Dark Humor

For the Roger’s family life is just like a 1950s sitcom—or is it, as they confront their history and identity before it is too late. Mixing puppetry, original music and video projection, taking you from the absurd to the terrifying, and everywhere in-between. Winner Ovation Award Puppet Design.

"A bishop. A priest. A woman. A boy." Snatched from today's headlines, "Altarcations" examines lust, absolution, accepting apologies, and whether any place is safe. "Altarcations" is a project of the Pasadena Arts Council's EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

Expanded version of this intense/funny performance work developed in NYC & @ REDCAT Studio. Lolly (Betsy Moore), the short-circuiting housewife, shares her sexual adventures & fantastic schemes to escape domesticity. W/Paul Tucci. NYTheatre.com: "Tightly executed surrealism - well worth your time."

A fictional behind the scene look at the making of "Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia".

Burnt's roommate, Randy, an uptight Born Again, has just found his stash and is calling the cops. What's a just-trying-to-make-tuition drug dealer to do? When Randy's little sister Gwen arrives, Burnt is forced to either bury the truth or bury himself in this bittersweet rush of almost-romance.

This funny, fast-paced, heartbreaking play takes two of Chekov's iconic characters, locks them in a room, and doesn't let them out. In 42 variations on their infamous final scene, Nina and Treplev pit their unmatched wit and fierce passions against one another in this masterful work by Steven Dietz.

“What’s a nice girl like you NOT drinking in a place like this?” Tara Handron discards clichėd depictions of recovery in her portrayal of Hope and numerous other female alcoholics (some sober and some not so sober) stemming from her thesis research on the subject.

"Sister Cities" by Colette Freedman. Four estranged sisters return to their childhood home for what appears to be a wake; yet, what turns into a family drama that will unearth old animosities and new secrets that will change them forever. Watch our trailer on YouTube: http://youtu.be/80Y83hAPSoM

Three original short pieces from the brilliant minds at Fierce Backbone come together to represent writers' interpretations of the down and dirty LA Street Scene. Includes THE POOL OF GOLD IN THE SKY and DUSTED by Jan O'Connor, and TRIO by Amy Tofte.

A mysterious tale about a lowly debt collector, who, under the management of a tyrannical overseer, undergoes a radical transformation in the process of collecting debts. Performed with puppets, toy theatre, and stop motion animation. Sound by Margaret Noble. Funded by the Jim Henson Foundation.

A story that explores a unique relationship between a Father, a Son and The Holy Ghost.

In the campy comedy/horror short film BUGBABY, Sammy Gregory is a "special needs" infant - special in that he resembles a giant insect, and needs a constant supply of raw meat. Featuring cult movie icon Mink Stole!

Vicious dark humor chronicles an affair under the influence in this Los Angeles premiere from writer/director Amy Tofte. He struggles with sobriety, She's dependent on his affection.

Patrick Bristow and the Improvatorium Players give you an hour long tilt at Old Testament story telling. Costumed and completely improvised, each performance is completely unique and made up on the spot based on audience suggestions. More naughty than blasphemous, but you never know!

Two men travelling by boat become irrevocably linked at the crossroads of fate and coincidence. They find themselves forced to defend their starkly contrasting world views from attack by the other as the play builds to an unexpected and shattering denouement. "Clever and compelling."(The Scotsman)