Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy present Going Mad: Alice in Hollywoodland. Written by Richard Alger. Directed by Tina Kronis. Produced for Odyssey Theatre Ensemble by Beth Hogan.
The topsy-turvy world of Alice in Wonderland is re-imagined by Playwright Richard Alger. This time, Wonderland is the backlot of a Hollywood studio. Alice (Norene Flowers) is about to start principal photography of her project when Virginia (Victoria Davidoff), the studio executive, decides that the beginning of the script needs to be changed. Encouraged by Whitey Lepus (Cristian Venegas), a desperate Alice enters a door that leads her to the underworld, a place of strange characters that are supposed to help her navigate the treacherous environment of the studio system.
This production showcases the talent from the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy, a full-time professional training conservatory for actors, technicians and costumers. Some of the actors have participated in other professional productions and this is evident in their performances. They deliver their lines fluidly and their movements show the excellence of their training.
There was a bit of a hiccup at the beginning of the show and the music was a bit too loud to hear the actors in the first scene. However, things got better as the actors warmed up. Scene by scene the actors got into the rhythm of the play and started to show off their potential. Flowers is the star of the show and she delivers an exceptional and consistent performance throughout the play. Davidoff and Venegas were also excellent in their characterizations. Four of the actors that also show great confidence and theatrical skills are Tony Gonzalez as Humphry, delivering a convincing monologue, Cara Schell Sandefur as Blanche, Alex Bravo as Tuttle Lloyd/Max, and Elizabeth Mackessy as Chessie.
Director Tina Kronis makes this play highly kinetic. There is plenty of dancing and singing with a modern feel and a homage to old Hollywood. The blocking, with special effects included, adds a visual element that translates the surrealism of the script into moving images. A similar approach was observed in TINY LITTLE TOWN, a new musical, also produced by Theatre Movement Bazaar, a musical that also blended comedy with energetic movement.
Although this play features college actors, their performances and the production in general is a well-developed endeavor that shows the level of commitment from the producers, the playwright, the director, and of course, the future thespians. It is also an example of the productive training received at the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy, an institution preparing theatre artists since 1929.
Going Mad: Alice in Hollywoodland
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025
May 16 – May 25, 2024
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.: May 16 and May 23
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 17 and May 24
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: May 18 and May 25
Tickets: odysseytheatre.com
Written by Richard Alger and directed by Tina Kronis, co-founders of Theatre Movement Bazaar. Produced for Odyssey Theatre Ensemble by Beth Hogan. Presented by the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Ron Sossi Artistic Director, and Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy.
Cast: Emma Baker, Alex Bravo, Victoria Davidoff, Norene Flowers, Delfin Gamboa, Tony Gonzalez, Tracy Chapman Kamenga, Kal Karnchananasej, Adam Lopatka, Elizabeth Mackessy, Manuel Marin, Cara Schell Sandefur, Art Sandoval, Markel Sealy, Lucas Sheppe, Cristian Venegas, and Sam Sooin Yang.
Creative team: Set Design by Maureen Weiss, Light Design John A. Garofalo, Costume Design Luz Stehelin, Sound Design Rebecca Kessin, Tina Kronis, Richard Alger, Assistant Costume Design Raquel Muñoz & Johnny Hagan, Stage Manager Jasmine White, Assistant Stage Manager Chris Avedis, and Prop Master Tim Christian.
