Tag Archives: The Lonny Chapman Theatre

Theatre Review: Can’t Live Without ‘Em

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The Group Rep presents the World Premiere of Can’t Live Without ‘Em. Written by Lee Redmond. Directed by Mareli Mitchel-Shields. Produced by Brent Beerman for The Group Rep.

Thomas Axelrod (Bert Emmett, Animal Farm, Motel 66) is in some kind of trouble. He suffered a stroke and is now in a coma. But he is still able to hear. His ex-wife Maureen (Cynthia Payo, Room Service), rushes to the hospital to be with him. So is his current wife Sharon (Daisy Staedler, The Laramie Project). And his previous unknown mistress Chrissy (Jazz Strong). A horny Dr. Payne (Paul Anthony Kelly) is the physician that tries to bring Thomas back to a normal life.

After a brief scare of an incoming nuclear attack, the flickering red lights were nothing more than just a technical glitch, cleverly addressed by Emmett during the performance and candidly addressed by the staff during the intermission. Suddenly, we had a second chance in life.

Back to the story. The play is brilliantly written by Lee Redmond. Emmett plays Thomas as his consciousness, a playful blend of psycho-narration and interior monologue. As Thomas is unable to move, all he can do is listen and reflect on his actions, virtues and vices included. Maureen is the character that tries to hold all the pieces together in the face of adversity. Payo delivers a terrific performance portraying the quirky Maureen: Loud, clueless, and on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

A very peculiar motif in Act II is the palm trees all over the place. In the context of the story, palm trees seem to symbolize femininity, endurance, and peace. Three characteristics that convey Thomas’ life.

He has surrounded himself with women, loving and playing them at the same time. And now, in a helpless situation, he has no other option but to hear what they have to say. That includes dating other men to explore their sexuality, taking back their femininity. As an extra punishment for his philandering, he also has to listen to chatty Tammy (Jessica Kent, Harold and Maude, Room Service, Motel 66), his nurse at the long term care facility.

Physically, he needs endurance to survive his stroke. Unable to move, he can only hear his surroundings and worry about the fate of the women in his life. And, of course, the fate of his unborn child.

And lastly, achieving peace as the life cycle is about to end. Thomas and the three women have to decide if this will be an achievable goal. The interactions among the women will be a factor to determine the resolution.

The witty dialogue keeps the audience engaged and invested in the characters. Although the pacing of the second act started to feel a bit slow, the action picked up by the end in a frenetic display of physical comedy. Director Mareli Mitchel-Shields uses the skillful talent of her cast to create rich and three-dimensional characters that are effectively framed by a carefully-curated stage design. The World Premiere of  Can’t Live Without ‘Em is another fine example of the successful Writers Workshop at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, inspiring and nurturing talent to keep live theatre alive for years to come.

Can’t Live Without ‘Em

Lonny Chapman Theatre – Upstairs Stage
10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood 91601

April 11, 2024 – May 12, 2024

Thursdays and Sundays at 7: 00 PM

Saturdays at 4:00 PM

Tickets: thegrouprep.com

Written by Lee Redmond. Directed by Mareli Mitchel-Shields. Produced by Brent Beerman for The Group Rep.

Cast: Bert Emmett (Thomas Axelrod), Paul Anthony Kelly (Dr. Payne), Jessica Kent (Tammy), Holly Seidcheck (U/S Chrissy White performs May 2, 4 & 5), Cynthia Payo (Maureen Axelrod), Danny Salay (U/S Dr. Payne performs April 25, 27, & 28), Daisy Staedler (Sharon Axelrod) and Jazz Strong (Chrissy White).

Creative Team: Set Design Mitchel-Shields/Redmond, Lighting Design Frank McKown, Graphic Design Doug Haverty, Assistant Director/Stage Manager Casey Murray, John Ledley (Tech Operator), Online Marketing Kristin Stancato, Social Media Denise Downer and Jackie Shearn, Promotional Video and Photography Doug Engalla.

