on both coasts and in the fly-over heart of the country. He was Artistic Director of the King’s Way Theater in Washington, D.C., and Producing Director/Dramaturg of The Fountain Theater, in Los Angeles – and, and, and... He's worked at the Actors' Studio Playwright's Unit, developing new works in New York and LA with Mark Rydell, Martin Landau, Anthony Franciosa, Frances Farmer, et al. Jay also spent many years reviewing theater, dance and music in the Washington Post, the First Folio of the Performing Arts, and "the Best Plays" (Burns Mantle Theater Yearbook) , L.A. Free Press, et al.

Writer: Jay Quantrill