THE FOUNTAIN PRESENTS FLY ME TO THE SUN

The Fountain Theatre presents the  West Coast Premiere of  Brian Quijada's FLY ME TO THE SUN. The full length one act  features BQ (Gerardo Navarro) providing animation for  Abeula Julia, an engaging puppet that reminded me f "Madam" of Waylon and Madam fame. Abeula Julia is not nearly so bawdy.. But, she rocks.   I love this introduction of puppets (full disclosure, I was once a pupptetter.) BQ's charming family story has its moments.

Every review I write these days reminds me of past experience.  In one vignette BQ relates from his childhood, all watched over by his loving grannie. He takes us on a road trip from Chicago to Anaheim and the experience of Space Mountain!  For some reason, this reminded me of an old college friend, Michael Johnson. His album "That's That" features this tune, "Roller Coaster Ride"

https://www.google.com/search?q=simger+michael+Johnson+song+%22+down+too+fast%22&sca_esv=9c452930055ba69e&ei=slq-aJ7FK7Wrur8PtdLIkAY&ved=0ahUKEwie5sWbqciPAxW1le4BHTUpEmIQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=simger+michael+Johnson+song+%22+down+too+fast%22&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiLHNpbWdlciBtaWNoYWVsIEpvaG5zb24gc29uZyAiIGRvd24gdG9vIGZhc3QiSABQAFgAcAB4AJABAJgBAKABAKoBALgBA8gBAPgBAZgCAKACAJgDAJIHAKAHALIHALgHAMIHAMgHAA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:79d26aec,vid:pCjN2sgXpJU,st:0

 This link doesn't want to highlight.  Oh well.. It's just an old  memory  inspired by BQ's roller coaster story.

This is a tour de force for Mr. Navarro, even though big brother,  Noé Cervantes, provides beats and some well done puppetry,  the text of the show all falls to BQ.. The monumental task of remembering ninety minutes of movement and dialogue is worth the price of admission.  The BQ energy never falters, though the pace of the show. like a roller coaster, explodes with a bang and then drops to a thoughtful and heartfelt moment before rising again for another plunge. 

Live music (ukulele, a fave) and beats by   Cervantes on Michael Navarro's truly super duper technicolor set injects  life into the show. 

BQ is a kid, who produces his own TV Show!! (Applause) and in so doing 

Gerardo Navarro and Noé Cervantes
Photo by Areon Media

tells the story of his very special relationship with his grandmother, Julia.. The show moves  in a cinematic flow.   

An enthusiastic audience anticipated the "Applause" sign held up by BQ's brother  and The Fountain reaches out to include El Salvador and the current troubles of our own country to prompt us to keep in mind that we are a nation of immigrants. This story of immigration touching on the issues in El Salvador should instill empathy for our put upon brothers and sisters. We are tasked to remember our own grandmothers who may not helicopter like Abeula Julia, but are fundamentally special in each of our lives.

Excellent tech by Deja Collins supports this deeply personal story.  

FLY ME TO THE SUN is a special show.  Go.

Crew:

Scenic designer Michael Navarro; Lighting designer Alison Brummer; Sound Designer Andrea “Slim” Allmond; 

Media designer Deja Collins; 

Costume designer Jeanette Godoy 

Properties designer Jenine MacDonald.

 Production stage manager Kimberly Sanchez Garrido

Publicity:  Lucy Pollak . 

 Barbara Herman executive produces for the Fountain Theatre

 FLY ME TO THE SUN

by Brian Quijada
• Featuring beats and remixes by Marvin Quijada and Brian Quijada
• Directed by Raymond O. Caldwell
• Starring Gerardo Navarro and Noé Cervantes
• Executive Producer Barbara Herman
• Presented by The Fountain Theatre, Raymond O. Caldwell artistic director

WHEN:
Previews: Wednesday, Sept. 3; Thursday, Sept. 4; and Friday, Sept. 5, each at 8 p.m.
Performances: Sept. 6 through Oct.12
• English language performances:
Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.; one Saturday matinee on Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. (dark Monday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Sept. 29)
• Spanish language performances:
Sundays at 7 p.m.: Sept. 14; Sept. 28; Oct. 5
Saturday at 2 p.m.: Oct. 4

WHERE:
The Fountain Theatre
5060 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90029
(Fountain at Normandie)

TICKET PRICES:
$25 – $45:
• Premium Seating: $45
• Regular Seating: $40
• Seniors 65 or older: $35 (regular seating only)
• Students: $25 (valid ID required)
• Monday nights: Regular seating ($40) and Pay–What–You–Want (subject to availability)
• Previews: Pay–What–You–Will

PARKING:
• Secure, on-site parking: $5
• Street parking available in the neighborhood north of Fountain Ave.
• No parking after 6 p.m. on Mariposa or Alexandria Avenues south of Fountain Ave.
• Allow extra time to find street parking; make sure to read all parking signs

HOW:
FountainTheatre.com
(323) 663-1525