THE CAKE : POPPIN' FRESH AT THE ECHO

Echo Theater Company Artistic Director Chris Fields takes chances.  Playwright Beckah Brunstetter has taken a chance as well with The Cake.  This World Premiere play opens doors for discussion by addressing a moral question that brings each of us back to the way we are taught. Or, just maybe, the way we have over come our basic education.

For Della (Debra Jo Rupp) Competitive Baker of Della’s Bakery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the excitement of her ‘niece’  Jen’s! (Shannon Lucio) engagement announcement  crumbles as it becomes clear that her intended is not the cute boy she dated in college, but sophisticated and socially acute Macy (Carolyn Ratteray)! 

Debra Jo Rupp
Photo by Darrett Sanders

Conflict is the key to great theatre and Brunstetter’s story does not disappoint.  Tackling not only same sex marriage but the power of social media and the deep roots of conservative Christian upbringing expanded to middle aged ennui, we have a multitude of issues to conquer.

On Pete Hickok’s  impressive set we first get to know Macy and her modern take on sugar and meat and the issues of the day that embrace responsibility.  Della is excited to learn that Macy is from New York City!  As Macy takes notes (she’s a writer of articles on line) regarding Della’s basic approach to life (butter and sugar are fundamental!) as well as the simple construct that reading the recipe and following instructions is the only way to have your cake (and by extension one’s entire life) bake to perfection.  The imperfection of the dawning of the age of liberation for minorities of every stripe may be in conflict with her basic Bible learnings. 

Carolyn Ratteray and Shannon Lucio
Photo by Darrett Sanders

This is an apt dilemma. The loyalty of love for her best friend’s daughter collides not only with her basic Christian moral platform, but we meet Tim (Joe Hart) her busy plumber/septic tank cleaner husband who, as a good North Carolinian, believes that the Man rules the roost By Declaration. Della’s frustration with her lack of marital intimacy stays under wraps until she begins to get it that Macy and Jen truly love one another. What they do in their bedroom, though aberrant to Della’s upbringing, is, in part, what Love is all about.  More basic moral conflict arises when Macy and Jen themselves butt up against some deeply held beliefs by Jen that Macy has never had to deal with. And! vice versa. 

  Again, we have to be carefully taught.

The fantasy of Della’s imagined appearance on television’s  The Great American Baking Show comes to life when the Godlike voice of “George” (bombastic VO by Morrison Keddie) booms down in harsh criticism berating Della. His crude questions make her question her own state of affairs.  Her desire to win the competition and to “be on TV!!” brings her back to her own basic ingredients for her baking that include in every cake and muffin "...angel’s saliva and good deeds!"

The power of social media bursts onto the scene that reminded me of a scene in the movie “Doubt” where the analogy of a feather pillow bursting over an urban space is used to show how rumor and missed understandings, once unleashed, can never be reclaimed.  Overcoming disappointment and finding fulfillment are not always easy to attain, but this show will not disappoint.  Director Jenifer Chambers’ delicate hand never shows as these skilled actors tell this important story. 

THE CAKE by Beckah Brunstetter

The Echo Theatre Company

3269 Casitas

Los Angeles, CA90039

Through August 6, 2017

Tickets and Information:

310 307 3753

www.EchoTheaterCompany.com

BOLT II

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BOLT! 

This is the second attempt to get this posted in a readable format.  

 

For the past ten minutes I've tried to post this with the font and size consistent with the other posts. It's not working unless this looks about right.  Apologies, if it doesn't. 

I started a FB post a couple of days ago filled with ..not anger.. but frustration.  I learned that the Actors Equity Association (AEA) that governs the hiring and work of professional actors and stage managers is still a force majeure to many professional actors here in Los Angeles.  In spite of a resolution that failed regarding the 99 Seat Plan that Equity took some months ago, the power of this union prevails and it should not. 

This is an idea that I really don't have a direct hand in, but I'm weighing in because if someone doesn't step up and do something, the small theatres in Los Angeles will pretty much be driven out of business.    This is just wrong.  

