A dark comedy about life and crime in America’s contemporary West. In a squalid motel room on a hellish day in Barstow, brothers Frank and Jesse plan a kidnapping. When day turns into night and their hostage is brought out of the trunk, the siblings find their troubles have just begun. Oct. 25-Nov. 18 at The Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013; $24- $52; For reservations and information, call (866) 811-4111 or go to http://thelatc.org.
Desert Rats
Critics
LemonMeter
Reviews: 9
Reviews
That said, I did enjoy the show and I would like to see the players grow exponentially during the course of the run.
It is a youthful work produced by a young playwright...I do not wish to give the impression that I am implying the piece suffers from an immaturity, but rather benefits from the freshness of its writer's talents. Desert Rats is crisp, bright and refreshing, if, a tad underdeveloped.
The talented playwright credits his technical team, Ivan Robles (sound), Jakelinne Gonzales (costumes),Cameron Mock and Emily MacDonald (set and lighting design) for a large part of the production's success. But he's being modest because his authorship of this fine work deserves all the kudos!
Angie Scott's direction is taut where it needs to be, although her ensemble also provides moments of dark comedy. Extended from last year, theatergoers have until Jan. 20 to enjoy this rollicking ride that rocks and is choreographed inside of LATC's most intimate space. Desert Rats was the first live play of the New Year I saw and is a kick ass way to kick off 2019.
It isn't just aspiring kidnappers who owe it to themselves to check out Nate Rufus Edelman's Desert Rats for a primer on what NOT to do when abducting a high school cheerleader but anyone seeking L.A. theater at its entertainingly edgy best.
Desert Rats' ability to pull comedy from some ridiculous places helps create characters that are memorable enough to put it at the top tier of these types of stories.
The design by set and lighting designers Cameron Mock and Emily MacDonald creates a very credible, low-rent motel room, and sound designer Ivan Robles supports the action with skillful subtly. Jakelinne Gonzalez' costume design is ideal. Loved the cheer-leading outfit. The stage is managed with authority by Maricela Sahagun.
In the Avalos Theatre at LATC, the production of Desert Rats unveils an ugly undertone beneath hip, happy SoCal life. Written with authority by Nate Rufus Edelman, the play pits two dysfunctional brothers − Frank (Walt Gray IV) and Jesse (Derek Chariton) − against the wiles of Amber (Lila Gavares), their upperclass, teen-aged kidnapping victim. Guided by director Angie Scott, the play explodes onto the stage and does not let up until the fireworks at the end.
An off-stage, dramatic ending to this comedic and thought-provoking piece allows for the audience to decide the characters' fate for themselves.
That said, I did enjoy the show and I would like to see the players grow exponentially during the course of the run.
It is a youthful work produced by a young playwright...I do not wish to give the impression that I am implying the piece suffers from an immaturity, but rather benefits from the freshness of its writer's talents. Desert Rats is crisp, bright and refreshing, if, a tad underdeveloped.
The talented playwright credits his technical team, Ivan Robles (sound), Jakelinne Gonzales (costumes),Cameron Mock and Emily MacDonald (set and lighting design) for a large part of the production's success. But he's being modest because his authorship of this fine work deserves all the kudos!
Angie Scott's direction is taut where it needs to be, although her ensemble also provides moments of dark comedy. Extended from last year, theatergoers have until Jan. 20 to enjoy this rollicking ride that rocks and is choreographed inside of LATC's most intimate space. Desert Rats was the first live play of the New Year I saw and is a kick ass way to kick off 2019.
It isn't just aspiring kidnappers who owe it to themselves to check out Nate Rufus Edelman's Desert Rats for a primer on what NOT to do when abducting a high school cheerleader but anyone seeking L.A. theater at its entertainingly edgy best.
Desert Rats' ability to pull comedy from some ridiculous places helps create characters that are memorable enough to put it at the top tier of these types of stories.
The design by set and lighting designers Cameron Mock and Emily MacDonald creates a very credible, low-rent motel room, and sound designer Ivan Robles supports the action with skillful subtly. Jakelinne Gonzalez' costume design is ideal. Loved the cheer-leading outfit. The stage is managed with authority by Maricela Sahagun.
In the Avalos Theatre at LATC, the production of Desert Rats unveils an ugly undertone beneath hip, happy SoCal life. Written with authority by Nate Rufus Edelman, the play pits two dysfunctional brothers − Frank (Walt Gray IV) and Jesse (Derek Chariton) − against the wiles of Amber (Lila Gavares), their upperclass, teen-aged kidnapping victim. Guided by director Angie Scott, the play explodes onto the stage and does not let up until the fireworks at the end.
An off-stage, dramatic ending to this comedic and thought-provoking piece allows for the audience to decide the characters' fate for themselves.