HIENSERBERG REDUX.. THE REVIEW ..

Juls Hoover and Paul Eidig Lorch photo

After days of nursing my mangled  ego and a nice correspondence with Caameron Watson, the director of Heiserberg at The Skylight on Vermont in Los Angeles.. I can report that there's a show worth seeing and if you don't go, you are missing a bet . Two actors. A strange serendipitous meeting evolving poetically.

For those who may be following the drama of my missing press invitation.. I learned that the PR guy for this play told the director  that he had "not heard from me." That is true! The way it works is that the PR person invites critics ro review.   This guy has not sent me any invitations for over a year.. so long ago that I've forgotten..and the only reason that I know it's him is because of a Facebook notice that included his name.

But to Business!!!  HEISENBERG..

This beauty of a two hander is that it can be an actor's tour de force.  Yes.. And, the way that Cameron Watson has staged the play reflects not only a keen understanding of the characters: the loopy Georgie (wow!  Juls Hoover) and the mostly taciturn Alex (mostly taciturn Paul Eiding).  Of course , it's all in the text, but beyond the words of this kind and thoughtful .. and loopy.. play is the opportunity for interpretation. (It was staged a while back with two women as the characters)

Alex, the butcher, is vamped big time in the London Underground by Georgie. Alex is in his seventies and  Georgie's is his junior by at least half. She's a Jumping Jacks Jill and a little  hard to pin down until her story takes its time to settle.

One line that Watson seems to have captured in the banter and the eventual loving resolution of Alex and Georgie is all about music. Alex, the butcher! for goodness sake.. is a fan and afficiando of all music genres. He's also a tango dancer! .. At one point as, Alex and Georgie begin to click.. Alex says something to the effect that music is not the notes!  It's in the spaces, Alex says..  between the notes that make any composition become music.  

What Watson allows as Geogrie and Alex  grow close, is for them to take moments:  a sort of musical rest.. physically and in the dialogue as the importance of their connection evolves.

The set and lighting are crisp and supportive as we imagine The Tube Station, Alex's shop, etc.  The scene changes are simple and fluid.. Non-representational. Fine.

It's a play with the off the wall bouncing of Georgie, whose Limberjack contortions visibly morph into .. well.. another woman. Hoover's characterization, changes in a welcome way. Eiding changes, too.. Stepping from his lonely bench . out for a walk.. to discovery of what may become the joy of life.

My being pissed off because I've been ghosted by this PR guy had me all over Facebook looking for  an invitation to review this show. 

.  The PR invitation never came, but with grace, Mr. Watson  responded to my 'what the heck?!' message.    

Very much appreciated.  

I did not attend on Mr. Watson's comp. And, I  did not promise a rave as I tend to not gush much unless something touches me artistically and/or emotionally. The Story of Alex and his Lost Love: lonely tears  melding with Georgie's unhappy tale of being irrevocably erased from a lover's  dance card are touching stories.  Their friendship blossoms in a genuine and beautiful  way.

The beats and complimentary business of great stage pictures  with subtle music make for a professional production.

Ordinarily, I am provided the basic information: the dates and cast and crew of the plays I review.  Because the PR rep probably won't send the info, here's a link to the website.  I love the graphic for the poster.   https://www.skylighttheatre.org/heisenberg.

Please copy and paste.. 

"Heisenberg" 

by Simon Stephens 

Directed by Cameron Watson  Continuing at The Skylight Theatre  right next to the Los Feliz Movie House on Vermont. 

Parking is a challenge! Go early.

See this show and tell The Skylight that   onstagelosangeles sent ya..

michael sheehan