Author Archive
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
The future of musical theater is in good hands with talented students like those from USC who have put together a sensational black box production of Sondheim/Lapine’s Sunday In The Park With George, a production which actually surpasses last year’s outstanding Sunday/George at The Chance Theatre in both imagination and originality. This is due in large part to director/set designer Steve Edlund, aided by a fine cast and a star making performance by Natalie Peyser.
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HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Sunday, January 20th, 2008RECOMMENDED
Hedwig And The Angry Inch is back in L.A. in a bravura star turn by Chuck
DiMaria.
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SAY YOU LOVE SATAN
Sunday, January 20th, 2008RECOMMENDED
Say you’re an average-Joe sort of gay man. Suddenly a vision of male
perfection appears before you and asks you out on a date. Wonder of
wonders this hunk of hunks wants YOU! Say, then, that you happen to notice
a tiny tattoo just where his forehead meets his hairline, a tiny tattoo of the
number 666, aka “the number of the beast.” What if this perfect new
boyfriend of yours just happened to be the son of Satan? What if, in fact, he
was Satan himself, evil incarnate with a six pack!? Would you just dump him
and return to your perfect-in-every-way-but-just-too-sweet (sort of) boyfriend?
Or would you keep on walking on the wild side, knowing that you might just be
heading down a path towards … ETERNAL DAMNATION?
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IL BIDONE
Saturday, January 19th, 2008RECOMMENDED
“Aging small-time con man Augusto, who swindles peasants, works with two
younger men: Roberto, who wants to become the Italian Johnny Ray, and
Bruno, nicknamed Picasso, who has a wife (Iris) and daughter and wants to
paint. Augusto avoids the personal entanglements, spending money at clubs
seeking the good life. His attitude changes when he runs into his own daughter,
Patrizia, whom he rarely sees, and realizes she’s now a young woman and in need
of his help to continue her studies. His usual partners are away, so he goes in with
others to run a swindle, and they aren’t forgiving when he claims he’s given the
money back to their mark. They leave him beaten, robbed, and alone.”
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THE CATHOLIC GIRL’S GUIDE TO LOSING YOUR VIRGINITY
Thursday, January 17th, 2008
24-year-old Lizzy’s boyfriend Steven is on top of her, attempting to entice her
into having sex with him. “If you don’t, you’re going to hell,” he informs her.
“No, really,” he adds. And then, “I mean it.” After all, he continues, “we’ve
been dating for three weeks now. Just relax.” Legs in the air, Lizzy replies,
“I’m not relaxed,” and then explains her real reason for just saying “no.” “I’m
saving myself for marriage,” she tells Steven. “But this is New York,” he
protests. “No one’s going to throw rocks as you.” And then he throws in the
kicker. “I love you!” (This is after three weeks.) And the final assault: “If we
stop now, this could physically harm me.” Literally begging: “Have a heart.
It’s Thanksgiving!”
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THE COMMON AIR
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
One superb actor. Six fascinating characters. Ninety minutes of compelling
and thought-provoking drama. This is The Common Air, sure to be
remembered at year’s end as one of the finest solo performances of 2008.
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KERR PACKAGE
Sunday, January 13th, 2008NOT RECOMMENDED
Kerr Package is a program of one-acts by Kerr Seth Lordygan, the best of which is
entitled List, directed by Kevin Fabian. In it, a married couple, Georgie and
Rendell, make a list of celebrities they give each other permission to sleep with.
Georgie’s list includes Steve Carell and George Clooney, while Rendell selects
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Charlize Theron, and a fictitious rock star named Lana
Lenore. When Rendell happens to meet the sexy (and available) Lana, he
makes good on their agreement, only to find that Georgie cannot forgive him.
List moves quickly and cinematically from scene to scene, makes good points
about the differences between the ways men and women regard love and sex,
and could easily be expanded into a full-length one act or even two act play.
Kylie Delre and Kevin Blake are excellent actors who give believable
performances as Rendell and Georgie, and Rachel Castillo has the right sexy
looks and “whatever” attitude to bring Lana to sultry life. Mason Halberg and
Bob Simpson also score in supporting roles, and share a great “surprise!” moment.
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Since 2007, Steven Stanley's StageSceneLA.com has spotlighted the best in Southern California theater via reviews, interviews, and its annual StageSceneLA Scenies.
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