Greater Tuna: a classic village comedy

// August 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Stage Play

by Marla Lewin

Dustin Fasching and Justin Baker in "Greater Tuna" Photo Credit: Donald Songster.

Greater Tuna is an amazingly resilient play that has been entertaining audiences for more than twenty years. Presented with a cast of just two actors portraying everyone inhabiting the town it is hysterically funny. We all have our favorite characters, mine is Petey, the erstwhile humanitarian and animal lover.

The Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 W Sierra Madre Blvd

Sierra Madre, Ca 91024

Reservations or Information:

626-355-4318

Circle of Will: Deconstructing Shakespeare

// August 5th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

by Marla Lewin

We all know that Shakespeare wrote plays and sonnets that are still revered today. Companies all over the world perform his plays every day, and we hold Shakespeare as one of the greatest writers of all time. Yet who among us hasn’t suffered through a classroom reading or a bad rendition of one of his works? Even his lesser works contain moments of brilliance and yes he often deals with familiar themes in multiple plays using different methods to further plumb the depths of these tales. The magic of the Bard was that he could make all things new again by treating them as a drama instead of a comedy or altering the time or location.  Some people have questioned if there might have been others who also worked with Shakespeare, or just used his name on their work.

I was attracted to see this production, as I have studied Shakespeare with experts since I was a teen including Dr. Marion Taylor, who wrote Botton Thou Art Translated: Political Allegory in a Midsummer Nights Dream.  I wrote a play about the relationship between Shakespeare and his actors in 1994, I had sent the script around just before “Shakespeare In Love” came out.  Thus, I was really looking forward to seeing a show of the 1986, award winning play. (more…)

Seven strangers on an Elevator. Who are you behind closed doors?

// July 31st, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

The cast of ELEVATOR Alex Rogers, William Stanford Davis, Deborah Vancelette, Mikie Beatty, Karlee Rigby, Rachael Page and Erica Katzin, photo by Marc Halperin (c) 2010

by Marla Lewin

The 2010 Hollywood Fringe Festival  presented the world premiere of ELEVATOR and now the play is having a regular run at at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood. Written and directed by Michael Leoni with original music by Mario Marchetti,  and produced by Michelle Kaufer and Schoen Smith. ELEVATOR opened Thursday, July 29 and performs through Sunday, August 22

Based on the original short film, “Someplace In Between,” an Official Selection of the 2009 LA Shorts Film Festival. ELEVATOR is a comedy which brings seven diverse people together, first as they observe each other, waiting for the elevator, and then spending hours trapped together, living through fear of death, and examining their lives.  It becomes obvious we all need to look beyond appearances. (more…)

Enter Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s BLACK COFFEE

// July 28th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

Photos by Ed Krieger

by Marla Lewin

Agatha  Christie’s BLACK COFFEE,  opened Theatre 40’s 45^th Season. This was Christie’s first staged mystery and the only one to feature her character, Hercule Poirot. By the time in 1930 when BLACK COFFEE premiered in London, Poirot had already appeared in four novels and several short stories.

July 2010 has been a important month for Hercule Poirot as he has been featured on PBS Masterpiece Mystery in three new adventures. BLACK COFFEE is a worthy addition to the cannon and it is a treat to see it preformed live. It is a typical locked room mystery with numerous worthy suspects with their own motives for committing the murder and the Belgian detective must determine who is the actual culprit. That is always the treat in an Agatha Christie mystery. The clues are their and we are guided by her detective to solve the crime. (more…)

Star filled Starry Nights at Theatricum

// July 5th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

by Marla Lewin

One of the most revered Los Angels cultural and artistic institutions is The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum located in the mountains in Topanga a short distance from the freeways. This spot is filled with enthusiastic audiences and performers during the summer. If you have never been and you are missing out. In its intimate amphitheater  you can rub elbows with Hollywood stars and other members of the entertainment community along with neighborhood bohemians and just plain folks. Perfect for a summer evening.