All of the arguments in favor of actors: professionals and wanna bes.. having control of their own destinies are valid.  A few think that pay for small theatre is a good idea.  I think that's a good idea, too...  if the company itself doesn't find itself strapped for:

the rent

the utilities

the necessities to keep the doors open 

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of The Company Theatre and The Company Theatre Foundation that was organized  by actor friends of mine. They were dedicated to making theatre that was important to them.. this included classics as well as also hosting playwrights like Megan Terry and Michael McClure and Sam Elliott. They also created their own original works of art like The Emergence and The James Joyce Memorial Liquid Theatre.  

About the time that this was going on in the late sixties, the actors in The Company were also interested in making an actual living in theatre and movies and TV professionally.  This meant joining the three actors' unions: Equity, SAG and AFTRA.  Soon Equity came sniffing around the door and demanded things.  Pay for the actors who were, in fact, the administrators, the producers, the directors, the box office personnel, the  designers and builders, the janitors for The Company.   Through a series of negotiations, it was declared that theatre companies with 99 Seats of fewer COULD produce shows and waive the fees for actors.   This was important because the amenities listed above had to be paid and often came out of the pockets of the members themselves. It was, essentially, a collective.  This was a creative endeavor.  Later, with the formation of a non profit foundation, they were able to lobby for funds via grants and other sources allowing for donations to the foundation tax deductible for donors.  Good news.

The Subject of this Post.. as AEA has manipulated the 'rules' to make it difficult for this type of arrangement to now exist.. is BOLT!..  Those in the know KNOW that it is not the Los Angeles branch of Equity that really controls much of anything besides a handful of Equity actors who perform at The Music Center and a few other venues.  The Pantages shows big, big road shows and I am unsure if Equity even has a contract with that theatre.  When you fill huge houses like The Ahmanson and The Pantages, payment for all of the folks involved is a BUSINESS  venture to make money. The 'art' of this type of theatre is about entertainment. It's about money.

I can't find the numbers of Equity members here in Los Angeles, but I'm guessing that if even a hundred actors who are based here are making an actual living from their stage work, that's a stretch.

The point is that, of course, having contracts to protect actors and producers is a good idea.  The current decimation  of small theatres here by AEA is just wrong.  Thus.. this is a call to all Los Angeles AEA members to BOLT.. keep your SAG-AFTRA card and tell Equity to take a hike. Then.. have a party and see who shows up and form a Los Angeles Alliance Defying Equity.. (I wanted the acronym to spell LAA DE DAH.. but.. I'm lazy)... create a fair and workable agreement that producers and the new group think is okay and let New York and their goals to make money do what they will, but not in LA. 

I review small theatre productions here in Los Angeles and have seen some really wonderful stuff.  We try things here. We experiment. We allow folks to take chances.  And,  with a Plank and a Passion (all one really needs?) actors can blow audiences away in honor of what Theatre is really all about.. The Play's the Thing..  There are local producers at The Skylight and The Fountain who are ready and willing to at least discuss this.  Find the art and the artists and then..  go make art..  do Theatre! 

Michael Sheehan

June 28, 2017  

The Complete History of Drag in a Few Mo-Mo

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Directed by Mark Silva, the title of David LeBarron’s one person show is slightly misleading..  set in a "shitty little drag club in the valley," bare bones stage on the concrete floor of a utilitarian little theater in West Hollywood .. although he may touch on men in dresses throughout history, the show is short on actual facts. His clever approach is well written and nicely presented with footnotes and ‘exposition.’ 

Of course, in order for the play to progress, there must be exposition and here-in lies the rub.. the tiny theater complex on Formosa is made of concrete.  The sound in this tiny black box space is so ‘live’ that though volume was not a problem, understanding the dialogue was difficult.  The oddest thing was that the woman behind us was laughing her head off and when I turned to see who else was laughing, not everyone was. The timing of  LeBarron’s piece is such that the rhythms may dictate the laughs.

His clever use of breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly as himself for ‘exposition’  and then, with a remote control, changing the lighting and switching back to his “Auntie Luscious” drag character was smooth as silk. The actor delineated his ‘sister performers’ one by one but not enough for us to really keep track of them. The dingy dressing room for the drag show where Auntie was the head liner (who never started on time!!) did not start on time, but once underway was well underway.

