Rockwell Table & Stage Presents ‘The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Big Lebowski’

John Turner

“The Dude abides.” That single, short line from the cult comedy classic “The Big Lebowski” subtly and hilariously encapsulates the 1998 film, which has since inspired millions of fans, an annual festival and even its own religion. This summer, the crew at Rockwell Table & Stage joins in on the fun with “The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Big Lebowski,” part of the Los Feliz Village club’s “Unauthorized Musical Parody” series that spoofs popular movies.

The original Coen Brothers’ film, which stars Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Julianne Moore, is about (as are most Coen flicks) a crime caper gone wrong. Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Bridges) is an L.A. slacker who is mistaken for a millionaire also named Jeff Lebowski; when The Dude and his manic Vietnam-vet buddy Walter (Goodman) learn that the millionaire Lebowski’s wife has been kidnapped . . . as you can imagine, the usual Coen-esque hijinks unfold.

The “Lebowski” parody is the brainchild of Rockwell artistic director Kate Pazakis, the woman who penned the script along with her frequent collaborator Ray Wetmore. The pair has written several previous parodies for the series including spoofs of “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Scream” and “Cruel Intentions.” Producing the musicals are relatively easy, Pazakis believes, because the actors aren’t paid and since the runs of each show are fairly short, L.A. actors are willing to volunteer for them in between other projects. And some musicals have attracted big-name performers. “The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Scream,” for example, starred Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”) who performed alongside Nicole Parker (“MADtv”) and Missi Pyle (“Gone Girl”).

Rockwell Table & Stage offers a full menu of pub food, wine and cocktails; the venue has both an indoor dining room and an adjacent patio where the performances take place. The “Lebowski” parody is directed by Tye Blue and has musical direction by Gregory Nabours. 

“The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Big Lebowski” is at Rockwell Table & Stage on Thursdays and Fridays from May 19-Aug. 5. For information and tickets, see Rockwell’s event page.