A MISUNDERSTANDING
(Hollywood)
In
this challenging drama of ideas, playwright Matt Chait plays a biology
professor who has been dismissed from the University of California for sharing
his spiritual views with his science students. In today’s ever-increasingly
partisan world, here is a philosophical and humorous exploration of the
misunderstandings that arise when people with radically different world views
become wary of one another and unable to communicate. According to Chait: …it’s about the essence of reality itself,
and about the difficulty people have in understanding one another when the lens
through which they view reality differs. Although my head was very much at work
in the writing, so was my heart and my sense of humor. Directed by Elina de
Santos, co-artistic director of Rogue Machine Theatre, and presented by Rubidor
Productions. At The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood. Tickets:
323-960-4418 or www.plays411.com/misunderstanding.
After seeing the play here are my
thoughts:
By juxtaposing two different scenarios,
Chait brings what could be philosophical abstracts to life. A young couple are
torn apart when one of them is ever so practical about science, while the other
a sensitive philosophical skeptic; while a college professor is placed on trial
by his superior for preaching spiritual questions to a presumably hard-line
science class. In the end it is up to each member of the audience to decide
whether either one is right or wrong, or maybe perhaps they all are! You go and
decide for yourself.
ROD
SERLING’S STORIES FROM THE ZONE (Beverly Hills)
Perhaps
some of you might recognize these two classic episodes of Rod Serling’s
best-loved TV series, adapted by Jeff G. Rack, who co-directed with Charlie
Mount. 1.MR. GARRITY AND THE GRAVES: In the Old West circa 1890, a man
and his wagon find their way into the town of Happiness, Arizona. The man claims
to have the ability to resurrect the dead, but some of the townspeople figure
that resurrecting the folks planted up on Boot Hill might not be the best idea!
2.WILL THE REAL MARTIAN PLEASE STAND UP!: Passengers on a snow-bound bus
bound for Boston are stranded at a roadside diner and start to realize that one
of them is actually an invader from Mars! Produced by David Hunt Stafford, for
Theatre 40, in association with Arcane Theatreworks. At Reuben Cordova Theatre,
241 S. Moreno Dr. Beverly Hills. Free
parking. Reservations: (310) 364-3606 or www.theatre40.org
1776 THE MUSICAL (La
Mirada)
Before
Hamilton, I saw this rousing 1969 show about the founding of America, with music and lyrics by
Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone. It was a huge hit, a Tony
Award-winner and ran for over three years. It begins with a deadlocked Congress (sound
familiar?) where attempts to adopt the Declaration of Independence are boiling
over in heated confrontations. By the evening of July 2nd, the two sides are
still miles apart, but remarkably, these contentious Founding Fathers harness
their shared determination to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.
Engaging, tuneful, witty and passionate, this clever musical depicts the likes
of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson with humor and humanity.
Irreverent and certainly topical, this revival is directed and staged by Glenn
Casale, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo. At La Mirada Theatre For The
Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard (near Rosecrans Ave). Tickets: (562)
944-9801 or (714) 994-6310 or www.lamiradatheatre.com. Free Parking.
SISTERS THREE (East Hollywood)
SISTERS THREE (East Hollywood)
How might the 19th Century Brontë Sisters adapt in the 21st Century? In this modern retelling, Jane Eyre author Charlotte has dropped
out of society and joined an ‘anti-technology’ commune. It’s an off-center
drama about family, social media, fame, and holidays, while paying homage to
the Brontë sisters and their brother Patrick. Says writer Jami Brandli: This
play was inspired by the Bronte sisters, all novelists and poets. Though it’s
not a biography, the fascinating sibling dynamic includes their brother
Patrick, who was a painter… a complicated family of artists now living in a
society that seems to place more value on the veneer of a perfect Instagram
post, rather than appreciating the beautiful complexities of reality. Inkwell
Theater at the VS. Theatre, 5453
Pico Blvd, (near Hauser), LA. Reservations: https://inkwelltheater.com
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