Theater Briefs – August 2023 – Gia On The Move

Reviewed by Tracey Paleo, Gia On The Move

PETER PAN GOES WRONG on the Ahmanson Theatre August 8 – September 10, 2003

It was kitschy and predictable. Incontrovertibly, the second by second, worst play I’ve nearly ever seen in any nation, in any metropolis, on any stage on the planet, between the lights going off, the choreographic failures (so many!) the set falling down, actors who couldn’t bear in mind traces, an unapologetic stage-bombing crew, and an overaged, inappropriate solid who had no enterprise taking part in youngsters – badly. Because, evidently you possibly can hold a nasty factor going even longer than an excellent one. And this theater firm is decided to showcase each minutia of element gone unsuitable, and each pathetic, unhappy, laughable, inappropriate and harmful mess as much as the a thousandth energy, with out exception or apology.

Honestly, generally, I simply couldn’t wait to go away, annoyed by the intense lack {of professional} showmanship (for as a lot as they tried) or momentum…

…and, I did nothing however snort all night. PETER PAN GOES WRONG is spectacular!

A play inside a play appears to be a working theme these days on the theater. And that’s, OK. Because telling a narrative concerning the story you’re making an attempt to inform is nothing however hysterically humorous, if you come proper all the way down to it. Self-effacing, shameful and embarrassing, each “bit” in PETER PAN GOES WRONG runs the gamut of crass, changeling comedy like Vaudeville, The Three Stooges and Monty Python obtained collectively in the identical room and took the Nike (Just Do It) theme in all of the methods never-intended.

Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields
Directed by Adam Meggido
Featuring Members of Original Mischief Company: Ryan Vincent Anderson,Stephen James Anthony, Blair Baker, Bartley Booz, Matthew Cavendish, Harry Kershaw, Chris Leask, Henry Lewis, Ellie Morris, Charlie Russell, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, Brenann Stacker, Greg Tannahill, Nancy Zamit
With Special Guest Star Bradley Whitford by August 27
Followed by Special Guest Star Daniel Dae Kim August 30 – September 10
Set Design by Simon Scullion
Costume Design by Roberto Surace
Lighting Design by Matt Haskins
Sounds Design by Ella Wahlström
Original Music by Richard Baker and Rob Falconer
Associate Director Fred Gray

Tickets and knowledge accessible at CenterTheatreGroup.org

Recommended

HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING at Rogue Machine on the Matrix, August 19 – October 2, 2023

Every season there’s inevitably a brand new work that stands aside from the remainder. HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, takes the enormous leap into dissecting the new button points which can be dividing America at this time. And it’s SO good!

The reactionary, monolithic mindset was maybe by no means so obvious in a stage manufacturing about American values as it’s right here. Bad concepts explored sympathetically, by extremely mental individuals, smothered by prejudices and dogmatic psychosis. This play is extremely deep and dives headfirst into hypocrisy, believability and every thing on the desk socio-politically proper now.

One of essentially the most brilliantly written and woven items in manufacturing this season. Executed by an excellent solid underneath the very adept route of Guillermo Cienfuego.

Very Highly Recommended

On a darkish evening, in the midst of America, 4 younger conservatives collect to toast the newly inducted president of their tiny Catholic faculty.Their reunion spirals into chaos and clashing generational politics, changing into much less a celebration than a vicious combat to be understood. 

Will Arbery’s haunting Pulitzer Prize Finalist play speaks to the guts of a rustic at warfare with itself, providing each grace and disarming readability. 

Written by Will Arbery
Directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos
Cast: Roxanne Hart, Evangeline Edwards, Samuel Garnett, Stephen Tyler Howell, Emily James
Creative Team: Stephanie Kerley Schwartz (Scenic Design), Dan Weingarten (Lighting Design), Chris Moscatiello (Sound Design), Christine Cover Ferro (Costume Design), John Perrin Flynn (Dramaturg), Victoria Hoffman (Casting Director), Justin Okin, John Perrin Flynn (Producers).

Ticket reservations: https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/ or for extra info 855-585-5185.

THE RED SUITCASE on the Broadwater Mainstage Theatre August 10 – September 3, 2023

The one factor that all the time most impresses me, is how artistic artists, in opposition to all odds, good, unhealthy and distractive, constantly handle to create. Big concepts brimmed into presentational or immersive performances, meant to precise one thing expansive, or inform a uniquely, reflective, private account. It’s hardly easy. The course of, I imply. But, it’s what stands out. Especially sitting in a packed home on the evening of a world premiere within the intimate setting of a theater like The Broadwater. Honestly, it’s breathtaking. Watching a drama unfold like a flower, in early morning gentle, for the primary time in public view. And it’s the singular thought I had in my thoughts as I witnessed the opening of P3 Theatre Company’s, THE RED SUITCASE, the Best Play Winner within the “Del Shores Foundation Writers Search.”

There had been lots of hiccups opening evening. But they had been very simple to disregard. THE RED SUITCASE is an enthusiastic new work. And generally the birthing course of is sophisticated; very like the beginnings of lead character and narrator Pogue, whose story follows his pre-existence to the dying of his father. The play is adumbrative – outward dealing with – if you’ll, with none overtures or shows of deep emotion, shaped mainly by its equally phlegmatic characters. THE RED SUITCASE consists of many glances into the lifetime of a younger boy who grows up very ordinarily confused but in addition terribly harmed by everybody, merely due to his proclivities in direction of tenderness, kindness, generosity and attraction to a different boy. In a person’s world, boys should be robust to outlive or in Pogue’s case, the implications are extreme. Unless, by some grace, you may have one one who retains you protected of their hearts and generally of their home. Pogue has his granny whose metaphors of crops & birds and the cycle of life train him about himself. THE RED SUITCASE is loaded with sensible and existential concepts that often get sidetracked. The script may use a bit extra affect and route. But it’s in any other case, a genuinely candy story that in truth, at its conclusion, brings the narrator in addition to the viewers to a hopeful starting on this journey referred to as life.

Written by Jiggs Burgess
Directed by Del Shores
Assistant Director/Additional Staging by Blake McIver Ewing
Featuring: Emerson Collins, Kristen McCullough, Bruce Melena, Charlotte Louise White, Mat Hayes, Tiago Santos and Pam Trotter
Producer: Jon Peterson
Co-Producer: Krys Fehervari
Stage Manager: Anna Kupershmidt
Scenic and Projection Design: Jesus Hurtado
Costume Design: Shon LeBlanc
Sound Design: Adam Matthew
Lighting Design: Frank McKnown
Hair/Makeup/Prop Design: Krys Fehervari
Deck Manager: Paige Macgregor

Tickets and extra info accessible on-line at: https://p3theatre.biz/theredsuitcase/

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