Finding Claire Graham's fantastic studio at Avenue Fifty and York is your first challenge. Look for the amazing new marquee at the Bob Baker Theater and then with any luck at all, you'll find parking. Go early and meet the guys across the street creating huge burritos.. What ever you do.. cross only at the stop light. Streets are dark and the traffic is in a hurry.
Prepare to enter a whole new world, Ariel. Graham's studio / performance space contains a collection of wonderful artifacts that help..in an odd juxtaposition to set the scene for Ms Vogel's very personal tribute to her family.
It takes a while to understand.. at least for me, (there was no program for references) to get it that each of the actress's monologues turns on special women in her life: Ms Vogel's real life aunties whom she interviewed and took verbatim notes to present their stories in their own words.
It's personal.
The stage setting is a seat of the pants deal. If you are not well padded, bring a cushion!
This sort of autobiograhical stuff is a great way to expose some very deep feelings and, in a way.. work them out to share the wonderfulness of your family.
On a tiny "stage" in the MorYork space, we are basically in a straight forward proscenium situation. One note: sitting front row audience right, one of the back lights (clever desk lamps clamped to large wooden folding walls, shines into the eyes of the guy in the far right seat. Lighting never changes.. in a more expanded theatre setting, that would be an asset to depict mood of each aunt and their individual time periods.
As Ms Vogel has mostly directed herself, assisted by Echo Theatre Company member Natalya Nielsen, the simple and straight forward approach makes no effort at extreme character shifts.. She adopts a new hair style and wardrobe each time from an antique chest of drawers. With no ceremony, she comfortably moves in mood and costume to her next "mother sister".. The entire experience of seeing Claire Graham's studio and absorbing the relatively short one act monologue (monologues) brings one close to the heart of what theatre is supposed to do: share feelings. and maybe ideas.. I especially liked the Hippy Auntie who traveled all across the country and wound up in a Washington State commune with all the trimmings. Far Out.
"The first time I left home.." was probably the prompt that the actress gave to her aunts. I was at first confused because of the ages of the women. But, as Ms Vogel moves from one story to the next, it became clear that her goal was to tell each individual aunt's story and then..concluding with her own.
Hailing from Roswell, (I think) New Mexico, no mention of UFOs or the Alien Landing are included, but my guess is that the actresse's family may have some personal insights there, along with the adventures of young women, naive and Fertile! who wend their way into the lives they often had to create all on their own.
In conclusion, Ms Vogel's reads to us from her journal; coming back to her present self and to her family with the caveat that when one seeks Freedom. that the strength to forge ahead comes from personal resolve and action. Don't forget the doing.. the action and be prepared to accept the consequences.. come what may.
Understand that this is a work in progress. It is a double dip arts adventure. Only three performances remain. So! Head to Highland Park to support this tender and heart warming effort.
I highly recommend this short run performance for the double whammy of the archival stuff created and collected by Mr. Graham, Mother Sisters is a poignant work in progress.
MOTHER SISTERS
• Written, Directed and Performed by Makaela Vogel
• Assistant Drector Natalya Nielsen
• Presented by The Echo Theater Company, Chris Fields artistic director
WHEN:
Nov. 21 – Nov. 24
• Thursday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.
WHERE:
MorYork
4959 York Blvd.
Highland Park, CA 90042
TICKET PRICE:
$25
HOW:
www.EchoTheaterCompany.com
310-307-3753
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