LAST SUMMER AT BLUE FISH COVE / THE FOUNTAIN

Sarah Scott Davis, Ellen D. Williams,
Stephanie Pardi, Lindsay LaVanchy,
Tamika Katon-Donegal, Ann Sonneville,
Noelle Messier, Stasha Surdyke
Photo by Frank Ishman

Forty years after their very successful run of Last Summer at Bluefish Cove,  the Fountain Theatre remounts the play in the outdoor setting where I used to  park my car!  This idea works...  Mostly. On arrival audience members are given head phones with the promise that the play can be heard. The problem is that all voices come from the devices and because some of the actors' voices are similar, one has to be on the ball to catch who is saying what and to whom.  

There is a strong ensemble bond with this cast. It's a straight play.. Well, it's a lesbian play  presented in a straight forward way.  Some cultural references like David Susskind and Phil Donohue date the era and thus, the various levels of concern  that Kitty and a few of the women fear, some more than others regarding being outed. 

Enter Eva (Lindsay LaVanchy) who, after twelve years of marriage is leaving her husband and winds up renting a summer cabin on Bluefish Cove. She immediatly  discovers Lil (Ann Sonneville) and after a bit of  brief foreplay, the inevetible becomes inevitable. 

With Gay Pride Month now behind us and this, the second play in a week that features a gay(ish) theme, it's important to note that forty years ago the mores of "polite society" came down hard on folks outside the accepted hetero spectrum.  This fictional resort of Bluefish Cove is a safe harbor for women who love women. The sorority of these gals vacationing together has long been a safe abd  secure tradition.

Queen Bee Kitty Cochrane (Sara Scott Davis) writes  books to empower women.  Should the secret of her sexual preference  be revealed, it could mean curtains for her career.  Does the newcomer pose a threat?   The exposition and modest dustups never come to serious blows and the title of the piece is revealed  in a sad denoument. 

Seeing strong dedicated actors delivering the goods and these daughters of Lesbos portrayed as human beings with hardly a single stereotype   in the bunch (mostly..) serves the idea that people are people. They are successful and productive individuals who simply deserve to live their lives.

Desma Murphy's beautiful set works well in this outdoor setting. It's a comfort play for the burgeoning community of everyone: gay, sraight or otherwise,  who truly believes that equality for all is a must.  Kudos to this production.

CAST:

Kitty Cochrane		Sarah Scott Davis*
Swing		Allison Husko*
Rita Sanderson		Tamika Katon-Donegal
Eva Margolis		Lindsay LaVanchy
Annie Joseph		Noelle Messier*
Donna Atterly		Stephanie Pardi
Lillian (Lil) Zalinski		Ann Sonneville*
Sue McMillan		Stasha Surdyke*
Rae		Ellen D. Williams*

 

 *Indicates membership in Actors Equity.

LAST SUMMER AT BLUEFISH COVE

by Jane Chambers

Directed by  Hannah Wolf

The Fountain Theatre

Outdoor Stage
The Fountain Theatre
5060 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90029
(Fountain at Normandie)  

Performances: June 17 – Aug. 27
• Wednesday at 7 p.m.: June 14 ONLY (preview)
• Thursday at 7 p.m.: June 15 ONLY (preview)
• Fridays at 7 p.m.: June 16 (preview), 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25
• Saturdays at 7 p.m.: June 17 (opening), 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; 12, 19, 26 (dark Aug. 5)
• Sundays at 7 p.m.: June 18, 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 13, 20, 27 (dark Aug. 6
• Mondays at 7 p.m.: June 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Aug. 7, 21 (dark June 19 and Aug. 14)  

Arrive early and note the early curtain time. Parking may be a challenge.  Uber?

Tickets and information:

(323) 663-1525 or www.FountainTheatre.com