Sad news..

From Simon Levy of the Fountain Theatre,  I have just learned of the passing of Dawn Didawick, the actress  / wife of actor Harry Groener. Both are Founding  Members of Antaeus Theatre Company in Glendale.

With the passing of Rob and Michele Reiner taking headlines..sadly.. those of us in the local Los Angeles Theatre Community will miss the bright light that Dawn has been .. 

Condolences and eulogies in E Communication are quick to pass.  

At every opening that I've attended at Antaeus, if Dawn was not in the production,  she was front row center with Harry to support the show.. 

A lovely and talented actress, Dawn will be missed..

Harry and Dawn were  together for 45 years..  A good run.

Please hold a kind thought for Dawn Didawick.. and for Harry at this difficult time.

Flights of Angels..

michael sheehan

onstagelosangeles

Party Time with Cindy Lou Who

Guest review by Amalisha HuEck

Edted.

Reocmmended

. "Who's Holiday," written in the style of Dr. Seuss by Matthew Lombardo, tells the sad story of Cindy Lou Who (Anica Petrovic who also produced the show). Cindy Lou is all grown up and expecting other Seussian friends for a Holiday Party.

Cindy Lou’s table features a full bar. This gal is no stranger to cocktails.

Alcohol may have played a major role in how Cindy  was ushered into adulthood by The Grinch!

Anica flows with ease through the rhythm of all those rhymes, breaking the fourth wall she reveals her story with adult humor in a very sexy, glittery Christmas outfits. In contrast to the irony of her plight, Anica presents this unique story to a full house. The text is R rated! and may not be suitable for children.

Highly recommended!

  Crew:

Jordan Adelman (Assistant Director/Stage Manager), Rebkah York (Assistant Stage Manager), Angela Manke (Costume Designer), Ben Barahona Ginsberg (Music Director), and Gregory Crafts (Lighting Designer).

“Who’s Holiday “runs through December 20th 

The Hobgoblin Playhouse, 

1516 N Gardner St. 

Los Angeles. 

Friday 12/19 at 10pm, and Saturday 12/20 at 5pm. There will also be a virtual livestream of the show on the 19th, and the link to the live will remain open after the live show ends. 70 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets $25.00

(323) 591 – 4894 www.thestagecrafts.com   

 

 

HIENSERBERG REDUX.. THE REVIEW ..

Juls Hoover and Paul Eidig Lorch photo

After days of nursing my mangled  ego and a nice correspondence with Caameron Watson, the director of Heiserberg at The Skylight on Vermont in Los Angeles.. I can report that there's a show worth seeing and if you don't go, you are missing a bet . Two actors. A strange serendipitous meeting evolving poetically.

For those who may be following the drama of my missing press invitation.. I learned that the PR guy for this play told the director  that he had "not heard from me." That is true! The way it works is that the PR person invites critics ro review.   This guy has not sent me any invitations for over a year.. so long ago that I've forgotten..and the only reason that I know it's him is because of a Facebook notice that included his name.

But to Business!!!  HEISENBERG..

This beauty of a two hander is that it can be an actor's tour de force.  Yes.. And, the way that Cameron Watson has staged the play reflects not only a keen understanding of the characters: the loopy Georgie (wow!  Juls Hoover) and the mostly taciturn Alex (mostly taciturn Paul Eiding).  Of course , it's all in the text, but beyond the words of this kind and thoughtful .. and loopy.. play is the opportunity for interpretation. (It was staged a while back with two women as the characters)

Alex, the butcher, is vamped big time in the London Underground by Georgie. Alex is in his seventies and  Georgie's is his junior by at least half. She's a Jumping Jacks Jill and a little  hard to pin down until her story takes its time to settle.

One line that Watson seems to have captured in the banter and the eventual loving resolution of Alex and Georgie is all about music. Alex, the butcher! for goodness sake.. is a fan and afficiando of all music genres. He's also a tango dancer! .. At one point as, Alex and Georgie begin to click.. Alex says something to the effect that music is not the notes!  It's in the spaces, Alex says..  between the notes that make any composition become music.  

What Watson allows as Geogrie and Alex  grow close, is for them to take moments:  a sort of musical rest.. physically and in the dialogue as the importance of their connection evolves.

The set and lighting are crisp and supportive as we imagine The Tube Station, Alex's shop, etc.  The scene changes are simple and fluid.. Non-representational. Fine.

