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

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