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Manson's Girls - Hollywood Fringe Festival Review

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By James Bartlett

Cast of Manson's Girls

For decades the Manson name has fascinated the public, and so any story featuring him and his family will always garner some interest - though taking it to a musical place is something different.

On entering the theater, the Family members - absent Manson - are on stage hanging out, playing the bongos, writing protest signs or tripping, while a frightened-looking girl clutching a swaddled small baby stands nearby, thumbing a lift.

Cast of Manson's GirlsThis girl is Linda Kasabian (played by Erinn Elizabeth O'Sullivan), a new arrival at the Manson Family Ranch and our ersatz representative as she meets other members, all of whom are devoted to the still-unseen Charlie.

There's fierce Sadie (Megan Rose Ruble), clucky Big Patty (Lia Peros), twitchy Squeaky (Lauren Dewey), bad cop enforcer Tex (James Schueller), and good cop bandana-wearing Bobby (Randle Rankin).

They all seem charming, dedicated and far out - at least at first - but when Charlie (Troy Armand Barboza) first appears, the Godspell-type greeting the others sing shows what they think of him - and he reciprocates in kind to their worship.

But soon enough "Little Girl Lost" Linda and the other fictional character Zephyr (Karlee Squires) become disillusioned with the near-poverty lifestyle, the jealous infighting and the "creepy crawl" burglaries that turn sinister.

Cast of Manson's GirlsZephyr leaves - it seems - but Linda is hesitatingly committed, their final action being the raid on the home of Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski. It's prompted by an angry - fictional - confrontation between Manson, the Family and Tate.

All the Family Members get their moment in the spotlight at the side of the stage, the highlight there being Big Patty's sexy/deadly plea to "Color Me Red," and the flapper-style ensemble number "Help Yourself" (complete with swinging machetes).

The Sharon Tate (Lauren Byrd) cameo when she sings a near-hymn to her unborn baby seems rather overplayed though: we all know what happened. Manson's Girlsat least make it a more lyrical and exuberant journey to the dark side.    

Manson's Girls
Book by Scott Guy
Music by Ron Barnett
Lyrics by Mitchell Glaser
Directed by Scott Guy
Produced by New Musicals, Inc
At the Broadwater Mainstage, Hollywood as part of the Hollywood Fringe 2018


Out and About with Susan Hornik - June 2018

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The MTV Movie & TV Awards

It's always busy in Hollywood with lots of events to cover, especially the week during The MTV Movie Awards.

The Secret Room's luxury gift lounge presented a Bali Style Retreat in honor of the nominees for the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Open to only celebrities and media, the event hosted some of today's most unique, fashionable and luxurious companies, products and services. From exotic trips, to resort vacations and high end jewelry, to hip and trendy baby and pet products and luxurious skin and hair care products, the Secret Room was a total pampering experience.

Products showcased included safety devices by SABRE, footwear by Exotics by Cedrick, Japanese sports shoe company Ccilu, genetics kits from platinum sponsor 23andMe, fashion from Bubblelingo and hair styling tools and products by Copperhed by Hedlux.

Celebrities loved trying out the amazing, chemical free nut butter and milk machine NutraMilk. I plan to use it in my kitchen for all my homemade, tasty almond shakes. And it makes a great Nutella!

Baroque & Rose gave portable travel kits with beauty formulas and condensed paper masks that expand when you combine them. Celebrities at the event went home with cute socks by Wovenpear and a gift certificate for some high end dining room furnishings from Canadel.

At the Celebrity Connected gifting suite, I met Lychee Rose Bouquets, who created lovely flowers. "It was an amazing experience. Being in a room with celebrities and vendors made the experience just more exciting. I have a few clients from the suite, also a client wanting me to do flowers for her wedding."

Search Party Apparel has cool clothing for Hollywood surfers. "We are so excited to. be here today. We have a lot of athletes that wear our clothes. For example, Grant Giller is a rider for our company, He's a very well known snowboarder and has done BMW commercials in China and competed all over the world," said owner/founder Ryan McGowan.

