My Date With Death by Stan Mazin, Guest Reviewer

"My Date With Death” with book, music, and lyrics by Daniel Sugimoto stars Daniel Sugimoto and Samantha M. Lawrence.  This well intentioned play deals with thoughts of suicide and it’s causes, as well as the reasoning behind preventing such an awful deed.  Daniel Sugimoto, playing Link, is the one who has been drinking so much that the non responsiveness of his friends causes him to feel rejected, alone, and feeling there is no way out under the state of his mental circumstances.  While in his inebriated state, he carries with him an ability to be quite charmingly creative and free in his movements, particularly while singing some of his interestingly written songs.  Samantha M. Lawrence while playing the Grim Reaper seems a little difficult to understand, perhaps due to the layout of the Church turned theatre space, yet once she sheds her cloak and sickle and becomes Diallo, for some reason I understood every word she said.  And without giving too much of this 90 minute no intermission musical piece away, their relationship evolves and the two of them have some interested and intriguing moments.  The use of video on the huge screen behind the set was quite well handled.  The Director and Costume design is by Julia Lisa, and she did keep the movement going, never allowing it to be stagnant or boring.  I felt the Lighting Design by Zachary Thomas-Dunlop was proper for the space given.  I don’t think more could have been done to enhance the ‘spirit’ of the play.  Even the lighting changes during some of the ballad-like songs were appreciated.  This musical is produced by The Zoo Theatre Company, and was performed at The Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica from Nov. 10th through December 2nd.  The Press Representative is Steve Moyer.

Reviewed by Stan Mazin, 11/24/18