This last night of the Hollywood Fringe Festival packed the house with fans and those whose curiosity, like mine, was piqued to find out about this glamorous side of what most straight folks presume to be a gay scene did provide some insight. Though Auntie Luscious is flaming and LeBarron may certainly be gay but is really cool, it seemed to me that the drag scene was first entertainment and secondly filled with homosexuals. Regardless one’s sexual orientation, the illusion in this show was left to the imagination as LeBarron only mimes his makeup and dressing in costume for the impending stage show. 

Rumor has it that the play might find new light somewhere in town. Should it play in a space where the sound is not reverberating off the walls like a tin drum, it would be fun to see again, or to read the script to catch all the missed jokes.  The audience loved it and the parts that I could actually understand, were enjoyable.  Perhaps developed into a full length play like "Melody Jones, a Striptease in Two Acts," a play by Dan Gerrity and Jeremy Lawrence which opened twenty five years ago exposing the back stage life of female strippers in a gay night club, meeting the other female impersonators as actual characters as well as the ‘newbie’ who is young and pretty, might bring more to light the history that LeBarron announces in the title of his piece. 

With the “T” part of the current movement now known as LGBTQ still ambiguous vis a vis female impersonators, dragqueens   transvestites or heterosexual crossdressers, this short piece begins to discuss the issue providing a good start.  It’s just a shame that the acoustics of this particular space and maybe the somewhat hurried pace of Mr. LeBarron made getting the jokes more of a problem than it should have been. 

 

 

LES BLANCS / ROGUE MACHINE

Shari Gardner, Desean Kevin Terry, and Jelani Blunt 

Photo by John Perrin Flynn

This is only the second play that I've reviewed at The Rogue Machine Theatre.  After seeing their production of Still Life which impressed me on several levels, I had to come back.  The choice of Lorraine Hansberry's Les Blancs provides acting and direction and excellence in production values:  a treatise on colonialism in a fictional African country. The story turns on stereotypical archetypes that, sadly, reflect the actual business of white dominance in black nations even to this day.   Gregg T. Daniel's precise direction and Stephanie Kerley Schwartz's imaginative scenic design are spot on.  The opening introduction of the cast of characters reminded me of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's The Neighbors, another treatise on race.  

http://onstagelosangeles.blogspot.com/2010/09/neighbors-neighbors.html

Hansberry has created a complicated situation where well meaning white folks clash with military whites who have come to dominate the native culture and being dominated is something that most folks are uncomfortable with.  The continuing struggle for freedom that permeates the world, is reflected in this piece with skill. The ethical and moral stance of the ruling race, no matter the well meaning efforts of thoughtful others, seem always to result in conflict that  serves only to thin the herd of the minority. 

Bill Brochtrup's Sergeant Major George Rice, our prime antagonist, is crisp and British. Writer Charlie Morris  (Jason McBeth), Joel Swetow's hard drinking Dr. Willy DeKoven and the cool and beautiful Dr. Marta Gotterling (Fiona Hardingham) work beautifully.  As Madame Neilsen, Anne Gee Byrd is most soulful as the wife of the missionary who established the mission and clinic years before.  

Outstanding is percussionist Jelani Blunt, who sets the mood with pre-show doumbek and beads while the opening night audience filters into the theater.  His underscore drives the piece throughout. Lithe and dangerous Shari Gardner dance interprets the conflicts and passion that move the story forward.

Strong performances by Desean Kevin Terry (Tshembe Matoseh), the conflicted and westernized returnee to his homeland; his brother, Abioseh (Matt Orduna) who has become a Catholic priest!; Eric (Aric Floyd) and Amir Abdullah as Peter reflect the deep chasm that our human culture insists on widening by force. 

Written in the sixties the play is set in an ambiguous time period, the struggles of the 'under classes' that were themes in Hansberry's other plays give pause as hypocrisy blossoms despite the best efforts of some to do the right thing. 

