North Coast’s “Murder On The Links” ~Brilliantly Directed and Smartly Overacted.

Of “Murder On The Links”, let me begin by saying that I find it's easier for me to solve Wordle in less than six guesses than I was trying to figuring out ‘the who done-it’ in the latest a la Agatha Christie mystery at the North Coast Rep.  

“Murder On The Links”, now in a world premiere at North Coast Rep., is based on the 1923 novel by Agatha Christie. It is adapted and directed by Steven Dietz and solved by none other than the clever, mustachioed, Belgian Detective Hercule Poirot, master of unsolved mysteries. His associate, Captain Hastings, who is also the narrator, accompanies him at his request. 

The two act- play bounces back and forth with twists and turns at every corner. Twenty characters played by six actors, cleverly disguised by a slight sleight of hand, a quick change of costume, a different hat or wig or cap and of course different accents (French, German and British) makes this fast paced production wiz by faster than one can say Hercule Poirot, and  allows the convoluted mystery to keep everyone guessing.

Jennifer Erdmann, Jessica Mosher, Kim Morgan Dean and Omri Schein

Of course, I’m not going to give anything away, not that I could, but I will tell you that Dietz has assembled a top notch group of actors to pull this caper off.  

Omri Schein as Poirot, in his orange bow tie, orange pocket handkerchief, pocket watch and double breasted suit (Elisa Benzoni), navigates the pack through all the twists and turns in his inimitable style; hands behind his back and constant pacing while thinking out loud, throwing out hints letting Captain Hastings, (Kim Morgan Dean) looking very smug indeed, pick up on them and carry the ball…until he  messes up. And oh, Schein, he’s a perfect as the self -satisfied detective. 

L to R
Jessica Mosher, Matthew Salazar-Thompson, Kim Morgan Dean, Omei Schein, Brian Mackey and Jennifer Erdmann

Jessica Mosher’s foot -prints are all over showing up in different Benzoni costumes and speaking in several accents depending on the clothes she’s wearing. Can she be in two places the same time? This adds yet  another layer to the whole complicated business of solving ‘the murder’ of two men found in fresh graves on the links of the French golf course on the fictional Merlinville-Sur-Mer, "a quiet, little place--but chic!", according to " Poirot.

Brian Mackey, Matthew Salazar-Thompson, Jennifer Erdmann, Kim Morgan Dean, Jessica Mosher

                                                            Omri Schein

And can one actor be more than one character at once? Brian Mackey and Matthew Salazar-Thompson can. Just watch them. Both men are excellent in their respective roles and there are many. As for the women, Jennifer Erdmann and Mosher both take on different characters faster than the eye can see with  costume changes, accents and voila, a different player that takes the whodunit in different directions.

Kim Morgan Dean and Jessica Mosher

Marty Burnett’s set reminded me of the ‘Laugh In’ set with small doors on either side of the stage that can be opened from the back to reveal a person, prop or thing, a few tables/desks, and chairs with paneled windows at the back of the set. Composer/Sound designer Robertson Witmer provided the original sound keeping the audience aware that we were in the middle of a mystery solving adventure with added fog horns, bells and whistles. Matt Novotny designed the spot on lighting and shade, Peter Herman’s wigs are an integral part of the character’s persona and Rachel Hengst’s miniature props are outstanding.

As for solving the crime? Half way through the production, I thought I'd leave that to Poirot. 

And as for Wordle? That remains to solved. 

See you at the theatre. 

Enjoy.

 

When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through May 21

Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Tickets: $54-$65

Photo: Aaron Rumley

Phone: (858) 481-1055

Online: northcoastrep.org

SEAN MURRAY IS AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME IN CYGNET’S “PRESENT LAUGHTER”.

We’ve always known that Sean Murray is a fine actor, director, and everything else that goes into being artistic director of a theatre. His role as  Garry Essendine in Noël Coward’s comic play/satire, “Present Laughter”, is the topping on the cake for him. He is an absolute standout with an absolute standout cast of characters as directed by the absolutely fit for the task Rosina Reynolds. (Reynolds also directed Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” some years ago at The North Coast Rep.) 

