ANN NOBLE'S "DEAD MAN" AT THE HOLLYWOOD FRINGE

I AM AN UNABASHED  FAN.. of Ann Noble.

Today's matinee by the seat of her pants and her stage pals, a slippity slap all good fun at a matinee was .. at once.. a Clowinish Trip and a taste of 1940s Noir...

DEAD MAN

Written and directed by Ann Noble

Featuring

Jeffrey Johnson as Hopper

Robin McDonald as Dinah 

Christian Haines as The Dead Man

Ann Noble as Biscuit

Produced by Theatre Ghosts / Michael Perlmutter & Carolina Rodriguez

Photography by Carolina Rodriguez

Stage Managed by Rebecca Shoenberg

 

 

These  four actors are very skilled; though Sam Beckett has nothing immediately to worry about. This slightly absurd romp is a good trip into a Dark and Stormy Night .. Detective Jones  types his short story effort..   I helped.

The slinky Biscuit (Noble)  nicely balanced with the dead guy and Hopper Jones and Dinah, the secretary dance a wonky dance that blossoms in the tiny space with a full house! .

A commentary on dream life?  A short play on odd  circumstances?  

The whole of Noble's Dead Man   is the clever effort to toss ideas up into the air and see what happens. 

The energy of the acotrs and accessible  text...  drew lots of laughs and a standing ovation as after a brief curtain call, Ms Noble quickly excused herself to head to Glendale to play Eruydike (the translation changed some spelling) in the Antaeus production of  Sophocles's Antigone.. also recommended

This is not your standard vanity romp. These are dedicated professionals .

Highlyy recommended

DEAD MAN 

by Ann Noble

Two shows left at the Broadwater Black Box on Santa Monica Boulevard.

DEAD MAN

Written and directed by Ann Noble

Featuring

Jeffrey Johnson as Hopper

Robin McDonald as Dinah 

Christian Haines as The Dead Man

Ann Noble as Biscuit

Produced by Theatre Ghosts / Michael Perlmutter & Carolina Rodriguez

Photography by Carolina Rodriguez

Stage Managed by Rebecca Shoenberg

6322 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038 

8:00 PM Thursday June 18, 2026, 

3:30 PM Sunday June 21. 2026

 8:30 PM Friday  June 26. 2026

Parking is tough!  Leave time to find a space.. more time than usual..

Tickeets and information

 https://support.hollywoodfringe.org/hc/en-us/articles/115000016331-ALL-ABOUT-TICKETS

 

WORLD PREMIERE!! "CASSATT" AT THEATRE WEST

 

CASSATT  : a world premiere, opens at the revered Theatre West. Founded in 1962 by actors working in movies and television, seeing a need to keep their chops up by working.. opened at 3333 Caheunga just over the hill from Hollywood. What TW does and does often with success is to devlop a World Premiere.  In this case, CASSATT  written and directed by Arden Teresa Lewis.  CASSATT is a very ambitious production with cinematic scene changes that trace the life of the American born artist Mary Cassatt. (Samantha Gregory).

This old playhouse echoes with the literally hundreds of productions that have come and gone:  voices and applause.  Audiences still love TW at the age of sixty four! 

 

The production is a chronicle of the life of the artist with spectacular video projections that announce the  locations  and dates that factor into the life of the artist. When the technical aspects of any show are so well done, it's up to the director and thc cast to step up and be counted.   Gabrieal Griego's video creations, especially a wonderful rendition of a horse running at full gallop as Mary seems to be riding along is very impressive.   Another impressive video project is the creation of  her portarit of a black servant who was leaving to be married. Impressive.  The use of turning four sided periaktoi worked well for many many scene changes.

Michelle Afradi's period costumes circa 19th Century are worthy of comment.

Better suited for a film than the stage, "Cassatt" as a biographical unfolding takes its time.  All the good intentions of each member of the cast and crew and volunteers who create this unique  theatre are met to the best of their ability. The legacy of Theatre West will always rise to the occasion.

I've never thought it a good idea for an author to direct their own work. Theatre is a collaboration at the highest level.. so to that I would wish that a more objective eye might have tightened the prooduction, with the possibility of a full length productio in one act a possibility.

The cast list below tells the tale of a variety of acting styles and approaches to their characters. Each contributes in a unique way.

Fans of Impressioist Art should see this show..

CAST

Samantha Gregory :  Cassatt

Cecil Jennings:  Degas/Eakins

Caroline Quigley: Lydia Cassatt

 Saratoga Ballantine: Katherine Cassatt

Kathie Barnes:   Mathilde)

Brianna Burnside:  Eliza Haldeman/Louisine

Lily Cadot: Suzanna/Child Model

Alexandria Sander Servant/Berthe Morisot

Walter Rodriguez: Vollard/Howard Roberts

Daniel Korth:  Camille/Harry

 Crew:

Assistant to the Director: Elise Walters

Production Consultant: Elyse Ashton

Set Design: Jeff G. Rack

Costume Design: Michelle Afradi

Graphic & Projection Design: Gabrieal Griego

Stage Manager: Sarah Acuna

PR: Philip Sokoloff

Social Media: Briana Burnside  

 

CASSATT written and directed by Arden  Theresa Lewis

Theatre West

3333 Caheunga

Los Angeles,CA 90068

Runs May 29 through June 28, 2026  Performances take place every Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door.