It's a play with the off the wall bouncing of Georgie, whose Limberjack contortions visibly morph into .. well.. another woman. Hoover's characterization, changes in a welcome way. Eiding changes, too.. Stepping from his lonely bench . out for a walk.. to discovery of what may become the joy of life.

My being pissed off because I've been ghosted by this PR guy had me all over Facebook looking for  an invitation to review this show. 

.  The PR invitation never came, but with grace, Mr. Watson  responded to my 'what the heck?!' message.    

Very much appreciated.  

I did not attend on Mr. Watson's comp. And, I  did not promise a rave as I tend to not gush much unless something touches me artistically and/or emotionally. The Story of Alex and his Lost Love: lonely tears  melding with Georgie's unhappy tale of being irrevocably erased from a lover's  dance card are touching stories.  Their friendship blossoms in a genuine and beautiful  way.

The beats and complimentary business of great stage pictures  with subtle music make for a professional production.

Ordinarily, I am provided the basic information: the dates and cast and crew of the plays I review.  Because the PR rep probably won't send the info, here's a link to the website.  I love the graphic for the poster.   https://www.skylighttheatre.org/heisenberg.

Please copy and paste.. 

"Heisenberg" 

by Simon Stephens 

Directed by Cameron Watson  Continuing at The Skylight Theatre  right next to the Los Feliz Movie House on Vermont. 

Parking is a challenge! Go early.

See this show and tell The Skylight that   onstagelosangeles sent ya..

michael sheehan 

 

Heisenberg at The Skylight

What looks like a really artsy two hander at The Skylight on Vermont in Los Angeles;  "Heisenberg" by Simon Stephens remains a mystery. 

That's Juls  and Paul. Photo by Jeff Lorch.

Evidently, I am Facebook pals with Paul Eiding  who plays Alex.  Juls Hoover plays Georgie.  I am not FB friends with her.   Cameron Watson, the director of this piece is a FB friend.   That's how I learned that the show was going up.

Evidently, the PR guy for the show has decided to ghost me, so this is just a note to say that this guy is the least effective "Public Relations for theatre person" I've ever dealt with. In the past, his lack of communication has prevented me from seeing at least one show that was so good I wanted to review it again to see if it stood up. Another small company in LA whose work I have applauded has left me in the cold. That's the Road on Magnolia.

Why review theatre?  I want to share with potential audiences and the producers and the casts of the shows that I see.  I function as an objective   and appreciative fan for what I see.

A review is a report and a comment and a brief synopsis most of the time.  I'll wax poetic if something grabs me and I'll point out some good even in the worst productions I've seen.   Once I complimented the set and costumes of a play and listed the cast and crew without comment.  In retrospect, it deserved a pan that would have blistered the Bard.

Because I've been a local critic for theatre for over twenty years, including for Daily Variety and the long ago Drana-Logue (Assignment Editor Polly Warfield was a doll!)... This morning, having read one review  of praise for Heisenberg by a respected critic, Terry Morgan, I'm rubbing some salve on my bruised ego to encourage readers in Los Angeles to get the info on when the show is playing and go. Photos of the set are spectacular.  

I've contacted the director, Mr. Watson, asking if he'd like me to review this play and have not heard back.. Ironically.. my loyal readership, headed for a 90,000 hit count.. would be likely to take my recommendation.. so.. in a left handed way. here it is..

It's expensive to mount a show like this at a rental space like The Skylight. Every patron is a gift.. and when we are lucky, the gift is returned with memorable performances and productions. .

Why take this p.r. putz to task? Because .. as a long time Los Angeles theatre critic I feel that I deserve some respect.  I will never guarentee a rave..  and.. because I'll probably not see this show.. the potential for an honest assessment goes begging.

I know this putzy PR guy has been let go from at least one local company and I was happy to see a show recently at their space where new works go up I was welcomed by a  delightful new PR person who treated me as a peer and with kindness.

Should Mr Watson or Paul Eiding or anyone respond with a request for me to review?  I'll try to make it to see the play.  May / December romance seems like a thing to me.. and it's not Harold and Maude!

Michael Sheehan

onstagelosangeles

HELLO, MY NAME IS.. MOVING ARTS.

MOVING ARTS presents

HELLO, MY NAME IS  by Amy Dellagiarino. A world premiere!

