Theatre Review: Ride the Cyclone

Posted on February 8, 2023February 9, 2023 by Glamour

Chance Theatre presents the California premiere of Ride the Cyclone, directed by Jocelyn A. Brown. Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell.

Six teenagers find themselves in a mythical purgatory after they die riding a roller coaster called Cyclone. The mystic element of the afterlife adds a powerful message to the story. Much like the recent Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, the characters of Ride the Cyclone have to make decisions in the afterlife that will reflect either their selfishness or their selflessness.

At the purgatory, the teenagers meet The Amazing Karnak (Robert Foran), a mechanical fortune-telling machine that will end its life when a rat called Virgil eats up the electrical cable that powers the machine. Karnak will make the kids play a game in which only one of them can win the grand prize: Going back to life.

Ocean (Haley Wolff), Mischa (Jared Machado), Noel (Wyatt Hatfield), Ricky (Jaylen Baham), Constance (Rose Pell), and Jane Doe (Em Flosi) each perform a unique musical number that reveals their personalities.

The exposition of the characters’ traits shows the wide range of emotions typical of the teenage years. Rage, insecurities, sexual awakening, regrets, and dreams are expressed cleverly in each of the musical numbers and dialogue. Noel’s performance is a cabaret-style piece that adds a touch of raw sensuality to the atmosphere, with decadent shades of red light.

Jane Doe, the only unidentified person in the accident, delivers a dark and eerily beautiful number with an operatic voice that blends smoothly with the mystical premise of the play.

The book is an extraordinary work by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. The characters are well-developed and allow the actors to deliver emotional and meaty performances. Director Jocelyn A. Brown uses the stage efficiently, giving the actors plenty of space to shine and deliver a visually striking exhibition of kinetics. The technical elements are first-class: Lighting Design (Masako Tobaru), Costume Design (Bradley Allen Lock), Scenic Design (Antonio Beach and Bradley Kaye).

Ride the Cyclone is an amusing show with energetic music and moving performances by young and talented thespians, live from the afterlife.

Ride the Cyclone

Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807

Performances: February 4 – February 26, 2023; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets: www.chancetheater.com

Ride the Cyclone poster — Ride The Cyclone

A scene from Ride the Cyclone — Ride The Cyclone

Theatre Review: Home Front

Posted on January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 by Glamour

The West Coast premiere of Home Front is presented by The Victory Theatre Center. The play is by Tony® Award-winning playwright Warren Leight. The director is Maria Gobetti.

As the US soldiers come back victorious from World War II, a new world of justice and equality is in the horizon. But as Lt. James Aurelius Walker (C.J. Lindsey) and Annie Overton (Austin Highsmith Garces) will soon find out, institutions and some sectors of society are not catching up with the times. Specially when it comes to accepting an interracial marriage.

The story depicted in Home Front is set in the 1940s, a time when segregation was rampant, specially in the South. In an effort to project a more inclusive image, the government decided to try something unusual at the time. The Navy—one of the most fervent bastions of segregation—started a controversial program to train African Americans as officers. The first group was known as the Golden Thirteen, 13 Black enlistees that were subjected to mistreatment and ridicule by their White superiors and peers. The training program was more of a publicity strategy to show the world that America could be the gold standard for democracy and equality. Our protagonist, Lt. James Walker, is a fictional member of the Golden Thirteen.

The night James and Annie meet, the country is in full celebration of the victory over the Axis powers. The future looks bright and hopeful. Their consequent romantic relationship however, unveils that America is still a victim of its past, a legacy that has turned its institutions and citizens into a voracious current that destroys everything on its path, one life at a time. And yet, in the middle of that maelstrom, we find people with a kind heart that are willing to give a hand to those in need. Edward Glimmer (Jonathan Slavin), is the injured veteran neighbor who does everything he can to reassure Annie and help James in a time when he needed it the most.

The story is an exploration not only of racism but also of discrimination. James suffers racism for being Black. But Edward is equally mistreated, even by James, for being gay. Annie, a white woman, is the unfortunate collateral victim of institutional racism and the frustration that comes with it. She is punished by her employer for marrying a Black man and she is on the receiving end when James releases his growing frustrations, all while raising their baby girl.

Interracial marriages were so unusual at the time that Annie confides to Edward that after looking at her baby girl, who has James’ Black features, a White lady asked Annie if she was raped. Those pernicious attitudes were also inflicted on Black veterans. While visiting his relatives in the South, James gets arrested and charged for an incident where he fired his gun. This situation, a clear example of institutional racism, will deliver a blow to the relationship between James and Annie. Even Edward’s noble intentions will fuel James’ bitterness, taking a tremendous tall on his emotional and mental state.

