YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN …Los Angeles

 The whimsical characters from Charles M. Schulz famous Peanuts comic strip come to life in this version of the musical created in 1967 by Clark Gesner.

Bring the kids, as they will recognize themselves in the characters of the bewildered Charlie, the imperious Lucy, the philosophical Linus, tempestuous kid sister Sally, and music loving Schroeder. The conflicts are gentle, the attitudes naïve, the resolutions predictable, but always charming. Its a light viewing of childhood in small town America as we imagine it might once have been and perhaps a soothing rest from a child’s exposure to our present-day alarming-headlines era.

Holland Noel is a stoic but optimistic Charlie Brown; Dorothy Blue is dynamic as the bossy tyrant Lucy; Richie Ferris is an appealing blanket-gripping Linus; Kristin Towers-Rowles is delightful as the impetuous Sally; John Deveraux is impressive as the sensible piano-playing Schroeder, and Matt Steele is a manic bundle of energy as everyone’s favorite dog Snoopy.

Cate Caplin directs with flair and imagination, with lively assist from Samantha Whidby’s choreography. Buoyant musical accompaniment by Jeff Bonhiver on keyboard and Tyler Smith on drums. Producers are Ryan Rowles and consummate actor Robert Towers (who was the original LA Snoopy back in 1968, and portrayed a deeply moving Shylock two years ago in the musical Something of Silver by Tony Tanner).

Proceeds from this production will go to LA’s Free Arts for Abused Children, a non-profit that provides healing to victims of child abuse through the creative arts. Produced by Sustaining Sound Theatre Company in association with Chromolume Theatre. 

At the Attic Theatre, 5429 West Washington Blvd. at Hauser Blvd, LA. Hurry as its only through Nov 2. Tickets at (323) 205-1617 or www.crtheatre.com 
Photos by Liz Reinhardt.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN ...in Hollywood

 


Just in time for Halloween, the Monster is back, but younger and sweeter – or is he? The grandson of the late Dr. Frankenstein who created the original monster, now a science professor in the US, is called home to Transylvania on family business.In no time he is inspired to create a monster of his own, but this time the brain will be from a great scientist. Right! 

 
But the foolish prof sends his faithful Igor to collect the specimen. Need I say more? Just that, in spite of all the efforts to scare you, you’ll be laughing instead. All right, maybe you already know all this because you saw the 1974 movie, but I didn’t, so there!

Leading the fabulous cast are John David Wallis as Young Dr. Frankenstein; Hector S. Quintana as his Monster; Scott Seiffert as Igor, and Michelle Holmes as Frau Blucher in the castle. 

Not to be overlooked are Toni Smith as his socialite-diva fiancé;  Susan Huckle as Inga his curvy assistant; Bobby Reed as the Hermit and a squeamish patient; Dan Spector as handy-capped Inspector Kemp, and Bradley Kuykendall as the ghost of the first Dr. F.

 

The always hilarious songs are by Mel Brooks, who crafted the libretto with Thomas Meehan, based on the original Oscar-nominated screenplay he wrote with Gene Wilder.  

The show is directed with panache by Marco Gomez, and imaginatively choreographed by Angela Todaro.

As always, DOMA Theatre Company amazes with their lavish production values that magically open up the walls of the MET’s seemingly small space. Plaudits to music director Chris Raymond; costume/make-up designer Brandy Jacobs; and set by John Iacovelli, sound by Julie Ferrin and lighting by Jean-Yves Tessier.

At the MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Avenue, Hollywood. $6 Parking at 5250 Santa Monica Blvd. For reservations (323) 802-4990 or www.domatheatre.com. 
Photos by Michael Lamont.

Also reviewed in the November issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.

AFFLUENCE …Beverly Hills

Some people deserve to die, but not my Mom, is the issue explored in Steven Peterson’s new play about a family crisis among the rich. Twelve million dollars will be lost if Grandma doesn’t go soon and how the family deals with this crisis is what its all about. There’s Grandma herself, trusting to the end that her loyal son will do the best for all, but what she thinks will be best is anyone’s guess. The tug of war to keep her alive – or send her gently into that good night – soon heats up after the first act. 

Dad loves his mom, his wife loathes the old biddy, the grandkids love their granny but are too self centered to worry about anything as mundane as money. Then there is the gentle caregiver, with her own hidden agenda, who loves recklessly – or does she? 

