This joyfully irreverent black comedy entwines issues of identity with pop culture icons to tell a truly unique mother-daughter story. Sterling Milburn’s mother is dying and Sterling is falling apart. She attempts to keep it together by rewriting the past with the help of two titans of the American theater and the world’s greatest heavy metal band — but Sterling’s mother refuses to follow the script. A love letter to those who shape our lives, hold us together and break our hearts. May 17 through June 23: Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. IAMA Theatre Company at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039; $20-$35; 323-380-8843; iamatheatre.com
Mama Metal
Reviews
While there are themes you’ll recognize, I guarantee you’ve never seen them handled like this. And while the heavy metal motif feels a little gimmicky at first as the play develops it feels like a no-brainer...
Ms. Gilmer’s voice is unique and at the same time she’s breaking all the rules, she’s letting you know she knows she’s doing it and more importantly why. That’s a gift to the theatre and her audience.
The actors are, across the board, phenomenal — with plenty of theater and TV credits to their names. Even though Sterling complains, “This is my play,” Sauls makes sure this is unquestionably Sterling’s play. But, yes, Sherman is amazing, absolutely mesmerizing to watch in her various iterations of Belle.
The actors playing the band (Chris Gardner, Graham Sibley, Rodney To, Jamie Wollrab) not only represented a heavy metal band convincingly, but cohesively and seamlessly slid into various other roles throughout the play. The lack of interruption as the interchanges occurred was impressive and effectively gave the story more depth and more visual entertainment for the audience. It plays for the next three weekends, and I am hoping to be able to fit in another viewing, as I am wanting to see it again as I write this.
IAMA Theatre, under the direction of Deena Selenow, has given Mama Metal a brilliantly tactile production. Each performer displays a deep commitment to bringing Gilmer’s vision to life, including Christian Telesmar and Cesar Cipriano who, as Sterling’s fantasy men, spend most of the play stripped to their boxer shorts. Courtney Sauls and Lee Sherman deliver spectacular performances. All the production designers have done excellent work too, with R.S. Buck’s moody lighting and sound designer Jeff Gardner’s heavy metal soundtrack being particular standouts. - RECOMMENDED
Though it could stand a bit of a trim, following five consecutive IAMA winners (Species Native To California, Redline, Cult Of Love, American Hero, and Canyon), Mama Metal now takes that number up to six in a row, capping the ten-year-old IAMA Theatre Company’s most exciting two years to date. Mama would be proud indeed.
Since Mama Metal is a “mama play,” the playwright has seen fit to plug in a surprising theatrical device to gin up the story in a most delightful way with the appearance of a couple of characters. It is one of the best things in the show and too good to reveal here. You want to know? See the show.
While there are themes you’ll recognize, I guarantee you’ve never seen them handled like this. And while the heavy metal motif feels a little gimmicky at first as the play develops it feels like a no-brainer...
Ms. Gilmer’s voice is unique and at the same time she’s breaking all the rules, she’s letting you know she knows she’s doing it and more importantly why. That’s a gift to the theatre and her audience.
The actors are, across the board, phenomenal — with plenty of theater and TV credits to their names. Even though Sterling complains, “This is my play,” Sauls makes sure this is unquestionably Sterling’s play. But, yes, Sherman is amazing, absolutely mesmerizing to watch in her various iterations of Belle.
The actors playing the band (Chris Gardner, Graham Sibley, Rodney To, Jamie Wollrab) not only represented a heavy metal band convincingly, but cohesively and seamlessly slid into various other roles throughout the play. The lack of interruption as the interchanges occurred was impressive and effectively gave the story more depth and more visual entertainment for the audience. It plays for the next three weekends, and I am hoping to be able to fit in another viewing, as I am wanting to see it again as I write this.
IAMA Theatre, under the direction of Deena Selenow, has given Mama Metal a brilliantly tactile production. Each performer displays a deep commitment to bringing Gilmer’s vision to life, including Christian Telesmar and Cesar Cipriano who, as Sterling’s fantasy men, spend most of the play stripped to their boxer shorts. Courtney Sauls and Lee Sherman deliver spectacular performances. All the production designers have done excellent work too, with R.S. Buck’s moody lighting and sound designer Jeff Gardner’s heavy metal soundtrack being particular standouts. - RECOMMENDED
Though it could stand a bit of a trim, following five consecutive IAMA winners (Species Native To California, Redline, Cult Of Love, American Hero, and Canyon), Mama Metal now takes that number up to six in a row, capping the ten-year-old IAMA Theatre Company’s most exciting two years to date. Mama would be proud indeed.
Since Mama Metal is a “mama play,” the playwright has seen fit to plug in a surprising theatrical device to gin up the story in a most delightful way with the appearance of a couple of characters. It is one of the best things in the show and too good to reveal here. You want to know? See the show.