"Celebrity Connected did not disappoint, as usual!" enthused actress Nikki Leigh. "I felt very spoiled by the quality! Nana Coco was the perfect beauty stop with my new favorite eyebrow pencils. Current Air was super stylish and generous. And there was even great stuff for my pup, @kodi_thestud. I felt like the best dog mom once I got home


Love

Love Goodly has collaborated with actress and animal advocate, Kaley Cuoco, to create an exclusive "Made With Love" June/July Box for Summer to benefit Paw Works! Featuring Kaley's picks for Love Goodly, the beauty & wellness products inside are all eco and animal friendly, toxin-free, cruelty-free, to encourage a healthy and guilt free summer for a cause.

"I am thrilled to support pups in-need and Paw Works, with Love Goodly's box of Kaley-inspired, eco and animal friendly beauty products," said actress and animal advocate Kaley Cuoco.

What's inside? Custom made for Love Goodly by Nail & Bone, enjoy one of three custom-pink shades of summer ready nail polish in a soft neutral, hot pink, or coral red that are nontoxic (8 free), cruelty-free, vegan, and made in the U.S.A. The animal-friendly, fresh new colorways are aptly named after Kaley's rescue dogs Ruby and Shirley, and her pony Shmooshy!


Hollywood Restaurants

Toni Bianco, President and COO at Fatburger has a busy schedule, even more so now that Postmates  has partnered with them. "I never would have imagined how much 3rd party delivery would impact us in such a positive way. Not only are we seeing record same-store sales; we are also looking to expand delivery into day parts we haven't traditionally been successful in."

Celebrities are always stopping by their Hollywood locations.

"Recently, we had Bella Hadid and some of her friends come in for burgers as part of a birthday celebration. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful celebrity fans here in Hollywood and do what we can to give them the full Fatburger experience by making them feel comfortable and, of course, enjoying a great burger, fries and a shake.

If you want to try authentic Oaxacan food, look no further than the cozy restaurant, Tlayuda. Great food (if you've never tried a tlayuda do so immediately!) and drinks like brewchata and horchata are so refreshing. I loved their veggie quesadilla too! The prices for each dish are very reasonable.


What I Love This Summer...

Some great places to check out: Del Frisco's for brunch-the menu features new food menu items such as delicate Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, energizing Greens & Grains Bowl full of farmer's market veggies, decadent Smoked Salmon Tower,and kick-in-the-pants Eggs in Purgatory.

 Crustacean has a fun happy hour. The restaurant's newly redesigned indoor-outdoor bar and patio is an impressive new amenity that resulted from their $10 million redesign. The food is amazing as are the cocktails!

Reeds' Ginger Beers and Virgil's Root Beer have a new line of Virgil's Zero Sugar sodas which are delicious.

It's going to get especially hot this summer, so check out Rowenta's 180° Tower Fan ($129.00), which provides the perfect ambient temperature while taking up less space than other tower fans on the market. Designed with a sleek modern exterior, the device is lightweight and easy to store in any room in the home.

While celebrity astrologer Jonathan Cainer has passed on, his nephew Oscar continues to put forth helpful astrological tips, blending his uncle's knowledge. If you need guidance this summer with your career, relationships, etc. think about getting one of their magnificent Astro reports.

Out and About with Susan Hornik - June 2018

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0
0

The MTV Movie & TV Awards

It's always busy in Hollywood with lots of events to cover, especially the week during The MTV Movie Awards.

The Secret Room's luxury gift lounge presented a Bali Style Retreat in honor of the nominees for the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Open to only celebrities and media, the event hosted some of today's most unique, fashionable and luxurious companies, products and services. From exotic trips, to resort vacations and high end jewelry, to hip and trendy baby and pet products and luxurious skin and hair care products, the Secret Room was a total pampering experience.

Products showcased included safety devices by SABRE, footwear by Exotics by Cedrick, Japanese sports shoe company Ccilu, genetics kits from platinum sponsor 23andMe, fashion from Bubblelingo and hair styling tools and products by Copperhed by Hedlux.

Celebrities loved trying out the amazing, chemical free nut butter and milk machine NutraMilk. I plan to use it in my kitchen for all my homemade, tasty almond shakes. And it makes a great Nutella!

Baroque & Rose gave portable travel kits with beauty formulas and condensed paper masks that expand when you combine them. Celebrities at the event went home with cute socks by Wovenpear and a gift certificate for some high end dining room furnishings from Canadel.

