Theatre Review: Dream Big

As part of the initial lineup of the Hollywood Independent Theater Festival (HITFEST), Oh, Sally Productions presented Dream Big. Written by Elizabeth J. Musgrave. Directed by John Coppola. Produced by Frank Forte.

Rumor has it that American Gigolo and Midnight Cowboy had a baby. Its name? Dream Big. But the story doesn’t unfold in Los Angeles or New York, rather, it all happens in Music City, the one and only Nashville, Tennessee. Chasing his dream of becoming a country music star, Ryan (Garrett Louis) takes a job as a male escort. The only problem is that he is broke, his car is acting up, his angry roadies Slade (Michael Moret) and Troy (Andres Rey Solorzano) are coming after him, and his ex is demanding child support money for their 5 or 6-year-old son—Ryan can’t remember his exact age.

Meanwhile, Laura (Mandy Denaux), a lonely middle-aged woman, is in her apartment, packing and giving her properties away. When her sister Courtney (Laura Marlowe) comes to visit, she thinks that Laura is moving to another place, unaware of her real intentions.  Courtney encourages Laura to have some fun and get a date. After thinking about it, Laura decides to give it a try. She calls an escort. Not exactly what she expects, Ryan is the cowboy-gigolo hybrid that comes to fulfill her ultimate fantasy, as disturbing as it might be.

The visit turns into a long night, where past experiences reveal the awkwardness of their personalities and the dreams they’re chasing. Laura’s exposition reveals the buildup of emotional pain as a result of negative past experiences that have led her to a sad and lonely existence. In the case of Ryan, his self-esteem motivates him to keep dreaming of bigger things, even if he has to resort to pulling tricks to survive and his dream seems more like an unattainable horizon. Their ultimate goals seem too opposite from each other, and yet, the two souls meet, as if destiny had a plan for an everlasting connection.

What seems just like a comedy, turns into a revelation of mental health issues and loneliness that take a tremendous toll on Laura, stressing the importance of looking for early signs of trouble. Elizabeth Musgrave‘s script blends comedy and conflict to deliver a play that is highly entertaining. The characters have depth that delve into the dreams of many, but also into the issues of many more. The direction by John Coppola unifies the main topics of the script, translating effectively the chimeras and afflictions of the characters, engaging the audience to get emotionally invested in the story.

Dream Big

The Hudson Theatres

6539 Santa Monica Blvd.

Los Angeles, 90038

Presented on 26 September 2023. Stay tuned for more upcoming dates.

Link to other HITFEST productions: https://hitfest.stagey.net/

Written by Elizabeth Musgrave. Directed by John Coppola. Produced by Frank Forte. Cast: Mandy Denaux, Garrett Louis, Laura Marlowe, Michael Moret, and Andres Rey Solorzano. Creative team: Melissa Dunkelberger (Production Designer), Pam Noles (Technical Director).

Theatre Review: Battlesong of Boudica

Battlesong of Boudica is presented by The School of Night. Written and directed by Christopher William Johnson. 

Year 61 AD in Britannia. A revenge battle is about to tremble the feared and powerful Imperial Roman army. After the death of the wealthy Icenian king Prasutagus (Daniel Adomian), who named his two daughters and the Roman emperor as co-heir to his kingdom, the Romans ignored his will and took over his possessions. When the Roman procurator Decianus (Brad C. Light) shows up at the kings’s estate to take inventory, he ordered to flog Prasutagus’s widow Boudica (Jen Albert) and sexually assaulted his two daughters, Brenda (Allegra Rodriguez Shivers) and Kerma (Lucy Schmidt). 

That mistreatment triggers Boudica’s thirst for revenge. She decides to train her daughters for war and incites the Celtic tribes to revolt against the formidable Roman army. Historical details about this event are mentioned in Book 14 of The Annals, a history of the Roman Empire from the years AD 14-68 by Roman historian and senator Tacitus.

As Boudica and her troops continue the destruction of the Roman settlements Camulodunum, Londinium, and Verulamium, the Roman general Paulinus (Christopher  Neiman), in a military campaign against the druids in the island of Mona, decides to regroup the 14th Legion and fight Boudica’s army in an epic an bloody battle.

Battlesong of Boudica depicts some of the war elements employed at the time. Boudica invokes the Icenic war goddess Andraste, releasing a hare as a divination technique. The play also shows the dances used by the Icenic warriors to boost their morale. Writer and director Christopher William Johnson uses chants, dances, spoken verse, and energetic action to depict the intensity of the violent battles carried out during the Imperial Rome. Some of the themes presented are colonialism, sexism, revolution, and multiculturalism, topics that continue to be relevant today.

Actress Jen Albert is the co-founder of The School of Night and an award-winning fight choreographer. She delivers a passionate and intense performance, portraying the painful and epic life of Boudica, one of the most iconic female figures in war history. Christopher Neiman also excels at his portrayal of the vicious and fearless Roman general Paulinus, carrying the weight of the unstoppable march of the most powerful empire of the time.

Battlesong of Boudica is a unique and primal saga with highly energetic stage fights that entertain all the way till the end. Be prepare for a night of exciting action and strong emotions in this moving Celtic heroic achievement. 

 Battlesong of Boudica

The Hudson Backstage 

6539 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Sunday at 7 p.m.: April 9 (Opening)

Sundays at 3 p.m.: April 16, April 23, April 30

Monday at 8 p.m.: April 10 Pay-What-You-Can

Fridays at 8 p.m.: April 14, April 21, April 28

Saturdays at 8 p.m.: April 15, April 22, April 29

Tickets: https://school-of-night.ticketleap.com/battlesong-of-boudica/get-there/

Written, Directed, Production Design by Christopher William Johnson • Fights Choreographed and Produced by Jen Albert • Starring Daniel Adomian, Jen Albert, Tom Block, Colin A Borden, Payton Cella, Sara Gorsky, Brad C. Light, Chloe Madriaga, Chrisopher Neiman, Tristan Rewald, Lacey Rosewall, Lucy Schmidt, Allegra Rodriguez Shivers, Jack TenBarge, Jesse James Thomas, Frank Tirimacco, Dan Wingard • Presented by The School of Night. The creative team for Battlesong of Boudica includes lighting designer Aiden de Jong, Linda Muggeridge is costume designer, Ryan Beveridge is the composer and sound designer. Kate Coleman is the dance choreographer and Andrew Leman is the graphic designer. The stage manager is Michelle Elizabeth Vasquez.