Like Murray, Coward was an actor, and director. Coward was also a lyricist, producer, egotist. He was a  songwriter and he wrote short stories and novels. He was an entertainer in his later years. Like “Blithe Spirit” the production was put off due to the breakout of World War II. Both were written in 1939 and finally produced in 1941/42. But that never put a damper on his writing and/or sense of humor.

When the show opened in 1942 Coward, who wrote the part of Essendine for himself, of course played Essendine. Oh, to have seen that. But fear not, Murray, as noted earlier has Essendine nailed, as do the other cast members, and there are no less than ten in all; some hiding out in Garry’s guest room, or the kitchen or the office, or behind the piano, or like Garry, in his upstairs bedroom. Tony Cucuzzella designed a  two story(art deco) set that has at least four doors through which someone is either coming or going. The furniture is fashionably early 40’s with a couch in the center of the living room, a piano off to the side which Garry plays off and on, and a large portrait of he himself visible to all.

Sean Murray as Garry Essendine

The lists of who’s who in Garry’s world include his ex -wife, Liz Essendine (a take it in stride self- composed Shana Wride), his producer Henry ( wonderful James Newcomb) and his wife, Joanna (gorgeous Amanda Sitton), his manager Morris (Steven Lone, what can I say but handsome), a young debutante looking for Garry's attention, Daphne (Lindsey Young), who faints at the drop of a dime, a  wannbe playwright, neurotic Roland (Trevor Cruse). 

His household crew consist of his overworked assistant Monica (perfect Melissa Fernandes), his whistling valet Fred (Drew Bradford) and his housekeeper Miss Erikson (a riotous Annie Hinton).

Coward’s 3+ act play, which is highly predictable, isn’t really about the social mores of the rich and famous, upper class or whose sleeping with whom, or the irritations of the high and mighty, as much as as it is about how the characters show up to become what and who they are. And here this cast does it spot on, of this there is no doubt.

Lindsey Young and Sean Murray

As for all the women who drop at Essendine’s feet  or should I say hide in the guest bedroom for fear of running into say, a husband, are all glamorous and dressed to the nines in Elsa Benzoni’s stunning evening gowns or one or of the stylish dressing robes or pajamas belonging to Essendine. They all get a chance at wearing one or the other. As for the others, their dress reflects their station in life as do the various dialects according to their station (Vanessa Dinning).

Amanda Sitton and Sean Murray

Then there are the repeats, as I call them, that sets the stage for more farce, as when Roland, the would be writer, shakes hands with everyone he nearly crushes them in the process, or every time Essendine  goes to open the door he smooths back his hair, or each of the wayward girls stashed in Essendine’s guest bedroom innocently ‘forgot their latch key’, or his valet Fred who does an about face every time he’s doing another task for his boss.

Murray and Melissa Fernandes

All this happens as Garry is getting ready to go to Africa to complete some unfinished work and tour the country. But some business deals at home need attention. And so, begins “Present Laughter”, with all the chaos thrown in boggling the imagination, but painfully funny and smart.

And laughter from the audience and some from the ad libs on stage had me laughing at the shenanigans all the way home and then some. And as far as Murray is concerned, don’t let that wagging finger of his fool you. He’s having a hell of a time. 

Shana Wride and Sean Murray

Lighting designer Colby Freel shows us time lapsing, sound designer, TJ Fucella has the phones and bells in sync, Bonnie Durben, all the props you see on stage and Peter Herman’s always spot on  period wigs and makeup. It’s all there my friends to tickle your funny bone.

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.  

 

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through April 29

Where: Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town State Historic ParK

Tickets: $32 and up

Phone: (619) 337-1525

Photo: Karli Cadel

Online: cygnettheatre.com

TWO WORLD PREMIERES, ONE WEEKEND AT OLD GLOBE THEATRE.

 Imagine, if you will, two world premieres and both at The Old Globe; one in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre and the other on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage of the Conrad Preby’s Theatre Center. It usually doesn’t happen thus, but the overlapping of yours truly seeing them both in one weekend is coincidental.   

