Falcon Theatre Brings Comedy, Musicals to Toluca Lake

Across the street from Bob’s Big Boy on the corner of Rose Street and Riverside Drive lies my local theater. Located in Burbank, just over the border from Toluca Lake, the is on the route of my neighborhood walks, and the show titles on its marquee often pique my interest and make me smile. CHiPs the Musical, Frosty the Snow Manilow and It’s a Stevie Wonderful Life must be worth a few laughs, but it took my love of Billy Joel to get me inside to see The First Jo-el in December. 

Opened in 1977 by Garry Marshall, film director and producer of the hit '70s sitcoms Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley, the 130-seat theater is cozy. It provides Valley theatergoers an experience similar to Westwood’s Geffen Playhouse. Every seat is a good one in the two-story, 12,000-square-foot complex, named in memory of the Bronx Falcons, a 1950s athletic club Marshall belonged to in his youth.

The First Jo-el incorporated 20 Billy Joel songs into the Bible’s nativity story.  There was dancing, singing, a live band and audience participation with lyrics cleverly tailored to fit the story line. The show was typical of many productions at the Falcon, which often offers musical hybrids with a twist. But it also showcases traditional and new plays with name stars. Charlotte Rae, Kevin Spacey and Tony Danza, among others, have appeared in past productions.

The Falcon also present kids shows, including The Magic Flute (adapted from  Mozart's opera), The Little Mermaid and Cinderella.

Now playing is Jamaica, Farewell, a one-woman play presented in association with Rita Wilson about playwright Debra Ehrhardt’s journey to the U.S. from Jamaica in the 1970s.

Check North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch's for more details.