Director Darin Anthony takes us to what feels a lot like the  Heaven's Gate cult that believed that they were headed somewhere in 1997.  Try as I might to discourage curtain speeches and such, we enter the house. The play in progress.  

Then a little curtain speech and a recorded announcement.  Then.. getting back to the play.... sigh.

Kiki and Reagan are seated in silent meditation.  The room that they share is spare: bunk bed, desk and chair, two large zafu cushions. And.. a large  photo of Jay, their spiritual leader poised to take his 'children' to 'metamorphosis..'

Kiki (Ronni Page)  is having a tough time sitting and asks a lot of questions..Reagan (Rebecca Larson)  sits... un-flustered.. well, for a little while. She is the senior mentor.

Micah (Brandon Bales) is a new guy to the group: amusingly  insecure.

Chase (Bradley Bazile) is easily annoyed and a true believer.. Sycophant? Well.. pretty much.

Getting into the plot after a moment, it's clear that the pecking order comes from devotion to Jay. (Juan Monsalvez) who is  the guru with a plan..

We bicker and annoy each other. Dawn is breaking. We wait for 'the chimes..'

At some point, it becomes clear that there's trouble brewing and the dissolving faith of each of the faithful asks questions that lead to a sticky point in the plot.  It nags at me, but to discuss it would be to spoil the clever action .

Back to Heaven's Gate ..or Jonestown in 1978.  When, for one reason or another, seemingly ordinary folks are drawn  to the 'family' atmosphere of like minded others,  there may be a reason to fall in line.  My issue with the plot is that in exposition, initially, we don't get the full picture of what these characters, Micah for only ninety days and Reagan,  the deepest, for five years. What have each of them been actually doing?  Like a well known local to LA cult, do they work and pay into the collective?

As the story develops in real time, Micah's anxiety and genuinely annoying demeanor turns on 'what if" and WHAT IF?   It sure is quiiet around here.....

Darin Anthony's direction keeps the story moving a pace on Justin Huen's perfect set. Sometimes the dialogue gets a little frantic, but when someone is  expecting a 'metamorphosis' that will send them to some longed for  Nirvana?   And, things are not adding up??  Things are crumbling and everyone is hungry. What about the chimes??

Did the Heaven's Gate devotees transcend their physical luggage? 

Can  we sit in meditation long enough to discover our way to our better selves?  

There's some physical business that could use some work and a split focus now and then that is a choice, probably for a reason.  These are minor notes as the show itself tumbles along, well timed to what seems to be a proper conclusion. 

Each actor nails it. And, in spite of my questions about some missing exposition, I hope you will head to Moving Arts and support this well done World Premiere.  It's what Moving Arts does sincerely:  It supports new authors and new ideas.  

LR: Brandon Bales, Bradley J Bazille, Roni Paige, Juan Monsalvez, Rebecca Larsen Photo By Eric Keitel

CAST:

Ronni Page – Kiki

Rebecca Larson – Reagan

 Brandon Bales– Micah

Bradley Bazile – Chase

Juan Monsalvez – Jay

CREW

Playwright:  Amy Dellagarino

Director: Darin Anthony

Producer: Laura Buckle

Producer: Joe Camareno

Scenic & Lighting Design: Justin Huen

Sound Design: Warren Davis

Costume Design: 

Keelyn McDermott

Production Stage Manager 

Keelyn McDermott

Moving Arts Theater proudly announces the World Premiere of
new play Hello, My Name Is… A darkly satirical comedy about losing your way on the
journey to find yourself.
What do you do when the world makes no sense? Some people meditate. Some people
travel. And some people… join a cult.
Who:
Hello, My Name Is… was created and developed under Dana Schwartz’s keen eye as
part of Moving Arts’ MadLAB, play development program.
Produced by Laura Buckles and Joe Camareno; Directed by award-winning director
Darin Anthony; Costumes by Keelyn McDermott; set and light design by Justin Huen; sound design by Warren Davis; props by Dana Schwartz.
This cast in alphabetical order:
Brandon Bales, Bradley J. Bazile, Rebecca Larsen, Juan Monsalvez, and Roni
Paige.
Where:
Moving Arts Theater
3191 Casitas Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039
323-472-5646 - info@movingarts.org
When:
PREVIEW: Thursday, November 6th at 8 PM & Friday, November 7th at 8 PM
RUN: Saturday, November 8th to Sunday, December 14th - Friday, Saturday, Monday at
8 PM & Sunday at 4 PM Check website for exact dates and times:
https://movingarts.ludus.com/index.php
How:
Tickets range from $10 to $33 and can be purchased HERE:
https://movingarts.ludus.com/ind

Shanley.. Outside Mullingar at the Skylight

 If my reviews actually do something?, I hope that they will, at least...  encourage readers to attend local theatre.   Every live theatre performance is unique and holds some form of magic.  Just go!