At the Celebrity Connected gifting suite, I met Lychee Rose Bouquets, who created lovely flowers. "It was an amazing experience. Being in a room with celebrities and vendors made the experience just more exciting. I have a few clients from the suite, also a client wanting me to do flowers for her wedding."


Nikki Leigh
"

Search Party Apparel has cool clothing for Hollywood surfers. "We are so excited to. be here today. We have a lot of athletes that wear our clothes. For example, Grant Giller is a rider for our company, He's a very well known snowboarder and has done BMW commercials in China and competed all over the world," said owner/founder Ryan McGowan.

Celebrity Connected did not disappoint, as usual!" enthused actress Nikki Leigh. "I felt very spoiled by the quality! Nana Coco was the perfect beauty stop with my new favorite eyebrow pencils. Current Air was super stylish and generous. And there was even great stuff for my pup, @kodi_thestud. I felt like the best dog mom once I got home


Love

Love Goodly has collaborated with actress and animal advocate, Kaley Cuoco, to create an exclusive "Made With Love" June/July Box for Summer to benefit Paw Works! Featuring Kaley's picks for Love Goodly, the beauty & wellness products inside are all eco and animal friendly, toxin-free, cruelty-free, to encourage a healthy and guilt free summer for a cause.

"I am thrilled to support pups in-need and Paw Works, with Love Goodly's box of Kaley-inspired, eco and animal friendly beauty products," said actress and animal advocate Kaley Cuoco.

What's inside? Custom made for Love Goodly by Nail & Bone, enjoy one of three custom-pink shades of summer ready nail polish in a soft neutral, hot pink, or coral red that are nontoxic (8 free), cruelty-free, vegan, and made in the U.S.A. The animal-friendly, fresh new colorways are aptly named after Kaley's rescue dogs Ruby and Shirley, and her pony Shmooshy!


Hollywood Restaurants

Toni Bianco, President and COO at Fatburger has a busy schedule, even more so now that Postmates  has partnered with them. "I never would have imagined how much 3rd party delivery would impact us in such a positive way. Not only are we seeing record same-store sales; we are also looking to expand delivery into day parts we haven't traditionally been successful in."

Celebrities are always stopping by their Hollywood locations.

"Recently, we had Bella Hadid and some of her friends come in for burgers as part of a birthday celebration. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful celebrity fans here in Hollywood and do what we can to give them the full Fatburger experience by making them feel comfortable and, of course, enjoying a great burger, fries and a shake.

If you want to try authentic Oaxacan food, look no further than the cozy restaurant, Tlayuda. Great food (if you've never tried a tlayuda do so immediately!) and drinks like brewchata and horchata are so refreshing. I loved their veggie quesadilla too! The prices for each dish are very reasonable.


What I Love This Summer...

Some great places to check out: Del Frisco's for brunch-the menu features new food menu items such as delicate Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, energizing Greens & Grains Bowl full of farmer's market veggies, decadent Smoked Salmon Tower,and kick-in-the-pants Eggs in Purgatory.


Crustacean
Crustacean has a fun happy hour. The restaurant's newly redesigned indoor-outdoor bar and patio is an impressive new amenity that resulted from their $10 million redesign. The food is amazing as are the cocktails!

Reeds' Ginger Beers and Virgil's Root Beer have a new line of Virgil's Zero Sugar sodas which are delicious.

It's going to get especially hot this summer, so check out Rowenta's 180° Tower Fan ($129.00), which provides the perfect ambient temperature while taking up less space than other tower fans on the market. Designed with a sleek modern exterior, the device is lightweight and easy to store in any room in the home.

While celebrity astrologer Jonathan Cainer has passed on, his nephew Oscar continues to put forth helpful astrological tips, blending his uncle's knowledge. If you need guidance this summer with your career, relationships, etc. think about getting one of their magnificent Astro reports.

Out and About with Susan Hornik - June 2018

$
0
0

The MTV Movie & TV Awards

It's always busy in Hollywood with lots of events to cover, especially the week during The MTV Movie Awards.

The Secret Room's luxury gift lounge presented a Bali Style Retreat in honor of the nominees for the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Open to only celebrities and media, the event hosted some of today's most unique, fashionable and luxurious companies, products and services. From exotic trips, to resort vacations and high end jewelry, to hip and trendy baby and pet products and luxurious skin and hair care products, the Secret Room was a total pampering experience.

