JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!
Buy Tickets

Box Office #: 323-663-1525

 Main Office #: 323-663-2235

fountaintheatre1@aol.com

Public Relations

Lucy Pollak P.R..

818-887-1499

lucy@lucypr.com

 

contact us | recent awards

 

PLAYWRIGHT SUBMISSION POLICIES

 

Press: Reviews and Articles

Past Shows at the Fountain

Archive Photo Page



"Broadway-caliber! Everything is first class at the Fountain." - Los Angeles Times

"A LIVING TREASURE." - L.A. Weekly

"One of California's best drama companies." - Wall Street Journal


"This theatre company is a precious jewel in the City of Angels' crown. One of the finest producing entities in Los Angeles." - Back Stage West

"This theatre is the place to watch." - L.A. Weekly

"Intimate theatre at its most compelling." - The Hollywood Reporter

"Without doubt, this theatre fully reflects Los Angeles." - American Theatre Magazine


"One of LA's most acclaimed small theatres." - LA Stage Magazine

"One of the best damned intimate theatres in Los Angeles." - CurtainUp.com

"One of our town's most consistently exceptional playhouses." - Entertainment Today

"L.A.'s most significant venue for flamenco." - L.A. Weekly

The Fountain Theatre is a non-profit producing organization established in 1990 by co-Artistic Directors Deborah Lawlor and Stephen Sachs dedicated to providing a nurturing, creative home for multi-ethnic theatre and dance artists. Here we develop provocative new works or explore a unique vision of established plays that reflect the immediate concerns and cultural diversity of contemporary Los Angeles and the nation. In an era of urban anxiety, ethnic hostility and wavering spirit, the Fountain offers a safe, supportive haven for artists of varied backgrounds to gather, interact and inspire each other toward the creation of work that will ignite and illuminate the community from which it's drawn and give creative voice to those who may not otherwise be heard. Housed in a charming two-story complex in Hollywood, California, the Fountain has grown into one of the most successful of the smaller venues in the busy Los Angeles theatre world. With the addition of Producing Director/Dramaturg Simon Levy and Producer/Director Bennett Bradley (in 1993), the Fountain Theatre has an artistic staff with a wealth of experience that is quickly bringing the theatre's work to the attention of larger and larger audiences.

The Fountain Theatre's activities include a year-round season of fully-produced new and established plays (30 world premieres and 27 U.S., West Coast, Southern California or Los Angeles premieres in 18 years, each reflecting a unique cultural voice and serving a distinctive ethnic community), a full season of multi-ethnic dance, the foremost presentors of Flamenco in Los Angeles, a New Plays developmental series, Educational Outreach Programs, and national/international tours. To date, Fountain Theatre productions have won more than 160 awards for all areas of production, performance, and design. And Fountain Theatre projects have been seen in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Chicago, Florida, New Jersey, Minneapolis, London and Edinburgh, among other cities and countries.

The Fountain has been honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Los Angeles City Council for demonstrating years of artistic excellence and "enhancing the cultural life of Los Angeles."

And is the recipient of the 2004 Hollywood Arts Council's "Charlie" Award for Live Theatre and Significant Artistic Contribution to Hollywood.

AWARDS

The Fountain Theatre has won over 160 awards for theatre excellence, including every major theatre award in Los Angeles...

and is the only Intimate Theatre in Los Angeles to win the prestigious L.A. OVATION Award for Best Production of the Year FOUR times!

2008

Miss Julie, Freedom Summer - Nominated for Best Adaptation (Stephen Sachs), 2008 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.

Nominated for 4 L.A.Weekly Awards: Adaptation (Stephen Sachs), Lead Actor (Chuma Gault), Supporting Actress (Judith Moreland), and Set Design (Travis Gale Lewis).

Recipient of 3 Back Stage West Critics List Honorable Mentions: Adaptation (Stephen Sachs), Ensemble Performance, Set Design (Travis Gale Lewis).

The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore -

Winner 2008 Back Stage West Garland Award for Direction (Simon Levy).

Winner Best Costume Design (Shon Le Blanc), 2008 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.

Nominated for 2 L.A. Weeky Awards: Lead Actress (Karen Kondazian) and Costumes (Shon Le Blanc).