The three actors offer majestic performances. Jonathan Slavin does a phenomenal job as the understanding and charming neighbor who is always there in the most challenging times to offer his help, even willing to sacrifice his dignity for the people he loves. He feels at home delivering humor-relief lines that brighten the dark matter of the material. Austin Highsmith Garces is a fascinating and experienced actress that gives us a convincing portrayal of an unprejudiced woman willing to take risks. Her performance shows the nuances of a woman who is trying to navigate the challenging territories of love, motherhood, and broken dreams. C.J. Lindsey goes deep into the psychological state of a man who is constantly subjected to the systematic racism that degrades his worth as a human being. His acting skills are at full display when he externalizes his internal demons. The explosion of an implosion, a devastating image of utter defeat. The fine direction of Maria Gobetti is palpable in the powerful scenes where the palette of emotions create a gripping and relatable theatre experience.

Warren Leight fictionalizes documented historical events and transports the audience to a dangerous and euphoric world where high hopes and ideals get a reality check. The play is a window to a critical past that captures in unnerving detail the pungency of racism. It is a cautionary tale that shows how things would look like if we continue to move backwards. But it is also an ode to those who, against all odds, continue to fight, continue to believe.

Home Front

Written by Warren Leight. Directed by Maria Gobetti. Starring Austin Highsmith Garces, C.J. Lindsey, and Jonathan Slavin. Produced by Tom Ormeny, Maria Gobetti, and Evan Bartoletti. Presented by The Victory Theatre Center. Creative team: Set designer Evan Bartoletti, lighting designer Benedict Conran, sound designer Noah Andrade, video designer Jermaine Alexander, costume designer Carin Jacobs, dramaturg Gail Bryson, graphic designer Jennifer Logan, and photographer Tim Sullens. The stage manager is Cody Hathcock.

The Victory Theatre Centre
3326 W Victory Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505

Performances: Jan. 13 – Feb. 12
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Jan. 20; Jan. 27; Feb. 3; Feb. 10
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Jan. 21; Jan. 28; Feb. 4; Feb. 11
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: Jan. 22; Jan. 29; Feb. 5; Feb. 12

Tickets: www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org

Theatre Review: Daddy Issues

Posted on November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 by Glamour

Daddy Issues is presented by Charles Blondeau. Written and directed by David Goldyn.

Donald Moskowitz (James Seifert), a struggling actor, is trying to land a commercial for cat food. His homophobic father, Sid Moskowitz (Jonathan Fishman), comes to visit and tries to convince Donald to work for him at his company, Metal Balls, and quit acting. Sid also insists that he would like Donald to give him a grandson, despite the fact that Donald is gay. Out of desperation, Donald lies to his dad and tells him that he secretly had a son with his non-Jewish girlfriend, Mary Ellen, ten years ago. Ecstatic, Sid tells the news to the rest of the family.

Donald’s mom Marion Moskowitz (Pamela Shaw) and his grandmother, Grandma Moskowitz (Sherry Michaels), come to visit Donald to hear the news directly from him. Grandma even promises to double Donald’s inheritance as a gift for giving her a grandson. Donald agrees to bring over his son in a few days so he can meet his Jewish family. Where will Donald find a fake son and a fake ex-girlfriend in such a short period of time to please his family and get the inheritance?

Donald’s best friends Henrietta Hudson (Noa Lev–Ari) and drag queen-by-night Levi Krauss (Josh Nadler), both compete with each other to play the role of Donald’s ex-girlfriend, Mary Ellen. The neighbor downstairs, Johnny Walker (Solly Werner), becomes the “hired” ten-year-old son, and his mom (Hannah Battersby) ends up as one of the third Mary Ellens, a situation that gets Donald tangled up in a web of lies with no apparent solution.

This play is a comedy with references to the Jewish culture and the contrast of traditional values versus progressive lifestyles, a fact represented in the relationship between Donald and his father Sid. But mainly, the play highlights the importance of the family in the Jewish culture and the immense happiness that grandchildren bring to the grandparents.

Daddy Issues is a hilarious play with an 80’s flair set in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, NY. The cast is a brilliant mix of experienced and new talent that makes the audience laugh from beginning to end, a true gem in the heart of Hollywood.

