LEAR REDUX AT THE ODYSSEY

Adapter, director and choreographer John Farmanesh–Bocca's LEAR REDUX closed yesterday at The Odyssey Theatre.

Eve Danzeisen, Jack Stehlin, Jade Sealey,
Andres Velez, Ahkei Togun, Dennis Gersten
Photo by John Dlugolecki Photography

 The long drive to and from the Odyssey Theatre over on Sepulveda makes for a full day.  This review is of the last performance of Lear Redux. It may be a schlep, too.. 

The audience settles and a really big guy squeezes past me and proceeds to shoot video of the set and as the show begins? Keeps shooting. In a voice loud enough for him and the audience to hear, I say, "Please put the phone away."  He ignores me. My tone and gorge rise a bit higher .. "Put the effing phone away.. It's against union rules and. .IT'S NOT NICE!". Did I mention that he was huge with a huge T shirt emblazoned toutng Canada? He did not look Canadian to me.  

As I tend to be easily distracted.. I imagine that this really huge Canadian is still shooting and shoot eye darts of my own .. grrr.

Then!  Cordilia (wonderfully wonderful Emily Yetter)..

who portrays Cordelia, a beautiful German Shepherd,  rushes on stage  barking "Hey! Hey!!!!"  and it's delightful and then the somewhat loopy.. unfolding of the story.. and Jack Sthelin's    huge! white beard advances from stage right.  Struggling in his walker, his infirmity like really infirm..   in he creeps: a very petty pace  (with a nod to the Scottish play.)  From this moment on.. the odd mixture of the elder actor and the story of King Lear  with sister / daughters Goneril and Regan (Jade Sealey and Eve Danzeisen) bickering as present day sisters and Actor/Lear's brother/Kent (Dennis Gersten)  and the self conscious business  of the stuff of Shakespeare's play erupts and is full of antic energy, spectacular choreography and pretty darned amazing direction as the cast pulls off the  final performance of Lear: Redux.

As we head for the finish line, the actor's bedroom set transforms into the interior of a Seven/ Eleven! and creepy denizens of the night emerge huffing paper bags only to be joined by a Blind Man who in a monologue that isn't all that long.. Explains Quantum Theory, the True Naure of he Universe and Not Only Lear/Actor's place in it but explains why he and they and all of us. in fact..??  In total? actually ARE the Universe all happening at the same time!

The beauty of this piece . inspite of the fact that it isn't always easy to follow, the energy and commitment  of every single actor to every single character and especially HEY!! Cordelia! bring the experience to life.  

The pace and physicality of this play moved and moved again like clockwork. Dance moves and characters fully committed and focused on what in total is in no uncertain terms: A trip!

It took me the entire run  of this show to get over to see it, closing this afternoon to  a full house. Sadly,  the opportunity to see this one has passed. 

Of course, boosting The Odyssey is a goal.. and from the play, this line: "Catch you on the next one .." bubbles up as Lear and Cordelia reunite and the audience stands in appreciation. 

 

LEAR REDUX

by adapter, director and choreographer John Farmanesh–Bocca

Cast:

Actor/Lear  - Jack Stehlin
Day Nurse/Edgar - Ahkei Togun
Night Nurse/Edmond - Andres Velez

Brother/Kent - Dennis Gersten

Daughter 1/Goneril - Jade Sealey

Daughter 2/Regan - Eve Danzeisen

Cordelia/The Dog - Emily Yetter

 

To save time, below please find the essential credits and information about the show with contact information for The Odyssey. Check the Odyssey website for future productions. 

Thank you for supporting live theatre in Los Angeles.

Repectfully submitted:

michael sheehan

onstagelosangeles

Jack Stehlin, who previously starred in both Titus Redux at the Kirk Douglas and Tempest Redux at the Odyssey, inhabits the role of an aging actor whose last days strangely parallel those of Shakespeare’s tragic king. Like Shakespeare’s Lear, the actor has three daughters (Eve Danzeisen, Jade Sealey and Emily Yetter). He also has a trio of caretakers: his brother (Dennis Gersten) and two home-health nurses (Ahkei Togun and Andres Velez). Like its predecessors in the series, Lear Redux employs a potent mix of physical theater and verbal gymnastics to tell its timeless tale of family, power, humanity, grief and acceptance.

 The creative team includes scenic designer Mark Guirguis; lighting designer Bosco Flanagan; costume designer Denise Blasor; and props designer Jenine MacDonald. Sound is designed by Farmanesh-Bocca. The stage manager is Jenny Nwene. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble acting artistic director Beth Hogan and New American Theatre managing executive director Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin produce.

WHAT:
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, New American Theatre and Not Man Apart–Physical Theatre Ensemble unite to present the world premiere of Lear Redux: A Quantum Fantasia. The final days of an aging actor stra

ngely parallel those of Shakespeare’s tragic king in this evocative, perpetually surprising reconstruction of William Shakespeare’s King Lear that features a potent mix of physical theater and verbal gymnastics.

WHO:
• Adapted, Directed and Choreographed by John Farmanesh–Bocca
• Inspired by the play King Lear by William Shakespeare
• Starring Eve Danzeisen, Dennis Gersten, Jade Sealey, Jack Stehlin, Ahkei Togun, Andres Velez, Emily Yetter
• Produced by Beth Hogan and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin
• A co-production of Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, The New American Theatre and Not Man Apart–Physical Theatre Ensemble

WHEN:
May 22 through July 13
• Previews: Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m.
• Performances: May 24 through July 13: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. / Sundays at 2 p.m. / Wednesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 25 at 8 p.m.  (dark Friday, July 4)

OTHER:
• Post-performance discussions on Wednesday, June 11; Friday, June 20; and Wednesday, June 25
• Wine Night Fridays: Enjoy complimentary wine and snacks with the cast following Friday night performances.

WHERE:
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025

TICKET PRICES:
$20-$43

HOW:
OdysseyTheatre.com
(310) 477-2055 ext. 2