Force of Nature is proud to present 4 Encore performances of Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm’s GRAY PEOPLE!
Back by popular demand from a critically acclaimed World Premiere run in 2018
GRAY PEOPLE tells a story of constantly shifting trust and loyalties as James, Jenny and Adam tensely await a late-night delivery in the woods…unsure what to believe about each other, and increasingly uncertain of their fate.
Featuring:
Kyle Felts, Olivia Lemmon & Walter Kartman
Directed by Sebastian Muñoz
THURSDAYS
JANUARY 17, 24, 31 & FEBRUARY 7
8:30PM
Tickets $20 www.fonprods.tix.com
The Belfry Stage (Upstairs)
11031 Camarillo Street
N. Hollywood, CA 91602 **Special note that the stage is upstairs and there is no elevator access to theater**
**Guests must be able to walk up a flight of steps. Thank you** (Sorry NO refunds or exchanges)
Photo credit: Walter Kartman and Kyle Felts – Photo Credit: Carlos R. Hernandez
I enjoyed the play's examination of the moral choices these dubious characters make, that it was about people being capable of doing both good and bad deeds. Kerry Kaz's script drew distinctive personalities and arcs for each of the three protagonists, who were all brought to life with wit, humanity and accessibility by the talented cast. Go see it!
Between the strong performances and direction, detailed sets and warm, friendly staff and crew, Force of Nature Productions truly knows how to pull together an enjoyable evening. I would definitely recommend catching one of their final two performances of the GRAY PEOPLE extension on January 31st or February 7th.
If you've ever seen a crowd groan at a hard hit on the soccer pitch, that visceral knowing of the scope of pain latches onto part of your body and you react. Gray People does this body and mind. Leaving you with a real need to catch your breath at the end.
Gray People was a wonderful theatre experience. From the well-crafted script to the taunt acting to the near immersive set, it is a beautiful show all around. Kudos to the company and the director (and playwright and cast and crew) on a job well done. See this show.
Playwright Kazmierowicztrimm does an excellent job in capturing the depravity of the human soul manipulatively well... Director Sebastian Muñoz executes the playwright's vision beautifully. All three characters emit a plethora of sentiments constructing a tender platform. Kazmierowicztrimm and Muñoz make a great combination in executing a story based on intensity and the outcome from it.
Well written; well directed; well acted. It's a play (and performance) you'll find yourself thinking and talking about days later. Deserves more performances and a more prominent locale.
The storyline relies heavily on the ability of the three actors to carry out the right balance of personality and mystery, intensity and mischief, light and dark … and most importantly, everything in between. The actors not only succeed at this balancing act, but excel at turning a more subtle show into a rather intense experience.
As grim as this scenario is, the playwright cleverly mixes in a hefty amount of comic relief. Yet, as well written as the script is, it could benefit greatly from paring down, especially during a terrific, well-crafted finale, whose impact is partially blunted by unnecessary dialogue. All performances are energetic and solidly convincing under the direction of Sebastian Muñoz. - RECOMMENDED
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this show on opening night and everything the critics have written here so far is true. I also saw Kerry Kaz's "Wounded" at Fringe and was very much looking forward to seeing Force of Nature Productions bring "Grey People" to life on the Belfrey stage. I was not at all disappointed. All of the actors give standout performances. Kyle Felts is at times both gruff and vulnerable. Walter Kartman is mostly innocent and sweet, but reveals plenty more with just a momentary glance. Olivia Lemmon, as the multifaceted Jenny, stole the show for me, providing a level of dangerous energy that consistently ups the stakes as she vacillates between the two men. Director Sebastian Munoz deftly conducts the trio, gently playing the light notes for laughs and giving the dark notes room to breath. The wooded setting was a character unto itself, and the stagecraft, from the set to the lighting and sound to the costumes and makeup were all brilliantly executed by the production team. In short, I highly recommend seeing "Grey People." You will leave having not only been entertained but with perhaps a better understanding of human emotion and motivation.
"Gray People" impressively balances comedy and tension in this taught tale of three strangers seemingly trapped in an increasingly perilous situation with one another. The dread is always there hanging in the background, so much so that sometimes you wonder if you're just laughing to make yourself feel better. Well written it is a script that will most likely be put on by others for years to come. The direction and acting are also well done and the set design is remarkable. A recommended show!
Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm's new play gets a solid premiere from Force of Nature Productions. An intriguing premise serves as the springboard for an existential examination of three characters' life choices. Come to explore the mystery of what brought them together and find out what might tear them apart.
I thought the show was fantastic. I continue to be impressed by Kerry Kaczmarovicztrimm's writing, having seen two of his plays before. The acting was very good, and Olivia Lemmon's performance in particular I found impressive.
The folks at Force of Nature give this tight script one of their best productions so far. The set — by Jeff G. Rack, Redetha Deason, and Jerry Chapell — is understated and brilliant: gray flat tree shapes repeated so we see a forest, but also see it as off, wrong, ominous. Jonathan Agurcia's costumes deftly denote each character both socially and personally. And Sebastian Muñoz's direction keeps everything moving, and the lines of tension tightening. The actors are all highly skilled (that deep, deep LA talent pool again!)... it merits a longer life on stage than the current half-dozen performances.
This show is like watching them take flight. The set, the performances, the direction, the script… this is solid on every front. A drama that plays like a thriller, the emotional twists of this piece may trick you into pondering your own loyalties and beliefs in your day-to-day existence.
With vulnerable performances, crisp direction, set, lights and sound that set the mood upon entry, and a sharp script, Gray People is a creepy fun ride well worth taking.