Gary Grossman's Skylight has been cooking one way or another for a long time and this guest production of Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley is an excellent example of how Broadway may come to Los  Angeles.  Director/Producer Matt Leavitt put the show up at the Matrix and got great attention. Now, here we are on Vermont.  Please see this play!.

Kitty Swink!!.

A professional actor married to a professional actor Armin Shimerman.  Both with credits a mile long. A good start.

Full disclosure.. I am an unabashed fan of Kitty Swink. Our first encounter was in a shoebox in NoHo with Daikin Matthews at the helm. Ladyhouse Blues. From that time to this, I have been a fan. 

With this bias in mind, Mullingar is an acting challenge that brings to life feisty Irish farmers at odds. There may be a little too much shouting, but it's mostly appropriate as these characters have tough lives. Grief and other disappointments are abundant. 

We open on a social event after a wake for Chris Muldoon! Feisty Tony Reilly  (Armin Shimerman) is at once at odds with his slightly off kilter son, Anthony (Michael Kirby). Joined by the Widow Muldoon (Kitty Swink!) to banter and eventually get to the subject of the forty meter patch that rears its grassy head between their two farms. 

Leavitt's direction steers the story from one kitchen  to another with an elaborate and very impressive set by Mark Mendelson.  

It's a love story with bristling spines and death.  Shanley is a poet and as we wind our way to a respectable climax, the frustrations of the rebel Rosemary (Liza Seneca) boil and bubble. 

. 

Kitty Swink

 

 It's the Irish Countryside. The heavy mists of farm life permeate the scene.  Aoife Muldoon's   husband has just passed. She arrives at the Neighbor Reilly's farm where discussion of next steps for her and rebel  daughter Rosemary (Liza Seneca) are discussed as they adjust. Old folks on their last laps. 

The issue of the patch of land is on our minds throughout. It colors the connection between Anthony  and Rosemary's odd  "courtship" over the years..    Bickering is a way of life for all.

A beauty of an old folk song permeates the play, "Wild Mountain Thyme."  The subtle tune sneaks in from time to time.   Here's a random sample I found.    The bodhran  is the heart of Celtic music! The tune mirrors our story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uCDw30wCe0

Looks like the link might have to be copied and pasted?  I like this version.

Thanks to the intimate space at The Skylight, nuance and well crafted brogues for each of our characters makes this production possibly right up there with Broadway.    Is that a compliment?  Good show.

Cast

Kitty Swink:        Aoife Muldoo  

Armin Shimerna: Tony Reilly,

 Michael Kirby   Anthony  Reilly,  

Liza Seneca          Rosemary Muldoon

 

Crew

Set Design by Mark Mendelson;
Sound Design by Chris Moscatiello; Lighting Design by Justin Huen; Costume Design by Caitlin Cisek

Prop Master/Set Dressing by Megan Trapani 

Photo credit: Karianne Flaathen.

Stage Manager Zaira Paredes-Villegas.

Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley

Directed by MATTHEW LEAVITT

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR will preview on Thursday October 16th and Friday October 17th
at 8pm; will open on Saturday October 18th at 8pm (press opening); and runs through
Sunday November 9th at 

The Skylight Theatre, 1816 1/2 N Vermont Ave in Los Feliz.
Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. 

(No show on Friday October 31st).
Ticket prices are $40. For tickets please visit https://the6thact.ludus.com
For more information, photos, press interviews or for press comps, please email
the6thact@gmail.com

KAFKA.. AT OPEN FIST.. "AMERIKA or the man who disappeared.. WORLD PREMIERE!!

FANTASTIC! 

The opening scenes of "Amerika or The Man Who Disappeared" emerge with beautiful revelations of what it must be like for any first time visitor landing from Europe seeing for the First Time! The Statue  of Liberty. Three spectacular drops set the scene. 

