DOUBT
Saturday, October 27th, 2007
Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley, had the notable distinction of having its West
Coast Premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse take place simultaneously with its
Broadway debut in the spring of 2005. I found the Playhouse production quite
thrilling, despite a shaky Linda Hunt in the role of Sister Aloysius, the same role
which won Cherry Jones the Tony. Last year at the Ahmanson, I got to see why
Jones had scored just about every award imaginable for her “force of nature”
performance.
(read more)
LOVE LIKE BLUE
Thursday, October 25th, 2007
In Act 1, three relationships break up. In Act 2, the same six individuals begin anew,
but with different partners. A clever “why hasn’t that been done before?” premise,
skillfully executed in Kristen Lasarian’s world premiere play Love Like Blue.
(read more)
THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007
When I see a production as beautifully written, directed, and performed as The
Quality of Life, I thank my lucky stars that I live in Los Angeles (well, in
Alhambra, actually, but who’s splitting hairs?). Where else could I be treated
to internationally known film and TV vets like Scott Bakula, Dennis Boutsikaris,
Laurie Metcalf, and JoBeth Williams returning to their stage roots, an award-
winning writer/director like Jane Anderson with serious film/TV/stage credits,
and a design team as fine as the one assembled at the Geffen for this
production?
(read more)
ANON
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
Kate Robin’s provocative new play Anon begins as a light romantic comedy
and soon develops into something a good deal more weighty. Trip (Blayne
Weaver) and Allison (Kit Pongetti) meet cute when animal psychologist Allison
makes a house call at Trip’s apartment because his cat (named Cat) has
been peeing in all the wrong places. She advises him to talk to Cat, confide in
her, buy her more toys, keep her litter box tidy (with a metal scooper), and by
all means give her a less generic name. Her $200 fee paid, Allison accepts Trip’
s impulsive invitation to dine with him (Chinese take-out) and the evening
ends with a bout of passionate lovemaking.
(read more)
“MASTER HAROLD” … and the boys
Saturday, October 20th, 2007
The Colony Theatre Company’s last production, Trying, proved to be its biggest and
most critically acclaimed hit in years, and has scored an impressive 8 Ovation
nominations—in every category for which it was eligible. A decidedly tough act to
follow, but follow it they have, with a superb and supremely moving production of
Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold” … and the boys.
(read more)
SPIN
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
Maryland governor Ben Wiley’s approval rating is down to 32% following an
incident in which he “copped a quick feel” in his private office in the State house.
It was a setup, he tells gubernatorial advisor/“miracle worker” Billy Dodge. She was
wearing no bra and “they were hanging there like ripe fruit.” What was a
governor to do?
(read more)
DANGEROUS CORNER
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007
Theatre 40’s revival of Dangerous Corner, J.B. Priestley’s 1932 London and Broadway mystery thriller, is both a well realized period play, with attention paid to costumes, hair, and set design, and a surprisingly modern piece of theater with plot twists any contemporary playwright would be proud of. Fast paced, well acted and directed, and authentically designed to take the audience back seventy-five years, Dangerous Corner is a suspenseful and conversation-provoking treat.
(read more)
LETTING GO
Sunday, October 14th, 2007RECOMMMENDED
Letting Go is a collection of four one-acts about just that, “letting go.” In the first,
a mother must let go of hope and a daughter of lies. In the second, a dying man
must let go of his fragile hold on life. In the third, the mother of a young child must
let go of illusions. In the fourth, an older woman must let go of the past in order to
face the promise of the future.
(read more)
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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