AT LAST.. A RAVE FOR ANW.. ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS!

 A Noise Within is an undeniably gorgeous venue, Entering the house, the splash of Frederica Nascimento's  set for this audacious production is beautiful. It is Wonderful.. 

However....

 The lobby sign, "You can take your refreshments into the theater." rankles me for bad grammar.. and... and! even with "quiet cups.." the crunching of crunchies and the slurping of drinks and the smell of peanut breath from a really big guy who sqeezed into the seat next to me..  who was not much into applause because his big old hands were full of peanuts and Coke was a problem.. Refreshments? They distract us from the class act that Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott have masterfully mounted. Specifically, they have beautifully directed  this production in a way that rivals their major Hit: "Noises Off!"

Why does this piss me off? Because a great big guy raising his big old arm to take  regular swigs of his Coke remove me from the play. He also failed in the Quiet Cup department, too.   Not to mention peanut breath. Sorry.. had to mention it.

But!!   Thank Goodness   for the most brilliant cast and Richard Bean's over the top teach-in for Commedia del Arté! Thank goodness for an amazing set and really clever and exciting scene changes and lights and sound!   Commedia is a very specific style. The stock characters   must stick to their intentions.. As Francis, (insert superlative here) Kasey Mahaffy, looking a bit like Conan O'Brien! literally knocks himself out! Literally!! in the Lazzo of the Argument (I made that title up) .  Even with the lightning fast dialogue, handled well by all.. we 'get' the story, as convoluted as it is.

The Pace.. Geez, Louise.. the pace is so fast that trying to keep up is a lot.  Funny stuff, and broad action may  make an aficionado of Commedia want to see it again. 

The lazzo singular for lazzi,  is  specific to any character as an interstitial.  It's the broad physical action that has delighted audiences for centuries. Innuendo prevails. Naughty! These lazzi are delicious. 

How Francis keeps his two  bosses, Stanley (Ty Aldridge)  and Rachel (Christie Coran)  ,  from knowing that he's serving them both is wonderful.

Based on Carlo Goldoni's  "Servant of Two Masters" (which we all should read now) .. the spirit of the original is certainly on the ANW stage!  We break the forth wall. and poor C..... oh  wait.. never mind..

Silly jokes may go begging because of the break neck pace, but that's okay, really.  Garry Lennon's spot on  costumes and dance numbers by the Elliotts and dance consultant Indira Tyler are directly from the burgeoning psychedelic Sixties.. Pre-show Baby Elephant Walk is a particular fave of mine.

Standing O for the skiffle band (that Francis was fired from?) immerse us pre-show. The guys establish the mood (slightly cooled by a recorded curtain speech).

And!!!  Every actor arrives dedicated to the style, the asides, the energy of what Commedia is supposed to deliver: a little naughty, some star-crossed lovers, mistaken identity, broad broad  broad! physical stuff. Amazing timing. Slamming doors! Disappearing audience members! "In" jokes! 

LA Locals..and Pasadena folks, for sure..  and anyone who desperately needs and appreciates  what Farce is all about, ANW and the Elliotts deliver. Yes.  Yes..

Thanks to the blessing of St. Genesius for this beautiful  gift.   . 

Go for the Lazzis!

Trisha Miller, Kasey Mahaffy
Photo by Craig Schwartz

Bring along an extra sandwich.

Wear Depends.. just in case.

One Man, Two Guvnors 

By Richard Bean

Based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni
Songs by Grant Olding
Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott

CAST
Francis Henshall - Kasey Mahaffy
Stanley Stubbers - Ty Aldridge
Rachel Crabbe - Christie Coran
Alan Dangle - Paul David Story
Dolly - Trisha Miller
Pauline Clench - Cassandra Marie Murphy
Lloyd Boateng - Luis Kelly-Duarte
Charlie Clench - Henri Lubatti
Harry Dangle - Lynn Robert Berg
Alfie - Josey Montana McCoy
Gareth -Evan Lugo
Ensemble - Adriel Camarena, Vic Crusaos, Cristian Venegas

MUSICIANS
Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard, Lead Vocals - Rod Bagheri
Electric Guitar Background Vocals - Cody Volk
Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Background Vocals - Mike Selfridge
Drums, Washboard, Background Vocals - Art Pacheco 

PRODUCTION:
Scenic Designer - Frederica Nascimento
Costume Designer - Garry Lennon
Lighting Designer - Ken Booth
Sound Designer - Jeff Gardner
Music Director - Rod Bagheri
Projections Designer - Nick Santiago
Wig Designer & Make Up - Tony Valdes 
Dialect Coach -  Andrea Odinov
Fight Choreographer - Ken Merckx
Dramaturg. .Miranda Johnson-Haddad 
Casting Director - Alison Rodriguez    1960s Dance Consultant  - Indira Tyler Choreography by the Elliotts  

Public Relations: Lucy Pollak!

One Man, Two Guvnors'

• Written by Richard Bean
• Adapted from The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni
• Original songs by Gary Olding
• Directed by Julia Rodriguez–Elliott and Geoff Elliott
• Music director Rod Bagheri
• Starring Ty Aldridge, Lynn Robert Berg, Christie Coran, Luis Kelly–Duarte, Henri Lubatti, Evan Lugo, Kasey Mahaffy, Josey Montana McCoy, Trisha Miller, Cassandra Marie Murphy, Paul David Story
• Presented by A Noise Within, Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott, producing artistic directors
 
WHEN:
August 31 through September 28
Previews Aug. 31 – Sept. 5:
• Sunday at 2 p.m. / Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Performances Sept. 6 – Sept. 28:
• Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7: 30 p.m. / Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no Saturday matinee on Sept. 6)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• A one-hour INsiders Discussion Group will take place prior to the matinee on Sunday, Sept. 7 beginning at 12:30 p.m.
• Post-performance conversations with the artists every Friday (except the preview) and Sunday, Sept 14.
• Student matinees are scheduled on select weekdays at 10:30 a.m. Interested educators should email education@anoisewithin.org.

WHERE:
A Noise Within
3352 E Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107

TICKETS:
• Tickets start at $51.50 (including fees)
• Student tickets start at $20
• Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4 (previews): Pay What You Choose starting at $10 (available online beginning at noon the Monday prior to that performance, and at the box office beginning at 2 p.m. on the day of the performance.)
• Discounts available for groups of 10 or more

HOW:
www.anoisewithin.org
(626) 356-3100