For several years, the city of West Hollywood’s arts division has presented free “Theatre in the Parks” programming. This year, as the world continues to navigate the pandemic, the city is presenting two virtual theater experiences produced by Playwrights Ink and Classical Theatre Lab.

Due to extremely positive feedback about these virtual theater experiences from community members and local businesses, the program has been extended through Thursday, Dec. 31, the city recently announced.

Playwrights Ink, a collaborative of eight Southern California playwrights with more than 100 local and national productions to their collective credit, brings “While You Wait” to patrons in West Hollywood waiting in line at local businesses.

“While You Wait” offers the West Hollywood community bite-sized virtual theater experiences by presenting eight one- to two-minute mini-plays, monologues and animations, all examining the theme of waiting. Viewers will be able to connect to the videos by pointing their cell phone cameras at QR codes placed on stickers or banners at businesses and parks throughout the city while they wait in one of the many lines that are part of daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses seek to ensure social (physical) distancing by limiting occupancy.

West Hollywood businesses where community members can view “While You Wait” videos include Book Soup, Starbucks, Tashman Home Center, Trader Joe’s and the UPS Store.

With theater audiences unlikely to gather in shared spaces for many months, “While You Wait” serves as a playful reminder that the show must go on(line) by taking theater to people on the streets where they work, shop and play.

Classical Theatre Lab, a nonprofit organization devoted to exploring theater, literature and performance, brings a costumed online reading of “The Drag” by Mae West to life. Subtitled “A Homosexual Comedy in Three Acts” and written by under the pseudonym Jane Mast before Mae West became a blockbuster Hollywood star, “The Drag” is about the cost of living with a secret life.

“The Drag” enthralled, but also scandalized, audiences in theaters just outside of New York City where it opened in 1927. The play’s portrayal of homosexuality and drag queens led to authorities shutting down performances after just two weeks.

This Classical Theatre Lab reading features guest artists Kelly Mantle, Roger Q. Mason and T. Ashanti Mozelle. A singer, songwriter, and comedian, as well as actor, Mantle guest-starred on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” An accomplished writer/performer, Mason penned and starred in “Lavender Men” at Skylight Theatre. Mozelle can be seen in “Trade,” the 2019 feature film based on true story of a Los Angeles transgender prostitute.

Videos are available to view online at weho.org/arts or bit.ly/wehoartstheatre.