WIT by Margaret Edson. March 23-April 8.. Ophelis’s Jump, Upland CA

By: Judy Shields/Steve Viero

Photos: Ophelia’s Jump

Upland, California (The Hollywood Times) 3/30/2018 “At some point we all have to take a deep breath and jump-especially we ladies. Let’s see what happens when Professor Vivian Bearing-delaying, obfuscating, tergiversating- finally decides to… Come to the Ophelia’s Jump production of ‘Wit’.” — Margaret Edson, playwright and educator.

Margaret Edson (Photo Getty Images)

Last Saturday night there was a very special event for Ophelia’s Jump members and subscribers

Playwright and educator, Margaret Edson, joined the Members and Subscribers via live video conferencing for a discussion about her Pulitzer Prize winning play, “Wit”, before the performance on Saturday, March 24.

Audience members had the opportunity to ask questions. The discussion was moderated by Wit Director Beatrice Casagran and OJP Co-founder and Stage IV cancer survivor, Randy Lopez.

The Hollywood Times have been to many of OJP plays and I will have to say this one was by far my favorite. It was so full of emotion and real character acting. I was without breath a couple of times and gave it my full attention.

This is one play that all of you should come out to Upland to experience. There are many restaurants in the area, so you can have a great dinner and then enjoy this extraordinary play. The theatre is just north of the 10 freeway and South of the 210 freeway.

Kelly Kelly as Vivian Bearing

The main character Vivian Bearing, Ph. D. was played by Kelly Ryan Kelly. She was last seen in OJP’s The Electric Baby and was part of OJP’s maiden voyage production, August: Osage County (Violet). She has been involved in various productions for the past seven years, including Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate at Chino Community Theatre. She hopes that he audience is touched and moved by this show and has a few laughs along the way.

The Hollywood Times talked with Ms. Kelly:

THT (Steve Viero) A rehearsal period of 5 to 6 weeks only gives an actor limited time to develop the character. Did performance use outside experience to develop such an excellent and incredibly real character?

Kelly Kelly: “Wow… such a wise and thoughtful set. This play is particularly difficult as an actress. The amount of lines, but more importantly for me, the notion of being connected to the audience for ninety minutes as a storyteller TO them.”

Kelly Kelly as Vivian Bearing and Ann Thomas as E.M. Ashford

“I wanted Them to buy in, for her to remind them of someone they love, or hate, and take a walk with her. Cancer is difficult to explain, and to feel, and I wanted to get it right. Having said that, when Bea approached me, around Thanksgiving, I knew there would be other footwork.”

“I read through and believed that the WHOLE show was her in her head at the end of her life, until she sees E.M. Ashford, Ph.D at the end. The play is constructed in a way that allows me to respond to the “feelings” of cancer, without putting the audience through grueling medical exams.”

“OJPs rehearsal schedule is four weeks from read-through to open. I had never worked with these actors, and they were a lot of fun! In August: Osage County, I was a bit removed. I was their mother, and we naturally moved away, and that was good…this time it felt like that they were rooting for Vivian. That is when I knew I had a chance with the audience. The arc, the walk, demands that the audience come along. She’s also whip smart, so I knew if I rambled about Donne rather than show her love, her passion, the thing that kept her warm all those years through the poetry, the audience would find her boorish and elitist.”

THT (Judy Shields): How did you prepare for such an emotional roll?

Kelly Kelly: “I prepared by being in my head with the emotion of it all. To be alone-truly, at the end of my life would be – a time to reflect. When I first read through the script, Vivian says in the last scene ” It came so quick, after taking so long.” I like to think she’s talking about grace, compassion, not death.”

THT (Judy Shields): What type of emotion did you experience when you had to shave your head for the role?

Kelly Kelly: “I never ever contemplated doing the role with hair or a skull-cap. I didn’t want to disrespect anyone’s journey in the audience. And it has been a release.”

THT (Steve Viero): As an audience member, I left the show with an immense picture of what your character endured. Beside the fact that the audience congratulates you in giving such an outstanding performance, what emotion do you leave the Theatre with?

Kelly Kelly: “To buy in completely, frees the actor up as well. Bea has always known how to talk to me, and how to tap down my internal voices of panic.. Since I am not a poet, and had never done Shakespeare even, we spent a lot of time outside of rehearsals going over the poems, and studying Dunne.”

