Registered Critic: Bob Rich - Tolucan Times
Canceled – What Rhymes With Orange?
The whole cast is hugely dedicated, but special applause must go to Ms. Jessie Sherman, whose effervescent vitality as Amari is terrific. The lighting, sound, costumes, puppetry and props are extraordinary, taking us into another world.
For an uplifting time at the theatre for the whole family, with positive messages for kids and plenty of charming wit for adults, this production is hard to beat. Highly recommended!
Postponed – SHOW ME A HERO
The acting and directing are riveting. Ilia Volok is completely believable as the convicted, unstoppable Alexander. The set perfectly recreates the interior of the residence in Greece, where all the heated conversations take place. We often hear stirring music, and sometimes the consoling sounds of the sea.
RECOMMENDED!
Canceled/Postponed – Tales of Modern Motherhood: Part 2 Gender and Identity This sh*t just TRANS…formed
…a hopeful journey through modern parenting…
DEAR YOKO
Anzu Lawson concludes her excellent one-woman show, Dear Yoko, by performing the classic Beatles song “All You Need is Love.” By the time we reach the end of her production, she has reminded us of the importance of loving ourselves and everyone else, including those who unfairly judged us, and those who withheld their love from us…
I recommend this witty, redemptive production.
Good Fishermen Know A Lot About Sex
Anyone touched by addiction is sure to find comfort and understanding in this fine play. Highly recommended.
The Outsider
The whole cast is enthusiastic. The characters are all vivid and memorable, especially the effervescent office assistant Louise (portrayed with wit and great energy by Lisa Ann Cicchetti) who becomes a surprise hit with the public.
American Standard
Bright is a born storyteller, vibrant and passionate. Despite her serious struggles, the tone is often comical. The staging is sparse, but sound effects are clever and evocative. – Highly recommended.
The Spanish Prayer Book
The cast is totally committed, making all the relationships believable. The direction is focused, bringing clarity to every emotion. The set is dazzling, with three large panels displaying different imagery during every scene, from sunlit trees, to magnificent paintings.
Boeing Boeing
The cheerful, polished acting and directing make the play effervescent. The bright lighting and realistic props for Bernard’s residence make for an engaging, believable set.
The cast and crew said they wanted to leave the audience feeling great joy. Thanks to a show that combines the physicality of Charlie Chaplin with the madcap energy of the Marx Brothers, they certainly have succeeded.
Nancy F***ing Reagan
The performances are energetic, as they navigate serious conversations with a light touch…
…Laughter helps us find release and get perspective, during a serious story. What terrific insight she has about this thought-provoking production.
Nancy F***ing Reagan
In this skillfully produced new play, Nancy F***ing Reagan, David (Kiff Scholl) turns 50, so he joins his friend Maggie (Debi Tinsley) and a few companions for a Palm Springs vacation. They banter about the Reagan administration from the ‘80s, especially the social challenges then. Eventually, David and a friend declare their views on live television.
The performances are energetic, as they navigate serious conversations with a light touch. The set feels just like a Palm Springs getaway, with festive artwork and a table topped by wine bottles.
(IM)PERFEKT
Her performance is alive with conviction, but delivered with a light touch. Her many creative props make the show engaging. The most compelling aspect is Olin’s confidence that freedom is possible if we can embrace the value and appeal each one of us have. Cheers to that.
Chrissy Meth ~ A Dance with the Devil and a Journey Back to Self
Her performance is vibrant, as she portrays a medley of people from her life story…
This show is recommended for its message that it is never too late to re-discover your self-worth.
The Masher
The play is highly compelling. We believe that sorrowful, concerning events are unfolding in front of us, thanks to the impassioned cast. Thanks to the atmospheric lighting, and a convincing set that feels like an otherworldly factory, the setting is effectively mysterious.
I recommend this production for its sobering message, which is delivered with humor and truly visceral, impactful emotion. The play is a cautionary tale, yet the humanity in the writing provides a ray of hope.
