Photo by Sasha A. Venola
Where have I been all these peoples’ lives? Really? If
Broadway ever came to Burbank, it’s been there for years and I’ve just blithely
driven by not understanding that more fun was being had in ninety minutes on
the Falcon stage with this bunch of actors, musicians and creators of some of the best
stuff I’ve ever seen. To rave
about the Troubadour Company is almost silly. Now and then we may read a ‘rave’ and know that it’s just an
opinion of another writer trying to sound like he knows what he’s doing.. In fact
that’s what I try to do with ever review I write. Most of the time it’s to be
at least kind to whatever the production might have been that I’ve agreed to review. Of course there are many well
done shows going up every night here in L.A. and some are worth a trip to the box office. Many times they are more than worthy
efforts, but… a rave? A show that
is so well done that it’s undeniable and one would pay to see it again? That's a rave! Well. Garry Marshall’s Falcon Theatre is pretty consistent with
fine productions that I’ve reported here. But.. last
night’s Opening Night of LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE
conceived and presented by The Troubador Theater Company, The Troubies,
as they
are known to their pals, is a hoot from the moment that the house lights
dim
and the live on stage band begins to play. We are greeted by Christopher
Scott Murillo’s simple, functional set and the band conducted by Eric
Heinly on drums with Kevin
McCourt, B.J. Johnson, Mike Abraham, Kirsten Edkins and amazing Ashley
Jarmack
on sax and clarinet. I mention the
band because they are not just the vendors of the score, but share the energy
of the production enjoying every moment as much as the hammified cast does.
The exceptionally relaxed presentation turns on the mashup
of NBC’s holiday treat, The Little
Drummer Boy with a sincere tribute to the great David Bowie. Essentially,
this is the tale of the
kid who could only give his talents to the Christ Child by playing his
drum.. a rump pa pa pumm... turning on the story of Ziggy (Joseph Leo
Bwarie) who strays from his mom and pop
(whose names will be listed elsewhere because I got so into the show
that I
neglected to note who was whom in the cast of nine players who all
played many,
many parts. Each member of the cast reflects the talent of each of their
company partners and they all stand out and are having as much of a good time
as the audience. We meet Ali, the
kid who is the catalyst for much of the action, Beth Kennedy, who is too cute for words.. (she’s a
guy!).. and then Ziggy and the mix of Bowie tunes tempered to fit the story of
a drum (a major Tom!) and incorporating Bowie tunes into the wonderful trip of
how shy Ziggy is not so sure he wants to become a star and then, how stardom
changes him and then changes him again. We roll through sight gags and puns and
audience interaction. Imagine a modern take on the arrival of the Three Kings! Arrive late
if you’d like to be part of the show!
Timing and restarts and silliness all become an evening that
ends in a Standing O leaving the
audience, along with the cast, almost out of breath. At the beginning of the show the characters ARE introduced
.. in a way... and they include along with Bwarie and Kennedy, the following
talented performers: Riccardo
Berdini, Lisa Valenzuela, Rick Batalla, Katie DeShan, Niles Rivers, Katie
Kitani and Cloie Wayatt Taylor along with Matt Walker’s Voice from Above.
One liners and puns and great production numbers rival
anything you’ll see on Broadway and the tickets are not going for four
figures. The 130 seat house is
perfect for full enjoyment of an evening that won’t soon be forgotten. Co-directed by Matt Walker and Bwarie,
it’s clear that everyone had some input. The respect and care that these
Troubies have for one another creating this tight production shines from each actor one to another...
and the band!
This
is a high rave. It's so much fun.. and we all know how important a
little fun is right this minute! Really! My directive? Get to the
Falcon
Theatre and experience this show!
It’s more than just good theatre. It’s an Experience that will mean even more to Bowie fans who miss our
icon who left us way too soon.
LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE
Falcon Theatre
4252 Riverside
Burbank, CA 91505
Through January 15, 2017
Tickets and Information:
818 955 8101
www.falcontheatre.com
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