THT (Steve Viero): In my own personal experience I have been at the hospital when relatives pass. That emotion will be carried with me for the rest of my life. What are your thoughts on or if in performing the character will it have on your life?

Mel Chadwick as Dr. Harvey Kelekian

Kelly Kelly: “The greatest lesson, the thing I’ll take away is this: We cannot control illness…it controls us. However, when we set up our life with people who SEE us, not for our achievements, we will be walked home with grace. And I am always so glad when the audience can see Vivian receive that. Even if it’s a Popsicle. So by the end, People are not clapping for me, but for Vivian.  And I am happy for her. Thank you for coming.”

Become a member and you’ll get free access to this and many other wonderful special events and opportunities. Basic membership includes access to all our main stage productions, special events (such as this one) and perks like discounts on tickets for friends, concession discounts, and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes production activities. Membership runs on a calendar year basis, so it’s convenient and you don’t have to worry about starting in the middle of the season. To join our OJP family visit: https://www.opheliasjump.org/memberships—subscriptions.html

Get your Tickets today for this weekend’s and next weekend’s performances at: https://www.opheliasjump.org/

Cast:
Kelly Kelly (Vivian Bearing)
Mel Chadwick (Harvey Kelekian)
Eric Dains (Jason Posner)
Aly Easton (Susan Monahan)
Ann Thomas (E.M. Ashford)
Kristina Meyering (Ensemble)
Sara Marie Sciarrillo (Ensemble)
Kiana Tor (Ensemble)

Crew:
Michele Saba (Stage Manager)
Beatrice Casagran (Director, Scenic Designer)
Randy Lopez (House Manager/Box Office)
Margaret Woolf (Lighting Designer)
Caitlin Lopez & Virginia Platt (Sound Design)
Dylan & Noah Elhai (Light/Sound Board Operator)
Edith Dennis (Costumes)

Ophelia’s Jump has dedicated its entire run of “Wit” to help raise funds for Megan’s Wings. From now through the end of the run, anyone who pre-purchases a ticket can use the Code: “Megan” to direct $8 of the ticket price to the charity. The code will work for any performance but the ticket must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance either online or by calling the box office.

The charity assists families of children receiving cancer treatment at 9 Southern California hospitals and cancer centers.

Ophelia’s Jump Studio
2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H
Upland CA 91786

Contact us at 909.734.6565 or info@opheliasjump.org

https://www.opheliasjump.org/

Copyright ©2017 Ophelia’s Jump Productions, All rights reserved.

a CA nonprofit public benefit corporation, 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt ID: 46-2581112

Our mailing address is:

2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H
Upland, CA 91786

Facebook: facebook.com/OpheliasJump

Twitter @opheliasjump

Beatrice Casagran – Artistic Director

Our Mission

Conceived of and founded by veteran actor, director, and teacher, Beatrice Casagran and actor/improvisor, Caitlin Lopez, Ophelia’s Jump is a new theatre company in the Inland Empire that focuses on producing highly regarded, award-winning works that leave audiences asking questions and discussing big ideas – theatre that invites you to leap into the drama.

Caitlin Lopez Associate Artistic Director

Our goal is to produce both creative new interpretations of classical and award-winning works, and new works by talented local and regional artists.

OJP’s educational mission includes developing workshops for educators in incorporating performing arts and drama into the curriculum to increase student engagement and learning.

 

 

About the OJP Studio

We’re thrilled to be in the our new venue since last June. Our intimate theater space seats 49 in comfortable tiered seating so there is not a bad seat in the house. Doors open an hour before curtain; enjoy dinner from the Big Easy Food truck and refreshments at our concessions bar. Conveniently in Upland close to the border with Claremont, we are centrally located close to both the Claremont Village and Downtown Upland. The OJP Studio is perfect for meetings and workshops. Call us for information about rentals.

4PLAY: SEX IN A SERIES Debuted in LA on Valentine’s Day

Kaitlin Large and Eve Danzeisen
(Photo: Kelsey Risher)

By Valerie Milano

Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/15/18 – Boy meets girl, boy meets boy, girl meets girl–but who’s keeping score any more?  Love is love is love!

