DREAMHOUSE THEATER COMPANY HISTORY

The Dreamhouse Theater Company, formerly named The Dreamhouse Ensemble, was founded in 2003 by Artistic Director, Alex Sol. The company’s first home was at the Space Theater in East Hollywood. Its mission:  “The pursuit of artistic excellence in the theater”

     The first production was “Room Service,” by Allen Boretz; a farce set in 1937 which is a play about a shistey theater producer and his cast & cronies who moved into a Broadway hotel--where his brother-in-law is the Assistant Hotel Manager. With no money to pay the bill and the big boss on his way, its a race against the clock to open the show before their eviction. This play tips its hat to the classic trials and tribulations of the theater.  With glowing reviews, this Broadway classic put Dreamhouse on the Hollywood theater map.

    Next on the Dreamhouse marque was “Jimmy Christ,” by Nicholas Monohan; a cleverly constructed comedy based on the story of Jesus’ brother, Jimmy--a boy who had to overcome his physical disability, a club foot, and the pressure of living in the christ household. This script was selected to illuminate  the coming of age heroics that come with finding yourself. This play was directed by Alex Sol and stared Jonah Wanicur as Jimmy.

    “Everything in the Garden,” by Edward Albee was next up. This wonderful dramedy takes place in the 1960s, a time when it was a commonality to  compromise ones’ self to ‘keep up with the Jone’s’--no matter what the cost. Directed by Charles Waxberg, the title character Jenny, a middle-class Suburban housewife, played by Dre Slamen, is swayed by a stranger to earn money as a prostitute, unbenounced to her husband. Dreamhouse embraced this play because it explores the consequences of betraying our moral compass in the name of social status. 

    We continued this theme with Agatha Christie’s who-done-it thriller, “And Then There Were None,” directed by Alex Sol. Under a disguised invitation from Judge Lawrence Wargrave, played by Steve London, 10 distinctly different characters of are confronted with a dark secret--a crime they had committed.  One by one the guests were found murdered.  Besides being a gripping night of mystery and suspense, this play questions the personal ethics of all of us and magnifies the inherent consequences of our actions.

    We completed our 2006 season with “What the Rabbi Saw,” by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore.  This hilarious, energetic comedy was directed by current Dreamhouse Member, Ross Kramer.  This play gave our audiences a delightful theater experience loaded with slap-stick gags, tricks, tempers and meltdowns.  While we closed our season with a bang we were buckling down for 2007...

    2007 opened with the World Premiere of Frank Tangredi’s, “Galatea.”  Having first read the script in a company read-through, it was clear that this beautiful and eloquent piece was meant for Dreamhouse.  It is a story of the tragic nature of living life without forgiveness; while unveiling the beauty of the courage to change.  

    Alex Sol honed this production, along with a talented cast including the title roles of Merle played by Lorianne Hill, Al Hagen played by Ronald Quigley and Kate Hagen played by Adrian Lee. Duly apt were the supporting roles of Adam played by Ross Kramer and Barbara played by Jacqueline Hickel. This performance received critical acclaim by the LA Times, Pick-of-the-Week in the LA Weekly and was selected to perform in the New York City Fringe Festival.

    We moved from “Galatea” into an evening of one-acts which we named “The Grey In Between.” Each one-act was picked to highlight the difficult decisions all of us are faced with when the truth is not black and white.  These selected one-acts included: “A Night Out” by Harold Pinter directed by Alex Sol, the “Great Nebula in Orion” by Lanford Wilson and “White Liars” by Peter Shaffer.

    The 2007 season concluded with a powerful play by Larry Maraviglia, entitled “Little Secrets,” directed by Alex Sol. Set in a college dormitory in the 1960s, this taught psychological thriller is about an intensely neurotic, controlling and manipulative upper clansman who takes control of his new young and naive, closeted homosexual dorm-mate through an exchange of sorted secrets about the boys sexuality.  Jarred, played by Peter Berube, threatens to expose his dorm-mate, Don Flood, played by Patrick Cavanaugh. This Dreamhouse production of Little Secrets reached its audiences by fearlessly uncovering the script’s underlining theme: self realization, acceptance and the courage to break free from the chains of our own prisons, which are more perception than reality--thus, little secrets.

    2008 commenced with “The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s” by John Bishop. This 1987 Broadway comedy was chosen to deliver our audience a richly textured murder mystery, laced with historical references and fiendishly clever theater personalities. This light-hearted comedy provided a wonderfully entertaining evening, directed by Alex Sol. Among the notable cast were current Dreamhouse members, Jacqueline Hickel and Leona Britton.

    In 2008, after 6 years of total devotion to the Dreamhouse Theater Ensemble, Artistic Director, Alex Sol, had come to realize that navigating the challenges of producing high-quality productions in our charming, though extremely constrictive, store-front theater had become unmanageable--not only for the company but also for our patrons.  With 1 bathroom backstage and no proper air conditioning, thank you, loyal Dreamhouse audiences! We alway sought to respect and honor you.  We had grown out of our space however we will always hold it dear to us as it was the birthplace of our company.

    Coinciding with this, Dreamhouse owners Alex and Sarah Sol (formerly known as Sarah Zimmitti) were engaged and decided to harness their energies on starting a family. Subsequently, the Dreamhouse Ensemble parted ways with the Space Theater and took a hiatus.

    Four years later, we are proud to announce the return of the Dreamhouse Theater Company. We are now the resident theater company in our beautiful new home at the Jet Studios in North Hollywood. We are looking forward to our tremendous 2012-2013 season!

Peter Berube and Patrick Cavanaugh in “Little Secrets,” 2007

Cast and Crew of “Everything in the Garden,” 2006

Stefanie Chapmen and Sarah Sol in “What the Rabbi Saw,” 2006