Daddy Issues

Written and Directed by David Goldyn. Starring Hannah Battersby, Jonathan Fishman, Noa Lev–Ari, Sherry Michaels, Josh Nadler, James Seifert, Pamela Shaw, Solly Werner. Presented by Charles Blondeau. Creative team: Set designer Rody Villegas, lighting designer Katelan Braymer, costume designer Antonio Consuegra and graphic designer Phil Fab. The production stage manager is Jesse Fiene.

Dorie Theatre @ The Complex
6476 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90038
(between Cole and Wilcox)

Performances: October 14–November 13
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 14 (Opening Night); Nov. 4; Nov. 11
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 5; Nov. 12
Sundays at 5 p.m.: Nov. 6; Nov. 13

Tickets: daddyissuestheplay.com

Theatre Review: (Un)Documents

Posted on October 31, 2022October 31, 2022 by Glamour

Latino Theater Company presents the West Coast premiere of (Un)Documents. Written and performed by Jesús I. Valles. Directed by Rudy Ramirez.

How did you handle it? That was the question people asked Jesús I. Valles and his family after the deportation of his brother. Valles’ biographical play centers on the life at the border between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso Texas. An area where some Mexicans cross the border on a daily basis to work in the US and cross back to Mexico at the end of the day. If done with a green card or American citizenship, the crossing will be through the international bridge, if not, there’s the Río Bravo (Rio Grande), a river that is a dividing line between US and Mexico, where many cross it daily, hoping not be detected by the Border Patrol.

Valles tells the story that portrays the struggles, the hopes, and the disruption of the family nucleus caused by the deportation of a family member. The other topics in the play are the assimilation into the American culture seen through the eyes of a child and what it means to be an American for a person with two cultural identities. It is those identities that seem to be uncomfortable and conflictive to some Latino Border Patrol agents. As described by Valles, some of the most demeaning and intimidating agents are the ones that look like him.

Despite the emotional toll on the family due to the deportation, their resilience and coming to terms with reality allowed them to continue to do what they know best, to work hard and endure the absence with a positive attitude. And this where the story travels. It is a mirror of the lives of many in the US, a price to pay for the American dream. Under these circumstances, the citizenship ceremony becomes a bitter sweet experience, a sense of belonging to the land of the free and a sense of loss for the loved ones who can’t be there.

(Un)Documents is a story of immigration, immigration reform, endurance, the shaping of an identity, specially an LGBTQ one, and the unity of the family members regardless of the physical divisions that separate them.

Valles delivers a fierce and powerful performance with humor, emotion, and a lyricism unique to poets who are able to turn pain into art to express the spectrum of the human experience.

(Un)Documents

Written and performed by Jesús I. Valles. Directed by Rudy Ramirez. Presented by Latino Theater Company. Creative team: Projection Designer Elizabeth Barrett. Production Stage Manager Henry “Heno” Fernandez.

The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013

Performances: October 14 – November 20:
Thursdays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 14 (Opening), Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 19
Sundays at 4 p.m.: Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20

Tickets: www.latinotheaterco.org

Theatre Review: A Great Wilderness

Posted on September 27, 2022September 27, 2022 by Glamour

Rogue Machine presents A Great Wilderness, written by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Elina de Santos.

Walt (John Perrin Flynn) has spent his life in a retreat in the wilderness, counseling young men who are sent to his retreat to get cured of their homosexuality. The idea is that through a faith-based approach—prayers, Bible readings, and counseling—these men will change and go back to a heterosexual lifestyle. Walt is getting old with early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s and his ex-wife Abby (Rachel Sorsa), concern about his well-being, wants to send him to Shady Gardens, a retirement home. When Abby and her other ex-husband, Tim (Tony Pasqualini) come to the retreat to visit, they found out that Walt has taken one last youngster, Daniel (Jeffrey Delfin), for his gay conversion therapy. Daniel, however, decides to go out for a walk by himself and goes missing.

Tim, who used to be a counselor in the retreat, goes out to look for Daniel. As time goes by, Walt calls Janet (Tania Verafield), a park ranger, to help in the search. Eventually, Eunice (Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield, Rapunzel Alone), Daniel’s mom, is notified of the situation. When she arrives, she feels guilty for sending Daniel to the retreat. Janet organizes a group of people to extend the search. A helicopter is added to the search mission. Hours pass and still no news of Daniel. A fire breaks out in the forest and the drama intensifies as Janet finds Daniel’s jacket with blood stains.