Recipient of 9 Back Stage West Critics List Honorable Mentions: Production, Lead Performance (Karen Kondazian), Supporting Performance (Lisa Pelikan), Supporting Performance (Michael Rodgers), Ensemble Performance, Lighting Design (Kathi O'Donohue), Sound Design (David B. Marling), and Costume Design (Shon Le Blanc).

Exits and Entrances - New York Production

Lucille Lortel Awards nomination for Best Leading Actor (Morlan Higgins)

2007

Exits and Entrances - New York Production nominated for Outstanding Play by the New York Outer Critics Circle.

Selected as "Ten Best" Productions of 2006/2007 by New York Theatre Wire Writers.

What I Heard About Iraq - Winner of the 2007 Advertiser Weekly Fringe First Award, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Australia.

Nominated for Adelaide Critics Circle Award.

Miss Julie, Freedom Summer - Winner of the L.A. OVATION Award for Supporting Actress (Judith E. Moreland) and nominated for an L.A. OVATION Award for Set Design (Travis Gale Lewis).

Selected: 50 Best Productions of 2007, LA City Beat.

The Gimmick - Winner of the L.A. OVATION Award for Best Solo Performance (Dael Orlandersmith).


2006

Joe Turner's Come and Gone - Winner of 2 L.A. OVATION Awards: Best Production and Best Director (Ben Bradley).

Winner of 2 NAACP Awards: Best Ensemble Cast and Best Director (Ben Bradley).

Nominated for 8 L.A. OVATION Awards: Best Production, Best Director (Ben Bradley), Best Actor (Adolphus Ward), Best Featured Actor (Adenrele Ojo), Set Design (Travis Gale Lewis), Lighting Design (Kathi O'Donohue), Costume Design (Naila Aladdin-Sanders), Sound Design (David B. Marling).

Nominated for 6 LA Weekly Awards: Best Revival, Direction (Ben Bradley), Lead Actor (Bernard K. Addison), Supporting Actor (Adolphus Ward), Costume Design (Naila Aladdin-Sanders) and Set Design (Travis Gale Lewis).

Nominated for 5 NAACP Awards: Best Production, Best Director (Ben Bradley), Best Ensemble, Best Costumes (Naila Aladdin Sanders) and Best Sound (David B. Marling).

The Gimmick - ReviewPlays.com Best of 2006: Runner-up, Best Director (Simon Levy) and Best Actress (Dael Orlandersmith).

What I Heard About Iraq - Winner of the Fringe First Award, 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

2005

Yellowman - Winner of 2 L.A. OVATION Awards: Best Actor (Chris Butler), Best Actress (Deidrie Henry).

Winner of 3 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards: Production (Bennett Bradley), Lead Performances (Chris Butler & Deidrie Henry).

Winner of 2 L.A. Weekly Awards: Production of the Year (Bennett Bradley) and Direction (Shirley Jo Finney).

Winner of 5 Back Stage West GARLAND Awards: Production, Playwriting (Dael Orlandersmith), Direction (Shirley Jo Finney), Performances (Chris Butler & Deidrie Henry).

Winner of 3 NAACP Awards: Best Director (Shirley Jo Finney), Lead Female (Deidrie N. Henry), Lead Male (Chris Butler).

Top Productions of 2005, L.A. Weekly.

Recipient of 3 Back Stage West 2005 Critics' List Honorable Mentions: Lighting Design (Kathi O'Donohue), Sound Design (David B. Marling) and Dialect Coach (Larry Moss).

2005 reviewplays.com (Cynthia Citron), Runners-Up: Best Play, Best Actress (Deidrie Henry).

2005 Entertainment Today Ticketholder Awards and reviewplays.com, Runners-Up: Top Plays of 2005, Best Actor (Chris Butler), Best Actress (Deidrie N. Henry), Best Direction (Shirley Jo Finney), Best Playwright (Dael Orlandersmith), Best Sound Design (David B. Marling), and Best Choreography (Candy Brown).

Exits and Entrances - Santa Barbara Production: The Santa Barbara News-Press: #1 Best Production of the Year in 2005 in Santa Barbara.

