Theatre Review: Let Me In

Posted on March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 by Glamour

Let Me In is produced by DSE Productions and Theatre Planners. Written and directed by Brynn Thayer.

Red Casey (Rachael Meyers) is desperate trying to get Bobby Hawk (Bryan McKinley) out of the room to attend a funeral. That’s when veteran NYPD cop Hamilton Steele III (Jorge Garcia) shows up to investigate the commotion. From there, the characters start exposing facets of their lives and personalities that turn out quite surprising at the end.

Playwright and Director Brynn Thayer sets the story in New York, a metropolis like many other that can accentuate the overwhelming effects of loneliness, depression, and anxiety, some of the feelings that are shaping the lives of the three characters. Bobby just lost his fiancée in a tragic car accident. That same day, she decided to cancel the wedding. To complicate things, he has been having an affair with Red for quite some time, triggering a sense of guilt on both of them in unexpected ways. As they explore their feelings, they start to question the validity of their relationship.

Hamilton seems to be the person that brings some kind of stability to the situation. He is decided to do something significant one day before his retirement. His personality gains the trust of Bobby and Red so much that they decide to attend Bobby’s fiancée funeral, leaving Hamilton to watch over the apartment.

The story is a dark comedy that touches upon several topics such as isolation, loss, guilt, and the urgent need of human connection. However, the play also compels to identify the signs of depression and its underlying core issues to avoid devastating consequences.

Thayer selected three experienced actors that bring a superb performance that makes this play a pleasure to watch. Their timing and chemistry create a dynamic story that navigates fluently between comedy and tragedy. The set design (Joel Daavid, Set Designer) shows the careful attention to detail placed on this production; the objects, the textures, and the balcony give a vibrant touch to the story.

Let Me In

Theatre 68 Arts Complex – The Rosalie
5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Written and Directed by Brynn Thayer. Starring Jorge Garcia, Bryan McKinley, and Rachael Meyers. Produced by Misha Riley for Theatre Planners. Presented by DSE Productions.

Performances: Feb. 25–April 2
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Feb. 25 (Opening); March 18; March 25; April 1
• Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.: March 19; March 26; April 2

Tickets: www.theatre68artscomplex.com

Creative team for Let Me In includes scenic designer Joel Daavid, lighting designer Gavan Wyrick, sound designer Joseph “Sloe” Slawinski and costume designer Mylette Nora. The production stage manager is Angelica Estevez.

Theatre Review: LOVE…or Best Offer

Posted on February 23, 2023February 23, 2023 by Glamour

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.

Theatre Review: Harold and Maude

Posted on February 14, 2023February 14, 2023 by Glamour

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).

Theatre Review: Not/Now

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

Write Act Repertory presents the world premiere of Not/Now, written by Darrin Yalacki. Directed by Amanda Blake Davis. Produced by Anne Mesa and John Lant.

In a perfect world, friends communicate via text to prepare an engagement party for one of their own, and all is fun and happiness. Except when there’s a little mistake in the text message. That’s the story of Not/Now, a play where a group of friends from Chicago expose their most intimate details, mostly about their failures and frustrations, in a chaotic and hilarious reunion.

A welcome-back party to celebrate the engagement of attention-seeker Goldie (Karen Baughn), who left Chicago to try a career in showbiz in Los Angeles, becomes a messy confusion when Rafael (Oscar Ramirez) misreads a text message explaining that Goldie is no longer engaged, as her fiancé broke up with her in an embarrassing manner. Baker (James Singleton), Tamela (Rachel Lemos), and Vanessa (Lindsay Seim) are the other friends who try to offer some kind of support to Goldie. As the night progresses and under the influence of a few drinks, the support turns sour when underlying issues among the friends are revealed and finger-pointing goes back and forth.

The play touches on themes of sexuality, lost opportunities, the unhappiness of unrealized expectations, and the crushing feeling of being left behind. These topics play very well with the audience as they are relatable issues that transcend race, cultures, and genders. Darrin Yalacki develops interesting backgrounds to each of the characters, offering plenty of surprises to keep the story moving forward and the audience engaged.

The play is an excellent picture of human interaction—scathing, cruel, but deeply compassionate at the end. Despite some actors stumbling a bit over the dialogue, the cast delivered a fantastic performance to a sold-out show on Sunday. James Singleton as Baker and Mason Eaglin as Jack offer outstanding performances as the openly gay friend and the ambiguous stripper respectively. Something interesting to point out is that director Amanda Blake Davis and actor Oscar Ramirez both trained in Second City, a fact that is evident in the directing and acting of both professionals.

The lighting by Zad Potter illuminates the stage in a warm orange/yellowish hue throughout the play, almost like a Mark Rothko’s painting. Details always make a difference.