Playwright Samuel D. Hunter shows the gay conversion therapy from the eyes of a Christian group that believes in the effectiveness of such practice. But once the characters reveal their struggles and past experiences, the effects of trying to change someone’s attraction to their own sex become more disturbing and less convincing. The play does not try to tell who’s right or wrong, that’s up to the audience, but the facts are laid out for the pendulum to go either way and not to hyperfocus on just one side of the story. The sincerity and the tragic consequences of conservative beliefs that make up a portion of the cultural and religious fabric of America are explored in this story and are perfectly reflected on Walt’s own existential crisis.

Director Elina de Santos‘ interpretation of Walt and Tim’s relationship can make an interesting conversation. Tim is one of the founders of the retreat and is also Abby’s ex-husband. Walt was also married to Abby at one point. Walt and Tim being both counselors of conversion therapy opens up a series of questions that make this play even more intriguing.

Set Designer Bruce Goodrich, Sound Designer Chris Moscatiello, and Lighting Designer Vicki J. Scott do an excellent job recreating the retreat and the ambiance; the set is full of details and the background sounds of the forest make the story come closer to the audience.

A Great Wilderness is an accurate reflection of the complexities faced by conservative America, where the interpretation of Christian values might offer more questions that answers.

A Great Wilderness

Written by Samuel D. Hunter. Directed by Elina de Santos. Cast: Jeffrey Delfin, John Perrin Flynn, Tony Pasqualini, Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield, Rachel Sorsa, and Tania Verafield. Creative team: Bruce Goodrich (Set Design), Chris Moscatiello (Sound Design), Elizabeth A. Cox (Costume Design), Vicki J. Scott (Lighting Design), Anna Khaja (Shady Gardens Spokesperson/Voice). Produced by: Guillermo Cienfuegos, and Rebecca Larsen (A Rogue Machine Production).

ROGUE MACHINE (in the Matrix Theatre)
7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Opening 8pm on Saturday, September 24
Schedule: 8pm Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays; 3pm Sundays
Added performance on Thursday, October 20
(No performance October 10)
Closing: October 31, 2022

Tickets: roguemachinetheatre

A scene from A Great Wilderness — A Great Wilderness. Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield and Rachel Sorsa.

Theatre Review: Babe

Posted on September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 by Glamour

Babe is presented by The Echo Theater Company, directed by Chris Fields, and written by Jessica Goldberg.

When a young Kaitlin (Wylie Anderson) goes for an interview to work for A&R genius Gus (Sal Viscuso), she finds a culture where bad behavior is still tolerated and complacency is a common occurrence. Kaitlin gets the job, but soon she realizes that the mastermind behind the biggest acts signed by the record label might be more the work of Abigail (Julie Dretzin), Gus’s assistant.

Kaitlin has been inspired by her singer idol Kat Wonders (also played by Wylie Anderson). On paper, Kat was discovered by Gus, but as the story unfolds, it is revealed that Abigail help developed Kat and other artists into superstars. In a conversation with Abigail and intrigued by Kat’s death, Kaitlin perceives that maybe Abigail had romantic relationships with Gus and Kat in the past. Kaitlin also complaints about Gus’s insensitive behavior and questions Abigail for allowing Gus to get all the credits for the success of the label’s artists while relegating her to a lesser position.

Abigail then becomes the main character in the play. Her relationship with Gus both professional and personal sheds light on the dynamics between these two characters. Abigail tolerated the abusive behaviors she witnessed in the music industry as a rite of passage without questioning the legality of it. She also helped Gus to develop and polish the acts the label had signed while he got all the credits and the biggest paycheck. In return, Gus gave Abigail the men, women, and drugs she wanted while securing her position in the label. Regardless of their silent agreement, everything changed after Gus fell out of favor with his boss and Abigail is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s up to Abigail now to make an important decision in a critical time in her life.

One interesting exposition of the story is the different backgrounds of Abigail and Kaitlin. Abigail’s dad was a carpenter and her mom was a housewife. Kaitlin’s mom is a lawyer and her dad is a science teacher. Her dad’s actions however, is one of the reasons Kaitlin is specially sensitive about sexual harassment.

Jessica Goldberg’s play shows the older generations’ point of views that permeated the workplace behaviors that hurt so many people along the way. It also shows Generation Z trying to change things for the better and how the power of music can influence people to take action. But the play goes further than that. It explores the challenges of changing or modifying upper and middle manager’s old behaviors and even the victim’s own stupor that leads to inaction either by complacency or indoctrination. Change, as shown in one of the scenes, can mean different things to different people.

