One of the most intellectually stimulating theater groups in Los Angeles over the last decade has been Circle X. That X is not for X-rated, but more like an X on a map where the treasure is buried. The group hasn’t had a home theater and are a bit like vagabonds. They first came to my attention with the “Great men of Science Nos. 21 & 22″ by Glenn Berger. Then there was ” In Flagrante Gothicto” and though time and money have forced me to miss some more recent productions, it’s always with much regret.

It would seem natural that some theater people would turn to the web, where drama lives in a manner less ephemeral than most small theater performances.

Two of the original Circle X group are doing just that: award-winning actress, playwright and director Jillian Armenante and award-winning artistic director, producer and actor  Jim Anzide recently launched Stoic Entertainment. They say to think Swiss Army Knife meets production company.   This production team was responsible for some of the most memorable plays to hit Los Angeles in the last two decades,  including “Great Men of Science Nos. 21 & 22” by Glenn Berger, “In Flagrante Gothicto” and the hit musical “Laura Comstock’s Bag Punching Dog” by Armenante/Dodd and most recently “Love Loves A Pornographer” by Jeff Goode.

 

Their new project is “Kittens In A Cage” which is based on the play by Kelleen Conway Blanchard.  At its Annex Theatre world premiere  in Seattle, “Kittens” garnered praise for its “caustic humor,” “unspeakable deeds” and sometimes for it’s “outright lunacy.”. Armenante was a member of Annex Theatre for almost a decade before relocating to Los Angeles and teaming up with Circle X.

 

Stoic Entertainment’s web series, “Kittens in a Cage” will be shot like a feature film and cut into at least two seasons of webisodes.  It boasts an incredible cast of film, television and stage stars such as Lauren Weedman (“The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, “Hung”), Rebecca Field (“The Client List,” “American Reunion)”, La Toya London (American Idol Finalist, “The Color Purple” –Ovation Award winner 2012), Gigi Bermingham (“Dearly Departed,” “CSI”), Jillian Armenante (“Judging Amy,” “Girl Interrupted”) and many more.

 

Weekly special guest stars include Joel McHale (“Community,” “The Soup,” “Ted”), Amy Brenneman (“Judging Amy,” “Private Practice”) Michaela Watkins (“SNL,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine”) and Constantine Maroulis (American Idol Finalist, “Rock of Ages,” “Jekyll & Hyde”).  Many more cameo surprises are to be revealed.

 

Want to help out? Stoic Entertainment has begun a Kickstarter campaign.

Of course, it is a gamble. Can “Kittens in a Cage” captivate online audiences? We never seem to tire of cute kitten videos and even had a contest, so why not? With Circle X vets Jillian Armenante and Jim Anzide, it’s bound to be provocative.