Whole lotta "Betrayal" goin on

You may have noticed that if I find two productions of the same play in close proximity to each other, it constitutes an L.A. theatre trend. Hey, my blog, my rules, right?

And, granted, it's not so eye openingly amazing to find a whole rash of productions of "As You Like it" or "Taming of the Shrew" as I have done in recent posts. (A reader even added a third "Shrew" that I had forgotten at Rep East Playhouse in Santa Clarita is doing "Shrew" as part of Shakespeare in the Park, the weekends of 6/21 and 6/28 (see comments), and thanks much for that, Daniel Faigin.

Now we've got a couple of companies saying, "I'll see your Shakespeare and raise you a pair of Pinters." Two productions of Pinter's "Betrayal" are about to open. The play was written 30 years ago, so I guess it's anniversary time.

"Betrayal" is a three character play that travels backward in time, chronicling a seven year adulterous love affair. Husband, wife, lover. Produced on Broadway in 1980, the Peter Hall directed production starred Blythe Danner, Roy Scheider and Raul Julia. A 2000 revival featured Liev Schreiber, Juliette Binoche. It was also a movie starring Jeremy Irons, Ben Kingsley and Patricia Hodge.

I know, I know, get to the CURRENT news, Henerson.

First up is the Andak Stage Company production opening June 28 at the New Place Theatre in NoHo. It stars Nike Doukas, Leo Marks and Dan Reichert. Andak, incidentally, is the company run by Dakin Matthews and Anne McNaughton. June 28-Aug. 3. (866) 811-4111, www.theatermania.com, www.Andak.org.

Next up is The Playground's production of "Betrayal" opening July 10 at the Matrix Theatre for a three week run through July 27. This one's got TV folks Henry Simmons (of "NYPD Blue"), Sophina Brown (of TV's "Shark") and Rick Wasserman.

The folks who informed me about the Playground production didn't provide me with any more who/what or contact info . A look at the Matrix Theatre website indicates that the Paul Mazursky directed "The Catskill Sonata" will be up at the Matrix July 6 through Sept. 2. I don't recall the Matrix having more than once performance space, so not sure what's going on here. Check back in a day or two and I should have better info.

I do suspect, however, that entirely un Pinteer-ian "The Catskill Sonata" will not be in mass re-production any time soon.