The Lutz Radio Hour Casting!

I have been cast in The Lutz Radio Hour at the Long Beach Playhouse! Last night I had the privilege of auditioning for Andrew Vonderschmitt, the artistic director of the LBPH. This show marks the beginning of a Christmas tradition he hopes to activate, bringing a holiday show to LBPH audiences every year. Not only will I be a part of this new, exciting tradition, but I will also appear in back to back productions in the main stage theatre. I start rehearsals during my run as “Wanda” in Enter Laughing. We have a very short time to rehearse this sketch-like comedy Christmas show of 1947. I am eager to begin the process.

Wanda ("Enter Laughing") inspired collage

Enter Laughing Opening!

This weekend we added the final element to our show: the audience. Previews went rather well on Thursday and Friday night. Saturday's opening night champagne reception proved thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable. Enter Laughing continues to improve with every performance. I would like to take my hat off to Murray Rubin, Jerome Loeb, Sam Dawson and Skip Blas, who seemed to be the audience favorites of the night. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the show this weekend, especially my fabulous family adn friends!

Seasons of love felt at OCPAC

Last night’s production of RENT at OCPAC in Segerstrom Hall, with the original Roger Davis (Adam Pascal) and Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp), was electrifying. Rumor had it that the two performers were bored and burnt out, after reprising their roles over the past 15 years. My dearest friends, having seen such a re-hashed production, delivered warnings of a disinterested Pascal robotically going through the motions and a genuine but ordinary Rapp conforming his character to the likeness of himself. Maybe it was my distant seat in the front mezzanine, the glittering lights, the junkyard set, or the amplified sound system vibrating my bones, but the whole production gave me chills. Adam Pascal was spellbinding and his vocal quality at its height. “One Song Glory” took my breath away. The quirky Anthony Rapp provided laughs and high energy, delivering a consistent and solid performance. Justin Johnson had several tricks up his sleeve as Angel Schunard, which included song, dance, acrobatics, drumsticks and a very touching ending. I took my parents to the performance, who really didn’t understand the importance or hype of everything that is RENT. My father looked at me blankly when the curtain closed, the entire crowd on their feet cheering, and simply said, “It wasn’t my favorite.” Well, I guess it is a little much to ask my folks to appreciate Shakespeare and modern musicals. I thought they would see something very special from this Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award winning play, but then I realized that perhaps this is not a play that speaks to their generation on the same level that it speaks to mine. Maybe it felt more like a rock concert to them than a theatrical performance. Whatever the case, RENT spoke to me as it always has, through the character portraits of struggling artists, HIV epidemic, fear, acceptance, friendship and love.

Performances at OCPAC's Segerstrom Hall Oct. 20 – 25, 2009. $20 tickets will be available two hours before curtain only at the Center’s Box Office, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Regular tickets are $20 - $70 and are on sale now. They may be purchased at www.OCPAC.org, at the Center’s Box Office or by calling 714.556.2787.

Wanda has gumption

When I got to the playhouse last night I put on my cherry dress with my cream pigskin heels. The hair designer was waiting with a little brown curly wig. He placed it on my head, softening hte hair line and placing pin curls. When he stepped back Wanda stared back at me in the dressing room mirror. I am so thankful to be at this point of the process with such a fabulous crew to support us. We are one rehearsal away from our invited dress, and two days away from previews. I know our opening on Saturday night, which is almost sold out, will be wonderful and exciting. I am eager to have an audience in the empty red seats we have been playing to for the past 5 weeks.

What if Violet was your mother?

When Aristotle described theatre in his Poetics, he said tragedies must include opsis (Greek for spectacle). The Elizabethans also believed in creating spectacle, though too much could be seen as witchcraft. In this regard, the Ahmanson Theatre’s production of August: Osage County did not disappoint. The detailed 3-storied Oklahoma home sitting on the premium stage like a giant doll house was a spectacle in itself, but was not to be outdone by the performance of Estelle Parsons as Violet Weston. Encompassed in a sea of painkillers, alcohol and cigarettes, Violet summons her immediate family to her home after the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Beverly. The first indication that something is seriously wrong with the Weston family comes with Violet, played by the 82 year old actress, tromping down the stairs like a lightning speed bobble-head. With insanity and chaos swarming the house, eldest daughter Barbara attempts to take control of the house. The show is funny, tragic, horrific, engaging and utterly brilliant. Among the pill popping matriarch, missing patriarch, sexual infidelity, incest, drunken brawls, and betrayal is a potent truth that spoke to me on multiple levels. And you thought your family was dysfunctional? The characters are sharp witted with biting tongues. They dealt insults with epic Shakespearian-like power. The 3 hours performance flew by in a flash and standing ovations were to be had for all.

Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; No performances on Mondays. September 9 through October 18, 2009. Tickets are $20-80. The Ahmanson: 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A.. For more info call (213) 972-4400 or visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.