Products showcased included safety devices by SABRE, footwear by Exotics by Cedrick, Japanese sports shoe company Ccilu, genetics kits from platinum sponsor 23andMe, fashion from Bubblelingo and hair styling tools and products by Copperhed by Hedlux.

Celebrities loved trying out the amazing, chemical free nut butter and milk machine NutraMilk. I plan to use it in my kitchen for all my homemade, tasty almond shakes. And it makes a great Nutella!

Baroque & Rose gave portable travel kits with beauty formulas and condensed paper masks that expand when you combine them. Celebrities at the event went home with cute socks by Wovenpear and a gift certificate for some high end dining room furnishings from Canadel.

At the Celebrity Connected gifting suite, I met Lychee Rose Bouquets, who created lovely flowers. "It was an amazing experience. Being in a room with celebrities and vendors made the experience just more exciting. I have a few clients from the suite, also a client wanting me to do flowers for her wedding."


Nikki Leigh

Search Party Apparel has cool clothing for Hollywood surfers. "We are so excited to. be here today. We have a lot of athletes that wear our clothes. For example, Grant Giller is a rider for our company, He's a very well known snowboarder and has done BMW commercials in China and competed all over the world," said owner/founder Ryan McGowan.

Celebrity Connected did not disappoint, as usual!" enthused actress Nikki Leigh. "I felt very spoiled by the quality! Nana Coco was the perfect beauty stop with my new favorite eyebrow pencils. Current Air was super stylish and generous. And there was even great stuff for my pup, @kodi_thestud. I felt like the best dog mom once I got home


Love

Love Goodly has collaborated with actress and animal advocate, Kaley Cuoco, to create an exclusive "Made With Love" June/July Box for Summer to benefit Paw Works! Featuring Kaley's picks for Love Goodly, the beauty & wellness products inside are all eco and animal friendly, toxin-free, cruelty-free, to encourage a healthy and guilt free summer for a cause.

"I am thrilled to support pups in-need and Paw Works, with Love Goodly's box of Kaley-inspired, eco and animal friendly beauty products," said actress and animal advocate Kaley Cuoco.

What's inside? Custom made for Love Goodly by Nail & Bone, enjoy one of three custom-pink shades of summer ready nail polish in a soft neutral, hot pink, or coral red that are nontoxic (8 free), cruelty-free, vegan, and made in the U.S.A. The animal-friendly, fresh new colorways are aptly named after Kaley's rescue dogs Ruby and Shirley, and her pony Shmooshy!


Hollywood Restaurants

Toni Bianco, President and COO at Fatburger has a busy schedule, even more so now that Postmates  has partnered with them. "I never would have imagined how much 3rd party delivery would impact us in such a positive way. Not only are we seeing record same-store sales; we are also looking to expand delivery into day parts we haven't traditionally been successful in."

Celebrities are always stopping by their Hollywood locations.

"Recently, we had Bella Hadid and some of her friends come in for burgers as part of a birthday celebration. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful celebrity fans here in Hollywood and do what we can to give them the full Fatburger experience by making them feel comfortable and, of course, enjoying a great burger, fries and a shake.

If you want to try authentic Oaxacan food, look no further than the cozy restaurant, Tlayuda. Great food (if you've never tried a tlayuda do so immediately!) and drinks like brewchata and horchata are so refreshing. I loved their veggie quesadilla too! The prices for each dish are very reasonable.


What I Love This Summer...

Some great places to check out: Del Frisco's for brunch-the menu features new food menu items such as delicate Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, energizing Greens & Grains Bowl full of farmer's market veggies, decadent Smoked Salmon Tower,and kick-in-the-pants Eggs in Purgatory.


Crustacean
Crustacean has a fun happy hour. The restaurant's newly redesigned indoor-outdoor bar and patio is an impressive new amenity that resulted from their $10 million redesign. The food is amazing as are the cocktails!

Reeds' Ginger Beers and Virgil's Root Beer have a new line of Virgil's Zero Sugar sodas which are delicious.

It's going to get especially hot this summer, so check out Rowenta's 180° Tower Fan ($129.00), which provides the perfect ambient temperature while taking up less space than other tower fans on the market. Designed with a sleek modern exterior, the device is lightweight and easy to store in any room in the home.