Production team: Scenic Designer Laura Lineback, House Manger and Boom Operator Jonathan Harrison, Cop Costumer Rashon Wilson.

Not/Now

Write Act Repertory @ the Brickhouse Theatre
10950 Peach Grove Street, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Written by Darrin Yalacki. Directed by Amanda Blake Davis. Produced with Anne Mesa, John Lant & Darrin Yalacki. Featuring Karen Baughn, Mason Eaglin, Rachel Lemos, Oscar Ramirez, Lindsay Seim & James Singleton.

Opening: February 4, 2023. Closing: March 5, 2023

Saturdays 8:00 p.m.
Sundays 3:00 p.m.

Tickets: www.simpletix.com/e/not-now-tickets-122901

Theatre Review: Broken Story

Posted on November 9, 2022November 9, 2022 by Glamour

White Horse Theater Company in association with 134 West presents Broken Story. Written by Cyndy A. Marion. Directed by Tamara Ruppart.

It’s the late 90s in Los Angeles and Jess (Lindsay Danielle Gitter), a journalist from the New York Today, flew from New York to investigate the murder of Jane Hartman (Lynn Adrianna Freedman), a novelist and daughter of a mobster. Jane was a close friend of Johnny Klein, a construction mogul whose wife, Helen Klein, disappeared mysteriously in 1971.

In Los Angeles, Jess meets Kip Watson (David Hunter Jr.), Jane’s manager, and Darby (Liana Aráuz, Theatre Review: Detained), a socialite and Jane’s best friend. As these characters interact with each other, Jess’ imagination blends with reality in a space where Jane appears occasionally, telling Jess her complicated relationships with Kip, Darby, and the Kleins.

Jess herself, has a story to tell. She grew up rich in New York and since an early age she has been oddly interested in the lives of Johnny and Helen Klein and the life of Jane Hartman. Jess is also in a romantic relationship with Eddie (Rod Sweitzer), her Editor at the New York Today. Jane’s tragic death—a single shot in the back of the head—will reveal unexpected news to Jess that will alter her life forever.

The combination of reality and imagination offers an interesting interaction among the characters in a stage where the lighting (Katelan Braymer, lighting designer) plays an important role. The light changes set the mood and serve as smooth transitions between scenes, highlighting the mystery, the emotions, and the supernatural aspect of the story.

Director Tamara Ruppart delivers an entertaining play where the kinetics, the dynamic relationships among the characters, and the creative elements all work together to portray Jess’ enigmatic world of reality and imagination.

Broken Story

Written by Cyndy A. Marion. Directed by Tamara Ruppart. Cast: Lindsay Danielle Gitter, Lynn Adrianna Freedman, David Hunter Jr., Liana Aráuz, and Rod Sweitzer. Executive Producer Vanessa R. Bombardieri. Co-Producer Susan Lambert Hatem (134 West). Creative team: Scenic designer Andis Gjoni, Lighting Designer Katelan Braymer, Costume Designer Derek Nye Lockwood, Sound Designer Andy Evan Cohen, Incidental Music Joe Gianono, Projection Polaroid Photography Gail Thacker, Dramaturg Linda S. Nelson, and Stage Manager Hannah Raymond.

The Sherry Theatre
11052 Magnolia Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Fri, Nov 04 – Sun, Nov 27, 2022
Fri, Sat 8pm
Sun, 7pm

Tickets: www.whitehorsetheater.com/broken-story

Theatre Review: Farragut North

Posted on October 30, 2022October 30, 2022 by Glamour

The revival of Farragut North is presented by Foursome Productions. Written by Beau Willimon. Directed by Peter Allas. Produced by Michael Donovan and Peter Allas.

Stephen Bellamy (Chris King Wong) is a 25-year-old press secretary working on a campaign with veteran manager Paul Zara (Michael Rubenstone). There is also a young assistant, Ben (K.J. Powell), who has his own aspirations and is working really hard to impress Paul and Stephen. A 19-year-old intern, Molly (Camryn Hamm), is helping in the campaign as well. Traveling to cover the race is Ida Horowitz (Amy Motta), a reporter for the NY Times and LA Times reporter Frank (David-Edward Reyes).

The campaign group is confident on winning the race. However, the apparent tightness of the group is disrupted when Stephen gets a call from Tom Duffy (Jack Esformes, God of Carnage), the opponent’s seasoned operative, with an attractive offer to change sides. Will Stephen choose loyalty to his boss, or the opportunity to get closer to the White House?

Playwright Beau Willimon worked for the campaigns of Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bill Bradley and Gov. Howard Dean. These experiences allowed him to get a closer look at the things that politicians and their operatives do to win the races. Farragut North is an accurate depiction of the sex, loyalties, betrayals, revenges, and everything in between that make up a political campaign.