Finally, the supernumeraries in this piece are professional and totally dedicated, especially as the revolt expands with guns and spears into the audience.  As I have been critical of children on stage in the past, the kids in this production are present and professional! Impressive.

This thoughtful and well mounted production deserves an audience. The polemic is transparent.  Hansberry's characters hold few surprises, but the work is excellent.. excellent theatre. 

LES BLANCS  by Lorraine Hansberry

ROGUE MACHINE THEATRE

1089 N. Oxford Avenue 

Los Angeles, CA 90029

Plays Saturdays and Mondays at 8PM

Sundays at 3PM

Closes July 3, 2017

Tickets and Information

855 585 5185 

or www.roguemachinetheatre.com

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OPEN FIST! THE GARY PLAYS!!

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The Gary Plays by Murray Mednick

These lengthy and very involved plays by Murray Mednick are worthy of a scholarly approach with attention to their inspiration.  I can highly recommend each one, but also recommend that seeing all three in one day will be overwhelming and exhausting.  Mednick’s writing smacks of the scholar that he most certainly is and the issues he embraces in such a way as to gather the audience in and then wrap them in an enigma that.. perhaps….. taken in smaller bites might be better served. 

 A Sunday marathon starting at noon at the Atwater Village Theater currently occupied by the Open Fist Theatre Company and running helter skelter through the afternoon and with a dinner break then starting again at seven until almost ten is a lot to absorb. So.. taking full responsibility for my own actions, nodding from time to time, it’s important to understand that if you adore challenging theatre, crisp and well defined direction, spot on characters presented by professional actors with amazing special effects, check the schedule and plan a well paced visit to see all three of The Gary Plays.

Amanda Weier, Jeff LeBeau, Derek Manson
Photo by Darrett Sanders

Based on a true story that happened to an actor friend of Mednick’s, the character Gary, played in the trilogy’s first iteration by Jeff LeBeau, whose dedication to the role exceeds whatever excellent might be.. Gary: the actor..  is faced with multiple challenges that stem from the murder of his young son, Danny (also excellent Josh Trant) and his relationship with his ex-wife, Danny's mother  (Laura Richardson) and their interaction forward and back in time. This includes another family whose pathway crosses Gary’s: Monica (Barbara Schofield) and Charles (Carl J. Johnson) and their hypersexy independent teen Laura (Laura Liguori).  The abstract and dream like quality of each of the three plays continues, not always in a linear fashion, making the narrative only a suggestion that may or may not be apparent to the audience.  A curtain speech allows that each of the three plays stands pretty much on its own, but to approach the material from anywhere but the beginning, it seems to me, would be cheating the playwright and the playgoer. Even with side trips and obscurities, there is a whole picture and there lies the story. 

To discuss the entire idea would be a long essay in and of itself.  The best thing to be said about these three plays is that Guy Zimmerman’s direction supplemented by extraordinary scenic projections by Hana S. Kim, is a dance well choreographed.  It’s more than just strong stage pictures. It’s individual actors dedicated to the stories with skills that remind me of the work exhibited by Joseph Chaikin’s Open Theatre in the heyday of experiment and strong statements on stage. The Gary Plays are more intellectual than visceral. 

Roderick Menzies and Laura Liguori
Photo by Darrett Sanders

Each of the three plays is made up of two sections: 
Part I: Tirade for Three / Girl on a Bed; 
Part II Gary’s Walk / Out of the Blue and
Part III DaddyO Dies Well / Charles’ Story.  Each is divided into smaller ‘acts’ that are sometimes announced by Chorus (Amanda Weier and Derek Manson who double as other characters in all three parts).  To spare the use of the term ‘excellent’ to describe director Zimmerman’s work with all of the cast members.. let it be said in no uncertain terms that his direction and the actors’ work is exemplary: completely dedicated to the Three Parts.

Expanding the Story of Gary, played in Part I by Jeff LeBeau, Part II: Kelly Van Kirk and Part III: Darrell Larson, we learn of the devastating effect of the loss of Gary’s son, Danny (Josh Trant) : a troubled kid who pals around with an addict/Vietnam vet, Rondell (Phillip C. Curry, whose basso profundo vibrates the theater!). Danny was murdered in a park, apparently, at random.

