Tag Archives: Lonny Chapman Theatre

Theatre Review: Motel 66

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The Group Rep presents MOTEL 66. Written by Sal Valletta, Gina Yates, Denise Downer, Bill, Fitzhugh, Fox Carney, Doug Haverty, Paul Elliot, and Clara Rodriguez. Directed by Linda Alznauer, Van Boudreaux, Todd Andrew Ball, Larry Eisenberg, Helen O’Brien, Bruce Kimmel, Brent Beerman, and Leota Rhodes. Produced for The Group Rep by Brent Beerman.

During the Dust Bowl that devastated the Great Plains in the 1930s, Route 66 was the salvation for many families that took the historic highway to move west in their search for jobs and a better life. Route 66 goes from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, with many sites and landscapes along the way. MOTEL 66 is a production of 8 different one-acts that honor the fascinating and moving stories of the owners and guests of the quirky motels found along the celebrated route. Each short play takes place in a different motel and a different city. In such a spectrum of experiences, the topics and characters are as varied as one can imagine.

Poolside Therapy shows a couple (Diane Linder and Brad Kahn) in desperate need to spice up their relationship. One of the other guests (Tack Sappington) offers his expertise to make the couple feel attracted to each other again, using an unconventional method to achieve that goal. Written by Sal Valletta. Directed by Linda Alznauer.

One More Night is a moving and funny story of a grieving cowboy (Mark Stancato) and his unexpected change of plans after meeting a whip-smart young girl (talented newcomer Bailey Warner) and her mom (Julie Davis). Written by Gina Yates. Directed by Van Boudreaux.

Forever Friends is a story of two friends (Melissa Lugo and Cierra Lundy) whose strained relationship may or may not have a second chance after years of neglect. Written by Denise Downer. Directed by Todd Andrew Ball.

No Room at the Motel keeps us wondering who the real father is in this hilarious and intriguing story. Chad (Joe Clabby, Room Service) and a pregnant Mary (the always funny Jessica Kent, Harold and Maude, Room Service) engage in a heated argument about accommodation plans. They find the motel manager (Larry Eisenberg) to be a weirdo who doesn’t care about keeping his rooms clean. They also run into Chad’s friend (Sean Babcock), who keeps reminding Chad of his times with women of dubious reputation. Who exactly got Mary pregnant? Written by Bill Fitzhugh. Directed by Larry Eisenberg.

Immaculate Perception is a story of a miraculous sexless pregnancy. At least that’s what Mariah (Sasha Kartman) says. As illogical as it sounds, she tries to convince Sam (Lloyd Pedersen), who is a doctor, about her immaculate pregnancy. As they continue to argue, the continuation of someone’s life through a newborn starts to seem a possibility, even for Sam. Written by Fox Carney. Directed by Helen O’Brien.

Eureka Escorter reveals the oddity of opportunities in the job market. In urgent need as an impoverished recent widower, Miles (Bert Emmett, Animal Farm) takes a job as a driver/rent-a-gent type of gig. He is instructed by Wendolyn (Kathy Diane Tomlin), the lady running the agency, to act as normal as possible in the presence of customers. His first assignment is with Sara (Clara Rodriguez). His first drive will prove to be a wild ride. Written by Doug Haverty. Directed by Bruce Kimmel.

Saving Garbage is a meeting between short-fused motel operator Grace (Cynthia Bryant) and Jimmy (Miguel Lee), the young man who’s been taking the food leftovers from the trash bin at night. A surprising conversation exposes the compelling circumstances of their respective lives. Written by Paul Elliott. Directed by Brent Beerman.

In Quapaw, Oklahoma Betty (a delightful Bonnie Snyder, Room Service) is excited to meet her online friend Magda (Lareen Faye, Harold and Maude), who has promised Betty to make her a child again with the use of magic, despite the concerns of her daughter Deborah (Pascal Gigon) and the incredulity of her son-in-law Stan (Danny Salay). A whimsical story with a not-so-happy ending. Written by Clara Rodriguez. Directed by Leota Rhodes.

Embarking on a spiritual journey of self realization, the characters discover the power of human connection and the possibilities of new beginnings, despite the twists and turns of life. MOTEL 66 is a road trip to a world where humans greif, hope, and believe in miracles, one destination at a time. Always searching, always on the move. 

MOTEL 66

The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd
N. Hollywood, CA 91601

September 21 through October 22

Saturdays at 4 PM

Thursdays and Sundays at 7 PM.