“Exotic Deadly: Or The MSG Play” by Keiko Green is playing through May 7th and is semi -autobiographical, the other “The XIXTH” by Kemp Powers is running through April 23rd, and is more historical/factual based,

“Exotic Deadly Or The MSG Play” is the memory play of a teenager, (Green) dealing with family, friends, prejudices, coming of age, fitting in and her own fantasies.  Directed by Jessica Prudencio and starring Anna Makami as Ami. Ami (Green is Japanese-American) takes us othe roller-coaster ride of our lives dropping in on her anxieties, finding out about her family’s past and working through them, so to speak...the best she can.  It's the  1990's and MSG is highlighting the news. 

Anna Makami as Ami

Life isn't easy for Ami. Her mother, makes her lunch every day filling little bento boxes (they have a strong smell… ‘like farts’) and all she wants is a turkey sandwich or chicken fingers with fries.  She just wants to fit in. Her brother, Kenji, who is supposed  to be the bright star in the family is no help. He’s focused on working on the school’s yearbook for extracurricular credit. 

Anna Makami and Eunice Bae

The drama hidden in the ‘comedy’ is about Ami’s grandfather, who died when she was two.  He invented MSG. What you might ask is MSG? Come-on, you know. It’s SALT, the ingredient in almost all foods.  At the outset, some claimed  it was deadly (Some studies show it might even cause weight gain: damnit)  and for this reason, Ami is filled with guilt, remorse  and shame. She is dead set on redeeming her family name and finding more about her grandfather, ergo the time travel. 

Then, voila a new girl shows up at school, wearing a black leather jacket, big hair, and a smoke dangling from her mouth. Her name, well, no secret, is Exotic Deadly (Eunice Bae). Bae who is an absolute dynamo and energetic beauty who sparkles throughout, debunking Ami’s, or Amy’s, as she now wants to be called, concerns while loving everything Asian. For some reason she feels ordained to be Ami’s best friend even though neither has met before. She plays by a different set of rules. She is positive about all things Asian. The two are direct opposites. Ami is vulnerable when we meet up with her and the other is up front from the outset. 

As time goes on and Ami learns more and more about herself the world view of her family widens, she begins to change her outlook. All this happens in 100 +minutes, too long a sit with no let -up in sight, but there you have it; barely time to catch a breath before another set of zings fly past making it next to impossible for yours truly to keep up. Oh! for those twenty-something years.

The star cast includes:Trevor Salter, Michelangelo Hyeon and James Soel, all playing several characters including Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (hysterical especially in Hahnji Jang’s outrageous and colorful costumes). Yu Shibagaki’s scenery with bold colored carpets and sliding step boxes or staircases is innovative. Cha See’s lighting and Fan Zhang’s sound designs round out the picture.  

Cast of "Exotic Deadly"

See you at the theatre. 

When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through May 7

Where: Old Globe Theatre’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Balboa Park

Tickets: $29 and up

Photo: Richard Soublet II

Phone: (619) 234-5623

Online: theoldglobe.org

                                                        “THE  XIXTH”

Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” 

Take for example the two American Olympic medalists for the 200 meter race(Tommie Smith and  John Carlos) who, in the 1960’s  Olympic games in Mexico City, or the Nineteenth (XIXTH) Olympiad, raised a black glove, wore beads, scarves  and socks,  when the National Anthem was played rather than…well you know the drill. The third, Australian Peter Norman, (Patrick Marron Ball) silver medalist, (he wore a badge for civil rights) were all barred from ever competing in the Olympics and the Olympic Village itself. First Black Gold Medalist, Jessy Owens, advised them against it, but to no avail. 

Fast forward to 2016 when Colin Kaepernick ‘took a knee’ to protest against racial injustice. in September 2017 President Donald trump  said that NFL owners should "fire" players who protest during the national anthem.  Kaepernick became free agent for years robbing him of his livelyhood, humility and personhood. 

Is that insanity or standing up for your rights? 

Martin Luther King advised ‘slow and go’, which in these cases, the waiting game continues even though the Civil Rights Act  (The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Provisions of this civil rights act forbade discrimination on the basis of sex, as well as, race in hiring, promoting, and firing.)