But for Dad, its not money that matters, its family and the continuation of the Woodley family name. 

Lloyd Pedersen is craftily subtle as Dad, a former Mama’s boy now a hen-pecked husband; Rhonda Lord is a nasty daughter-in-law whose headaches are manifestations of a deeper pain; Nan Tepper is the regal matron anxious to have her dynasty continue; Christine Uhebe is the enigmatic caregiver whose secret endangers her patient’s lives; Justin Huff is the simple-minded heir to a fortune and a tradition, while Ilona Kulinska is the quintessential bratty kid-sister personified.

Larry Eisenberg’s fast-paced direction sets up the family dynamics, while set by Jeff G. Rack and costumes by Michèle Young suggest their casual affluence. Produced by David Hunt Stafford for Theatre 40. At the Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Through Oct. 20.  Free Parking. Tickets: (310) 364-0535 or www.theatre40.org. 
Photos by Michèle Young.

SPRING AWAKENING …Downtown Los Angeles

Having never seen the multiple Tony Award winning “Spring Awakening” before, how happy I am that this was my first experience of it. Based on a controversial 1891 play, the setting is a strict Lutheran village where young people are kept apart by gender while under an oppressive education that stifles curiousity and labels many as failures. A young girl asks her mother about sex and is answered in abstractions. A young boy uses his intelligence to question dogma and is persecuted for hedonism. A confused boy is mocked and humiliated into a deep despair. The awakening of these innocents is everywhere blocked and distorted until they find their own truth in sexual expression. In this exquisite modern ‘Romeo and Juliet’ the reckless passion of youth leads to tragedy as the adult world crushes their intensity for life.

This Deaf West Theatre production is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English, which adds an almost balletic grace to the entire evening. One is soon unaware of whether an actor speaks with voice or hands, as the words are rendered smoothly for both hearing and non-hearing audience members. This exquisite sleight of hand transports the story to Shakespearean levels of dramatic power and there is magic afloat, whether dialogue is spoken, signed, or expressed through erotic movement.

Outstanding in the huge and excellent cast are Austin McKenzie and Sandra Mae Frank as the star-crossed lovers; Daniel N. Durant and Lauren Patten as tormented outcasts, and Daniel Marmion, Natacha Roi and Troy Kotsur as parents and/or teachers. The band, composed of violin, cello, viola and drums, gives vital energy to the dynamic rock/pop score.

Beautifully directed by Michael Arden, with dazzling choreography by Spencer Liff, and superb musical direction by Jared Stein.  Based on the play by Frank Wedekind, the book and lyrics are by Steven Sater, with music by Duncan Sheik. This version is being presented by Deaf West Theatre in association with The Forest of Arden.

At Inner City Arts, 720 Kohler Street, Downtown L.A. For reservations call (818) 762-2998 (voice) or go to www.deafwest.org. Photos by Tate Tullier.

Also reviewed in the October issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.

OH MY GOODNESS... IT'S PAUL LYNDE! ...now touring

 

If you loved Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares for 13 years, as I did, then this is a show you will adore. Actor/comedian Michael Airington channels Lynde, with hilarious reenactments of his audacious, witty and always surprising quips. Host Peter Marshall, 88, who recorded classical questions for this show, is also there in voice. Since these are the actual answers, we can again appreciate Lynde’s wonderful political incorrectness. 

We also learn of Lynde’s childhood, the eccentric little boy from Ohio who came to New York to be an actor and shared an apartment with other wanna-be’s – would you believe - Imogene Coca, Wally Cox and Marlon Brando! Imagine!

At the performance I attended, Airington drew an audience member into the act - star Doris Roberts, in fact - and in a funny spoof had her play Kate Winslet to his Leonardo DiCaprio in the final scene of "Titanic" as Paul himself might have played it. Yes, it's that sort of spontaneous show.

 

This fun event is directed by John Hall, with a wonderful band: musical director Paul Cady on keyboard, Brian Callai on base and Michael Dubin on drums. 

Having closed at the Hudson Theatre, the show goes to Palm Springs Purple Room in October, then will be back in LA at a new venue.

For info: https://www.facebook.com/paullynde1

Also reviewed in the October issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.