HONKY TONK LAUNDRY …Hollywood

It’s a rootin’ tootin’ good time at the local Laundromat where, along with the entertainment, you even get your clothes washed and dried. In this delightful show, two gals with a love of Grand Ole Opry find their personal lives illustrations of the plaintive country songs they always sing. Well, since the music biz won’t open its doors to them, they decide to create their own steamy Nashville venue, the Washateria Honky-Tonk Opry!

When, with cleverly provided scenery, lighting and sound design, they turn the Wishy Washy Laundromat into a nightclub, they prove to be a great song and dance team. While melodiously blasting their revenge against the men that done ‘em wrong (some apparently in the audience) we see how those shiny-red Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – which, along with Stand By Your Man and Independence Day, is just one of the rousing numbers in this song-filled show.

Bets Malone and Misty Cotton are both in fine form whether washing or warbling. Malone leads as the proprietress with a good heart and powerful singing voice. Cotton is her wacky assistant who is shy with customers but a hellcat with the men in her life.

Written and directed by Roger Bean (creator of the Wonderettes & other series) who cleverly builds this battle-of-the-sexes story around a string of rousing country songs. With lively choreography by James Vásquez, dazzling costumes by Renetta Lloyd, and droll hair/makeup by Byron Batista.

 

At Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, through Oct 1. Tickets: 323-960-7773 or www.plays411.com/honkytonklaundry.

Photos by Michael Lamont.

Also reviewed in the September issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME …Downtown LA

 

  

In this highly theatrical show we are inside the mind of an autistic 15 year old with a brilliant mind, but the inability to empathize with the people around him. The story begins with the cruel stabbing to death of a neighbor’s dog with a gardening fork. 

Adam Langdon is extraordinary as the youthful Sherlock who sets out to discover the murderer, while the people who care for him can hardly comprehend him. With never a false note, Langdon segues from trembling fear to keen observation to physical dexterity to absolute scientific genius. He even flies!

In the process of his quest for understanding the world he inhabits, the boy moves from a quiet British village to the clanging dazzle of London. As it’s theater I had to accept the personal resolution, happy-ending, premise. However, in the real world I’d be calling in Child Protection Services!  

Hey, it received 5 Tony Awards, including Best Play, so who am I to wanna protect this vulnerable boy from future harm.

Standouts in the large cast were Felicity Jones Latta, Geoffrey Wade, Amelia White, John Hemphill and Brian Robert Burns. Gene Gillette, who played the Dad, was impressive but difficult to hear. Plaudits to Bunny Christie (Scenic/costume); Paule Constable (Lighting); Finn Ross (Video), and Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett (Choreography).

  

This National Theatre (UK) production is cleverly adapted by Simon Stephens, from Mark Haddon’s 2003 best-selling novel, and vigorously directed by Marianne Elliott.

 

At Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N Grand Ave, Downtown, through September 10. Tickets: (213) 628-2772 or www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. 

Photos by Joan Marcus.