Theatre Review: Could I Have This Dance?

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Could I Have This Dance? is presented by The Group Rep. Written by Doug Haverty. Directed by Kathleen R. Delaney. Produced by Brent Beerman for The Group Rep.

Could I Have This Dance? was developed at The Group Rep and premiered at The Colony in 1991. Since then, it has traveled the world. And now, more than 30 years later, it is produced for the first time at The Group Rep’s stage The Lonny Chapman Theatre.

Monica (Anna Connelly) runs Grapevine, a successful public relations company. She is dating Colin (Andy Shephard), a famous photographer who goes on assignments around the world. Monica’s sister is Amanda (Anica Petrovic), who is dating Errol (Sean Babcock, Motel 66), a much younger man. Monica and Amanda live with their parents Hank (Lloyd Pedersen, Harold and Maude, Morning’s at Seven, Motel 66) and Jeanette (Clara Rodriguez, Harold and Maude, Motel 66). Jeanette has Huntington’s disease, a rare and inherited condition that involves psychiatric, cognitive, and movement disorders (Jeanette has repetitive movements as if dancing).

The rhythm of the play with its tensions and resolutions creates a rich story with characters facing their strengths and insecurities in the face of uncertainty. Monica is a character with a profoundly human bent. She embodies an image of success and self-determination, but one of risk as well. Getting pregnant is like playing Russian roulette, risking the possibility of passing on the gene of Huntington’s disease to a child. However, the human factor is always present. The yearning of motherhood is almost impossible to resist. And risking it all, Monica decides to go all the way.

All of the characters go through a transformative experience, but Monica is perhaps the character that mirrors more closely the dramatic transformation of Jeanette. The diagnosis became a turning point for Jeanette, forcing her to face a whole new reality. For Monica, her biological clock keeps ticking, urging her to take drastic decisions that transform her expectations and commitments.

The script is brilliant and the six actors nail the dialogue and the action. Connelly and Petrovic are excellent, delivering a fascinating bantering between the two sisters and stressing the fears and hopes of a family dealing with a challenging situation. Shephard and Babcock also show their fine performance skills, contributing with their sharp comedic timing, much to the audience’s delight. These four actors are cleverly paired up with Pedersen and Rodriguez, two experienced stage actors that continue to deliver stellar performances on The Group Rep’s productions.

Director Kathleen R. Delaney brings alive the exhilarating rhythm of the play, creating a compelling blend of comedy and drama. Her work with the actors capture the poignancy of Doug Haverty‘s writing in a way that makes the audience get emotionally invested with the characters. And to add more value to this production, the beautiful set resembles the original 1991 staging at The Colony. Also, the costumes are a wayback machine to the 80s. These are details that show the level of commitment of the creative team and offer an attractive production to the audience.

Could I Have This Dance? is an extraordinary play with outstanding performances, a true gem in the theatre scene. It doesn’t fall into the trap of clichéd sentimentalism. Rather, it explores with humor and wit the beauty of human connections and the unbreakable bond of a family dedicated to care for one of their own.

Could I Have This Dance?

The Lonny Chapman Theatre – Main Stage

10900 Burbank Blvd.,

North Hollywood 91601

March 29 – May 5, 2024. Fridays & Saturdays 8pm. Sunday Matinees 2pm.
Sunday Talkbacks with the cast and staff March 31 and April 7, after the matinees.

Tickets: thegrouprep.com

Written by Doug Haverty. Directed by Kathleen R. Delaney. Produced by Brent Beerman for The Group Rep.

Cast: Sean Babcock, Anna Connelly, Anica Petrovic, Lloyd Pedersen, Clara Rodriguez, and Andy Shephard.

Creative team: Set Designer Kathi Chaplar, Lighting Designer Frank McKown, Costume Designer Shon LeBlanc, Sound Designer Nick Foran.