Tickets: thegrouprep.com/show/motel-66-2023

Written by Sal Valletta, Gina Yates, Denise Downer, Bill, Fitzhugh, Fox Carney, Doug Haverty, Paul Elliot, and Clara Rodriguez. Directed by Linda Alznauer, Van Boudreaux, Todd Andrew Ball, Larry Eisenberg, Helen O’Brien, Bruce Kimmel, Brent Beerman, and Leota Rhodes. Produced for The Group Rep by Brent Beerman. Cast: Diane Linder, Brad Kahn, Tack Sappington, Julie Davis, Mark Stancato, Bailey Warner, Melissa Lugo, Cierra Lundy, Sean Babcock, Joe Clabby, Cathy Diane Tomlin, Larry Eisenberg, Dawn Halloran, Doug Haverty, Jessica Kent, Kat Kemmet, Anica Petrovic, Sasha Kartman, Lloyd Pedersen, Bert Emmett, Lee Grober, Clara Rodriguez, Cynthia Bryant, Miguel Lee, Lareen Faye, Pascale Gigon, Danny Salay, and Bonnie Snyder. Creative team: Mareli Mitchel-Shields (Dramaturg), Nick Foran (Lights & Sound Design),and Doug Haverty (Graphic Designer).

MOTEL 66 poster
A scene from MOTEL 66
A scene from MOTEL 66
A scene from MOTEL 66
A scene from MOTEL 66

Theatre Review: Room Service

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Room Service is presented by The Group Rep. Written by John Murray and Allen Boretz. Directed by Mareli Mitchel-Shields. Produced by Kathleen R. Delaney for The Group Rep.

it’s 1937 in New York and Joseph Gribble (Tommy Jacobs) tells theatre producer Gordon Miller (Will Maizel) that he needs to pay a $1,200 bill for his stay at the White Way Hotel, or else, he will be evicted from the hotel together with his troupe of actors. To complicate things, Leo Davis (Timothy Willard), the young playwright of Godspeed, comes to New York to join them and get an advance. Unbeknownst to Davis, Miller is broke without a financial backer to produce his play.

Room Service is a script with plenty of punch lines and physical comedy to allow the actors to shine. Mareli Mitchel-Shields directs an ambitious production with a stellar cast that gives new life to a screwball comedy from the Art Deco era. Each character is a building block to achieve conflict and comedy to create chaotic situations with witty dialogue and fast paced action. Joe Eastburn is a terrific actor with an imposing stage presence. He combines perfectly the eccentricity and hilarity of Gregory Wagner, the supervising director of the White Way Hotel.

The meet cute scene between Leo and Hilda Manney (Jessica Kent, Harold and Maude) is also a highlight in the play, bringing whimsiness and romanticism to one of the subplots of the story. As time runs out for Miller and his group to come up with the money to pay the hotel bill and produce the play, the tension builds up and forces the troupe to devise creative and delusional solutions.

Chris Winfield (Set Design) does a remarkable job recreating the Art Deco style of the 1930s, taking us back to the slapstick comedies of the Golden Age of Hollywood. As a treat, there are characters that sing during the intermissions, adding a special touch to this production.

Room Service delivers a hilarious and dynamic story with exceptional acting, costumes, and scene design to continue The Group Rep’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Room Service

Lonny Chapman Theatre – Main Stage (First Floor)
10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood 91601

September 8 – October 15, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm. Sundays at 2:00pm.

Tickets: thegrouprep.com

Written by John Murray and Allen Boretz. Directed by Mareli Mitchel-Shields. Produced by Kathleen R. Delaney for The Group Rep. Cast: Fox Carney, Joe Clabby, Joseph Eastburn, Tommy Jacobs, Jessica Kent, Sam Logan, Will Maizel, Matthew McLaughlin, Jackie Shearn, Bonnie Snyder, Axel Truitt, Sal Valletta, Grant Velarde, Timothy Willard, and Chris Winfield. Creative team: Chris Winfield (Set Design), Frank McKown (Lighting Design), Aylah Robinson (Costume Design), Reid Woodbury, Jr. (Sound Design), and Paul Cady (Music Director).

Room Service poster
A scene from Room Service
A scene from Room Service
A scene from Room Service

Theatre Review: Morning’s at Seven

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The Group Rep presents Morning’s at Seven. Written by Paul Osborn. Directed by Doug Engalla. Produced by Alyson York for the Group Rep.