On the evening of Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 4PLAY: SEX IN A SERIES began its run at The Actor’s Company located at 916 A North Formosa Avenue in Los Angeles right in time for couples of all kinds to enjoy on Valentine’s Day!  THT was thrilled to be a part of this opening and open bar for the after party.  This smash hit drama explores the meaning of entanglement with the help of gay, lesbian, and heterosexual twosomes.  Performances will continue through St. Paddy’s Day on March 17th.

A Grand Allegory: Albert Camus’ THE STATE OF SIEGE Plays in LA!

A Grand Allegory:  Albert Camus’ THE STATE OF SIEGE Plays in LA!

By: Dr. Laura Wilhelm

 

Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 10/28/2017 – “My stated purpose was to make our murmuring stages resound with the loud cries that have the power to subdue or to free multitudes of men,” Camus said about this rarely staged work of genius. 

Right in time for the fright-filled Halloween season, THE STATE OF SIEGE reminds us that fear of death can actually make mortal life seem all the more precious.

THE STATE OF SIEGE (L’État de siège) is the fourth play by French absurdist philosopher and author Albert Camus (1913-1960), who won the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature for profoundly influential ruminations on resistance, rebellion, and death just such as these. 

Albert Camus

 

THE STATE OF SIEGE is written in three acts presenting the arrival of plague to the supposedly fortified Spanish city of Cádiz and the subsequent creation of a totalitarian regime through the manipulation of fear.

The original sense of the title is closer to “state of emergency.”  The mythic play’s main antagonists are Nada, the nihilistic town drunkard, and La Peste–The Plague.

THE STATE OF SIEGE, which shares a common background with Camus’ gripping 1947 novel THE PLAGUE, was first staged in October 1948 by Jean-Louis Barrault.  The play has never made much of an impression upon critics, although Camus himself was quite pleased with it.  Nevertheless, THE STATE OF SIEGE has remained almost constantly in print in French and in a 1958 English translation by Stuart Gilbert.

Royce Hall UCLA

This poetic and prescient 85-minute masterwork has been rediscovered by the internationally renowned
Parisian company Théâtre de la Ville, who staged it in all of its intensity sans intermissions on the evenings of Thursday, October 26th and Friday, October 27th at UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance (CAP) at Royce Hall. 

Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota

THE STATE OF SIEGE was directed by leading avant-garde French master Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota and performed in French with English supertitles. 

The roles of Nada and La Peste were enacted by Philippe Demarle and Serge Maggiani.

Philippe Demarle

 

Serge Maggiani

 

When a comet appears in the sky over Cádiz, Nada warns the townspeople that it is an evil omen.  “If this is a sign, it must have meaning!”

The local government forbids everyone to say that they have even seen the comet.  “Nothing is happening, nothing will happen.”  But even this small city cannot be forced into silence and submission for long!

Comets have been viewed throughout human history as portents of horror, as in the brilliant 2016 Broadway musical “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” starring Josh Groban that was based upon part of Russian author Leo Tolstoy’s (1828-1910) epic 1869 novel WAR AND PEACE.  The comet in THE STATE OF SIEGE appeared in all its fiery glory on screens set around the stage amidst eerie tableaus created by the cast arrayed in chic dark-hued costumes of the period.

Camus wrote in his 1951 book-length essay “The Rebel,” which traces both the metaphysical and historical development of revolutions in Western European societies, that his whole life was devoted to opposing the philosophy of nihilism while still delving deeply into individual freedom.  The townspeople’s rejection of oppression AND normative justice in THE STATE OF SIEGE follows from this line of thought. 

In 1949, just one year after THE STATE OF SIEGE was launched, Camus founded the Group for International Liaisons to “denounce two ideologies found in both the USSR and the USA.”  Obviously, THE STATE OF SIEGE can be read as a dizzying modern metaphor during the age of Trump and Putin. 

Irony of ironies, the USA has in fact been in a perpetual state of emergency ever since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.  Now many believe the terror is coming mainly from the top!

So what role can art play in the face of paranoia and great peril?  Can the human spirit still apprehend the beauty of life in the face of imminent annihilation? 

These existential questions and many others are raised by THE STATE OF SIEGE.  Some hope may be found in the example of Diego and his lover Victoria, whose very name suggests triumph.  The classic Camus revolutionary seeks to fight for justice without abandoning transcendental values.

Albert Camus believed that a writer must be a servant to truth and always be ready to act even in the face of uncertainty and self-doubt.  The clarity with which he illuminated problems of human conscience still commands universal respect as his play THE STATE OF SIEGE is performed worldwide by and for concerned global citizens.

