Welcome to WestBeth Entertainment
Past Productions
Write Aid
Write Aid was presented by WestBeth Entertainment, members of the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America. It featured Eddie Izzard, Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, and Tenacious D with Jack Black and Kyle Gass. All proceeds of the benefit went to the Motion Picture and
Television Fund, which provided "crisis assistance" for entertainment industry workers during the Writers Guild Strike.
Friday, December 14 at 8 p. m.
Royce Hall at UCLA
Eric Idle's What About Dick?
What About Dick? played to SOLD OUT crowds at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in LA, Nov 10th and 11th, 2007.! *** Only once in a lifetime you see a cast like this -- Billy Connolly, Tim Curry, Eric Idle, Eddie Izzard, Jane Leeves, Emily Mortimer, Jim Piddock, and Tracy Ullman -- well twice actually in this case since there were only two performances. But if you've missed both occasions then you can tell your grandchildren you weren't there either of the days they did that thing you missed. The music was by Idle's Spamalot partner John Du Prez and the sound effects artist was Tony Palermo. *** In this new play from Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award winning author Eric Idle, a lowbrow comedy about highbrow people, eight actors are gathered together to perform a classic radio drama What About Dick? premiered at the original Lux Radio Theater in 1948 (now the Ricardo Montalbán.)
MARGARET CHO: The Sensuous Woman
Margaret Cho brought her new variety show The Sensuous Woman to the Zipper Theater. The Sensuous Woman featureed an impressive line-up of the country's most renowned burlesque performers along with hilarious stand-up and sketch comedy from emerging and established artists. Featured performers included emerging transgendered comic Ian Harvie, the ingenious burlesque performer Selene Luna, comic actor Liam Sullivan, New York downtown favorite Miss Dirty Martini, Los Angeles belly dance and burlesque sensation Princess Farhana, and sketch comedians Diana Yanez and Kurt Hall of the Gay Mafia Comedy Troupe of West Hollywood, all presided over by the incomparable Margaret Cho.
It was a sexy and seductive evening of entertainment with a finale that had everyone talking!
EDDIE IZZARD: Work in Progress!
On Sale/Work in progress
"The most popular, and exportable, British comedian since the heyday of Monty Python."
- New York Times
Eddie Izzard gigs in LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES PERFORMANCES
Sunday, Dec. 2nd at 9pm
Sunday, Dec. 9th at 9pm
The Coronet Theatre
366 North La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
On Sale Wednesday, Nov. 28
For tickets call 310-657-7377
EDDIE IZZARD: Sexie (2003), Circle (2000), Dress to Kill (1998)
Off-Broadway/North American Tour
"The most popular, and exportable, British comedian since the heyday of Monty Python."
- New York Times
Following up on the 1998 Emmy Award-winning success of DRESS TO KILL and the nine city sold out CIRCLE tour in 2000, WestBeth produced SEXIE in the fall of 2003, selling out sixteen cities across North America. Eddie's hilarious, insightful and boundary-breaking comedy has made him one of the most sought after performers in the world today.
ESCAPE FROM BELLEVUE (2007)
Off-Broadway
“CHECK YOUR STRAITJACKET AT THE DOOR AND GET READY TO ROCK!”
-The New York Times
Born on the smoke filled stages of countless bars comes a wild ride of rock and roll, booze and vicious freaks. ESCAPE FROM BELLEVUE is the hilarious true story of one of New York's most infamous rockers as told by the escapee himself, Chris Campion. Featuring the indie rock and power pop finesse of the Knockout Drops, ESCAPE FROM BELLEVUE, played a three month run at the Village Theatre in NYC in the summer of 2007!
