CODE PINK PERFORMANCES added at LOFT ENSEMBLE

  

    

Due to popular demand, Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood has announced four additional performances of Code Pink.  The added performances are on Saturday, August 28, at 8 PM, Saturday, August 29, at 7 PM, Saturday, September 11, at 8 PM, and Sunday, September 12, at 7 PM.  All seats are available on a "Donate What You Want" basis and reservations are available.  

    See review of Code Pink by Carol Kaufman Segal written July 13, 2021, for further information.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Carol Kaufman Segal

     

    The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic comedy, undoubtedly the most popular comedy by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), playing at the Freemont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena.  It is set in London and Shropshire, England and is based around two young men, Jack who lives in the country, and his friend Algernon who lives in London.

    Jack (Austen Hall), who lives in the country, likes to look for excuses to get away to London to see his friend Algernon (Adam Lanson), leaving his young ward, the lovely heiress Cecily Cardew (Veronica Coutsky), in the country.  He invents a troublesome brother (he names him Ernest) to whom he has to look out for periodically as his excuse to get away from home.  But the real reason he wants to go is to see his friend Algernon's beautiful cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax (Roza Zemia).

    Later, after Algy (as he is called) finds out more about Jack and the fact that he has a beautiful ward back home, he decides to leave London to visit Jack in the country in order to meet and pursue Cecily.  He arrives in Shropshire posing as Jack's friend Ernest.  Gwendolen eventually shows up in Shropshire, and Jack admits to her that his name is not Ernest, but Jack.  After wooing Cecily, Algernon admits to her that his name is not Ernest either.  This appears to be a problem with the ladies, as both seemed to have the desire to marry someone named Ernest.

   

    But what is more problematic is the fact that Lady Bracknell (Tamarah AshtonI) Gwendolen's mother, will not allow her daughter to marry someone like Jack who has no social status.  As an orphan, Jack had been found by his adopted parents in a handbag at King's Cross Station.  And because Jack is Cecily's guardian, he refuses to let her marry Algernon unless Lady Bracknell changes her mind and lets him marry Gwendolen.

          

    However, fate steps in when Lady Bracknell inspects the handbag that Jack was found in as an infant because it matches exactly the missing handbag that Algernonn's infant brother was in when he was found.  So obviously, Jack had to be Algernon's missing baby brother who had been named Ernest!  The play ends knowing that both couples will soon be getting married.

       

    Other cast members include Connor Chaney, John Farley, Christopher Girt, and Georgan George. Jack J. Bennett directed.  Gloria Bennett was the producer and musical director.  Costumes are by Tamarah Ashton assisted by Jaclyn Khitikian.

    

    The Importance of Being Ernest plays at the Fremont Center Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena.  It plays Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM through September 25.  All seats are & 30,00.  In addition to the live in-person performances, the show is livestreamed with a live stream family pass available for $40.00.  

    For online tickets go to http://yougstarstheatre.org/tickets.

  

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

                

    

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN EXTENDS through September 12, 2021

See review dated August 4, 2021 

SCHEDULE                                                                                                                                                Thursday, August 12, 7 PM                                                                                                                                 Fridays, August 20, August 27, September 10, 7 PM                                                                                    Saturdays, August 14, August 21, August 28, September 4, September 11, 7 PM                                            Sundays, August 15, August 22, August 29, September 5, September 12, 7 PM

Circles are now on sale and can be purchased at http//sierramadreplayhouse.org, or be calling                11   (626) 355-4318.

                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN by Carol Kaufman Segal

     

    There is nothing like the joy of a wonderful musical with good performers, good music, and good for the whole family.  I am pleased to announce the opening of You're A Good Man, Charley Brown being presented by the Sierre Madre Playhouse outdoors at the Sierra Madre Memorial Park, located at 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA.  And isn't it wonderful to be able to watch  a musical in person rather than watching it on zoom?! 

    This lively musical is presented without a plot, but more like a comic strip, which is what makes it more fun to watch, relax, and enjoy.   A marvelous cast brings the comic characters to life.  They include Hamilton Davis Weaver as Charlie Brown, Mary Zastrow as Lucy,  Marcha Kia as Sally, Luke Sweeney as Schroeder, Alexander Mashikian as Snoopy, and Melvin Biteng as Linus. 

     One can't help but fall in love with each of the characters, who come alive by these wonderful actors who prove their talents as singers and dancers as well. You don't have to be a child to enjoy everything about this production.  

    The outdoor stage is perfect, the scenic design by Nick Santiago, and lighting design by Derek Jones.  All of the performers really look like children in costumes by Shon Leblanc and wig designs by Diahann McCrary.  The book, music. and lyrics are by Clark Gesner with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, additional dialogue by Michael Mayer, produced and directed by Charistian Lebano, Associate Producer Gary Lam, Musical Director Sean Paxton, and Choreographer Palmer Davis.

     Seeing You're A Good Man, Charley Brown made  for a wonderful evening of entertainment with safety protocols that were in effect and will remain in effect throughout the run of the production. Seating is in socially distanced circles, six feet apart, to accommodate parties of two, four, or six.  This will primarily be lawn seating (please bring your own blankets), but there will also be circles designated for people who bring chairs.  A limited number of lawn chairs will also be available to rent. They will remain in effect throughout the run which will end Sunday, August 29.  All performances are at 7 PM Fridays through Sundays, dark on August 6 and August 23, with two additional runs Thursday August 12 and  Thursday August 26.

    Circles are now on sale and can be purchased at http://sierramadreplayhouse.org, or by calling 

(626) 355-4318.

    Sierra Madre Memorial Park is located at 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd,  Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FAMILYS

"Bonus!  August Sundays from 5:30-6:30 pm:  Family Craft Sundays at Memorial Park.  Join us for family-friendly crafting in the park before our Sunday performances (Aug. 8, 15, 22, and 29)!  All craft materials provided in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona's Center for Community Engagment."