Resistance to evil is essential whatever the outcome!  Sometimes the attempt alone must satisfy us.

 

Runaway to Go See “Runaway Home” at The Fountain Theatre!

By Meg Taylor

Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/2/17 – “How about you adopt me and I call you Daddy?” The spitfire character Kali, portrayed by Camille Spirlin, will say or do just about anything to survive as a runaway; The Fountain Theatre presents “Runaway Home”, a play about the people of New Orleans rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Katrina. Three years later, Kali is rhyming, stealing and scamming her way through the still-destroyed neighborhood, she embarks on a journey to pick through the wreckage of what used to be her life. At 14-years old, this is an incredibly difficult and confusing time for a young girl to go through; having an unhealthy relationship with her mother Eunice, portrayed by Maya Lynne Robinson, made it even more difficult. Eunice couldn’t get over the death of her own mother caused by Katrina and placed blame and resentment on Kali, causing her to run away.  This play not only focuses on the effect Katrina had on Kali’s family, but the lives of many others who suffered during this tragic time. “Runaway Home” couldn’t be more timely, due to other recent catastrophic events such as Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, as well as the earthquakes and everything else going on in Mexico.

The Fantastic “Freddy” at The Caminito Theatre

By Meg Taylor

Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/29/17 – “When people ask you ‘what’s your drug?’, say I dance!” The world premiere of “Freddy” tells the dramatic story about the brilliant yet drug addicted ballet dancer, Freddy Herko. Fred Herko, portrayed by Marty Dew, was a musical prodigy and a central figure in New York’s downtown advent-garde. The story takes place in Greenwich Village in 1964 and the present time, showing the character Shelley at two very different stages of her life. Past Shelley was portrayed by Katie McConaughy and present-day Shelley was portrayed by Susan Wilder. Naïve Shelley falls heads over heels in love with Freddy, and ends up ruining her marriage and uprooting her life for him. What she didn’t realize is that Freddy would never return those feelings; not only because he was gay but because he was too addicted to drugs. Throughout the production, we see Freddy’s creativity and art thrive and crumble. The talented genius eventually shatters: “It’s flying or dying.”

Theatre 40 of Beverly Hills Presents “Vino Veritas”

By Meg Taylor

Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/26/17 – “This quinoa is delicious and your mother is a controlling bitch, it’s as simple as that.” Uptight and overly sweet Claire, portrayed by Kirsten Kollender, exclaimed this to her domineering husband Phil, portrayed by Daniel Kaemon, after drinking a wine from Peru that acts as a truth serum. The play takes place in Lauren and Phil’s Studio City home on Halloween night where two middle-aged couples prepare to go to their neighborhood’s annual Halloween party; Lauren and Phil are portrayed by Christine Joelle and Shawn Savage. Both couples partake in drinking a bottle of South American ceremonial wine made from the skin of blue dart tree frogs. This wine is given to couples the night before their wedding to act as a truth serum; they spend the whole night together to see if they still want to get married in the morning after knowing the truth about anything and everything. This caused complete chaos in the house bringing out all the skeletons these couples had in their closets.

Enter “The Marriage Zone” For a Comical and Insightful Evening

The Marriage Zone will close after the Sunday, September 24 performance at the Secret Rose Theatre.  A previously announced October extension will not occur.

By Meg Taylor

Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/18/17 – “I’m similar to my character in respect that I have a choice. I have a choice in my daily life, how to look at things, and how to choose to react to things, as does my character.” Rene Ashton plays the character of Beth in the new comedy “The Marriage Zone”, currently showing at The Secret Rose Theatre, directed by the wonderful Jeff Gould. Beth and her husband Cal, portrayed by Kenny Johnston, are in the process of selling their home. In the middle of an argument, they received an unexpected visit from Skip and Ellie, an engaged couple, portrayed by Ryan Cargill and Megan Barker; they are very much in love and are eager to buy their first home. During this visit, another unexpected visit occurs by Mike and Liz, portrayed by Mark Sande and

Jacee Jule

; a couple who decided to drop by and look around at the house they claimed they had once lived in. The three couples get to chatting and begin to realize how much they have in common; an absurd amount in common that it begins to seem surreal.  “You are traveling to another dimension: A dimension of sight and sound and imagination. You are entering…. The Marriage Zone.”

