Theatre Review: Human Error

Posted on August 19, 2024August 19, 2024 by Glamour

The first scene is the portent of what’s coming for Madelyn (Kristen Vaganos) and Sameer (Kapil Talwalkar). Trying IVF to get pregnant, they learn of a mix-up at Dr. Hoskins’ clinic. Their embryo was inadvertently implanted into another woman’s uterus. Dr. Hoskins (Andrew Hawtrey) apologizes, but he’s punched in the face.

Madelyn and Sameer have no other choice but to establish a relationship with the couple that received their embryo. Enter Heather (Lauren Burns) and Jim (Kiel Kennedy). They agree to carry Madelyn and Sameer’s fetus and give the baby to them once it is born. But there is a problem. Madelyn and Sameer are blue, progressive, pro-choice, and racially diverse. Heather and Jim, on the other hand, are red, conservative, pro-life, and White. Can both couples forge a relationship for nine months being so different?

There might be some clichés here and there, but the comedy is exceptional. Kennedy shines in his portrayal of the firearms-loving tough guy, Ohio State fan, and successful business owner. His presence and voice project confidently the stern demeanor of a typical conservative individual. The five actors deliver a light and effective comedy that helps bring forward some pressing issues in today’s divided society. In a time when politicians are asking Americans to tone it down, this play couldn’t be more timely.

The schism between red and blue—referring to the conservative Republicans and the progressive Democrats—is a contentious element that ends up bringing together both couples. The human error at the clinic, forces these individuals to see each other eye to eye. Human error leads to human connection. Former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzales once said that nothing replaces a meeting in person. We have the opportunity to listen, and even understand the other position.

Playwright Eric Pfeffinger uses the red and blue stances to prove that right or wrong is in the eye of the beholder. Despite their differences, connecting in person allowed both couples to know each other at a deeper level.

Director Joshua Bitton translates the core of the play into a comedic and thoughtful expression of divergent ideas, leading up to the questioning of our own beliefs. The play exposes the diversity of America and gives the audience the chance to explore the validity of the other person’s perspective. Pro-choice, pro-life, what do they even mean?

Human Error

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

Opening: 8pm on Saturday, August 10, 2024
Schedule: 8pm Fridays, Saturdays; 3pm Sundays
Closing: September 1, 2024

Tickets: roguemachinetheatre

Written by Eric Pfeffinger. Directed by Joshua Bitton. Produced by: Guillermo Cienfuegos. A Rogue Machine Production. Age recommendation 13+.

Cast: Lauren Burns as Heather. Andrew Hawtrey as Dr. Hoskins. Kiel Kennedy as Jim. Kapil Talwalkar as Sameer. Kristen Vaganos as Madelyn.

Creative team: James Morris (Scenic Design), Rachel Manheimer (Lighting Design), Chris Moscatiello (Sound Design), Christine Cover Ferro (Costume Design).

Theatre Review: Psycho Beach Party

Posted on June 23, 2024June 23, 2024 by Glamour

HorseChart Theatre presents Psycho Beach Party. Written by Charles Busch. Directed by Tom DeTrinis and Ryan Bergmann. Produced by Brett Aune and Steven Luff.

Teenage tomboy Chicklet Forrest (Drew Droege) wants to join the surfer crowd on Malibu Beach, but her multiple personalities become a concern. Her alter egos are a checkout girl, an elderly radio talk show hostess, a male model named Steve, the accounting firm of Edelman and Edelman, and the most dangerous one—sexually voracious vixen Ann Bowman.

In her quest to learn from the master surfer Kanaka (Karen Maruyama), Chicklet meets an array of peculiar characters. Yo-Yo (Adrián González) and Provolone (Daniel Montgomery) are friends who grow closer and closer until…well, you have to see it. Also in the crowd are diva extraordinaire Bettina (Chase Rosenberg/Roz Hernandez), Swing (Michael P. McDonald), Swing (Harrison Meloeny), Marvel Ann (Pete Zias), and Starcat (Thomas Hobson). Supporting Chicklet in good and bad times is her best friend Berdine (Daniele Gaither). And, of course, don’t forget about Chicklet’s mom, the stern Mrs. Forrest (Sam Pancake).

The play is fun, silly, and upbeat. Playwright Charles Busch wrote Psycho Beach Party in 1987, so the play is somehow anti-establishment. The 80s were especially tough for the LGBT community in America. The Family Protection Act tried to ban the federal funding to any organization accepting a gay lifestyle as an alternative. The Act was defeated, but it was endorsed by Ronald Reagan. Paul Cameron published bogus studies trying to prove that gay people have more tendencies to commit murder, child molestations, and the intentional spreading of diseases. The U.S Department of Defense discharged around 17,000 gay soldiers, stating that homosexuality was incompatible with military service. Pat Buchanan said that AIDS was nature’s revenge on gay men. In 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Bowers v. Hardwick held that state anti-sodomy statutes were constitutional. There were many more to mention, but the point is that Busch used this play to push back against the anti-gay sentiment of the time. As the fight continues, Psycho Beach Party is still relevant in reaffirming the pride of the LGBT community.

The set design and the costumes fit the intentional campiness of the story. The lighting is mostly high key, reflecting the upbeat tone of the play. The acting is superb, stressing the comedic nature of the script. The co-direction by Tom DeTrinis and Ryan Bergmann is excellent, the blocking and the use of space allow the actors to move freely, with enough room for physical comedy.

Psycho Beach Party is a crazy dream, a fantasy, and a menagerie of eccentric characters that celebrate the pride of the LGBT community and the diversity of society.

Psycho Beach Party

Matrix Theatre
7657 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Opening: 7pm Friday, June 14, 2024

Schedule: 7pm Thursdays – Sundays

(added performance on Monday, July 1; no performance on Thursday, July 4).

Closing: Sunday, July 7, 2024

Tickets: horsechart.ludus.com

Written by Charles Busch. Directed by Tom DeTrinis and Ryan Bergmann. Produced by Brett Aune and Steven Luff. Associate Producers: Brian Nesbitt and Sami Klein.

Cast: Adrián González, Chase Rosenberg, Daniel Montgomery, Daniele Gaither, Drew Droege, Harrison Meloeny, Karen Maruyama, Michael P. McDonald, Pete Zias, Sam Pancake, Thomas Hobson, Roz Hernandez.

Creative team: Yuri Okahana-Benson, Nicole Bernardini (Scenic Design), Nicole Bernardini (Scenic Painting and Properties), RS Buck (Lighting Design), Andrea “Slim” Allmond
Composer/Sound Design), Alexis Carrie (Costume Design), Jenni Gilbert (Wigs).

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