Wylie Anderson’s performance showed the transition of Kaitlin’s position in the record label. She was timid and a bit insecure during the interview, then frustrated by Gus’s harassment, and finally, empowered to stand up against abuse and demand changes within the organization. Julie Dretzin did an excellent job portraying the passive and troubled assistant that faces the challenges of an older generation of women and the opportunities that could open up for the new ones. Sal Viscuso offered the funniest lines as the vocal and abusive A&R legend that ultimately had to face his own demise.

The creative team includes scenic designer Amanda Knehans; lighting designer Hayden Kirschbaum; sound designer Alysha Grace Bermudez; and costume designer Elena Flores. The assistant director is Elana Luo, the associate producer is Elliot Davis, and the production stage manager is Danielle Jaramillo. Chris Fields and Kelly Beech produce for the Echo Theater Company.

Babe

Written by Jessica Goldberg. Directed by Chris Fields. Starring Wylie Anderson, Julie Dretzin and Sal Viscuso. Presented by The Echo Theater Company, Chris Fields artistic director.

Echo Theater Company
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Performances: Sept. 17–Oct.24
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 23; Sept. 30; Oct. 7; Oct. 14; Oct. 21
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 17 (opening night); Sept. 24; Oct. 1; Oct. 8; Oct. 15; Oct. 22
Sundays at 4 p.m.: Sept. 25; Oct. 2; Oct. 9; Oct. 16; Oct. 23
Mondays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 26; Oct. 3; Oct. 10; Oct. 17; Oct. 24

Tickets: www.EchoTheaterCompany.com

Theatre Review: Lavender Men

Posted on August 8, 2022August 9, 2022 by Glamour

Playwrights’ Arena and Skylight Theatre Company present the world premiere of Lavender Men. Written by Roger Q. Mason and directed by Lovell Holder.

In Roger Q. Mason’s Lavender Men, history is rewritten to include the LGBT community, largely ignored in the US history books. This play is a fantasia about a gay Abraham Lincoln (Pete Ploszek) and the people around him. The character Taffeta (Roger Q. Mason) invades Abraham Lincoln’s personal space to give history a spin.

The rumors about Abraham Lincoln’s sexuality play a central role in Lavender Men as much as his relationship with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln (Roger Q. Mason). By some historians’ accounts, although never really proven, Lincoln had romantic relationships with Joshua Fry Speed and Captain David Derickson, often sleeping with them in the same bed—this was a common practice in those days though without any sexual overtones. In Mason’s script however, Lincoln has a sexual relationship with Elmer Ellsworth (Alex Esola), a soldier and Lincoln’s law apprentice.

That relationship ignites Mary Todd’s jealousy and, at the same time, her envy as she is overweight and feels powerless before the passionate bond between her husband and his apprentice. This disconnection between President Lincoln and his wife in the play also reflects the apparent discord between both figures in real life. Mary Todd was wealthy, educated, refined, and her family owned slaves. Abraham Lincoln, on the other hand, grew up in a farm, self-educated, and disliked slavery, not to mention his lack of skills on the dance floor.

In real life, Mary Todd’s misery was due to the death of her children and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln before her eyes. She had episodes of depression, not fully understood at the time. In the play, Mary’s misery stems from the lack of attention from Abraham Lincoln towards her and his relationship with Elmer.

In the meantime, Taffeta continues to be amused by the vibrant relationship by Abraham and Elmer, but also revealing the insecurities and struggles of the undeserved communities the play represents. Taffeta also fights back the apparent innocuous reasoning of those who excluded the people of color and queer from the history books: “There is some beauty being lost in a sea of nothing”.

Mason’s writing is able to connect overweight, queer, and people of color with such fluidity within the story that they all become a coherent and powerful testament of the resilience of those underserved communities who are not willing to be silenced anymore. This is why Lavender Men, a smart, funny, and engaging play resonates in this era where society is trying to make amends for past mistakes.

In addition to the performances of the three thespians and the excellent direction of Lovell Holder, the artisans working on this production deserve a special recognition. Dan Weingarten (Lighting Design) displays an impressive and elaborate collection of colors, intensities, and textures in such a way that the lighting itself becomes a character throughout the story. Sound Designer is Erin Bednarz, Scenic Designer is Stephen Gifford, Costume Designer is Wendell Carmichael, Original Music by David Gonzalez, Choreography by Jobel Medina, Properties Design by Michael O’Hara, Casting by Raul Clayton Staggs, and the Production Manager is Cedes Sifuentes.