The Funniest Play of 2017:

ATC presents Grey Nomad

By Meg Taylor

Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/12/17 – “A mostly hilarious, sometimes very touching play about four adults who have come together to remind each other how precious life is”; the perfect description coming from actress Wendy Hammers from the Australian Theatre Company’s production, Grey Nomad. Last night was Opening Night for the cast of Grey Nomad at the Skylight Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The cast includes Ros Gentle, Wendy Hammers, David Ross Paterson & Paul Tassone, under the brilliant direction of Iain Sinclair. Grey Nomad is a hysterical and heart-warming comedy about living the dream. Two couples, who under normal circumstances would have never become friends, hit the road in their RV’s for an adventure along the West Australian coast. They arrive in the beautiful seaside town of Broome, where they meet and form an unlikely but endearing friendship. These four quirky, interesting characters come together to teach each other all kinds of lessons about the delicious briefing we have called life. Then there’s Jim and Helen, portrayed by Paterson and Gentle, who are stuck in their ways over the past 40 years together and are on each other’s nerves for most of what is supposed to be their joyous retirement. The there’s Tim and Val, portrayed by Tassone and Hammers, two very free people who seem to be extremely happy and living life to its fullest capacity; but there are extenuating circumstances that limit this “freedom”; you’ll just have to see the show to find out what exactly that is.

You’ll Die of Laughter or Tears: Carl Weathers Directs Danny and the Deep Blue Sea

“Danny and the Deep Blue Sea,” directed by Carl Weathers.
Actors are Tanna Frederick and Robert Standley.
Photo credit: Ed Krieger.

By Meg Taylor

Santa Monica, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/4/17 – “Would you be able to kiss a girl who’d done that? This line was the starting point of the very unusual romance between two of society’s rejects in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, written by John Patrick Shanley. The play takes place in a rundown bar in the Bronx, where two incredibly disturbed people meet, get drunk, share their darkest secrets, fornicate, argue endlessly, and eventually fall in love. These rejects are none other than Roberta, the crazy and seemingly deadbeat mom, and Danny, the man constantly looking for a fight who still lives with his mom. Roberta and Danny were portrayed by Tanna Frederick and Robert Standley.  Tanna Frederick, who produced as well as starred in the production, is well known for her numerous roles in independent films such as “Hollywood Dreams”, “Queen of the Lot”, “Just 45 Minutes from Broadway” and more. Robert Standley has acted in over ninety professional productions across the nation ranging from the National Tour of The Rainmaker to Taming of the Shrew, a performance that awarded him the “The Outer Critics Circle Award” for Best Actor, to regular roles on ABC’s All My Children and FOX’s Melrose Place. Both of these established and indisputably talented actors gave unforgettable, hysterical and heart-rending performances that made this show a must see.

Laguna Playhouse Presents “CHAPATTI” – January 11-29

By: Judy Shields

Laguna, California (The Hollywood Times) 1/18-17 –  “A need for championship, a slice of life for all, I just fell in love with this play and I know you all will too.” Ann E. Wareham, Artistic Director told the full house before the play.

Laguna Playhouse presents the Third Show in their 2016-2017 Season!  CHAPATTI, written by Christian O’Reilly, Directed by David Ellenstein, based on the Direction of Judith Ivey

Limited Engagement Opened Sunday, January 15^th at Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach

What do you get when you mix an Irish tale with 19 cats, one dog named after a pancake, and two eccentric animal lovers?  Annabella Price and Mark Bramhall star in this humorous and heartwarming tale about two animal lovers in Dublin, and their unexpected spark as they re-discover the importance of human companionship.  This second-chance comedy celebrates these unforgettable characters who still believe in love.

Hex conjures up powerful emotions & thought provoking themes

Emma Pauly, Caitlin Fowler

By Erica Meadows and Rob Steiner 

North Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/22/16 – Produced and Directed by Vanessa Cate, Hex is a masterful amalgam of dance, comedy, horror, feminism & passion. The collaborative effort pieced together the talent & knowledge of the ensemble in writing, choreography, acting, witchcraft, mythology and even fluent Latin. 

