This world premiere courtroom drama,
written by Arizona
attorney Robert Begam and prolific playwright Art Shulman, poses an intriguing
dilemma. The question at trial is whether Dr. Rebecca, by putting her patient
into a cryonic state, was actually guilty of murder? What is really on trial is
Cryonics – the freezing of a terminally ill patient in order to revive them
when a cure is found for their illness. Is it a life-saving miracle or science
fiction?
At each performance, audience members
are chosen at random to be jurors and the final verdict will be different at
every show. As one who always enjoys jury duty, it was a pleasure to sit in on
this trial even though, in the end, I disagreed with the verdict.
Excellent performances by Diane
Linder as the accused, Randy Vasquez as her attorney, Jerry Weil as the
prosecutor, Diane Frank as the victim’s mother, Henry Holden as the Judge,
Kevin Masterson as a pompous preacher and Joyce B. Ferrer as an assistant DA. Impressive
in double roles as witnesses, are Dominick Morra, Duane Taniguchi, Skip Pipo,
Ellen Bienenfeld and Mindee De Lacey. Steve Shaw does admirable double duty as
the Bailiff & sound designer.
Rick Walters’ dramatic direction
gives theatrical life to the courtroom atmosphere; the set by Group Rep.
designer Chris Winfield, makes great use of the small space, and the costumes
by Emily Doyle well fit the subject.
At Theatrecraft Playhouse, 7445A,
Sunset Blvd. & Gardner, Los Angeles, through
September 1. Reservations: 818-465-3213 or Tickets: www.rebeccasgamble.com.
Reviewed in the August issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
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