A dreamy backyard with plenty of trees and grass frames this comedy set in 1928. Cora (Milda Dacys) is married to Theodore (Neil Thompson). For the last forty years, they’ve been living with Aaronetta (Dawn Halloran), a single woman who is Cora’s sister. Cora and Aaronetta’s sister, Ida (Barbara Brownell) lives next door. Both houses are connected by the backyard. Ida is married to Carl (Lloyd Pedersen, Harold and Maude), who suffers sporadic mental spells that make him wonder who he really is and where he stands in life. Ida and Carl have a son, Homer (Jeff Dinnell), who’s still reluctant to propose to Myrtle (Bridget Murray), his fiancée of twelve years. Added to the mix is Esther (Belinda Howell), who is married to David (Stan Mazin) a highly educated and snobbish man.

Carl’s spells are a major concern to the family. He tends to disappear, wondering around the neighborhood. Even more concerning is the fact that Homer is coming home to introduce Myrtle to the family. Making things worse, Cora wants to live with Theodore alone, with Aaronetta out of the picture. She wants to move to a house Carl had reserved for Homer, right when Homer finally proposes to Myrtle and is ready to start a family.

The play is a way back machine that shows how human interactions haven’t changed much. Distrust, jealousy, dreams, yearnings, etc. remain the same. That is the clue that makes this story so compelling. It shows simpler times, but with characters whose attributes travel across generations. Although he wrote it as a light comedy, Paul Osborn, who had an M.A. in psychology and whose father was a Baptist minister, created deeper characters that are dealing with midlife and later-life crises, questioning and searching for the central motivating aims in life while their freedom seems hopelessly elusive.

The scenic design (Mareli Mitchel-Shields) and graphics (Doug Haverty) look cozy and leafy, a perfect frame for the endearing characters and unraveling drama.

Morning’s at Seven

Lonny Chapman Theatre – Main Stage (First Floor)
10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood 91601

June 9 – July 16, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm
No Performances Weekend of June 16, 17 and 18.

Tickets: thegrouprep.com

Written by Paul Osborn. Directed by Doug Engalla. Produced by Alyson York for the Group Rep. Cast: Barbara Brownell, Milda Dacys, Jeff Dinnell, Dawn Halloran, Belinda Howell, Stan Mazin, Bridget Murray, Lloyd Pedersen, and Neil Thompson. Creative team: Mareli Mitchel-Shields (Set Design), Robbie Myles (Lighting Design), Michael Mullen (Costume Design), J.C. Gafford (Sound Design), and Doug Haverty (Graphic Design), and Anica Pertovic (Hair and Make-up Design).

 

Morning's at Seven poster
A scene from Morning's at Seven
A scene from Morning's at Seven

Theatre Review: LOVE…or Best Offer

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The Group Rep presents the world premiere of LOVE…or Best Offer, written by Phil
Olson, winner of the Robert J. Pickering Award for Playwriting Excellence. Director: Doug Engalla. Producer: Aly York.

If online dating is already challenging, imagine dating at an older age, when divorces, kids, and emotional scars have taken a toll on our lives. Despite all of that, the protagonists in LOVE…or Best Offer make looking for love an exciting game worth trying.

The characters show the insecurities that older people face when trying to start a romantic relationship all over again in a digital world. In addition, trying to replace someone else while dealing with grown-up kids might be more complicated than expected.

The play takes us on an emotional trip to the lives of Cheryl (Stephanie Colet) and Stan (Doug Haverty) and their respective friends Lori (Kathleen Delaney) and Dave (Marc Antonio Pritchett). Stan, a millionaire, needs to find someone who won’t go after his money. Cheryl wants a stable guy who is not a weirdo, like a serial killer or a foot fetish aficionado.

Once Lori and Dave set them up for an online session, Cheryl and Stan start a series of Zoom meetings that will test their willingness to lower their guards and give themselves another chance at love. Their challenge will be to overcome insecurities, misunderstandings, and the fear of vulnerability that comes with falling in love. 

The play is well written with great character development. Phil Olson adds elements that make the play more dynamic by including characters that inflict stress to the protagonists, like Cheryl’s son and Stan’s ex-wife. Those characters are never seen, only referenced, but they contribute conflict and resolution to the story. The four actors have an amusing sense of comedy that is infectious and engage the audience from beginning to end, a perfect gift for the month of love.  

LOVE…or Best Offer

The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre – Second floor
10900 Burbank Blvd
N. Hollywood, CA 91601

Free street parking. The Upstairs is not handicapped
accessible.

February 18 – March 19, 2023

Saturdays at 4:00
pm.  Sundays at 7:00 pm. Talkback Saturdays after matinees Feb 18 and Feb 25.

