2022 / 2023 Season

Artemis Danza, "Secret Fires"

October 18, 2022

This event was presented by the ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE in Los Angeles, in collaboration with Theatre Raymond Kabbaz.

ARTEMIS DANZA presents PASOLINI - SECRET FIRES, a contemporary dance performance celebrating #Pasolini100, produced by Compagnia Artemis Danza/Monica Casadei, with the support of Ministero della Cultura, ATER Fondazione, Regione Emilia-Romagna Cultura d'Europa.

Pasolini’s artistic explorations would begin from the body—from his own, lean and athletic, and from his hunger for the bodies of others, a theme that permeates his work in all its light and shadows. Through the characters, words and images that populate his oeuvre, the Emilian author gave shape to his thoughts and made them into works of art open to different interpretations.

Majid Bekkas African Gnaoua Tour

October 30, 2023

“Bekkas is one of the most exciting stars of gnaoua and it’s easy to understand why…”

– Jazz Journal

Nicknamed “the bluesman of Morocco,” Majid Bekkas, the internationally acclaimed gnaoua master, fluidly moves between traditional North African music and the modern blues. Bridging the cultures of North Africa and the West, Bekkas mixes musical genres to create “Gnaoua blues”.

While the Blues needs no introduction, Gnaoua music is less well known in the U.S. Combining elements of African traditions, gnaoua music is a celebration of life, with gnaoua musicians known as ‘musical doctors’ or those who heal the soul. Concentrated mainly in Morocco and Algeria, this show offers a rare opportunity to witness the music live in Los Angeles.

Turing's Machine (La Machine de Turing)

October 27, 2022 (public performance)

October 28, 2022 (school performance)

There are heroes in the shadows to whom history neglects to pay tribute. Alan Turing is one of them. He was a brilliant mathematician during the Second World War, turning the tide of history and contributing to the victory of the Allies. An anonymous hero forced into silence, he was crushed by the well-meaning “machine” of his era, condemned as a criminal because of his homosexuality. Benoît Solès' play sheds light on this extraordinary destiny, immersing the audience in the fascinating story of this extraordinary man and his tragic life.

700: this is the number of times the play has been performed in France. If this is already a good indicator of its success, its triumph does not stop there. Acclaimed by the public and the press, it won 4 Molières awards (the highest French theatre honor) in 2019 for Best Play, Best Actor (Benoit Solès), Best Author (Benoit Solès) and Best Director (Tristan Petitgirard).

In French with English supertitles.

Kybele Dance Theater

November 3, 2022

Turkish-born Seda Aybay draws upon her Turkish heritage to create innovative works that showcase the power of storytelling and stretch the boundaries of modern dance.

Founded in 2003 by Seda Aybay, Kybele Dance Theater (KDT) seeks to cultivate an experience that infuses theatrical and contemporary dance with Turkish socio-cultural narratives and imagery. Drawing from a diverse tapestry of experience, Aybay uses her unique multicultural approach to craft gestural movement, syncopated rhythms, and lush curves into repertoire that abstracts and amplifies the forgotten moments of everyday life; the mundane becomes powerful, seductive, and profound. Through a sophisticated lense, KDT fosters an ever evolving vocabulary including evening length programs, mixed repertory work, educational performances, and festivals.

Animation Fest

November 17, 2022

The selection of animated shorts captures the spirit of the times we live in today, with stories infused with humor and poetic force. In this collection of 13 films, many have already been shortlisted for prestigious festival circuits in France, like Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The showcase also features shorts directed by young filmmakers from renowned French animation schools: this promising new generation tackles current issues and turns a critical gaze on modern society using the power of animation.

All films in French with English subtitles.

Fary “Aime-moi si tu peux"

December 3, 2022

In advance of his 2023 tour, Fary will perform in Los Angeles for one-night, only at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz. The opening act is Jason Brokerss, who recently starred in the international Netflix series "Humorists of the World."

Fary's rise has been meteoric. The comedian made his debut on stage in 2014, and quickly established himself as the youngest artist to fill the largest French venues. His success soon became international: in 2018 Netflix produced "Fary is the new black", which was the first French stand up show available on the platform. But Fary didn’t stop there: after multiple appearances in movies and TV shows, as well as the opening of his own Comedy Club (Madame Sarfaty), his visibility increased even more in 2020, his second show on Netflix, "Hexagone". This performance was streamed in 190 countries, remaining in the Top 3 most watched programs for many weeks. The comedian makes stand up accesible, and crowns it as an art in its own right. His humor is provocative and sometimes controversial, but always with intelligence and sharpness to provoke reflection.

In French, no supertitles.

The Lost Fingers with Special Guest John Jorgenson

December 8, 2022

The Lost Fingers with Special Guest John Jorgenson brilliantly transform classic hits into a fresh new sound inspired by Django Reinhardt.

The Québec-based quartet features remarkable musicianship, heavenly vocals, and inventive arrangements, along with a keen sense of humor and eccentric fashion. This high-energy show is designed for music lovers, pop-culture aficionados, and even jazz experts.

John Jorgenson joins The Lost Fingers on stage for this one night event in Los Angeles. The Grammy-winning guitar virtuoso & multi-instrumentalist is known for his broad musical palette, and has collaborated with the likes of Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan, and many others.

Django à Gogo

January 27-29, 2023

Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz partnered with Dance Camera West (DCW) to put together an exclusive set of international dance films that allow you to travel abroad without, well, traveling anywhere.