LEWIS BLACK: Red, White and Screwed (2007), Nothing's Sacred (2004-2005)
Carnegie Hall/Lincoln Center/NY City Center
Irreverent, cantankerous and explosively funny, Lewis Black has performed his dead-on social and political comedy throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. WestBeth produced his sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and NY City Center in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
TOMMY TIERNAN: Loose (2006), Cracked (2004)
Off-Broadway/National Tour
"A terrific storyteller watching a comic like this makes one wish American standups had Tiernan's talent!" Variety
Following the critically-acclaimed, WestBeth-produced, Los Angeles and New York runs, Irish phenomenon Tommy Tiernan made his Chicago debut in 2006 with his stand-up show, LOOSE. Hilarious, wild, fearless, and smart, Tommy's ferocious style of comedy has brought him international acclaim. His previous show, CRACKED, played New York in 2004 to sold-out houses.
DYLAN MORAN: Monster (2004-2005)
Off-Broadway/Los Angeles
"As perfect an evening as I can recall!"
- London Times
After taking New York by storm in 2004, the ?Oscar Wilde of stand-up?, made his West Coast debut in 2005 with his audacious, critically-acclaimed show, MONSTER, unleashing his hilariously wicked tongue on drunks, politics and everything in between. The star and driving force behind British TV?s hit show, BLACK BOOKS, Dylan can also be seen in his own one-hour comedy special airing on BBC America and in the hit film SHAUN OF THE DEAD.
THE MIKE MYERS PROJECT: Guru Pitka (2005)
Workshop Production
In 2005, Mike Myers came to WestBeth with an idea for a new character he wanted to develop. WestBeth produced the live workshop GURU PITKA later that year. The production gave the man behind Austin Powers the opportunity to play his latest creation, an Indian spiritual leader, in front of a live, captivated audience.
THE FAMILY GUY LIVE (2005)
Off-Broadway/Los Angeles
In April 2005, 20th Century Fox and Just For Laughs asked WestBeth to executive produce a live presentation of the hit cartoon, THE FAMILY GUY. A staged-reading/Q&A featuring the actors and writers behind the drawings, the event premiered at The Wiltern in Los Angeles and played in New York at Town Hall.
BILL BAILEY: Part Troll (2006), Bewilderness (2002)
Off-Broadway/Los Angeles
?A treat for the funny-bone, brain and ear!?
? NY Times
On the heels of his sold-out, ten-week West End run and his massive sold-out fifty-two date tour of the UK, acclaimed British comedian Bill Bailey brought his hugely popular show, PART TROLL, to UCLA in 2006. A unique blend of off-the-wall comedy and music, PART TROLL was British comedy at its best ? a brilliant collage of musical parodies, anecdotes and off-the-wall surrealism. WestBeth previously produced Bill's show BEWILDERNESS Off-Broadway in 2002 to critical acclaim.
DEMETRI MARTIN: These Are Jokes (2005-2006)
Off-Broadway/Chicago
Deadpan, alt-comedy sensation, Demetri Martin, took to the stage in late 2005- early 2006 with his show THESE ARE JOKES, playing to sold-out houses in New York and Chicago.
GRAHAM NORTON: Know All (2005), Red-Handed (2003)
Off-Broadway/National Tour
Ecstatic about the WestBeth-produced, sold-out national tour of GRAHAM NORTON: RED-HANDED in 2003, Graham returned to New York in 2005 with his show, KNOW ALL. The British television star poked fun at current events and celebrity gossip (and occasionally calling into an adult sex line) while playing to sold-out houses.
WIGFIELD (2003)
Off-Broadway/National Tour
WIGFIELD was an hysterically funny, totally twisted piece of theater based on the book of the same title. In a gut-busting night of humor, Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert brought the citizens of WIGFEIELD off the page and onto the stage. Part reading, part ensemble play, the WIGFIELD tour sold out in nine major US markets during the spring/summer of 2003.
BILLY CONNOLLY: Live! (2006-2007), Too Old To Die Young (2005-2006), Wreck on Tour (2000)
Off-Broadway, North American Tour
"Compelling?unmitigated brilliance! A bladder-challenging tour de force...funnier than anything you will see onstage this year!"
