REVIEW: "VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE" at Kentwood Players

 

Originally slated to open in March 2020 this play, by one of my favorite playwrights Christopher Durang, has been rehearsing virtually since the shutdown happened immediately after the final dress rehearsal. It finally opened on September 17, but unfortunately this critic did not get to see it until the final performance. Such is life under Covid and here for the record is my review.

It was delightful to recognize the familiar Chekhov characters from a number of his plays, as well as one from Greek mythology, all spending a sunny weekend in Bucks County, PA. There's Vanya and Sonia, living and bickering in the house where they cared for their elderly parents; their fortune-telling maid Cassandra warning of impending dangers, and their movie star sister, Masha, arriving with her sexy, boy toy, Spike. The realization for Vanya and Sonia that their ancestral home is about to be sold, and they ejected, adds to their mourning their lost dreams and missed opportunities.

Heading the excellent cast is Chris Morrison who, as Vanya, has a show stopping final diatribe when he speaks his mind to the heedless modern generation. The charming and amusing comedy suddenly grows electric when he explodes with words that show his anguish and rage.  It's hard to believe that this speech was written for the original 2012 production as it resonates so powerfully today.

Plaudits to Sarilee Kahn as delightful diva Masha; to Giovanni Navarro as her saucy sexy boy toy Spike; to Valerie Sullivan as the tremulous but spunky Sonia, and to a tour de force Susan Stangl as frantically bombastic Cassandra - as well as her splendid work as the Director of the play.

Produced by Alison Boole and Myron Klafter for the Kentwood Players in their newly upgraded Westchester Playhouse at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles. Upcoming in November is a special One-Weekend Musical Event "All Together Now" and in December "The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged)." For information call: (310) 645-5156 or email boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org

REVIEWS: AS GOOD AS GOLD (Beverly Hills) & BIDEN MY TIME (Los Angeles)

In the online issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY for October 2021, I announced these two shows in my column without having seen them. Since I am now happily returning to the real world, vaccinated and masked, I am able to review them both. Herewith...

AS GOOD AS GOLD 

Marilyn Anderson's comedy is witty and funny as it gives a shout-out to Hollywood's treatment of creative women. Three female writers decide their solution to the problem of selling a script is by writing a sex-saturated-action screenplay. After we witness their imagined scenes with guns, sex, and sadism, we can believe they have a sure hit. However, reality says their names as authors will send it right into the round file! Then fate steps in, with a goofy salesman without ambition or guile who gladly agrees to pose as the pretend author. The result, as might be expected, is a confusion of laughs and betrayal.

Heading this excellent cast, Marie Broderick, Nicola Victoria Buck and Wendy Hammers are delightful as the ambitiously beleaguered writers; Landon Beatty is charming as their rustic understudy; Chance Denman is impressive as 007 and other screen hunks; David Westbay is genuinely earnest in disparate roles, and Will Bradley is outstanding especially when, as an auditioning actor, he hilariously shows the desperation and determination of a performer seeking work.

Fast paced direction by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky keeps the laughs coming, even though at times the play radiates rather like a TV sitcom. Produced by David Hunt Stafford and presented by Theatre 40 in The Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Info at www.theatre40.org.

 

BIDEN MY TIME 

The Capital Comedy troupe, founded by Washington DC producer-writer Nicholas Zill, has been doing musical comedy political satire shows for over 15 years. In this age of savage attacks against anyone who dares to raise their heads publicly, one might expect to see acid being thrown in this new revue. However, it’s a gentle spoof on our present President, and other familiar notables now in the hot seat.

What raises this show above the amiability of its attack are the excellent ensemble performers, all who play multiple roles. There is Daniel Amerman as a geniality personified Joe Biden; Shefali Deshpande as a beleaguered but game Kamala Harris; Cristina Florez as a dynamic dancing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Joy Mamey as a delightfully pompous Mitch McConnell, and best of all Aaron Matijasic as a bombastic Bernie Sanders and a sardonic Jeff Bezos.

Taking well known songs and adding satiric lyrics makes for a truly fun show. For example: Biden Introduces his cabinet with "76 Skin Tones" and Harris asks for patience with "Give Biden Some Time" while Sanders and AOC as they visit McConnell's office warn "There Is a Dark and Gloomy Place"!

Scheduled to perhaps run at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave, LA, if fate decides. Look for listings online.