Lavender Men

Presented by Playwrights’ Arena and Skylight Theatre Company.

Playwright: Roger Q. Mason. Director: Lovell Holder. Producers: Gary Grossman and Jon Lawrence Rivera. Associate Producers: Tyree Marshall and Michael Kearns.

Skylight Theatre

1816 1⁄2 North Vermont

Los Angeles, CA 90027

Opening at 8:30 pm on Saturday, August 6
Schedule: Saturday 8:30 pm, Sunday 3 pm, Monday 7:30 pm
Closing: Sunday September 4, 2022

Tickets: LavenderMenPlayLA.com

Theatre Review: The Legend of Georgia McBride

Posted on June 12, 2022June 12, 2022 by Glamour

International City Theatre presents The Legend of Georgia McBride, written by Matthew Lopez and directed by Jamie Torcellini.

There is a place in Panama City, Florida called Cleo’s Lounge where Casey (Taubert Nadalini), impersonates Elvis Presley but is struggling to draw enough audience to sustain his act and the bar. Eddie (Tom Trudgeon), the bar owner, just replaced Casey”s act with a drag queen show led by Miss Tracey Mills (Jeff Sumner) and Rexy (Donzell Lewis). Meanwhile, Jo, Casey’s wife (Karese Frizell), just told him that she’s pregnant. To make things worse, the landlord of the apartment where Casey and Jo live, Jason (Donzell Lewis) just told them that if they don’t come up with the rent money, they’ll be kicked out. In that desperate circumstance, Casey needs to find a creative way to survive.

With no more choices, Casey quits his Elvis act and starts bar tending, but the money is not enough. Despite arriving together, Rexy has a disagreement with Miss Tracey and decides to leave the show. With an incomplete act, Eddie and Miss Tracey force Casey to dress up and join the drag queen performance. Much to everyone’s surprise, Casey’s act becomes a hit and the crowd keeps coming back for more. With plenty of money rolling in, Casey is able to pay rent, utilities, and save enough money for the baby on the way, not to mention that the show saves Cleo’s Lounge from closing down. The only problem is that Casey decides to hide the true source of his income from his wife.

The story reveals a few things about the life of the drag queen performers and the insecurities of the people around them, even their honest supporters. Casey does not seem to care dressing up as a woman for his show; however, he still has doubts about the reaction of his wife. By doing so, he shows that he is a supporter of the drag community, but only in secret. This is true in today’s society, where many are still insecure about displaying their support to the LGBTQIA community in public.

Another aspect described in the play is the violence against the non-heterosexual individuals. Once back in the sow, Rexy recounts a violent experience in Houston, where two guys beat him up so badly that needed stitches in his head. Rexy puts it this way: “Drag ain’t a hobby, baby. Drag ain’t a night job. Drag is a protest. Drag is a raised fist inside a sequined glove. Drag is a lot of things, baby, but drag is not for sissies”. Theatre, after all, is a reflection of society at large and a powerful platform to protest.

As for the performances, Miss Tracey’s, Rexy’s, and Georgia’s costumes (Kim DeShazo, costume designer) are spectacular, a mirror of the uplifting tone of the play. Nadalini has an engaging charisma and excellent voice that that is both emotional and exciting, matching the overall play’s message: A rainbow of positive energy.

The Legend of Georgia McBride

Written by Matthew Lopez. Directed by Jamie Torcellini. Starring Karese Frizell, Donzell Lewis, Taubert Nadalini, Jeff Sumner, Tom Trudgeon. Produced by caryn desai [sic]. Presented by International City Theatre.

INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE
Long Beach Performing Arts Center
330 East Seaside Way
Long Beach, CA 90802

Performances: June 10 – June 26
Thursdays at 8 p.m.: June 16, June 23
Fridays at 8 p.m.: June 10 (Opening Night), June 17, June 24
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: June 11, June 18, June 25
Sundays at 2 p.m.: June 12, June 19, June 26

Tickets: https://ictlongbeach.org/

Tag Archives: LGBTQIA

Theatre Review: Ride the Cyclone

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Theatre Review: Home Front

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Theatre Review: Daddy Issues

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Theatre Review: Lavender Men

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Theatre Review: The Legend of Georgia McBride

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