The dynamic of the show was almost symphonic as it begins with the earthy tones of Wiccan rituals and weaves vignettes of Paganism, tribal dance, wolf incarnations, comedic skits and an exorcism in an asylum where the lines were blurred between the screams of the mad and of those that are possessed; culminating in deals & dances with the devil, the burning of witches at the stake and an epilogue bringing us full circle to the Wiccan chants once again. Cates herself delivers some of the evening’s most powerful performances as Lucifer and in a recitation of the Raven she says to have had memorized since the sixth grade.

Some other highlights included the act entitled “Me & Mr. Wolf” written by Kat Nelson-Bergfeld inspired by a reoccurring nightmare. The piece featured Sasha Snow as Little Red Riding Hood in an act of transformation. Placed perfectly between the intensity of the rest of the evening, Sasha also wrote & starred in a very campy skit which pokes fun at slut shaming. 

ANITA BRYANT’S PLAYBOY INTERVIEW–

by Valerie Milano and Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural

Silver Lake, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/26/16 – ANITA BRYANT’S PLAYBOY INTERVIEW opened for the press at the Cavern Club Celebrity Theater on Friday, September 16th, 2016 for only six performances continuing through October 11th.  Back in Silverlake by popular demand after a Hollywood Fringe Festival run, ABPI chronicles singer Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign to repeal gay rights in Dade County, Florida in 1977.

Bryant had a major impact on the gay rights movement less than ten years after the Stonewall Riots.  Her anti-gay actions helped to propel Harvey Milk onto the San Francisco City Council.

Santa’s Boot Camp –

Ken Feinberg                    Eric Roberts as the Mall                                                   Santa and Elijah                                                                   Marcano (Mikey from                                                       The Walking Dead)

Eric Roberts as the Mall Santa and Elijah Marcano (Mikey from The Walking Dead).

New Movie from Ken Feinberg

DVD release – November 15th

By: Judy Shields

Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 8/10/2016 – “My six year old daughter told me that she knows what my movie is about, and when I asked her to tell me what it is about, she told me that it’s about kids learning to be nicer to each other.  That is great.”  Filmmaker Ken Feinberg told The Hollywood Times during a telephone interview yesterday afternoon.

Much Ado About Nothing – A Rock n’ Roll Comedy with Music!

 

Kasia Pilewicz (l.), Keith Walker, Justin Truesdale.

By: Judy Shields

Photo credit: Mathew Caine/ Studio Digitropr

North Hollywood, California (The Hollywood Times) 8/8/16 – “I am teaching a different generation and they like it.”  It is a surprise when the music comes into the play and everyone just really enjoys that.”  “The point for me is when it is completed, it’s really important that the cast have had an experience, that they have learned something, that they have grown, that is was exciting for them, but secondly, that the audience has had an experience, I don’t care what anyone else says, but if that audience it’s happy, I’m not happy, seriously!  When I put my director hat on, I want the audience to be happy, as an actor I have a different feeling.”  Director Gloria Gifford said after the Saturday evening performance at the T.U. Studios in North Hollywood.

THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Hilarious musical comedy, now until August 21^st – Sierra Madre Playhouse

By: Judy Shields

Sierra Madre, CA (The Hollywood Times) 7/25/16 – “This show has been ridiculously fun to work on! The book is brilliant, the music just delightful, and the characters so endearing.” A note from the director, Robert Marra.

All Shook Up – The Music of Elvis Presley

By: Judy Shields

Laguna Beach, CA (The Hollywood Times) 7/12/16 – “We are starting the season here at the Laguna Playhouse rockin’ and rollin’ with the music of Elvis Presley in this Broadway musical All Shook Up.  It’s a great, fun and entertaining musical with over 20 Elvis Presley sounds,” Ann E. Wareham, Artistic Director for the Laguna Playhouse, told The Hollywood Times at their VIP opening night performance Sunday night.

The Hollywood Times had the honor to be invited to this special opening night with hors d’oeuvre of teriyaki chicken skewers, baby cherry tomatoes with mozzarella cheese skewers, and several other delicious and well-presented hors d’oeuvre.  Two types of complemented gin/lemonade beverages, with well drinks, wine and soda for purchase.  This all before the musical play.