Tickets: thegrouprep.com

Written by Phil Olson. Director: Doug Engalla. Producer: Aly York. Starring: Doug Haverty, Stephanie Colet, Kathleen Delaney, and Marc Antonio Pritchett.

 

LOVE...or Best Offer poster
A scene from LOVE...or Best Offer
A scene from LOVE...or Best Offer
A scene from LOVE...or Best Offer

Theatre Review: Harold and Maude

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Harold and Maude is presented by The Group Rep. Written by Collin Higgins. Directed by Larry Eisenberg. Produced by Lloyd Pedersen.

 

The stage adaptation of this 70s cult movie brings back the dorky young man and the eccentric octogenarian, united by a strange fascination for funerals. Harold (Landon Beatty) is an awkward young man who doesn’t have much purpose in life other than scare people with his pranks, including killing himself. His Mom, Mrs. Chasen (Susan Priver), tries to set him up with computer dates, hoping to get him married and settle down. But Harold does not agree with his mom’s plans, so he does what he does best, scare the hell out of the potential girlfriends with his sinister pranks. Sylvie Gazel (Kat Kemmet) and Nancy Mersch (Jessica Kent) run away at the first scare. Sunshine Dore (Gina Yates), on the other hand, proves to be too much of a melodramatic actress for both Harold and Mrs. Chasen. Witnessing all the drama unfolding is the family’s maid, Marie (Lareen Faye), who starts to get used to all the chaos in the house.

 

In the midst of Harold’s unhappiness, Maude (Clara Rodriguez) shows up at a funeral officiated by Father Finnegan (Lloyd Pedersen). Harold is also present, attracted by his morbid fascination of strangers’ funerals. That first connection leaves an impression on both Harold and Maude. From that point on, the characters’ backgrounds start to take shape along with their mutual attraction. Time, however, will be a determining factor in the consummation of their love, specially when Inspector Bernard (JC Gafford) and Sergeant Doppel (Steve Shaw) show up at Maude’s door.

 

Maude’s motivations, from rescuing a seal (Fox Carney) to saving a tree from the city’s pollution, are reflections of her life. An experience lived to the fullest, happiness and loss included. An experience too valuable to let it expire without passing it on to a new generation. Beyond the romantic characteristic of their relationship, their love is a bridge between two generations—the dusk of a rich existence and the dawn of an existential dilemma. Will Maude be more influential than Dr. Matthews (Fox Carney) to Harold’s search of meaning in life?

 

Director Larry Eisenberg gives new life to this story written more than fifty years ago. His work with the actors elevates the play to another level. The combination of dark humor and philosophical questioning is masterfully displayed on stage both in dialogue and action. Just like the story itself, the presence of young and experienced thespians is a poignant revitalization of the controversial topic of age-gap relationships. The use of projectors is an inventive way to recreate some of the most memorable scenes in the movie.

 

Harold and Maude is a pleasantly hilarious and moving play that features amazing talent on the legendary Lonny Chapman Theatre, home to the Group Rep, celebrating their 50th anniversary.

 

Harold and Maude

 

Lonny Chapman Theatre – Main Stage (1st Floor)

10900 Boulevard, North Hollywood 91601

Wheelchair Accessible. Free Street Parking

 

February 10 – March 19, 2023

Friday & Saturday Evenings at 8:00 pm, Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm

Talkbacks after Sunday Matinees Feb 19 & March 5

 

Tickets: www.thegrouprep.com/

 

The Group Rep cast features the talents of Landon Beatty (Performs February 10, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, March 10, 11, 12), Fox Carney, Lareen Faye, JC Gafford, Kat Kemmet, Jessica Kent, John Ledley (Performs February 11, 12, 17, March 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 19), Lloyd Pedersen, Susan Priver, Clara Rodriguez (Performs February 10, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, March 10, 11, 12), Steve Shaw, Janet Wood (Performs February 11, 12, 17, March 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 19), and Gina Yates. Douglas Gabrielle (Father Finnegan U/S). The roles of Harold and Maude are double cast. Landon Beatty and Clara Rodriguez will perform together. John Ledley and Janet Wood will perform together.

 

The production team includes Mareli Mitchel-Shields (Set Design), Douglas Gabrielle (Lighting Design), Angela M. Eads (Costume Design), Christian Ackerman (Videographer), Patrick Burke (Puppet Design), Judi Lewin (Wigs/Hair/Make-up), Steve Shaw (Sound Design), Doug Haverty (Graphic Design).

 

 

 

 

Harold and Maude poster
A scene from Harold and Maude
A scene from Harold and Maude
A scene from Harold and Maude