HELLO, MY NAME IS.. MOVING ARTS.

MOVING ARTS presents

HELLO, MY NAME IS  by Amy Dellagiarino. A world premiere!

Director Darin Anthony takes us to what feels a lot like the  Heaven's Gate cult that believed that they were headed somewhere in 1997.  Try as I might to discourage curtain speeches and such, we enter the house. The play in progress.  

Then a little curtain speech and a recorded announcement.  Then.. getting back to the play.... sigh.

Kiki and Reagan are seated in silent meditation.  The room that they share is spare: bunk bed, desk and chair, two large zafu cushions. And.. a large  photo of Jay, their spiritual leader poised to take his 'children' to 'metamorphosis..'

Kiki (Ronni Page)  is having a tough time sitting and asks a lot of questions..Reagan (Rebecca Larson)  sits... un-flustered.. well, for a little while. She is the senior mentor.

Micah (Brandon Bales) is a new guy to the group: amusingly  insecure.

Chase (Bradley Bazile) is easily annoyed and a true believer.. Sycophant? Well.. pretty much.

Getting into the plot after a moment, it's clear that the pecking order comes from devotion to Jay. (Juan Monsalvez) who is  the guru with a plan..

We bicker and annoy each other. Dawn is breaking. We wait for 'the chimes..'

At some point, it becomes clear that there's trouble brewing and the dissolving faith of each of the faithful asks questions that lead to a sticky point in the plot.  It nags at me, but to discuss it would be to spoil the clever action .

Back to Heaven's Gate ..or Jonestown in 1978.  When, for one reason or another, seemingly ordinary folks are drawn  to the 'family' atmosphere of like minded others,  there may be a reason to fall in line.  My issue with the plot is that in exposition, initially, we don't get the full picture of what these characters, Micah for only ninety days and Reagan,  the deepest, for five years. What have each of them been actually doing?  Like a well known local to LA cult, do they work and pay into the collective?

As the story develops in real time, Micah's anxiety and genuinely annoying demeanor turns on 'what if" and WHAT IF?   It sure is quiiet around here.....

Darin Anthony's direction keeps the story moving a pace on Justin Huen's perfect set. Sometimes the dialogue gets a little frantic, but when someone is  expecting a 'metamorphosis' that will send them to some longed for  Nirvana?   And, things are not adding up??  Things are crumbling and everyone is hungry. What about the chimes??

Did the Heaven's Gate devotees transcend their physical luggage? 

Can  we sit in meditation long enough to discover our way to our better selves?  

There's some physical business that could use some work and a split focus now and then that is a choice, probably for a reason.  These are minor notes as the show itself tumbles along, well timed to what seems to be a proper conclusion. 

Each actor nails it. And, in spite of my questions about some missing exposition, I hope you will head to Moving Arts and support this well done World Premiere.  It's what Moving Arts does sincerely:  It supports new authors and new ideas.  

LR: Brandon Bales, Bradley J Bazille, Roni Paige, Juan Monsalvez, Rebecca Larsen Photo By Eric Keitel

CAST:

Ronni Page – Kiki

Rebecca Larson – Reagan

 Brandon Bales– Micah

Bradley Bazile – Chase

Juan Monsalvez – Jay

CREW

Playwright:  Amy Dellagarino

Director: Darin Anthony

Producer: Laura Buckle

Producer: Joe Camareno

Scenic & Lighting Design: Justin Huen

Sound Design: Warren Davis

Costume Design: 

Keelyn McDermott

Production Stage Manager 

Keelyn McDermott

Moving Arts Theater proudly announces the World Premiere of
new play Hello, My Name Is… A darkly satirical comedy about losing your way on the
journey to find yourself.
What do you do when the world makes no sense? Some people meditate. Some people
travel. And some people… join a cult.
Who:
Hello, My Name Is… was created and developed under Dana Schwartz’s keen eye as
part of Moving Arts’ MadLAB, play development program.
Produced by Laura Buckles and Joe Camareno; Directed by award-winning director
Darin Anthony; Costumes by Keelyn McDermott; set and light design by Justin Huen; sound design by Warren Davis; props by Dana Schwartz.
This cast in alphabetical order:
Brandon Bales, Bradley J. Bazile, Rebecca Larsen, Juan Monsalvez, and Roni
Paige.
Where:
Moving Arts Theater
3191 Casitas Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039
323-472-5646 - info@movingarts.org
When:
PREVIEW: Thursday, November 6th at 8 PM & Friday, November 7th at 8 PM
RUN: Saturday, November 8th to Sunday, December 14th - Friday, Saturday, Monday at
8 PM & Sunday at 4 PM Check website for exact dates and times:
https://movingarts.ludus.com/index.php
How:
Tickets range from $10 to $33 and can be purchased HERE:
https://movingarts.ludus.com/ind