LI’L ABNER
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
It’s a typical day in Dogpatch, U.S.A.–typical, that is, until the U.S.
Government decides to bomb it to smithereens. Then, local residents scramble
to find something necessary about their beloved town, birthplace of the worst
Confederate General ever, Jubilation T. Cornpone. Meanwhile, marriage-
minded cutiepie Daisy Mae keeps on trying to convince Li’l Abner that there’s
more to life than goin’ fishin’ with his buds. That’s the plot (what there is of it)
of Norman Panama and Melvin Frank’s Li’l Abner, based on Al Capp’s classic
comic strip of the same name.
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CARNAGE, A COMEDY
Sunday, February 3rd, 2008NOT RECOMMENDED
The Actors’ Gang webpage describes their revival of Adam Simon and Tim
Robbins’ Carnage, A Comedy as a “raucous satire about televangelism and
the state of religion in America,” yet when the original production of Carnage
went to New York in 1989, Frank Rich of the New York Times wrote, “There may
have been a more amateurish work than ”Carnage” on a professional stage in
New York this year, but somehow the gods spared me from seeing it.”
(read more)
THE MONKEY JAR
Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
STUDENT BRINGS GUN TO SCHOOL; THREATENS TEACHER
An everyday occurrence in inner-city high schools, yet in Richard Martin Hirsch’s
The Monkey Jar, now in its world premiere engagement at Theatre 40,
Bienvenida Charter School is not in the inner city but rather in an upscale West
Los Angeles suburb, and the child involved is just 10 years old.
(read more)
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!”
(read more)
EDGE
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
Sylvia Plath is at her desk, facing away, deep in concentration, as the audience
enters the theater. She remains so for perhaps ten minutes until the lights dim, she
turns to us, and it is Angelica Torn whose face we see, and whose voice announces
“This is the last day of my life.” For the next two hours plus, we are reminded again
and again that today, February 11, 1963, is the day that Sylvia Plath will take her
own life.
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ALICE-SIT-BY-THE-FIRE
Saturday, December 29th, 2007
You might think that a nearly 90-year-old play by the author of Peter Pan, rather
preciously titled Alice Sit-By-the-Fire, would come across dated and dull to
contemporary audiences. If so, think again.
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ATLANTA THE MUSICAL
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
Atlanta The Musical is a gorgeous new theatrical work, both intimate and
epic, historical and immediate, filled with powerful performances,
memorable tunes, and a timeless story of love in the time of war.
(read more)
SCREWBALLS
Thursday, November 1st, 2007RECOMMENDED
Screwballs is a mostly very entertaining and often hilarious blend of wacky
characters and situations and the body swapping premise of such films as Freaky
Friday and Like Father, Like Son.
(read more)
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