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."

Code Pink by Carol Kaufman Segal

       I am pleased to be bringing you a review of Code Pink, a world premiere play written and directed by Adam Chambers and Jana Lee Hamblin with additional writing by The Cast.  The production is being presented by Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood. 

     It is wonderful being able to attend live theatre again.

    This is the company's first production since their shut down due to the coved pandemic.  It is an unusual subject performed by a large and exceptionally powerful cast that includes, in alphabetic order, Bahasi Chapman, Nicole Craig, Britt Crisp, Madylin Sweeten Durrie, Sydney Jenkins, Matt Monaco, Ignacio Navarro, Bree Pavey, Lessie Pinto, Natasha Ranae Potts, Sarah Siverson, Sara Sommers, Vel Stacy.

    The play features stories that take place in a twenty-four-hour period in a hospital maternity ward where almost anything can happen.  The stories are focused on the lives of a variety of people - nurses, doctors, administrators, and patients - where we become all too aware that everyone has his or her own story.  It is an exceptionally different and unusual look at the lives of these hard workers, performed by a very strong cast that brings realism to each character that they perform.  You won't be too surprised to see some performers with tears in their eyes.  And most interestingly, all of the people, and their stories, were inspired by real people and real stories.    

    The scenic design for Code Pink is by Madylin Sweeten Durrie, the lighting design is by Tor Brown and the sound design is by Travyz Catz.  Marc Leclere is the Assistant Director, and Stage Managers include Calvin Picou and Gillo Gius.  The graphic design is by Amanda Chambers.  Producers for Loft Ensemble are Jennifer Brofer and Bree Pavey.

    Performance schedules of Code Pink are Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 7 PM through August 15.  General admission is PAY WHAT YOU WANT.  Seats may be reserved online at www.loftensemble.org, or by phone at (818)452-3153.  Loft Ensemble is located at 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood.

    Highly Recommended

MOTEL 66  by Carol Kaufman Segal

    The theatre world is coming back alive in our area, and I am very pleased to have been able to attend my first live production since March of 2020.  This world premiere of Motel 66, by The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, consists of twelve new one-act plays that take place in different cities along Route 66.  It is performed as two separate programs of six short plays in each program.  It opened June 17 and will continue through August 1.  Six plays under the title of Head East are featured Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and six plays under the title of Go West are featured Fridays and Sundays at 8 PM. There will be no shows on July 1, 2, 3, and 4 (July 4th weekend).

   

HEAD EAST

A Different Man by Lloyd Pedersen

Directed by Larry Eisenberg

Featuring Fox Carney & Katelyn Ann Clark

A couple, looking for a way to entice their sex life, begin celebrity role-playing.

Cleveland and Dallas by Steve Shaw

Directed by Barbara Brownell

Featuring Paul Cady & Mark Stancato

Will a man be able to console a close musician friend back from his life of despair?

 

Midnight Meeting by Denise Downer

Directed by Linda Alznauer

Featuring Kelly Goode, Melissa Lugo, Manny Rodriguez, & Sal Valletta

Will a teacher stay with the married man she thinks she loves, or will she decide to move on after encountering a ghost at the motel? 

The Journey by JC Gafford

Directed by Bruce Kimmel

Featuring Erika Bowman & Maria Kress

The road trip of two longtime friends tasks an odd turn when one of the women reveals the music in her soul.

Venus Flytrap by Van Boudreaux

Directed by Heidi Mendez

Featuring Todd Andrew Ball & Jennifer Whitney

When two lost souls happen to meet, does it promise an adventure along Route 66?

Last Exit for Lodging by Bill Fitzhugh

Directed by Melanie Lee

Featuring Jennifer Karraz, Chris McGahan, Cathy Diane Tomlin, & William Wilson

A traveler finds herself getting nowhere in a rat-trap motel dealing with a bad-tempered manager until the higher-ups intervene.

GO WEST

Creative Differences written and directed by Tom Lazarus

Featuring Michael Gabiano, James Lemire & Troy Whitaker

Casting changes heat up the "hot set" of the 60's TV show Route 66.

 Somebody Else by Fox Carney

Directed by Marie Broderick

Featuring Stephanie Colet, Julie Davis, Lisa McGee Mann, & Patrick Skelton

An illicit tryst turns out to be more than a man can handle due to his carelessness.

You Only Live Once by Craig Holland

Directed by Sascha Vanderslik

Featuring Michele Bernath, Rishi Mehta, & Aroon Nayer

A younger brother wants to help his older brother make a bold and major change in his life with help from out of this world.

Saving Laura by James J. Cox

Directed by Kathleen Delaney

Featuring Alex Brown, Jennifer Collins, & Doug Haverty

Two teachers help a young woman find solace in literature as a sudden violent event fast approaches.

A Farewell to Palms by Stan Mazin

Directed by Stevie Stern

Featuring James J. Cox & Lloyd Pedersen

Two middle-aged gay men meet together at their favorite Route 66 motel.

Stuck In The Middle With by Doug Haverty

Directed by Helen O'Brien

Featuring Raquel Brooks, Truett Jean Butler, Beccy Quinn

Three women from different states meet and become instant friends, that is until they each discover that they each have a key to the same motel room!

                                                           **

       The Group Rep offers top actors, writers, and directors within their company.  I am not always a lover of short plays, but I found every one of these twelve plays of interest with superb performances by everyone involved - writers, directors, and actors.   You may choose to see one evening of six plays at a cost of $20 for each.  But you can purchase tickets for all twelve plays at a special price of $30.  If you are like I am, believe me, after seeing six plays, you will be anxious to see the other six plays as well.  The plays are presented in the newly built outdoor theatre, The Yard, which is a wonderful experience as well as offering covid guidelines.   

    The Yard at the Group Rep is located outdoors at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.  One evening of shows is $20, Tickets for both evenings of shows are $30.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.thegrouprep.com.  Reservations can be made by phone, 818-763-5990, and tickets paid for at the door.

                                                                

 WEST COAST JEWISH THEATRE'S MAGICAL MUSICAL MYSTERY FOLLIES EXTENDED THROUGH  MAY 29  by Carol Kaufman Segal    

     My review of the West Coast Jewish Theatre's Magical Musical Mystery Follies is available on this blog dated May 6.  If you are interested in being able to see this wonderful two-hour virtual show, it is available again if you did not get to see it when it was offered previously, or if you would enjoy watching it once again.  You can now enjoy it every Saturday night through May 29, at 7:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time.

    The show features a variety of entertainment with very talented performers, including singers, actors, musicians, writers, magicians, and even an orchestra that will keep you entertained for two hours.  West Coast Jewish Theatre Director Howard Teichman directs the show (and also introduces the acts)  The Associate Producer is Bill Froggatt.  You can register online at http://wcit.org or call (312) 821-2449. The price of the ticket to obtain the link is $36.00   Those who register will be sent a Vimeo link to the show.

    Until the West Coast Jewish Theatre and Howard Teichman can welcome you back to their theatre in person, in the meantime, there is Magical Musical Mystery Follies.