"Why did the boy jump off the bridge?"
"COMMITTED?" HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR TWO PERFORMANCES:
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2024
AT 8PM
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2024 AT 2PM
MATRIX THEATRE
See below for address and ticket information. This is a special show.
In a touching tribute to her 'baby brother' Robbie, actor/playwright Lisa Robins is, at once electric and grounded in what may be the culmination of thirty years searching for a way to honor and celebrate her own life and explore the question:
"Why did the boy jump off the bridge?"
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| Lisa Robins / Robbie's Sister Photo Todd Felderstein. |
Ms Robins, in really shiny black tights, low heeled dance pumps and black velvet jacket, not only explores the story of brother Robbie's pain and demise, but shares insights into her own life on the stage...
And!! her life as the daughter of a Jew..ish family. The joy and turmoil of the ups and downs of her dance instructor mom and Uncle Daddy and being a natural from the age of three.
I took myself to Carney's on the Sunset Strip and started this review by saying,"Lisa Robins is a sylph!" Lithe and animated and limber and present and totally committed (there's the title for ya) to creating a ritual that celebrates the long struggle that Robbie had with emotional issues,that, in the end, took his life.
The angst of over thirty years of questions, "What should I have done?" and guilt ..a staple of Jewish folks, so it seems, are wrapped up in how Lisa is still coming to grips with being a "survivor" of suicide.
Every memoir must be, by definition, a little self indulgent. This, not in the pejorative sense, but as a matrix for how each of us gets to where we are today.. Saturday.. at an early matinee. And, now?? Ms Robins must trek to the Beverly Hills Playhouse to do a one eighty as the Housekeeper in Lucas Hnath's "A Doll's House, Part 2."
The beats of Ms Robins' well honed story keep steady on... smoothly on the Matrix's wide stage, supplemented by images projected on the old brick wall. This interesting choice made me want to suggest that as the play begins and Lisa places a 'tree' with. I think, the names of others whose lives have been touched by suicide, that had a large sheet been unfurled against the back wall, that the projections may have been more successful. On the other hand, in defense of this choice,the images were dreamlike and vague. Robbie was a stud as also is scholar-brother Rick..as Robins herself is a radiant story teller with Fosse moves and a husky theatrical voice that is undeniable.
Committed? is a short run. Please see it for emotional insights and the ever haunting question, I highly recommend "Committed?" at the Matrix..
"Why did the boy jump off the bridge?" Of course, sadly..
"to get to the other side..."
Committed?
Written and performed by Lisa Robins
Director: Mitch Levine
Produced by Elina de Santos
Dramaturg: Justin Tanner
A Rogue Machine Production
Recommended for ages 14+
WHERE: Rogue Machine at the Matrix Theatre
7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(Street parking)
WHEN: 7pm Sun. Oct. 27; 8pm Fri. Nov. 1; 3pm Sun. Nov. 3
Closing: November 3, 2024
TALKBACKS FOLLOWING EACH PERFORMANCE:
10/26, Saturday at 2pm: Guest will be Arlene Sarner - wrote Peggy Sue Got Married. Lost her son to suicide.
10/27, Sunday at 7pm: Guest will be Rabbi Naomi Levy -from Nashuva. Wrote To Begin Again. Lost her father to murder.
11/1, Friday at 8: All Saints Day related program (the day when the veil between the living and dead is the most fragile). 1
11/3, Sunday at 3pm: TBA
HOW: For reservations call 855-585-5185 or https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/committed
HOW MUCH: Tickets are $45 (Students $25 / Seniors $35)
2pm Sat. Oct. 26 (Show4Less: $15+)
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