Patrick Marron Ball, Biko Eisen-Martin and Korey Jackson

As in the ‘60’s, racial tensions roared. I remember being in L.A. during the Watts Riots, watching in live color the killing of both John Kennedy and Ted Kennedy and the aftermath of  Martin Luther King’s death. I saw with my own eyes all of the above history in the making. It was and is a sorrow-filled chapter our history as much as it is today with the cold blooded killing of George Floyd and. And, and!

Playwright Kemp Powers  (“One Night in Miami”) lays the story out in every detail. From Norman’s funeral to the buildup and breakup of the two Olympians over what really happened in the race (did one let the other win the Gold?) to the simulation of the race, all the way back to their meager beginnings. 

The play is a fast paced one hundred minutes long deftly directed by Carl Cofield, unwinding back to the present with an overall wonderful cast starring Korey Jackson as easy going Tommy and Michael Early as Jesse Owens and Biko Eisen Martin as the high strung trouble maker John Carlos. Mark Pinter is the racist chief of the International Olympic Committee,  Avery Brundage. 

Riw Rakkulchon designed the well used set, Mika Eubanks, retro costumes, Allen Lee Hughes the effective lighting and David R. Molina the sound. 

To the end that BLM, this country has a long way to go educate its citizens and leaders to equal justice for all not just those with money. ‘Nuff  said. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention that anti-Semitism is also on the rise AGAIN.

Coming in late in the run, I would urge everyone to catch this show. It ends April 23rd. 

When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through April 23.

See you at the theatre.

Where: The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park

Tickets: $29 and up

Phone: (619) 234-5623

Photo: Rich Soublet II

Online: theoldglobe.org

       

“The Roommate” at New Village Arts ~A Bit Of An Oddity

The San Diego premier of “The Roommate” at New Village Arts by Jen Silverman and directed by Samantha Ginn, starring Milena (Sellers) Phillips and Kim Strassburger is a bit of an oddity. If anyone out there has ever had a roommate, as once I did, you might find this duo a tad non- conventional and hardly compatible. But wait! The twists and turns in this  95 minute edgy/dark comedy packs some pretty funky ideas with compatible possibilities.

“I guess everybody wants to start over. Just burn it all down and start over.”

Sharon lives in Iowa and Robyn is escaping….ooops resettling from the Bronx, to of all places…Iowa. Why, you might ask from the Bronx (“Isn’t the Bronx dangerous?”) to Iowa? Good question, although the answer is somewhat perplexing: “I lived in Iowa for three years in grad school…I knew I was going to write about Iowa”. (Silverman)

Her abbreviated approach to write such an essay on what she claims is a much overlooked segment of the population, or in her own words, “I wasn’t seeing roles in which older women who were total badasses”, does resonate truth. My one disagreement with the playwright is the overworked word, ‘older’. Fifty is the new thirty and would that I could, I would revisit it again.  

Sharon (Milena (Sellers) Phillips) and Robyn (Kim Strassburger)  both need a restart. Both are looking for change, both have children (sight unseen) that undervalue their mother roles in their lives and both have secrets that will be revealed over the course of the play.

We first meet up with Sharon and Robyn, Robyn is unloading boxes of her

stuff from her car to Sharon’s front porch (“Is your porch safe?” “Do you lock your doors?”). It is here we find out that Robyn is a vegan, drinks Almond milk, smokes (oops Sharon forgot to ask about that) pot, writes slam poetry, was a potter who made voodoo looking dolls, her grandmother was from Iowa and she’s gay! 

On the other side of the coin, Sharon belongs to a book club or reading group, is a mother, is a retired wife (her husband left her), has a little night -cap now and then as opposed to smoking medicinal herbs a la Robyn’s style. The good news for Sharon is that she is more accepting to try new things than Robyn.

 Moving along, we catch the both of them sharing a joint, practicing a little con job on Sharon’s friends (you’ll have to see the play to get that one) and sharing adult children stories. 