-Evening Standard (London)
Universally considered "Britain's greatest living comedian", Billy Connolly has been described as "a genius", his concerts "otherworldly", and his honesty "terrifyingly insightful". Revered across the globe, he has broken box office records from the UK to New Zealand. After a critically-acclaimed, sold-out run in New York in 2006, Billy continues his North American domination bringing his hilarious take on all things taboo to Los Angeles, Boston and now to Montreal.
THE HOLLOW MEN (2004-2005)
Off-Broadway
?The future of sketch comedy!?
- Time Out
The natural successors to Monty Python and Kids In The Hall, this hilarious foursome takes sketch comedy to places it?s never dared to go. WestBeth produced their show Off-Broadway in 2004 & 2005.
KIKI & HERB: Coup de Theatre (2003)
Off-Broadway
?Slashingly funny!?
-The New Yorker
This riotous and poignant musical, which completed an extended engagement at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 2003, featured the fictitious duo, Kiki and Herb, reminiscing over their fifty year career as a politically charged lounge act.
MARGARET CHO: I'm the One that I Want (1999)
Off-Broadway
?A witty, eminently likable one-woman show.?
- NY Times
Developed and presented at the Westbeth Theatre Center, Margaret Cho?s solo show, I'M THE ONE THAT I WANT, played to sold out audiences in 1999.
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (1997)
Workshop Production
There had never been a show like HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH when John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask developed it at the Westbeth Theatre Center in early 1997. From there it moved on to an Obie award-winning, Drama Desk and Grammy award nominated Off-Broadway run, and then to win the Audience and the Best Director awards for the film version at Cannes.
SANDRA BERNHARD: I'm Still Here...Dammit (1997)
Off-Broadway
After earning a reputation as the bad girl of comedy, Sandra Bernhard was ready to take the theatre world by storm in 1997. Armed with only her wit and attitude, I'M STILL HERE DAMMIT, played a sold-out run at Westbeth Theatre Center before moving to Broadway.
DAVE GORMAN: Dave Gorman's Googlewhack! Adventure (2004-2005), Are You Dave Gorman (2001)
Off-Broadway/National Tour
"Hilarious...in a word, 'Googlewhack!' wins!"
- NY POST
Winner of the HBO US Comedy Festival Jury Award, DAVE GORMAN'S GOOGLEWHACK! ADVENTURE took audiences on a riotous journey to the wildest places on the world wide web in 2004-2005. His 2001 docu-comedy, ARE YOU DAVE GORMAN? told the story of his search for 52 people also named Dave Gorman.
COLIN HAY: Man @ Work (2004)
Off-Broadway
The front man for the 1980?s band Men At Work brought his acclaimed one-man show of story-telling and music to the Village Theatre in May 2004. The show, titled MAN @ WORK, was a hilarious and poignant telling of his rise to fame and subsequent decline.
LOSER'S LOUNGE (2000-2002)
Off-Broadway
"If there has to be a tribute going on anywhere in the world, we don't want it in anybody's hands but Joe McGinty's. McGinty and his Loser's Lounge have made the musical tribute into an art form ?"
- Time Out New York
A truly unique night of musical entertainment, THE LOSER'S LOUNGE made its home at the WestBeth Theatre Center from October 2000 until the theatre's closing in April 2002. In that time, they paid tribute to the Kinks, David Bowie, Neil Diamond, Roxy Music, and Harry Nilsson, garnering rave reviews and a following loyal and enthusiastic fans.
ELLIOT SMITH
Town Hall, NYC
The Oscar nominated composer of "Good Will Hunting" had been performing at the WestBeth for years in the CMJ Music Festival when he did his solo show there in 1999. Later that year, WestBeth Theatre Center also produced Elliott to sold out crowds at Town Hall. Before his death in 2003, Elliott went on to become the recording industry's hottest Indie-rocker, with songs featured in such blockbuster movies as "Keeping the Faith," "American Beauty" and "The Royal Tenenbaums."
THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN (2000)
Off-Broadway
Individually, they are Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. Together, they are the hottest comedy troupe to come out of the UK since the Pythons. The League of Gentlemen first brought their unique brand of sketch comedy to this side of the pond in May of 2000.
RAY DAVIES: 20th Century Man (1997)
Off-Broadway
?These songs, written in his late-60?s style, showed that Mr. Davies? powers as a lyricist have hardly waned and that his voice was still capable of hitting the sweet high notes that can turn detailed observations into perfect pop.?
? NY Times
20TH CENTURY MAN: AN EVENING WITH RAY DAVIES was a musical event that was intimate, honest and captivating. At times nostalgic, at other times insightful, Mr. Davies offered new ways of listening to his songs?letting the audience share the story behind the music.
THE LIFE (1991)
Broadway/Off-Broadway
In 1991, Cy Coleman and Ira Gasman came to Westbeth Theatre Center to develop a new project. THE LIFE went into performance less than a year later. With music composed by the Tony, Emmy and Grammy award-winning composer Cy Coleman, THE LIFE moved to Broadway in 1997.
EDDIE IZZARD LIVE!
Eddie Izzard Live! at the Union Square Theatre in New York City now through March 8th ONLY!
Performances are selling out, so act fast!
Enjoy!!!
BILLY CONNOLLLY LIVE!
COMEDIAN BILLY CONNOLLY COMES
TO SAN FRANCISCO
FOR 10 PERFORMANCES ONLY!
APRIL 1 – 12, 2008
AT THE POST STREET THEATRE
Uncensored, uncut and as unpredictable as ever, comedian Billy Connolly brings his hilarious, oxygen-depriving show BILLY CONNOLLY LIVE! to San Francisco’s Post Street Theatre 450 Post St., 2nd floor for 10 performances only April 1 – 12, 2008. BILLY CONNOLLY LIVE! is presented by WestBeth Entertainment.
Purchase tickets for BILLY CONNOLLY LIVE!:
Post Street Theatre Box Office
Box Office: 415-771-6900
www.ticketmaster.com.
Rutlemania, The semi-spectacular TRIBUTE CONCERT
Thirty years ago The Rutles invaded America
Now to celebrate the fact that they went back
Eric Idle & Lorne Michaels modestly present
Rutlemania
The semi-spectacular TRIBUTE CONCERT
The Fab Four as The Pre-Fab Four
Dirk, Nasty, Stig and Barry,
The semi-legendary Rutles
whose legend will last a lunchtime
The concert has been devised and directed by Eric Idle. The music and lyrics by are Neil Innes. RUTLEMANIA is produced by WestBeth Entertainment. These performances are part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of The Rutles.
Eric Idle said, “Finally -- nostalgia for things that never existed – with Mersey Boys, real girls, singing and dancing, and exotic tea drinking! I am sure this is soon to be a major lawsuit - and I suggest you hurry and buy a ticket so you can see it before it stops.”
The Rutles were first immortalized on screen by semi-legendary Monty Python alum Eric Idle, and Saturday Night Live Lorne Michaels in the 1978 Classic mockumentary “All You Need is Cash” (available on DVD from Broadway Video) and re-immortalized in the sequel, “Can’t Buy Me Lunch.” These ground-breaking films began an entire genre of mockumentary film making.
Los Angeles Dates
Ricardo Montalban Theatre
March 16th @ 5pm, 19th @ 8pm, 20th @ 8pm, and 21st @ 8 pm
www.ticketweb.com or click on the BUY TICKETS link!
New York Dates
At Blender Theater At Gramercy
March 26th, March 27th, March 28th, and March 29th @ 8pm
For tickets please visit:
www.ticketmaster.com
or call 212.307.7171