The Long Gravel Road
Hats off to this writer/performer for evoking plenty of dreamlike imagery and stirring, heartfelt visions.
Duet for One
Christou and Leder-Morrow are very convincing as the musician and therapist. We feel we are watching real people having intense conversations about critical issues. – Recommended
The Taming of the Shrew
The acting and directing are vibrant. The story unfolds with the energy of a vaudeville play or a carnival: characters get spun upon the ground, dance together, and collapse in their chairs. Lauren Jean Lee and Sean Faye are impassioned and high-spirited, as Petruchio and Katherina…
For good-natured fun, this lively production delivers. What’s more, the focus on gender equality inspires us to reflect on how peace and understanding can be a part of modern love.
Richard III: Hour of the Tyrant
A new production of ‘Richard III’ brings powerful conviction to Hollywood
Review by Bob Rich
“God, keep me from false friends!” exclaims a prince in Act III, Scene I of Shakespeare’s Richard III. After the final act of this new production of the classic play, director David MacDowell Blue told us with clear sincerity that the world would be a much poorer place “without compassion and loyalty.” In this version of Richard III, we witness the necessity of kindness and faithfulness when tragedies unfold due to the absence of those virtues.
In the play’s narrative, Richard wants to take the throne, and he is treacherous about getting there. He plots against his brother Clarence, who does not survive Richard’s cruel plans. Soon, Richard has a bad dream about those he has betrayed. Richard loses popularity, and gets visited by the ghosts of his former victims. Finally, in a climactic battle, he is defeated, and his opponent takes the throne.
This production brings the drama in the story vividly to life. The cast is passionate and focused. Surging energy can be felt behind every monologue and conversation. The direction is compelling and efficient, keeping the plot moving swiftly.
The design elements add to our enjoyment. Evocative music, and sound effects like clocks and crickets and the clamor of clashing soldiers, enrich our experience.
David, the director, said this play is his favorite Shakespeare. Deep, essential questions are presented to us, without easy answers. For a philosophically rewarding time at the theater, I highly recommend this fine version of a challenging, insightful play.
Richard III: Hour of the Tyrant, written by William Shakespeare, edited and directed by David MacDowell Blue, produced by theatreANON!, produced by: Omen Kaine. Libby Letlow stars in the title role, along with Georgan George as the mad Queen Margaret, Claire Stephens as Richard’s brother Clarence, Thomas P. Hanrahan as King Edward, Lauren Simon as their mother the Duchess Cecily, Sahil Kaur as Richard’s love interest Lady Anne, Jordan Graham as Lord Hastings, Ayako Karasawa as Queen Elizabeth with Danny Hackin as her brother Lord Dorset, LaMont Hendrix as the Duke of Buckingham, Paula K. King as the Archbishop, Daniel Adomian as King Henry (and the Prince of Wales, and the Apothecary), with Ian Jesse Lasky and London Murray as Tom and Dierdre (the soldiers and messengers wrapped up into two characters), and finally Judith Foster Thompson as Tyrell. Enjoy the production at OhMyRibs Theatre, 6468 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood 90038, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 7pm through May 26. For information, and tickets at $15 each, go online to Brownpapertickets.com/event/4194985, or call OhMyRibs Theatre (323) 207-8243.
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JOAN and WHAT DID THEY SAY – An Evening of One Acts
Two short plays offer thought-provoking perspectives. The first one-act play, Joan, by Bernadette Armstrong, provides a fascinating portrayal of famed actress Joan Crawford, reflecting back on her life. The second one-act, What Did They Say, by Wendy Winter, is an intimate window into a family trying to grapple with one another’s differences. Both plays warmly suggest how to deal with challenging aspects of life.
Hamlet
Leavitt and co-producer Liza Seneca understand how this character strikes a universal chord, expressing a spectacular emotional range as Hamlet wrestles with life’s deepest questions. Five actors of different races, genders and ages, all play Hamlet for one act each in this groundbreaking production…
This production is a wonderful, cathartic joy.