Sharon has more curiosity about Robyn than vice-versa, ergo she learns more about her roommate’s dark past than her roommate is willing to share simply by snooping around Robyn’s ‘things’. 

The story takes some bizarre twists and turns, some believable -some off the wall especially Sharon’s willingness to go along and even embrace some of Robyn’s illegal activities, once she learns of them.

“The play is often funny,” Silverman says, “but don’t think of it as pure comedy. The humor comes from a dark and often lonely place, which keeps Sharon’s escalating choices from feeling like absurdist flourishes.” 

 The good news is that both gals are up to the task. Phillips has the ‘deer in the headlights look most of the time, but with a mischievous smile from ear to ear. Strassburger is cool, calm and collected, always willing to let her mate try something new to break open her closed down self. 

Jen Silverman’s “The Roommate” as directed by Samantha Ginn (making her mainstage directing debut) is now playing through April 23rd.   This set of roommates isn’t quite as cut and dry as my ‘roommate’ experience or as Ginn’s as she reveals in program notes. Ginn, who keeps the pace fast and furious, barely allows some of the reveals time to sink in. 

Kim Strassburger and Milena (Sellers) Phillips

Two that came to mind was how easy it was to scam elders, a shameful crime that leaves them high, dry and broke. And how the use of drugs, so readily available, as used as a conduit for friendship. Seriously, it did not make for a good  ending for Sharon, or so that was the thought as I exited the theatre. 

Both women do their best with the material given them. Both were able to bring out the humor, the unfulfilled dreams, the loneliness, the ‘other’ and the willingness to try to make it work for them. They also push the agenda forward with what the playwright had in mind, to make us think, to add some odd- ball humor and excellent acting and credibility.

“The Golden Girls” they are  not. More like the “Odd Couple”. But even then, it’s less about the comedy, more about the bizarre; the strangeness of it, the discovering of self. It does make one think.

Costumes designed by Katrina Deroche fit in with the time frame of contemporary. Annelise Salazar designed the effective lighting, Christopher Scott Murrillo designed the detailed set and Andrea Moriarty, props.

See you at the theatre.

Enjoy!  

When: 2 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through April 23

Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad

Tickets: $27-$50

Phone: (760) 433-3245

Photo: Daren Scott

Online: newvillagearts.org

San Diego’s “Tosca” Soars

What is it that draws us back to “Tosca” over and over again?

Surely, I’m not one to disagree with the many reasons for doing this opera over the years. I have to admit however, that my main reason for seeing any Puccini opera as often as I have the chance is, without a doubt, the story,the magnitude of score the  and of course, characters. 

Marcelo Puente with Madonna Painting

I could close my eyes and just listen to the music, it’s that beautiful and yes, glorious. Of course, the players are what make the music come to life and the director makes it possible for the performers to look as convincing as possible to make that happen around the music. 

I can’t, with accuracy, count the many times I have seen Tosca in previous productions here and elsewhere over the years, but if given the chance, I’ll see it again.

“Tosca” is about love, politics, power, jealousy, murder and religion in Rome at the turn of the century. The story is a political thriller, set in Rome in June 1800’s during the Napoleonic wars and a time of great political unrest. The action takes place over less than 24 hours, making it an intense experience!

Three very strong personalities, Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi and their adversary, Chief of Police Scarpia, form an unholy triangle with Scarpia holding all the power cards and Tosca and Cavaradossi  unwilling puppets in his perverse use of that control. 

Cast

Jealous by nature, Tosca just about seals her fate when Scarpia  convinces her that her painter lover, Cavaradossi is having an affair with ‘the beautiful painting of the woman with the blue eyes he is completing. No sense convincing Tosca it’s her because she has brown eyes, something they playfully banter about.  Cavaradossi convinces her to leave the chapel.  (Qual occhio al mondo può star di paro).

Michelle Bradley, who appeared here in 2019 in “Aida” and  whose “Tosca” will be the second time she’s performed it, continues to soar in this production. With crystal clear voice, making her persona Tosca as pure as her voice.  Our tenor Marcelo Puente, her lover Cavaradossi, with an equally powerful and robust voice make a glorious twosome as they were  intended to be. (“e lucevan le stelle”.