On Friday, July 16 at 8 pm,James Cromwell, Amy Madigan, Michael O’Neill, Jordan Belfi and Christina Pickles headline a benefit performance of CARRY IT ON! Great American moments in word and song. The actors will perform a celebration of our past with the actual speeches, songs and poetry of great Americans including Abraham Lincoln; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Mark Twain; Walt Whitman; Rosa Parks; and Mother Jones. It’s an inspiring positive look toward our future, and a part of our collective history that cannot be forgotten. These stories of our forefathers and mothers help us pass this vital history on to the next generation. Later in August and September the Theatricum Summer Repertory Company presents eight additional performances of CARRY IT ON! as part of the summer repertory season. (more…)

Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia in Los Angeles

// June 24th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

by Marla Lewin

The play “Arcadia” is set at the English estate of the Coverlys, a family of the nobility, and bounces back and forth between 1809 and the present day. Arcadia refers to the classical Greek state of mind which is pastorial and harmonius.  There is little of that actually in the play where both classic and present day characters look for love, relics, and recommendation and confirmation of their talents.

There is repeated mention of poet, playboy Lord Byron himself, though we never see him. He is a major character in this play. Byron’s fame, his brilliant writing and his penchant for married women, are etched throughout these intermingling lives.  There is no difference in the time periods as we are all subject to the classic and basic desires of money, fame and lusty love. (more…)

Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre Company is closed

// June 18th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

by Marc Halperin

It appears that Ray Bradbury’s new one act  musical 2116 was the last production of the Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre Company which celebrated its 47th anniversary this January.  Like all arts programming the past year has put pressure on giving and the latest word is that no new productions will be mounted. Reports are that although the plays were performed to mostly full houses for all performances only about 50% of the overhead for most theatres come from ticket sales these days and donors have tightened their purse strings.

Bradbury had been contributing not only his work but his finances as well but even his generosity was ultimately limited. (more…)

Del Shores’ Yellow Premiered Friday Night in West Hollywood

// June 16th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

Evie Louise Thompson and brother at Yellow Premiere with Marla

by Marla Lewin

This is Del Shores first new play in seven years! There is something so special about going to the opening night, and a World Premiere, because the living author/playwright/director/producer brings an emotional, engaging new play alive.  With of course the help of so many great artists actors and his other producers.  There is something so exciting when all of this comes together and the chemistry all works. It is magical.

So what does one wear to such a soiree? I know I should dress up.  We certainly did at the movie premiere of “Sordid Lives,” where Olivia Newton John showed up at the Santa Monica Pier in her limo, while we chowed down on spam, pigs in blankets, French fries,  macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti. That film went on to become a cult hit, and in it Beau Bridges looked very fine in his dress. I opted tonight for a yellow shirt, some sunflower pants with elephants from Thailand, and of course a black jacket, because with Del one should always expect to be attending someones funeral. (more…)

Timon of Athens in the Fort Point Channel District

// June 10th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

by Marla Lewin

I remember as a student seeing Shakespeare’s plays at Stratford on Avon, performed by the Royal Shakespearian Theatre company.  I also lived in Athens, and thanks to Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy, I had a key to the American Classical School.  I remember thinking that to understand the world of literature, and symbolism in art, it was essentienl to study the classics. This was something we didn’t learn in grammar school.  After all, wasn’t Athens the “cradle of western civilization?

How ironic is it that today the Greek economy is faltering? How appropriate to do a play based on an ethical man who becomes disillusioned by his faltering weatlh? We see how this change cascades effecting all his relationships. Those in the Senate who looked to him for counsel and finances are quick to turn their backs. Those personal friends he once indulged with money, gifts and banquets,  discover dear Timon is penniless, and now are no longer his friends. Their promises were mere flattery in exchange for favors. (more…)

JONI versus THE BARD, the Shakespeare Smackdown

// April 27th, 2010 // Comments Off // Stage Play

by Marla Lewin

Tonight Joan Darling presented her solo show, JONI VS THE BARD, the Shakespeare Smackdown as a benefit for Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. We all know Shakespeare but who is Joan Darling? It is safe to say that without Joan Darling it might have been impossible for Katherine Bigelow and many other women to have had their careers. Joan is a true pioneer and has done much to shape both male and female directors over the years.

Theatre 40’s David Hunt said the Theatre will be entering it’s 44^th year of operation this year. Recently, they had another benefit , URANIUM AND PEACHES, a reading of a Peter Cook play, starring Ed Asner and Joe Estevez, which we also truly enjoyed.

Joan said recently the theatre in Strafford, Connecticut closed and mushrooms were now growing on the walls.  She reminded us all to become members of our local theatres, because civilization needs culture  to feed our souls. (more…)