You’ll Laugh, You’ll Cry. You’ll Love the Plays

Little Fish Theatre and Shakespeare by the Sea attractions

Shakespeare by the Sea and Little Fish Theatre: Artistic gems.

What started out as a thesis for university turned into a life’s work for Lisa Coffi.

She had the idea to put on a true Shakespearean play in the park and searched at length for the right place. When the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks gave her the use of Pt. Fermin Park, she was on her way. The catch was that Parks & Rec said she could not charge for the performance but offered help in securing funds to finance the project. Funding came in readily and the show went on.
Shakespeare by the Sea is in its 22nd season and has soared from 3,000 in attendance to 20,000 and now presents shows in 20 location over the course of 10 weeks with 42 performances, 13 of which are in San Pedro. This year the theatre group will be performing “Henry V” along with “Comedy of Errors.” And anyone who’s interested in performing can go to the organization’s website to find the casting calls. They always in need of more male actors, she said.

“A Comedy of Errors” opens Thursday, June 13 at San Pedro’s Pt. Fermin Park. It’s described as “a classic Shakespearean romp of mistaken identity. Two young visitors arrive in the city unaware that their long-lost twins already live there.” And the play, set over the course of a single day, has everything go wrong that can.
“Comedy of Errors” opens June 13 and “Henry V” on June 20. All of the Shakespeare by the Sea plays are free admission. The play is known as an inspiring tale of the king who wanted to unite England, which takes him through war and, ultimately, a decisive victory at Agincourt.

And if presenting a festival of the Bard is not enough to keep one busy Lisa along with Associate Artistic Director Suzanne Dean also started Little Fish Theatre, which will mount 15 shows this year. Performances are played in the company’s intimate 60-seat theater, which brings the audience along as if they are on the stage.

“The Cemetery Club” is running through March 17. It will be followed by “The Country House” opening on April 4 through April 28. Plus there are several fun single-day theater events throughout the season.
Little Fish Theatre is one of San Pedro’s little gems for the arts.

Little Fish Theatre
777 S. Centre Street, Downtown.
310-512-6030, www.LittleFishTheatre.org

Shakespeare by the Sea
Presented in a variety of locations throughout Southern California
Pt. Fermin Park
807. W. Paseo del Mar, Peninsula
www.ShakespeareByTheSea.org