Telling the basic story of The Gary Plays in one fell swoop can never do justice to Mednick’s efforts. That said, throughout the three parts, the ensemble efforts of the entire team bring us a day long examination of difficult times with an underlying theme, perhaps, that “Money is more important than people!” Mendick’s characters flow flawlessly through the trials and tribulations of parenting, addiction, divorce, angst, self doubt, revenge, seeking refuge and therapy finding solace? as well as the on going question that we all ask about life and death.  Is the end, the end? 

Peggy Ann Blow, Elizabeth Lande, Derek Manson,
Kelly Van Kirk and Roderick Menzies
Photo by Darrett Sanders

Flash and evil Antonio (Peggy Ann Blow!) doubles as a well meaning high school counselor.  In Gary’s Walk, timing with beautiful projections works wonderfully. Long diatribes by hipster DaddyO (Roderick Menzies) in Out of the Blue conducts Gary (Van Kirk) through a barfing personal search with a guided Ayahuasca ceremony (peyote!) with Mama Bean (Elizabeth Lande) holding court. The trilogy twists forward to Charles’ Story where we find Gary (Larson), now a “performance artist employee” of a fancy Malibu rehab center. Here, movie producer Todd (Norbert Weisser) conducts business after his third (or so..) detox who mind dances with group therapy.  As the Malibu fire advances toward the blue Pacific (where Gary has longed to deposit the ashes of his dead son in the former piece).. we find that Charles emerges as the one who has more than likely overcome his issues with his wife and the death of his daughter.  Fling into the mix references to Greek mythology’s Trojan Wars, Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, the scholarship of this trilogy of plays takes on epic proportions.  

Darrell Larson and Norbert Weisser
Photo by Darrett Sanders

As I sometimes say, this is not for the feint of heart.. or the faint of heart and that one hopes that the experience of these plays informs the serious playgoer.  Anyone looking for a quick theatre fix is better directed to any of the ongoing shows that feature an easy two or three hours that won’t make them do much work to be informed or entertained.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that! 

That said, Highly recommended for the patient folks who support challenging theatre. Start with Part I.

THE GARY PLAYS by Murray Mednick

The Open Fist Theatre Company

The Atwater Village Theater

3269 Casitas Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90039  

Performances: May 4-June 4
• Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
• Sundays at 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p,m.

Tickets and information:

(323) 882-6912 or www.openfist.org

BOSTON COURT: WORLD PREMIERE: A MEMOIR

Dan O'Brien is a poet and a playwright in search of Truth.  Michael Michetti's tight direction guides (Dan) Tim Cummings and (Dan) Brian Henderson...  (It's a mirror like search that takes a minute to understand)  through the poetry of O'Brien's very personal quest with brilliant dexterity.  Henderson embodies the playwright while Cummings limns relatives and others who reveal bits and pieces to the puzzle.

Tom Antiveros' projections, Elizabeth Harper's lighting design and a simple set by Sara Ryung Clement become a dozen or more locations where characters reside from east coast to west and back again.  Simplicity is the key to the success of Dan's journey with a welcome minimal use of pantomime.  O'Brien's memoir emerges smoothly and emotionally with good humor as Dan, seeks to find answers as to why his family rejects him; wondering who his father really is. His consulting psychics who reveal odd insights brings a metaphysical aspect to the story that makes me want to chat with O'Brien further! 

Two metal 'Navy' chairs, single frame and moving projections with specific lighting bring the show together almost as supporting actors, guiding us through O'Brien's story.

Opening night adrenaline may have had the actors rushing slightly with some lines lost to quick delivery, but as the piece progressed, Cummings' choices are specific: never caricatures, especially, with the chore of presenting the several men and women who reveal the family's stories. Subtle body and hand movements combine with excellent vocal changes bringing each character to life.  Henderson maintains the through line in a well honed dance as the actors completely compliment the text and one another.

THE HOUSE IN SCARSDALE: 

A MEMOIR FOR THE STAGE 

A world premiere play by Dan O'Brien  

Directed by Michael Michetti.