Greer Grimsley and Michelle Bradley

Bass Baritone Greer Grimsley who has mastered this role in past performances here in San Diego, is the bad guy Scarpia, with his misuse of power in the name of politics and religion. His one goal is to bed Tosca for the safe release of Cavaradossi after he is tortured for not revealing where his friend revolutionist Angelotti (Andrew Craig Brown) is hiding.

Conductor Valerio Galli who hails from Italy leads the orchestra with a bravissimo force that rocked the house; it was that powerful. 

Alan E. Hicks directs with a sure hand contrasting the moods of all three of his luminaries with mood swings back and forth from Tosca’s pious leanings to her playful back and forth of the Cavaradossi painting to Scarpia’s wooing Tosca to his force in trying to take her. Using her jealous streak as ammunition, he convinces Tosca of Cavaradossi’s wayward eye (Va, Tosca) then remembering he is in the church cries: “Tosca, you made me forget God”. He is an impressive figure. 

After being taken to Scarpia’s apartment on the upper floor of the Palazzo Farnese (Jean-Pierre Ponnelle set design is uninspired), in Act II, she still doesn’t fully understand the magnitude of her being there. The room is connected to the torture chamber, where he lets Tosca hear cries from Cavaradossi. 

Scarpia, whose lust for Tosca is all he can think about, wants her to surrender to him and when she does, he admits, Cavaradossi will go free. Grimsley is most convincing and handsome, almost too, unlike other Scarpia’s I’ve seen. His powerful voice was a most welcome one.  When she offers money, he claims he doesn’t take money from pretty women. What he does desire is Tosca. Tosca, mad with anguish and revulsion agrees, turning to God (Vissi d’arte) what has she done to deserve such suffering?  

For this reviewer there were some disappointments about this production. One was the passion between the lovers. Both Ms. Bradley and Puente are most attractive and excellent actors and soar in both duo and solo arias. Both are convincing enough when singing, but when together the passion, the thrill, the excitement didn’t translate or show through. One of the biggest puzzles that came up for me throughout the production was the fact that as ardently as they confessed their love for each other they never really kissed passionately.  Call me a romantic, but… it makes it more sense.

Marcelo Puente and Michelle Bradley

There seemed to have been an awkwardness about their intimacy leaving an overall feeling of wanting more from the lovers especially in the final scene, when Cavaradossi, whose fingers were dripping with blood from torture couldn’t write his final letter to Tosca (as is in the libretto) but asks the jailer to do it for him. (E lucevan le stelle) Nor could he hold Tosca’s hands as they professed their love for each other and in his final farewell to her (O dolci mani) both which he sang beautifully. 

Chris Rynne lighting was fine. Sets are undistinguished. Since we own the sets,(Andrew Horn) I’m guessing it was the lesser of the money spent. They worked, but not always to the benefit of some audience member’s sight lines, and Andrew Marley and Heide Zamora costumes are period on target.

“Tosca” has been performed by San Diego Opera with performances happening in 2016, 2009, 2002, 1996, 1986, 1981, 1974, and 1967. Is there a 10th in the wings?

See you at the theatre.

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 

Where: San Diego Opera at the San Diego Civic Theatre 1100 Third Ave., San Diego

Tickets: $25 and up

Photo: Karli Cadel

Phone: (619) 533-7000

Online: sdopera.org

Will Cooper’s “gUnTOPIa” ~Enough To Scare The Beejesus Out Of Anyone .

“gUnTOPIa”, Roustabouts Theatre original play by Will Cooper, one of the founding members of the Roustabouts, opened three years ago and immediately had to close because of Covid. “gUnTOPIa”, if you hadn’t already heard is a scathing satire about guns, family values, and the beliefs we have about the sanctity of a person’s worth, or not! 

The play takes place sometime in the 50’s revolving around the Nelson family, a typical nuclear family with mother, father, daughter and son…  all armed to the gills with guns of every size, shape and caliber. Anything unusual about that sight? According to them, no!

