THE DYING GAUL
Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
In the 1990 film Longtime Companion, Craig Lucas wrote what remains
arguably the best dramatic depiction of the epidemic which wiped out much
of an entire generation of gay men. His sensitive screenplay revealed the
goodness and generosity of those 20/30/40something couples whose devotion
was proof that there was much more to gay love than just sex, and that the
gay community was capable of greatness in the face of callous government
disregard.
(read more)
SECRETS OF THE TRADE
Thursday, March 20th, 2008
Though the coming out/coming of age story has been told time and again, it
is one that bears retelling, especially when told as freshly and smartly as
Jonathan Tolins does it in Secrets Of The Trade, now playing at the Black
Dahlia Theatre. Tolins’ play is, as well, a perfect example of why L.A. theater,
especially theater of the “waiver” variety, can hold its head high and proud
amidst any theatrical community. It is no wonder that Tony-winning multiple-
Broadway-shows-to-his-credit John Glover has chosen to appear in a tiny
theater on Pico Blvd. A production as fine as this one gives Glover a role he
was, as they say, born to play and surrounds him with talent worthy of any
Broadway stage.
(read more)
SEXY LAUNDRY
Thursday, March 6th, 2008
Frances Fisher gives the finest comedic performance by an actress you’re likely
to see all year and Paul Ben-Victor is her magnificent partner in laughter, rage,
tears, and romance in Michele Riml’s hilarious, moving, and very real Sexy
Laundry, now playing at the historic Hayworth Theatre. How’s that for a
reason to go see a play instead of staying home and watching TV?
(read more)
VOICES FROM OKINAWA
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008RECOMMENDED
East West Players follows its superb productions of Julia Cho’s Durango and
Jeanne Sakata’s Dawn’s Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi with Jon
Shirata’s Voices From Okinawa.
(read more)
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.
(read more)
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?
(read more)
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.”
(read more)
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.
(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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