 Boston Court Performing Arts Center 
 80 N. Mentor

Pasadena, CA
Tickets: $5-$39 
BostonCourt.com 
Phone 626-683-6801

May 6, 2017 through June 4, 2017

CAT II / ANTAEUS EXTENDS!

Hoppin' Johns..  with Buttered Biscuits fills the new Antaeus Theatre with Tennessee Williams' CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.  The unique situation that makes this professional theatre company work is the selection of strong 'classic' theatre pieces and the ability to have two A list casts to fill this opening production of the new season. Reviewing this second edition of the William's classic gives me an opportunity to compare and contrast this "Hoppin' Johns" cast with the "Buttered Biscuits" reviewed earlier here.  Strong direction is a must, dealing with specifics indicated by the playwright in his stage directions.  Director Cameron Watson has his hands full with slightly different acting styles and two different children in each cast. I mention the kidlets first because in the rolling thunder (and fireworks) that dominate this Williams classic, allowing for the children is a choice that is a difficult one at best.  Not to dwell on this, but, the children ("little no-neck monsters") stifle the flow of the production.

Tamara Krinsky, Daniel Bess, Linda Park
Photo by Steven C. Kemp

The unsubtle theme of passion and desire come across in very different strokes with this Hoppin' Johns cast.  In fairness, the play has been on its feet for several performances and the first production reviewed was still very new.  Stephen C. Kemp's beautifully skewed set gives the audience a taste of what's to come.. This contentious Mississippi family is in turmoil. The angst of Brick's (Daniel Bess) drunken rejections of his gorgeous wife, Maggie (Linda Park); the celebration of Big Daddy's (appropriaely bombastic Mike McShane) birthday, the abuse of long suffering Big Mama (Julia Fletcher) and the contention and competition for the huge plantation that Brother Boy, Gooper (Michael Kirby) and his overly preggers wife, Mae (Tamara Krinsky) bring shamelessly to the table.. all fall into a ragu of rage, suspicion and sadness ...  a common theme for Mr. Williams.

The issue of maintaining southern accents may be a challenge for this cast, but seemed to even out as the full three acts unfolded.  The brave choice to cast Ms Park as Maggie the Cat works beautifully as she engages feline physicality attempting to bring her long suffering husband back into the marriage bed. Back story of Brick's friendship with his childhood pal, Skipper, leads to an oblique confession by Big Daddy as to how he came to inherit the sprawling plantation now lusted after by Gooper and his wife. Robert Pine as Dr. Baugh, is subtle. John DeMatia plays the Reverend Tooker. 

It's a long play.  The intricacies of the plot carry us through Big Daddy's birthday ordeal, making the audience engage physically as well as emotionally with the pain and suffering these disparate characters drive themselves through.  The Anteaus production is professional on every level. This company is a gift to the City of Glendale that hopefully will be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. For fans, seeing both editions of this production is a must! 

    BJ's across Brand is great for a pre-show meal or a nightcap and chatting. 

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

• Written by Tennessee Williams
• Directed by Cameron Watson
• Starring
Daniel Bess ♦ John DeMita ♦ Julia Fletcher ♦
Henry Greenspan ♦ Michael Kirby ♦ Tamara Krinsky ♦
Eliza LeMoine ♦ Mike McShane ♦ Linda Park ♦ Robert Pine • Presented by Antaeus Theatre Company
Extended through May 14
Remaining performances:
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.:  May 4 and May 11
• Fridays at 8 p.m.:  May 5 and May 12
• Saturdays at 2 p.m.:  May 6 and May 13
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.:  May 6 and May 13
• Sundays at 2 p.m.:  May 7 and May 14
• Sunday at 8 p.m.: May 14 ONLY
Kiki and David Gindler Performing Arts Center
110 East Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205
(between N. Brand Blvd. and Maryland Ave.)

Tickets and information:

(818) 506-1983 or www.Antaeus.org
PARKING:
First 90 minutes free, then $2 per hour, in Glendale Marketplace Garage 

120 S. Maryland Ave (between Broadway and Harvard)