IF/THEN starring Idina Menzel

The star of ‘Frozen’ and ‘Wicked’ soars in her Broadway return, but this over-intellectualized new musical from the ‘Next to Normal’ duo falls flat

“I don’t know. I don’t know.  It’s all a matter of …taste”

By Valerie Milano

Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/21/15 – IF/Then the epic stage production now playing at the absolutely stunningly beautiful Pantages Theatre in Hollywood is almost worth the ticket price to be in what feel like a Broadway theatre.  If you are looking for big tap numbers, brilliantly colorful costumes, memorable songs, actors and lions and bears this show is not for you.  On the other hand, if you want some adult story-telling this show will be right up your alley.  Clocking in at just under three hours, with the intermission this cleverly written musical takes you on a journey from Phoenix to NYC. Thirty-nine-year-old Elizabeth (Idina Menzel) newly arrived back in Manhattan after a dozen years and a failed marriage in Phoenix shows up in a Park to meet an old friend, Lucas (Anthony Rapp), and a new friend, Kate (LaChanze).  Each wants Elizabeth to accompany them to a different event, and in making the impossible choice — going to both — her story splits in two different personalities, one leading to love the other to a job for the city’s planning department. This story line gets confusing if you do not pay attention as Beth goes in one direction and Liz the other. Confusion sets in it you are not a best.

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL at the El Portal Theater

By Erica Meadows & Rob Steiner

N. Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/05/15 -The Pacific Ballet Dance Theater mounted it’s Winter program with a presentation of  “The Little Match Girl” just in time for the holiday season. Under the direction and choreography of Natasha Middleton the performances took place November 21st & 22nd at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood. The holiday classic was written by Hans Christian Andersen and first published in 1845. Middleton reworked the story with Richard Gilkerson & moved the setting from it’s original location of Denmark to Victorian England adding a Dickensian aire to the production.  The Little Match Girl lives with her father who turned to alcoholism after the death of her mother, leaving the 13 year old to sell matches on the streets of London to support the both of them. Each match she lights transforms the scene into the magical world of her imagination as she hopes to one day make friends, fall in love and find the warm loving home she so desperately craves.

An original narrative was written specifically for the ballet that Gilkerson performed with an authentic British accent setting the tone for the location and time. The set design of Victorian England was recreated with beautiful images on a digital backdrop designed by Middleton herself and the impeccable costumes by Ann Lindsey showed the juxtaposition of the poverty stricken and the wealthy as they both coexisted on the streets of London.

The opening number was beautifully choreographed with the company and the children of the Media City Dance school containing everything from character work to pro ballet to children’s acrobatics. The music ranged from Irish fiddle tunes, Christmas carols, hymnals and power ballads. The ballet’s lead Elena Harutunyan was perfectly cast for the role as it required such an emotional range to play the little match girl. Showcasing deep and broken emotion, fits of rage, happiness and love culminating in a death scene and ascension where she dances with the angels. This needed not only someone to be an expert in ballet technique and good acting skills but someone who was able to take the audience on an emotional journey.

Other highlights in the ballet included a pub scene with chorus line dancers incorporating pas de deux & clogging as segments of the chous line would break off from dancing with the men in the pub to dancing with each other. One particular highly emotional and poignant moment was when the match girl lights a match among street kids at night. As they huddled by a trash can lit with a fire they realize that they all need each other to stay warm and this is all they have. That scene consisting of all children who are students of Media City Dance Center had beautiful technique and they were able to carry the scene with the emotions of desparation and hope. Sad but heartwarming, it expressed hope through prayer as they shiver in the cold to keep warm.

The drunken father Jeb Macklin was masterfully played by Artur Aleksanyan portraying the heart of a broken man who is filled with anger, turns to drinking and neglects his daughter.  Josie the lead chorus girl at the pub played by Damara Titmus tries to convice Jeb to move on from the loss of his wife enabling him to let down his guard and learn to love someone else again. There is a passionate, flirtatious and sincere pas de deux between the two ending in a romantic and comforting kiss.

Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah plays as the little match girl shivers in the cold and life leaves her body. Filled with screams of terror & regret by her father the scene effortlessly transitions from the somber dark moments of death & sadness to a beautiful ascension as ballerina angels dance about, leading her to her mother in heaven where she gets her Christmas wish of no longer having to suffer or be without love ever again.

The Pacific Ballet Dance Theater continues to set the bar extremely high on the west coast. Not only in terms of ballet technique but also in costuming, choreography, production, lighting and performance. The company produces several all original shows each year and they are not to be missed for any fan of dance, art and music.