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.