The play also shows the role of the media in the political campaigns and poses an interesting question: How close should reporters get to the candidates to inform without loosing their neutrality? Again and again, a negative note on a candidate can mean the end of a race and even a career.

The waiter (David-Edward Reyes) at the restaurant can be seen as portraying the working class, the ones that struggle on a daily basis to create a better life. The ones that still hope that a politician will change things for the better. The conversation at the restaurant between Stephen and the waiter shows perfectly that there are two kinds of people in this world, the ones who deliver political speeches and the ones who listen to those speeches.

Chris King Wong excels as Stephen Bellamy, a character with a variety of conflicting nuances. Stephen portrays the ambition, the power, the arrogance, the dreams, and the willingness to sacrifice everything for a political career, even if that means to shatter his own life on the way to the top.

Peter Allas‘ excellent direction allows the cast to shine and deliver an outstanding performance that reflects the competitive, pungent, and oftentimes brutal world of politics.

Farragut North

Written by Beau Willimon. Directed by Peter Allas. Starring Chris King Wong, Camryn Hamm, Jack Esformes, Amy Motta, K.J. Powell, David-Edward Reyes, and Michael Rubenstone. Produced by Michael Donovan and Peter Allas. Presented by Foursome Productions. Creative team: Casting by Michael Donovan C.S.A. and Richie Ferris C.S.A., Costume Design by Mylette Nora, Lighting Design by Matt Richter, Sound Design/Graphics by Eric David Tippett, Property Design by Jenine McDonald, Set and Video Design by Peter Allas, and Stage Manager Steve Wilson.

Theatre 68 Arts Complex – The Rosalie
5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Performances: Oct. 14 – Nov. 5
Thursdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 27; Nov. 3
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 14 (Opening Night); Oct. 28; Nov. 4
Saturdays at 3 p.m.: Oct. 29; Nov. 5
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 29; Nov. 5

Tickets: www.onstage411.com/farragutn

Theatre Review: Driver’s Seat

Posted on October 26, 2022October 27, 2022 by Glamour

Driver’s Seat is written and performed by Ellie Brelis. Directed by Emily Mikolitch.

Ellie Brelis introduces us to a condition called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), something she had to live with since early childhood. This situation led her to find ways to navigate life and relationships. If the transition to adulthood is difficult to most people, adding OCD to the equation makes it even more complicated.

The play is a journey through some of the toughest episodes in Ellie’s life. She needed constant validation in order to endure the darkest moments she experienced. But some of that validation just didn’t happen. Finding refuge in a relationship seems like a natural thing to do. In her case, however, the breakup of that relationship caused more damage than anything else. If on top of that your grandfather dies of Covid amid a world pandemic, you get the picture.

Those devastating events triggered a really bad case of OCD that brought up thoughts of suicide. When she reached out for help, she was taken to a psychiatric hospital. In the middle of that environment, she found a true friendship that understood her situation and helped her survive her ordeal.

After her hospital stay, Ellie was treated with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy in order to overcome her fears.

One of Ellie’s greatest fears is to drive, so she kept putting off her driver’s license exam. For a person with OCD, driving can become a real nightmare, the constant fear of killing someone is a frightening idea that they can’t get out of their minds.

In addition to the already delicate position of someone with OCD, coming out as queer in a still conservative society can add to the anxiety to a young and vulnerable person.

Driver’s Seat is a play where despite the topics depicted, the protagonist still finds room for humor. And in humor, as is often the case, we can find validation to endure and survive, and in the case of Ellie, to thrive and shine.

Ellie Brelis is an example of strength and courage that is touching and contagious. Her personal story of tribulations and survival needs to be told. It’s a story that will hopefully reach the audience who, just like her, might also need hope and validation.

Director Emily Mikolitch is a young director who put together an interesting solo show that has emotion and humor to keep the audience engaged. The script and performance make great use of the multicolor light, the crisp white wardrobe, projections, sound, and music, making this play a cathartic experience that allows the energy to flow back and forth between a brave thespian and an involved audience.

Driver’s Seat

Written and performed by Ellie Brelis. Directed by Emily Mikolitch. Produced by Misha Riley. Creative team: Gavan Wyrick (Lighting Design), Gabriella Gilman (Costume Design), Charlie Glaudini (Sound Design), Nick Wass (Projection Design), Michelle Hanzelova (Graphic Design), Roella Dellosa (Stage Manager).

Theatre 68 Arts Complex, Emerson Theatre
5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA

Opening at 8pm on Saturday, October 22
Schedule: 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm Sundays
Closing: Sunday, November 13, 2022

Tickets: www.Onstage411.com/DriversSeat

Tag Archives: North Hollywood

Theatre Review: Let Me In

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