Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's Assasins has been mounted by the
always excellent Sight Unseen Theatre Group (at the Meta Theater on
Melrose near Fairfax), and the results are impressive. This rarely performed
subversive gem has been marvelously directed by Cindy Jenkins, with first rate
musical direction by the prodigiously talented Andy Mitton. Dan Jenkins and
Sam Roberts set/lighting design puts you under a circus tent for a slightly
surrealistic journey into the minds of our country's best known (though
sometimes only would-be) Presidential killers.

What a fine cast has been assembled for this production! Kyle Nudo
(ingratiating as the Balladeer), Michael Laurino (a powerful performance as
John Wilkes Booth), Corey Pepper as a crazed Samuel Beck, and 11th hour
appearing James Sheldon, creepy and touching as Lee Harvey Oswald, are
but four of the impressive cast members. There isn't a week link in the
ensemble, which also features sensational work by Philip D'Amore, Jason
Decker, Salvatore Vassallo, Juliana Johnson, Gina Torrecilla, Lance Kramer,
Patrick Seitz, Rachel Payne, Rachel Jendrzejewski, and Joaquin Nunez. The
lovely Miss Johnson (as Squeky Fromme) is doubly luck, getting to duet the
exquisite Unworthy of Your Love with the uncannily John Hinkley-like Kramer as
well as perform one of the plays most amusing scenes sharing Kentucky Fried
Chicken with Miss Torrecilla, hilariously channeling Sara Jane Moore. The final
scene between Laurino and Sheldon is an acting tour de force. Kudos to them
all, and to Sight Unseen's dynamic Clark Freeman, who doubles as producer
and percussionist.
April 29,  2007, SIGHT UNSEEN THEATRE GROUP, LOS ANGELES.


--Steven Stanley