Franz Kafka never visited the United States! This raises the question as to why he created this far out dreamlike fantasy from whole cloth? It's an adventure!!  There's a kid named Karl Rossmann (Ethan Remez-Cott). It's his story.  Down the rabbit hole,  It might be Wonderland?  Oz??  Kafka wants to make sure his audience is never on solid ground: uncomfortable.  As we  take Rossmann's journey with him, one cockeyed experience after another befalls him: even when something might look like good fortune!  .  

Author / adapter  / Director Dietrich Smith created this loopy scenario from Kafka's unfinished novel. AMERIKA Or The Man Who Disappeared.

 

Matthew Goodrich, Ethan Remez-Cott,
and Grace Soens
Photo by Amanda Weer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make no mistake.. this huge undertaking for The Open Fist will take you from an easy peasy couple of hours to another realm of time and space. Three acts.  

From the get go, young Karl Rossmann, as he sets foot on American soil, rushes back to the ship  to retrieve a missing umbrella down down down  to the steerage of the moldering German steamer.   Odd coincidences begin. 

 Amerika,  with a cast of thousands, makes no claim to make sense.  Karl is an Innocent Abroad in the best sense and is tempest tossed from the beginning. (Thank you, Emma Lazarus)..

 Frederica Nascimento's incredible set morphs from one location to another: a moving picture fantasy.. to coin a phrase.

Smith's highly stylized    presentation of the story's many characters  eschews any natural style. Over the top and loud with poor Karl  hurdled   from pillar to  post  'narrated' by truly wonderful Jay Ward style animations by  John Dilworth  that transition us from scene to scene.  Fine Art! 

A. Jeffrey  Schoenberg's costumes reflect the times beautifully. It must have been a Herculean effort! Wow!

Because of the way the ten cast members morph from one character to another, it's difficult to single out individual performances. Broad stylized presentations rule the day. Imaginative lights and sound. 

Bringing together cast and crew, also Herculean, this show will challenge your take on what Theatre can do. Make your way to Atwater!

CAST:

Ethan Remez-Cott	Karl Rossmann
Jeremy Thompson	Stoker / Mr. Pollunder / Head Porter / Staff Manager
Marc Jablon	Uncle Jacob / Head Waiter / Policeman
Jack David Sharpe	Mr. Green/ Schubal / Company Man / Best
Chima Rok	Delamarche / Ship Captain / Fergussen / Rennell
Matthew Goodrich	Robinson / Mack / Head Purser
Grace Soens	Therese / Angel
Debba Rofheart	Head Cook / Brunelda
Tambrie Allsup	Klara / Ensemble
Jade Santana	Giacomo / Student / Taxi Driver / Ensemble
Kelsey Kusinitz	German Woman /Ensemble...

With apologies to readers, this on line page has taken on a life of its own, not letting me properly credit the Crew of this fantastic show.  Please use the link below to see all of the credits for the play thanks to Lucy Pollok, the PR maven for Open Fist. 

https://www.lucypr.com/Projects/Web/Amerika_Program.pdf

 And. for some reason? This lnk must be copied and pasted instead of presenting as a direct link.  Dang.

Please page down for further information regarding tickets and location.

Open Fist Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Amerika or, The Man Who Disappeared, adapted for the stage by Dietrich Smith from the novel by Franz Kafka. Arriving in New York City on a steamer, 17-year-old Karl Rossmann strives to make his own way, even as he encounters a series of increasingly strange and bewildering experiences that turn his world upside-down.

WHO:
• Adapted from the novel by Franz Kafka by Dietrich Smith
• Directed by Dietrich Smith
• Assistant Director: Barbara Schofield
• Starring Tambrie Allsup, Matthew Goodrich, Marc Jablon, Kelsey Kusinitz, Jeremy Reiter II, Ethan Remez–Cott, Debba Rofheart, Chima Rok, Jade Santana, Jack David Sharpe, Grace Soens, Jeremy Thompson
• Produced by Amanda Weier and Derek Manson
• Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company, Martha Demson, artistic director
 
WHEN:
Oct. 17 through Nov. 22:
• Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturdays at 7 p.m.
• Sundays at 2 p.m.
• Monday at 7:30 p.m.: Oct. 20 ONLY

WHERE:
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
• FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.

TICKETS:
$26-$45

HOW:
www.openfist.org
(323) 882-6912