In the middle of the woods at night. A pile of dirt on one side, shovels nearby. Three people in dirty clothes wait. And wait. Then they wait some more. In fact they've been waiting awhile given how one of them keeps glancing at his cell phone. Another hums to himself and makes ever increasing drumming sounds, hands against thighs, until he catches the eye of the first man and stops. The third, a young woman, watches all this, missing not a breath, not a beat. She seems to be waiting for something else than the other two.
Between the strong performances and direction, detailed sets and warm, friendly staff and crew, Force of Nature Productions truly knows how to pull together an enjoyable evening. I would definitely recommend catching one of their final two performances of the GRAY PEOPLE extension on January 31st or February 7th.
If you've ever seen a crowd groan at a hard hit on the soccer pitch, that visceral knowing of the scope of pain latches onto part of your body and you react. Gray People does this body and mind. Leaving you with a real need to catch your breath at the end.
Playwright Kazmierowicztrimm does an excellent job in capturing the depravity of the human soul manipulatively well... Director Sebastian Muñoz executes the playwright's vision beautifully. All three characters emit a plethora of sentiments constructing a tender platform. Kazmierowicztrimm and Muñoz make a great combination in executing a story based on intensity and the outcome from it.
The storyline relies heavily on the ability of the three actors to carry out the right balance of personality and mystery, intensity and mischief, light and dark … and most importantly, everything in between. The actors not only succeed at this balancing act, but excel at turning a more subtle show into a rather intense experience.
As grim as this scenario is, the playwright cleverly mixes in a hefty amount of comic relief. Yet, as well written as the script is, it could benefit greatly from paring down, especially during a terrific, well-crafted finale, whose impact is partially blunted by unnecessary dialogue. All performances are energetic and solidly convincing under the direction of Sebastian Muñoz. - RECOMMENDED
The folks at Force of Nature give this tight script one of their best productions so far. The set — by Jeff G. Rack, Redetha Deason, and Jerry Chapell — is understated and brilliant: gray flat tree shapes repeated so we see a forest, but also see it as off, wrong, ominous. Jonathan Agurcia's costumes deftly denote each character both socially and personally. And Sebastian Muñoz's direction keeps everything moving, and the lines of tension tightening. The actors are all highly skilled (that deep, deep LA talent pool again!)... it merits a longer life on stage than the current half-dozen performances.
This show is like watching them take flight. The set, the performances, the direction, the script… this is solid on every front. A drama that plays like a thriller, the emotional twists of this piece may trick you into pondering your own loyalties and beliefs in your day-to-day existence.
With vulnerable performances, crisp direction, set, lights and sound that set the mood upon entry, and a sharp script, Gray People is a creepy fun ride well worth taking.
In the middle of the woods at night. A pile of dirt on one side, shovels nearby. Three people in dirty clothes wait. And wait. Then they wait some more. In fact they've been waiting awhile given how one of them keeps glancing at his cell phone. Another hums to himself and makes ever increasing drumming sounds, hands against thighs, until he catches the eye of the first man and stops. The third, a young woman, watches all this, missing not a breath, not a beat. She seems to be waiting for something else than the other two.
I enjoyed the play's examination of the moral choices these dubious characters make, that it was about people being capable of doing both good and bad deeds. Kerry Kaz's script drew distinctive personalities and arcs for each of the three protagonists, who were all brought to life with wit, humanity and accessibility by the talented cast. Go see it!
Gray People was a wonderful theatre experience. From the well-crafted script to the taunt acting to the near immersive set, it is a beautiful show all around. Kudos to the company and the director (and playwright and cast and crew) on a job well done. See this show.
Well written; well directed; well acted. It's a play (and performance) you'll find yourself thinking and talking about days later. Deserves more performances and a more prominent locale.
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this show on opening night and everything the critics have written here so far is true. I also saw Kerry Kaz's "Wounded" at Fringe and was very much looking forward to seeing Force of Nature Productions bring "Grey People" to life on the Belfrey stage. I was not at all disappointed. All of the actors give standout performances. Kyle Felts is at times both gruff and vulnerable. Walter Kartman is mostly innocent and sweet, but reveals plenty more with just a momentary glance. Olivia Lemmon, as the multifaceted Jenny, stole the show for me, providing a level of dangerous energy that consistently ups the stakes as she vacillates between the two men. Director Sebastian Munoz deftly conducts the trio, gently playing the light notes for laughs and giving the dark notes room to breath. The wooded setting was a character unto itself, and the stagecraft, from the set to the lighting and sound to the costumes and makeup were all brilliantly executed by the production team. In short, I highly recommend seeing "Grey People." You will leave having not only been entertained but with perhaps a better understanding of human emotion and motivation.
"Gray People" impressively balances comedy and tension in this taught tale of three strangers seemingly trapped in an increasingly perilous situation with one another. The dread is always there hanging in the background, so much so that sometimes you wonder if you're just laughing to make yourself feel better. Well written it is a script that will most likely be put on by others for years to come. The direction and acting are also well done and the set design is remarkable. A recommended show!
Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm's new play gets a solid premiere from Force of Nature Productions. An intriguing premise serves as the springboard for an existential examination of three characters' life choices. Come to explore the mystery of what brought them together and find out what might tear them apart.
I thought the show was fantastic. I continue to be impressed by Kerry Kaczmarovicztrimm's writing, having seen two of his plays before. The acting was very good, and Olivia Lemmon's performance in particular I found impressive.
