Casting around at the Geffen, Pasadena, Blank

October 21, 12:27 PMLA Stage Scene ExaminerEvan Henerson

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Joe Spano will play Shag in "Equivocation"

Geffen Playhouse

The casting announcements are coming in hot and heavy for a few noteworthy upcoming productions.

“NCIS’s” Joe Spano as Shakespeare anyone? Maybe a bit of a reach, but that’s how director David Esbjornsen will play things at the Geffen Playhouse where Bill Cain’s “Equivocation” will bow beginning Nov. 18.

Actually, Spano will be playing “Shag” whose ragtag acting troupe has been commissioned by King James ! to write the true history of the Gunpowder Plot in Renaissance England. Harry Groener, a three time Tony nominee, will play Shag’s second in command. Rounding out the cast are Patrick J. Adams, Brian Henderson, Connor Trineer and Troian Bellisario. The plays runs through Dec. 20 at 10886 LeConte Ave. in Westwood. (310) 208-5454, www.geffenplayhouse.com.

To the east, the Pasadena Playhouse has its lineup for “Baby It’s You!” The new musical by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux is based on the life of New Jersey housewife Florence Greenberg whose independent record company partnership with Luther Dixon resulted in the discovery of, among others, the Shirelles.

Meeghan Holloway will play Greenberg while Allan Louis will play Dixon. The 11 person cast also includes Matt McKenzie, Erica Ash, Berlando Drake, Geno Henderson, Adam Irizarry, Paulette Ivory, Crystal Starr Knighton, Barry Pearl and Suzanne Petrela. Mutrux directs. Performances are Nov. 13-Dec. 13 at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. (626) 356-7529, www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org.

And for any “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” who can’t get enough of a fix from seeing Groener in “Equivocation,” (he played Mayor Wilkins for 15 episodes), the Blank Theatre has announced that Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris on the series, will be the sole performer in David Sedaris’s “The Santaland Diaries.”

This being a show based on Sedaris’s experiences as a Macy’s elf during Christmas time, Brendon will be playing David and Crumpet the Elf for director Michael Matthews. The play opens Nov. 27 at 6500 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. www.TheBlank.com or by calling (323) 661-9827.

Info: www.geffenplayhouse.com, , www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org. www.TheBlank.com