The third night “New Inspiration”, offers up a night of experimental dance shorts for those on the bleeding edge of dance appreciation, with a package of eight shorts made by choreographers pushing boundaries around the world. This series of shorts includes Marlene Millar (France), Mathieu Mondoulet (France), Quinn Wharton (USA), Paulo Filipe Monteiro (Portugal), All or Nothing (UK), Cass Mortimer Eipper (Australia), Bertrand Guerry (France), Hofesh Shechter (UK).

A Night of Short French Films

February 10, 2023

For the fourteenth year straight, A Night of Short French Films honors French cinema and the innovative traditions in filmmaking being developed there since the very first motion picture was screened in Paris in 1895.I

In this new collection of French shorts, we delve into films with a distinctly French style selected from the top French festival circuit. Along with the free cheese and charcuterie tasting at intermission, you’ll feel as though you were in Paris!

Films in French with English subtitles.

Promises

March 9, 2023

Directed by Amanda Sthers

With Jean Reno, Kelly Reilly, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Leon Hesby

Based on Sthers’ international bestseller by the same title, “Promises” turns on an unfulfilled love affair between Alexander, played by Pierfrancesco Favino — who won best actor at Venice in 2020 for his role in Italian drama “Padrenostro” — and Laura, played by Kelly Reilly (“True Detective,” “Britannia”). Alexander’s Grandfather is played by veteran French actor Jean Reno (“Leon”, “Le Grand Bleu”) .

Les combats d’une effrontée (The Battles of a woman who dared)

March 15, 2023 (school performance)

March 16, 2023 (public performance)

Adapted by Cristiana Reali and Antoine Mory from Simone Veil's memoir “A Life”

Directed by Pauline Susini

With Cristiana Reali and Noemie Develay-Ressiguier

The play is the first ever adaptation of Simone Veil’s 2007 memoir called “A Life”, which recounts in detail Veil’s deportation from France to Nazi concentration camps as a child and her astonishing life afterwards.

While few Americans are familiar with the name Simone Veil, to the French she is one of the most revered public figures of recent history. This play seeks to delve into the details of her life to understand what it was that made her a figure that marked her time and one that is still relevant today?

Performed in French with English supertitles.

A Week of French Language Cinema

March 18-23, 2023

For the fourteenth year straight, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK) in collaboration with the Consulates General of Switzerland, France, Belgium, Canada, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Quebec Government Office in Los Angeles, and Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles present A Week of French Language Cinema, with nightly screenings of critically acclaimed French language films, from Saturday, March 18th through Thursday, March 23, 2023.

A Week of French Language Cinema is organized annually to coincide with the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF)’s celebration of the French language and Francophone culture on March 20th. The event is the perfect showcase to present the artistry of alternative, French-language voices and a vision of human relationships, global challenges, and values that is reflected throughout this year’s program.

Films in French with English supertitles.

We Love Arabs

April 19 (school performance)

April 20 (public performance)

Text & choreography: Hillel Kogan

Dancers: Mourad Bouayad (French) and Hillel Kogan (Israeli)

Light: Amir Castro

“We Love Arabs” brings together dance and theatre to explore coexistence, brotherhood, and peace. Witty and completely politically incorrect, Kogan’s work goes straight to the heart of national and religious identities, clichés and prejudices, and offers us a demonstration, sometimes hilarious, sometimes provocative, of the ever-present power dynamics on stage, in the wings and beyond.

The Last Bandoleros

Cinco de Mayo, 2023

The French rarely celebrate defeat, but for this band, we’ll make an exception. San Antonio trio The Last Bandoleros perform their brand new album entitled Tex Flex Folklórico at TRK in celebration of Cinco de Mayo! The trio lovingly refers to their unique new sound - a mix of Rock, Pop, and Latin flavor - as “Tex Flex.” The Last Bandoleros with special guests Hannah Brier (vocals), Percy Cardona (accordion), and Ramiro Belgardt (cello) perform an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo at the decidedly French Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz.

On the heels of their Stagecoach Festival appearance, The Last Bandoleros celebrate Cinco de Mayo with their special blend of Tejano and Tex-Mex songs in Spanish, English, and “Spanglish”, straight from the Texas-Mexico border!

The Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra conducted by Carlo Ponti

May 12, 2023

Celebrate unforgettable orchestral treasures by Jacques Castérède, Samuel Barber and W.A. Mozart with a one-of-a-kind program including two emerging virtuosi soloists and acclaimed soprano Lisa Delan.

Italy Names Carlo Ponti Ufficiale dell’Ordine della Stella d'Italia. Carlo Ponti has been named Ufficiale dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia for his contribution to the artistic heritage of Italy! Attendees at the May 12th concert will witness the honor bestowed upon Maestro Ponti by the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini.

HARVEY

June 1st & 2nd, 2023

Written by Mary Chase

Directed by Pierre Leloup

Since 1992 La Troupe du Theatre Raymond Kabbaz has been entertaining French speakers in Los Angeles with an annual theatre performance. After a 3-year Pandemic hiatus, the French theatre group returns to perform the American comedy classic, HARVEY, in French!

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play follows the story of Elwood P. Dowd, who insists on including his friend Harvey in all of his sister Veta’s social gatherings. The trouble is, Harvey is a pooka, a 6 ft 3+1⁄2 inch tall invisible rabbit.

To avoid future embarrassment for her family—and especially for her daughter, Myrtle Mae—Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. When they arrive at the sanitarium, a comedy of errors ensues.

Performed in French without surtitles.