Wednesday, December 13, 2017

ASHES TO ASHES …in West Los Angeles

 


Two hostile ex-lovers, political and philosophical opposites, are sent together worldwide on an ashes-scattering journey thought up by their dead friends (when they were alive). Ashes must be scattered, from a castle in Ireland, where one of them must hang upside down and kiss the Blarney Stone, through a series of other terrifying destinations, such as Spain for the nearly fatal Running of the Bulls. Piloting them on their journey is their ubiquitous fast-changing Guide who comments hilariously on the highly dramatic action.
 
Ever since the battling Beatrice and Benedick, in Much Ado About Nothing, were conned into falling in love by friends, I’ve loved the concept. In the great days of Hollywood, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, battled the war of the sexes in marvelous screwball comedies. So don’t miss playwright Debbie Bolsky’s rollicking comedy, where she takes up the gauntlet with a new twist since, in this modern take, we are guided by a transforming angel who personifies each wild location.

Michael Uribes, as The Guide, is a total delight as Airline Stewardess, a Scottish Highlander, a Guerilla Fighter, and more, segueing through a series of personas, costumes and accents. Lena Bouton is dynamic as the nervous Sara, and Kevin Young intensely charming as the reluctant Jefferson. Wildly imaginative direction by Katherine James.

Presented by Laurel Wetzork for The Athena Cats, a collective of Southern California female playwrights & directors, and produced by Racquel Lehrman, Theatre Planners.
 
The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA. For reservations and information, call 310-564-9410 or go to www.AshesToAshesThePlay.com.

Photos by Ed Krieger.

Also reviewed in the January issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.

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