Florida Production: 30th Annual Carbonell Award nominations for Best Production, Best Actor (Morlan Higgins) and Best Director (Stephen Sachs).

What I Heard About Iraq - Nominated for Best Adaptation (Simon Levy), Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.

Recipient of 3 Back Stage West 2005 Critics' List Honorable Mentions: Adaptation (Simon Levy), Sound Design (David B. Marling).

2005 reviewplays.com (Cynthia Citron): Best Director (Simon Levy); Runners-Up: Best Ensemble.

2005 Entertainment Today Ticketholder Awards and reviewplays.com, Runners-Up: Top Plays of 2005, Best Ensemble, Best Direction (Simon Levy), Best Adaptation (Simon Levy), and Best Sound Design (David B. Marling).

Acts of Desire - 2005 Entertainment Today Ticketholder Awards and reviewplays.com, Runners-Up: Best Supporting Actor (Marc Casabani).

2004

Exits and Entrances - Winner of 5 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards: Best Production (Simon Levy), Writing (Athol Fugard), Director (Stephen Sachs), Lead Actor (Morlan Higgins) and Featured Actor (William Dennis Hurley).

Winner of 3 L.A. OVATION Awards: World Premiere Play (Athol Fugard), Best Director (Stephen Sachs), and Lead Actor (Morlan Higgins).

Finalist 2005 PEN USA Literary Award for Drama.

Winner of 5 Back Stage West "Garland" Awards: Best Production, Writing (Athol Fugard), Direction (Stephen Sachs), Performances (Morlan Higgins and William Dennis Hurley).

Winner of the L.A. Weekly Award for Best Actor (Morlan Higgins).

Recipient of 2 Back Stage West 2004 Critics' List Awards: Ensemble Performance (Morlan Higgins and William Dennis Hurley) and Makeup Design (Hilla Peer).

2004 Park La Brea News "Maddie" Awards:

Best Production, Best Director (Stephen Sachs), Best Actor (Morlan Higgins), and Best Lighting (Kathi O'Donohue).

2004 Entertainment Today Ticketholder Awards:
#1 - Top Ten Plays 2004, Best Playwright (Athol Fugard), and Best Actor (Morlan Higgins)
Runner-up: Best Supporting Actor (William Dennis Hurley), Best Director (Stephen Sachs), and Best Lighting Design (Kathi O'Donohue).

2004 Beverly Hills Outlook Theatre Awards: Stage Actor of the Year (Morlan Higgins), and Top Five Stage Directors of the Year (Stephen Sachs).

2004 NoHo LA Magazine Theatre Awards: Best Play and Lead Performance (Morlan Higgins).

Nominated for 3 L.A. Weekly Awards: Writing (Athol Fugard), Direction (Stephen Sachs), Actor (Morlan Higgins).

Master Class (also see 2003 below) - Winner of the L.A. OVATION Award for Best Production of the year.

2004 Beverly Hills Outlook Theatre Award: Stage Actress of the Year (Karen Kondazian).

Daisy in the Dreamtime - Winner of 4 Back Stage West "Garland" Awards: Performance (Anthony J. Haney), Set Design (Desma Murphy), Sound Design (David Marling), Video Design (Marc Rosenthal).

Recipient of 7 Back Stage West 2004 Critics' List Honorable Mentions: Best Production, Direction (Simon Levy), Performance (Lisa Pelikan), Lighting Design (Kathi O'Donohue), Costume Design (Naila Aladdin-Sanders), Prop Design (Goar Galstyan and Lila Waters), Musical Accompaniment (Andjru Werderitsch).

2004 Beverly Hills Outlook Theatre Awards: Top Five Stage Productions of the Year; Top Five Stage Directors of the Year (Simon Levy).

2004 NoHo LA Magazine Theatre Awards: Lead Performance (Lisa Pelikan).

2004 Entertainment Today Ticketholder Awards: Runner-up: Best Supporting Actor (Anthony J. Haney), Best Supporting Actress (Suanne Spoke), Best Director (Simon Levy), Best Set Design (Desma Murphy), Best Costume Design (Naila Aladdin-Sanders), Best Lighting Design (Kathi O'Donohue), Best Sound Design (David Marling), Special Achievement (Multimedia - Marc Rosenthal), Special Achievement (Didjeridu - Andjru Werderitsch).

