THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
posted on June 27th, 2009 at 11:59 AM by Steven Stanley
“Thoroughly modern” Millie Dillmount began her journey to Santa Monica’s Morgan-Wixson Theatre back in 1967 when Julie Andrews brought her to life on the silver screen. Thirty-five years later, Millie made her Broadway debut—with new songs by Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlan and a lead performance by Sutton Foster that was one of the six Tony awards won by this Best Musical of 2002. (Richard Morris and Scanlan also won the Tony for the show’s book.) A year later came the National Tour, which stopped at the Ahmanson, and in 2006 Millie made her L.A. regional theater debut at Musical Theatre West in Long Beach. Now, it’s Santa Monica Theatre Guild’s turn to bring Millie to musical life (under Anne Gesling’s capable direction), and if the opening night audience’s enthusiastic reaction is any indication of a show’s success, then Thoroughly Modern Millie is likely to be a summer crowd-pleaser.
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posted in Musical, West Side/Beverly HIlls, WOW!
THE UNSEEN
posted on June 26th, 2009 at 12:02 PM by Steven StanleyNOT RECOMMENDED
My idea of a perfect theatergoing month would be one in which twenty shows out of twenty would merit a WOW! review. I realize that this would only bolster the erroneous impression that, as one person put it, “Steven Stanley has never met a show he didn’t like,” but I’ve never understood reviewers who consistently pan what they see and then keep going back for more. I go to the theater because, quite frankly, nothing makes me happier.
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posted in Drama, North Hollywood, Not Recommended
FARRAGUT NORTH
posted on June 25th, 2009 at 12:09 PM by Steven Stanley
Farragut North is the Washington D.C. subway stop where political has-beens debark to do the only thing left for them in the world of politics—boring, thankless consultant jobs. It’s also the title of Beau Willimon’s exciting, riveting new play about the behind-the-scenes maneuverings (and back-stabbings) of a Presidential primary campaign, a 2008 off-Broadway production now transferred to the Geffen Playhouse for its West Coast Premiere.
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posted in Drama, West Side/Beverly HIlls, WOW!
HE ASKED FOR IT
posted on June 21st, 2009 at 5:18 PM by Steven Stanley
Freshly arrived in LaLa Land from Wyoming, aspiring actor Ted is working out on the treadmill at 24 Hour Fitness. Could the hunk doing cardio next to him possibly be gay? Perhaps a question or two might clear up any confusion. Ted: Do you like Madonna? Hunk: No. After a few more failed attempts to get the conversational ball rolling, the new guy in town plunges into his life story. “I never got that kind of radar thing you’re supposed to get,” the gaydar-challenged young actor explains. “You should try the Internet,” suggests the gym bunny, and when Ted plunges in and suggests maybe getting together, the studly object of his attention responds succinctly, “Sorry, but I don’t go out with guys I meet at the gym.”
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posted in Drama, Hollywood/West Hollywood, WOW!
2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS
posted on June 20th, 2009 at 5:27 PM by Steven Stanley
If ever a show can be called “unique,” it’s the truly one-of-a-kind comedy with music 2 Pianos 4 Hands, now playing at the Colony Theatre.
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posted in Burbank/Glendale, Comedy-Drama, WOW!
CABARET
posted on June 19th, 2009 at 5:35 PM by Steven Stanley
When Cabaret debuted on Broadway in 1966, its tale of star-crossed lovers in pre-WWII Berlin was dark stuff for New York audiences accustomed to considerably brighter shows like Hello Dolly, She Loves Me, and Mame. Still, that first incarnation of Cabaret was positively sunny compared to the 1998 revival which has set the tone for just about every Cabaret since then. Imagine a Cabaret without “Mein Herr,” “Maybe This Time,” or “I Don’t Care Much,” without Kit Kat Boys, without any suggestion of homosexuality, one with upbeat love songs like “Why Should I Wake Up?” or the Yiddish ditty “Meeskite.” That was Cabaret pre-1998 and one which might be a bit of a yawn by contemporary standards.
posted in Hollywood/West Hollywood, Musical, WOW!
FACING EAST
posted on June 18th, 2009 at 5:45 PM by Steven Stanley
It has been said that there is no greater loss than that of a child a parent has given life to. Imagine, then, how much more devastating the pain must be when that parent feels responsible for his or her child’s death, and how much greater still if the child’s death has occurred at his or her own hands.
posted in Drama, Long Beach/San Pedro, WOW!
STRANGER
posted on June 17th, 2009 at 5:46 PM by Steven Stanley
The rock-based notes of an Ennio Morricone-like melody inform us that, once again, it’s once upon a time in the West. The year is 1847 and the tiny Nevada town of San Lorenzo has been enslaved by a ruthless villain known only as Lagarto. Showdown time has arrived, and the town sheriff orders his teenage daughter Lucinda to get inside. “You do it for Mama,” Lucy cries out. “You kill him for her!” The sheriff looks the evil Lagarto in the eye and informs him, “This is your last chance. Take your men and be on your way.” “You look like a simple man,” responds Lagarto, “so I’ll keep it simple. No.” And with that, he shoots the sheriff, then his deputy. Pulling out an enormous knife, he grabs Lucy and tells her, “I like you. I think I’m going to keep you.” Lagarto then proceeds to slit the sheriff’s throat with the knife until his blood is splattered everywhere.
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posted in Drama, Los Angeles, WOW!
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