Daughter June and son Bobby are 'playing' with their guns when Bobby aims straight at his sister and shoots her dead. Unfortunately, Bobby didn’t have his safety on so he was reprimanded for being careless. ‘He always was an ace shot’. In the meantime, the police (Detective Rheingold) are called in to report a shooting to verify a body and call for it to be taken away. Bobby is sent to his room and the parents circle June without benefit of emotions. 

Katie Karel and Phil Johnson

The whole idea of a country being armed at birth is not only absurd but madness. Thankfully it's just a play with an idea. (For now) But here we are in 2023 where half the population is armed and the other half can purchase one if in the right place at the right time. I’m convinced it’s easier to purchase a weapon in some states, than it is to open some of my meds, so secure are they wrapped in hard core plastics. 

Not one scene in the 95 minute play do we see a character without a gun, nor do we escape the sounds (Jon Fredette) of shooting from both Glocks or semi powered weapons al la used in battle as background sounds.  

Thinking about these times I couldn’t help but think back to one of  my favorite musicals, “Fiddler On The Roof” when Tevye sings to Chavaleh,  “I don't understand what's happening today. Everything is all a blur”. It’s not that I don’t favor change, but this?  

Just the idea that Cooper had to mention in his notes that “Americans who favor stronger firearms legislation is just over 50% though over 70% see gun violence as a ‘big problem’, is enough to make your skin crawl. 

Phil Johnson and Katie Karel (front) Eben Rosenzweig,
Walter Murray, Veronica Burgess and Elena Bertacchi

With a dynamic cast starring Phil Johnson as Harry Nelson, Katie Karel as Mary Nelson, Elena Bertacchi as June/Alice and Eden Rosenzweig as Bobby, co -directors Rosina Reynolds and daughter Kate Rose Reynolds focus in with razor sharp accuracy the eccentricities of this family whose goal is to be the best sharpshooters, have  most prizes for accuracy in shooting and excellence in each category. 

While acting as your run of the mill family, they have good neighbors, and are respected in their community. But… with a sudden turn of events  all bets are off and Johnson’s Harry has somewhat of a mind changing experience that turns the theme into a head scratcher and not for the worst.

Johnson, who was in the original cast, gives us a realistic view of how some  parents  can never stop being parents. On the other hand, Karel’s Mary is pretty much his opposite by trying to have another child to take the place of June, and Rosenzweig’s Bobby is a spoiled brat and manipulator from the start. Bertacchi’s June has a soft touch that singles her out from the rest of her family. 

BackRow: Phil Johnson and Katie Karel
Front: Eben Rosenzweig and Elena Bertacchi

Support from Walter Murray as the Detective and neighbor Ed is interesting to watch as he goes through the motions of reporting dead bodies while in uniform and friendly neighbor Ed dressed the nines in hunting/ camouflage gear (no credit given for costume design) with a gun hanging everywhere. Veronica Burgess is Consuela, the social worker /mediator and yes, she is equipped with smaller guns tucked under her arms. It’s the law that everyone be armed. 

Michelle Miles designed the lighting. Dan R. Cheatham II is listed as Armorer, Alyssa Kane is props designer, Tony Cucuzzella designed the 50’s looking set and Nathan Waits, set construction with Maya Aizenman acting as Stage Manager. 

More from Cooper: “It’s truly a topsy-turvy world we live in, and I don’t want to accept it, and I don’t think any of us should.”

Check it out and see for yourselves.  

See you at the theatre.

When: Runs through April 1. 

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays 

Where: Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego

Tickets: $45

Phone: (619) 568-5800

Photo: Daren Scott

Online: theroustabouts.org 

Chekhov’s “Cherry Orchard” … Comedy? Tragedy? Or Both?

The word sardonic comes to mind when I think that Anton Chekhov called the last of his three most produced plays (“The Seagull”, “The Three Sisters” and “Uncle Vanya”), “The Cherry Orchard” a comedy ‘with some elements of farce’. I wonder what he would consider tragic, since most all of his characters in ‘Orchard’ are tragic figures and yes, some find themselves in ridiculous situations, but none-the-less his characters all fall under a spell of disappointment, sorrow, unrequited love and/or unhappiness.  