2004 Park La Brea News "Maddie" Awards: Best Sound Design (David Marling).

2004 NAACP Theater Award: Best Lights (Kathi O'Donohue).

2004 NAACP Theater Award Nominations: Best Actor (Anthony J. Haney), Best Sets (Desma Murphy), Best Lights (Kathi O'Donohue), Best Costumes (Naila Aladdin-Sanders), Best Producer (Stephen Sachs).

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill-2004 NAACP Theater Award: Best Actress (Peggy Ann Blow).

2004 NAACP Theater Award Nominations: Best Actress (Peggy Ann Blow), Best Supporting Actor (Alex Miles), Musical Direction (Herman Jackson), Best Producer (Deborah Lawlor).

2003
Master Class – 2003 Back Stage West GARLAND Awards: Best Actress (Karen Kondazian), Best Direction (Simon Levy), Best Sound Design (John Zalewski).
2003 MADDY AWARDS: Best Production, Best Direction (Simon Levy), Best Actress (Karen Kondazian)& Best Sound Design (John Zalewski).
ReviewPlays.com & NoHo LA: Top Ten Productions of 2003; Top Ten Performances of 2003, Karen Kondazian
Entertainment Today 2003 Ticketholder Awards: Runner-up, Best Production; Runner-up, Best Actress, Karen Kondazian; and Runner-up, Best Direction, Simon Levy.
Easy Reader Newspaper: Best Production 2003; Best Actress 2003, Karen Kondazian.

Going to St. Ives– 2003 Back Stage West GARLAND Award: Best Actress, Esther Scott.
Beverly Hills Outlook 2003 Awards: Winner, Best Actress, Esther Scott; Runner-up, Best Actress, Jacqueline Schultz; Runner-up, Best Production.
2003 MADDY AWARDS: Best Production, Best Playwright (Lee Blessing), Best Actress (Esther Scott).
NAACP 2004 Theatre Awards Nominations: Best Production; Best Actress, Jacqueline Schultz; Best Playwright, Lee Blessing; Best Set Design, Sean McMullen; and Best Costume Design, Naila Aladdin-Sanders.
Entertainment Today 2003 Ticketholder Awards: Winner, Best Actress, Esther Scott; Runner-up, Best Production; Runner-up, Best Playwright, Lee Blessing; and Runner-up, Best Costume Design, Naila Aladdin-Sanders.


To Be Young Gifted and BlackEntertainment Today 2003 Ticketholder Awards: Runner-up, Best Production; Runner-up, Best Actress, Esther Scott; and Runner-up, Best Lighting Design, Kathi O'Donohue.


The Men from the BoysReviewPlays.com & NoHo LA: Best Supporting Actor, Seamus Dever.
Beverly Hills Outlook 2003 Awards: Runner-up, Best Director, Stephen Sachs; Runner-up, Best Supporting Actor, Loren Freeman.
Entertainment Today 2003 Ticketholder Awards: Runner-up, Best Supporting Actor, Seamus Dever; and Runner-up, New Discovery, Adam Huss.

2002
After the Fall–Winner of 4 Theatre L.A. OVATION Awards, including Best Production (Simon Levy, Producer), Best Director (Stephen Sachs), Lead Actor (Morlan Higgins) & Lead Actress (Tracy Middendorf).
Los Angeles Times: Top 10 Productions of 2002.
Park La Brea News/Beverly Press Top Theater Productions of 2002.
CurtainUp: Top Theatre Productions of 2002.
2 Back Stage West Garland Awards: Best Actor, Morlan Higgins; Best Actress, Tracy Middendorf
5 Back Stage West "Honorable Mentions" including Best Production.
3 Maddy Awards including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.
4 Entertainment Today Ticketholder Awards: Top Ten Productions of 2002; Best Actor, Morlan Higgins; Best Lighting Designer, Kathi O'Donohue; Best Costume Designer, Shon Le Blanc; plus, 5 Runner-Up Awards (Best Direction, Ensemble, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress).


Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys–Winner, Ensemble Performance, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.
Nominated, Ensemble, L.A. Weekly Awards.
4 Back Stage West "Honorable Mentions" including Best Ensemble.

