Boston Court Theatre on Mentor in Pasadena, just up the street from The Ice House, is a classy professional space dedicated to challenging theatre..and music. "A Going Away Party Play" by Keyanna Khatiblou pretends to be a party for Mina (Mehrnaz Mohammadi... who doubles as her own father's sister). In fact it is a gorgeous ensemble exercise that explodes with theatrical energy and is, at once, a teach-in, a family narrative, some difficult political inquiries and in monologues to the audience, personal insights from each of the five cast members. It rolls along as a well lubricated machine.
As characters evolve, thanks to director James Fowler, the show comes off without a hitch.. and there are lots of opportunities for hitches.
Stephen Gifford's amazing set engulfs the audience and the stage. Gavan Wyrick's' lights are spectacular. Kate and Ryan as Caroline and Basir
Unaccustomed as I am to gushing, the energy generated by the cast, though the polemic turns a little hyperbolic now and then, is contagious. References to the political and cultural situation in Iran during the time of the Shah are well handled. Mina's family has History..
The cast doubles as 'themselves' the actors, putting on a show and segues to the story of Mina's parents meeting. It's an interesting cultural challenge: the story of an English girl, Caroline, played by cast member Kate (Kodi Jackman) in love with the charming Iranian guy, Basir, cast member Ryan, played by Nathan Mohebbi. Basir is Mina's Iranian father. Caroline is her English mother. It's not as complicated as it might seem!
As the audience settles the cast assembles immediately breaking the fourth wall. The play moves adroitly pretty much abandoning the notion of Mina going anywhere. It's her story that also includes the business of the other characters discussing highly personal issues.
Again, director James Fowler, finds ways to highlight the 'actors' and their personal stuff while guiding them through the backstory narration of how Mina got to be who she is and how she currently deals with the challenges of being a young woman who may be going somewhere.
Mateo (Giovanny Camarena) and Debbie (Cindy Nguyen) present supporting roles, but deliver heart rending monologues that turn on dealing with modern culture.
The 'teach-in' aspect of the show reminded me of Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me." Absorbing a civics lesson in the middle of the story... though it works.. is a stretch. Ryan's "Democracy Target" calls for special attention, so listen up!
Be prepared to learn a bit about human nature and the world and remember that Mentor Street is a one way, so enter Boston Court from Lake and park in the back! This expereince is worth the effort!
Cast:
MINA/ NILOOFAR - Mehrnaz Mohammadi
KATE/ CAROLINE - Kodi Jackman
RYAN/ BASIR - Nathan Mohebbi
MATEO/ SECURITY OFFICER - Giovanny Camarena
DEBBIE/ MAMAN BOZORG - Cindy Nguyen
A Going Away Party Play
by Keyanna Khatiblou
Boston Court Theatre
.
Boston Court Pasadena
70 N Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106. Parking is
free in the on-site lot. For reservations and information, call (626) 683-6801 or go to
bostoncourtpasadena.org.
-------------
Opening Night Performance: Saturday, September 28 at 8PM
Benefit Fundraiser Performance: Sunday, September 29 at 3PM
Performances:
Friday, October 4, 8PM
Saturday, October 5, 2PM (ASL Interpreted Performance)
Sunday, October 6, 2PM
Monday, October 7, 8PM
Saturday, October 12, 8PM
Sunday, October 13, 2PM
Saturday, October 19, 8PM
Sunday, October 20, 2PM
Monday, October 21, 8PM
Friday, October 25, 8PM
Saturday, October 26, 8PM
Sunday, October 27, 2PM
WHERE:
Boston Court Pasadena
70 N Mentor Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91106
Free parking is available directly behind the building
No comments:
Post a Comment