“The Cherry Orchard” was written in 1903 and published in 1904. It was before the revolution and into the beginnings of the downfall of Czarist Russia. In 1904 it was first directed by Stanislavski who called it a tragedy. 

Now under the direction of North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach, artistic director and director David Ellenstein, using Jean-Claude van Itallie adaptation, this translation is more modern  by today’s standards. A good sign, this. For the most part much of the dialogue is loud and clear with a few exceptions as when the actors are faced away from the audience.  

Cast from L to R 
Richard Baird, Katie MacNichol. Bruce Turk, 
Second Row:
Ted Barton, Sofia Jean Gomez, Amanda Evans, Riley Osburn

As for the excellent cast, one can’t ask for a stronger and well versed, with a bravado performance by Richard Baird’s Yermolay Lopakhin, the former serf , whose grandparents worked as serf’s in the orchard but now as a free and wealthy businessman, he has plans for the in debt ridden estate that now belongs to the long suffering, and broke Lyubov Ranevskaya (Katie MacNichol) and her delusionary and quite eccentric brother Leonid  Gayev (Bruce Turk). Both are locked in the past of what used to be.

Ranevskaya, the main focus of the play, is followed by an  entourage that cluster around her in varying degrees from king makers like Lopakhin and do nothing’s, like Trofimov (Michael Raver), a student at the local university, and once tutor to Ranevskaya’s deceased son. He is the  eternal student who believes he ‘is above love’. 

James Sutorius and Richard Baird

The old guard like Firs (James Sutorius) is the  long time butler in advanced stages of dementia, and neighbor Pishchik (Ted Barton ), another once rich landowner who is now broke and always asking ‘anyone’ for money

Bruce Turk and Amanda Evans

There are other  voices: daughter Anya, (Riley Osburn) is 17 years old and the most sympathetic towards her mother. It was she who went to Paris to bring her mother back to the estate after a dreadful time there. 

Adopted daughter Varya, (Amanda Evans) at 24 and is in love with Lopakhin and is the estate manager. She would love to be married to Lopakhin but… Her's is the most sympathetic character.

Marty Burnetts set lit by lighting designer Matt Novotny

And just when you thought it can’t get any more absurd  or eccentric there is Charlotte (Sofia Jean Gomez) Anya’s once governess. Anya is now too old for a governess so Charlotta entertains those at the estate by throwing her voice, doing ‘magic’ card tricks and out of the blue, munching on a cucumber. 

Richard Baird

When the play opens Baird’s Lopakhin is a self- satisfied, and wealthy merchant. He talks about plans to make the estate into a money making business. But when Ranevskaya and her entourage walk into what once was the nursery (Marty Burnett) all bets are off for any sense of normalcy that might follow. 

Sooner rather than later the estate will be on the auction block. Lopakhin, the new owner of the estate, orders his men to begin chopping the trees down and sounds of axes are in heard the background (Evan Easton), until he stops them while the family is still in the house. There we see the suitcases being lined up and ready to move on to the next stop, whatever that might look like, in what was once the nursery as Lopakhin dangles the keys ready to close up the house.

Katie MacNichol (seated)
Back:
Michael Raver, Sofia Jean Gomez and Ted Barton

And then a befuddled Firs stumbles into the empty nursery, wondering where everyone went.

Ellenstein et al have breathed new life into Chekhov’s least produced trilogy, “The Cherry Orchard”  with an overall excellent and well connected cast from Baird to MacNichol, to Baron and Sutorius to Turk who never ceases to amuse. 

Matt Novotny’s lighting enhances Marty Burnett’s set especially the outlined trees covered by the background scrim. Elisa Benzoni’s period outfits are class appropriate with Peter Herman’s wigs. Evan Easton’s sound of the trees being chopped down in the background puts a period at the end of an era.

You be the judge! Comedy? Tragedy?

See you at the theatre. 

When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through April 22.

Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Tickets: $57-$68

Phone: (858) 481-1055

Photo: Ken Jacques

Online: northcoastrep.org