2001
Central Avenue– Finalist PEN West Literary Award in Drama (Stephen Sachs).
3 Back Stage West Garland Awards: including New Play.
11 Back Stage West Honorable Mentions: including Best Production (Bennett Bradley, Producer), Direction (Shirley Jo Finney) and Performance.
NAACP Award.


The Night of the Iguana– 3 Back Stage West Garland Awards, including Best Performance (Karen Kondazian).
6 Back Stage West Honorable Mentions, including Best Production (Stephen Sachs, Producer) and Direction (Simon Levy).

L.A. OVATION Award for Set Design.

L.A. Weekly Award for Production Design of the Year.

Entertainment Today: Top Productions of 2001.


Hair Pieces: By Women About Hair– 4 Back Stage West Honorable Mentions, including Best Production, Writing, Direction and Performance.

2000
Beast on the MoonBack Stage West Garland Award: Best Production of a Play (Deborah Lawlor, Producer).
2 Maddy Awards: Best Director (Edwin Gerard Hamamdjian) and Best Actress (Anna Der Nersesian).


The Road to Mecca–3 Maddy Awards: including Best Director (Stephen Sachs) and Best Actress (Priscilla Pointer).

1999
Summer and Smoke– 3 Theatre L.A. OVATION Awards, including Best Production (Stephen Sachs, Producer) and Best Actress (Tracy Middendorf).
4 Back Stage West/Drama-Logue Awards: including Best Production (Stephen Sachs, Producer) and Direction (Simon Levy).

Los Angeles Times: "Top Ten of 1999"

New Times L.A.: "Top Ten of 1999"

1998
The Last Tycoon–Best Production Design of the Year, L.A. Weekly Award
Best Director (Simon Levy) and Best Adaptation (Simon Levy), Drama-Logue Award
Career Achievement in Scenic Design, Sets to Go–L.A. Drama Critic's Circle Award
Lifetime Achievement in Lighting Design, Kathi O'Donohue–L.A. Drama Critic's Circle Award
Nominated for the prestigious 1999 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Ted Schmitt Award for Original Play

1997
Fighting Over BeverleyL.A. Weekly Award: Best Ensemble Acting
Drama-Logue Award: Best Play (Israel Horovitz)

Sweet Nothing in my Ear - California Governor's Media Access Award for Theatre,
Confirming the Search - Drama-Logue Award: Best Play (Nadine Mozon)
From the Mississippi DeltaDrama-Logue Awards:
Best Ensemble Acting, Director (Shirley Jo Finney)

1996
Los Angeles City Council Award for "enhancing the cultural life of Los Angeles"
Best Production of the Year, I Am a ManL.A. Weekly Award
Best Production of the Year, Orpheus DescendingDrama-Logue Award
Best Director, Simon Levy, Orpheus DescendingDrama-Logue Award

1995
PEN West Literary Award for Drama, Simon Levy for Tender is the Night
Best Play, Tender is the Night by Simon Levy–Drama-Logue Award
Best Production of the Year, Tender is the NightDrama-Logue Award
Best Director, Heidi Helen Davis, Tender is the NightDrama-Logue Award
Best Director, Hope Alexander, Park Your Car in Harvard YardDrama-Logue Award

1994
Best Production of the Year, AshesDrama-Logue Award
Best Director, Stephen Sachs, AshesDrama-Logue Award
Best Ensemble Acting, AshesDrama-Logue Award

1993
Best Production of the Year, The Boys in the BandL.A.Weekly Award
Best Director, Stephen Sachs, The SeagullDrama-Logue Award

1992
Best Director, Stephen Sachs, Unchanging LoveDrama-Logue Award
Rainbow Award, Deborah Lawlor–Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival
Best Director, Stephen Sachs, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's NestDrama-Logue Award

1991
Best Director, Stephen Sachs, Fanon's PeopleDrama-Logue Award

1990
Best Production of the Year, The Golden GateDrama-Logue Award
Best Play, The Golden Gate by Stephen SachsDrama-Logue Award
Best Director, Stephen Sachs, The Golden GateDrama-Logue Award
Best Ensemble Acting, The Golden GateDrama-Logue Award