HOOKED: Bailey Mason All Alone On Stage

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Looking just a little bit

Bailey Mason / Photo credit Shari Barrett

like Cher, Bailey (“You can call me Bails”) Mason holds forth in a daring exposè of her life and experiences to date.  Under the direction of Mark Travis, known for his expertise with one person shows, Ms Mason comes to the stage with her life’s story.  Sometimes out of chronological order, the events of her surprising history: molestation, prostitution, abusive marriage and prayer, she seems to be just a short distance from being really ready.

Prettier than her program photo, Mason holds forth in the basement of what is, presumably, her Spiritual Home, the Spiritworks Center in Burbank.  The assembly room has a simple proscenium and very basic lighting.  Mood changes are accomplished with lights as well as occasional sound and music cues. Sitting close  to one speaker made the sound a little intrusive.

With tighter direction; possibly a hat rack and a small table for her water bottle, in addition to her one black stool; a few props or costume pieces to enhance the story telling, Ms Mason’s heart rending story might be more fully realized.  The “nervousness” that she exhibits at the top of the show “Waiting for the Zoloft to kick in,” is either genuine or part of the presentation.  It was difficult to tell which.  As her production settles into its run, I think that she will gain confidence and tighten her choices.  It takes a lot of personal fortitude to expose one’s self by telling the truth.  Bailey Mason deserves huge credit for being willing to open her life in this very personal and dramatic way bringing it to an audience.

Bailey Mason’s HOOKED

Spiritworks Center

260 N. Pass Avenue

Burbank, CA 91505

Sundays only at 7PM

April 27 through June 29, 2014

Tickets: $20.00

www.hookedagain.net

(818) 623-7408