Happy Fourth of July – Bard Style!

What if Shake-Speare had written the Declaration of Indepedence?

In honor of our nation’s most patriotic holiday – here is a Declaration of Independence in the style of the Bard…

Courtesy of SP Hendrick and The Redlands Shakespeare Festival.

Now is the Summer of our Discontent
Expressed by multitudes of men whose pleas
For fair and proper governaunce are rent
By Soverign King, unheeded, as a breeze
Might go unnoticed. Now forlorn, we cry…
For Freedom from that puffed, indiffererent Crown
Which hath despoiled our patience with the lie
That God hath righteously on him bestown
All that we are and have for his sole right
To take and plunder and to sieze at will
So for our Liberty we choose to fight
Against this tyrant whom we wish no ill
But let him now take heed. Let it be said:
Uneasy lies the Crown upon his head.

May all your fireworks exist in the sky…..

Or a great kiss!!

Producers Win at the Maverick

Fullerton’s Maverick Theatre mounts a rather accomplished production of Mel Brook’s The Producers, directed by Brian Newell. Despite the limitations of their small performance space, the cast and crew produced a magical show equally spirited to a full Broadway production – easily transitioning from theatre, to office, to East Side apartment, to courtroom and beyond.

When Max Bialystock, an infamous Broadway producer, teams up with his mousy accountant, Leo Bloom, they soon realize that a play that flops could, theoretically, make a fortune. With a little creative accounting, Max and Leo endeavor to collect an excessive amount of money from their backers and produce a show certain to fail on opening night, leaving them with $2 million to spend. They set out to over sell the shares of their next show, Springtime for Hilter, a surefire flop meant to offend and horrify as many theatre patrons as possible. They hire a nutcase German playwright, persuade the worst director in town to join the team, and gain finances from a string of promiscuous old ladies. With all the pawns in place what could possibly go wrong?

Shaun-Michael McNamara delivers a fantastically funny Leo Bloom, in a character that can easily lead the best of actors into a contrived performance. McNamara proves neurotically amusing and sincere.

Rick Franklin's Max Bialystock begins with vigor, but loses steam toward the end of the play – struggling to keep up with his youthful cast mates. Yet, one can appreciate his fight for success.

Kalinda Gray's seductive Ulla, shines through with her perfect sense of comedic timing, sparkling appearance and strong vocals (even through the filter of her humorous Swedish accent).

David Chorley’s delivers a mantic, escaped Nazi playwright, Franz Liebkind. Among his pigeon companions, his quirky mannerisms and thick accent are the perfect combination of hilarious and frightening.

The Maverick Theatre’s talented ensemble of standout performers creates a thoroughly enjoyable production, with laugh-out-loud qualities. One thing is for sure, audiences will leave the theatre with a smile on their face.

The Producers is presented by Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Fullerton, (714) 526-7070; http://www.mavericktheater.com/. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 & 8 p.m. Through Aug. 1. $15-$25.

Join Wee Thomas's Army of Supporters

"Wee Thomas” the cat has been killed. Even more unfortunate, he was the cherished pet of Padraic, a ruthless Irish National Liberation Army enforcer whose motto is "shoot first, ask idiotic questions later". As his father and a well-meaning neighbor fight over who has to break the bad news, mayhem ensues and an irresistible, wickedly funny play is born.

Tonight’s performance of The Center Theatre Group's production of Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore began as a dark satire and ended as a violent assault against the senses. Bathed in guts and gore, The Lieutenant of Inishmore is revoltingly comical and shockingly insightful. Set against a cold and severe landscape of an isolated island in Northern Ireland, Padraic paints the walls red in search of Thomas’s killer. Was it an accident or an execution? - Either way, someone has to pay.

Surprisingly, it is not Chris Pine who steels the stoplight as the hot-headed terrorist Padraic, although he is the most recognizable talent. Instead the young Coby Getzug shines thorough as the lovable and sulky teenage Davey, wrongly accused of running over Padraic’s beloved cat with his bicycle. Getzug’s portrayal of Davey is likable and sincere in a cast of absurd characters. Equally commendable is Sean G. Griffin in the role of Donny, Padraic’s father and caretaker of his cat. Together the duo steal the show scene after scene as audience members howl with laughter, grimace with fear, and moan with disgust.

Speaking of blood, there is plenty to go around. This is not a play for the squeamish, but an all too enjoyable night of entertainment (despite our best efforts to fight against it).

Ian Alda, Andrew Connolly, Kevin Kearns, Zoe Perry, and Brett Ryback complete the talented cast of players.

June 30th – August 8th, at the Mark Taper Forum; 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tickets are available online or by calling the Box Office at (213) 628-2772. $25 - $35 General Admission.

WARNING: THIS SHOW CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE; Adult language and themes. Not recommended for children under 18.