While celebrity astrologer Jonathan Cainer has passed on, his nephew Oscar continues to put forth helpful astrological tips, blending his uncle's knowledge. If you need guidance this summer with your career, relationships, etc. think about getting one of their magnificent Astro reports.

Meet the Playwrights: Stephanie Alison Walker (The Madres) and Michelle Kholos Brooks (Hostage)

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By Joan Alperin

Skylight Theatre has long believed that art can change the world. This season features plays by two breakout dramatists who have finally reached a point in their careers where they are making a living at their craft. Stephanie Alison Walker whose play The Madres ran at the Skylight from  March 10th through April 29th  and Michelle Kholos Brooks whose new play Hostage is about to open.  While not necessarily writing only "issue" plays, Walker and Brooks both believe that they are activists. Walker hopes her plays will "inspire a new perspective and understanding to promote positive change." While Brooks feels that being a woman "inherently makes us activists." 

Both women writers took time to share their perspectives with me in this interview:

Do you consider yourself to be an activist?

Walker: I believe my writing is a form of activism. I do believe that theater has that power. At the same time, I am a member of a group in Los Angeles called PUSH (People Unwilling to Sit on their Haunches), which promotes volunteerism and progressive activism on a local and national level. They raise money for local causes and support organizations such as the Hollywood Food Coalition. They're currently harnessing their resources to help flip California's 25 th district from red to blue in the next election by supporting Jess Phoenix, a female scientist running for Congress for the first time. 

Brooks: We are always fighting for space, speech, recognition, safety and the well being of our children. We're not always marching but we're always fighting. That being said, I have marched, signed petitions, agitated and raised my fist a lot more in the last year than I ever have.

Are the stories in your plays mined from your own priorities of activism, or concern?

Walker: My plays are born from a place of wanting to better understand. I always begin with a question. With The Madres, the question is how do you go on? And then, how do we make sure nothing like this ever happens again?

Brooks: I am not an "issues" writer in that I choose an issue and formulate a story around it. I have great respect for people who can do that but, for me, there has to be something deeply personal that sparks my interest in the bigger picture. For instance, I came to the story of Hostage not as an activist but as a mother in awe of another mother who went a great personal and physical distance in an attempt to save her son. As time went on and my research deepened, I became fascinated with the politics surrounding the Iran hostage crisis. That, in turn, has helped me formulate some of my political views, which have become deeply personal. It's a pretty thrilling cycle to get caught up in.

Is there an experience from your childhood that defined your career path as a writer?

Stephanie Alison Walker
Stephanie Alison Walker

Walker: I think it was an accumulation of things. I come from a family of storytellers. Both of my grandfathers were storytellers. My dad's dad told long bizarre and sometimes completely absurdist tales about a family of feet. My mom's dad enraptured my brother and I with stories of a magical leprechaun who had an affinity for the sea. My mom was a journalism major and has always been an avid reader and adventurer. My dad traveled internationally for work, lived in Argentina and has always been an avid reader and storyteller. Knowing the benefit of experiencing other cultures, both of my parents always encouraged adventure. By the time I was five I had already lived in London and visited Buenos Aires. Living abroad and traveling internationally at a young age contributed to my desire to explore and understand things. This has influenced the way in which I approach storytelling. As for the desire to become a writer... I think that was born in elementary school. I had a wonderful teacher in grade school who encouraged us to write fiction and arranged an "author's tea" for all of the young writers where we read our work in front of an audience. I think it was then that I decided I would be a writer.

Brooks: I had a really mean English teacher in eighth grade named Mrs. Jackson. She was a stern taskmaster and liked to humiliate us by intercepting our notes and reading them out loud, or announcing our weekly averages to the entire class. One day she stood up and read an excerpt from a short story I had written for an assignment. When she finished she looked up at me over her severe glasses and said, "You're going to be a writer." I loved Mrs. Jackson.

Who are the writers, and women, that have influenced you the most?

Walker: I've been surrounded by strong women my whole life - my mom, my grandma, my stepmom and my aunts have been my models for being strong and using my voice. It's always hard to answer this question as to which writers have had the biggest impact on my work. So I'm going to keep it to three: Lucia Berlin - my former teacher and a brilliant fiction writer, the work and teaching of Paula Vogel and the work of Caryl Churchill.

Brooks: This is a rough question for me too because it sends me down the rabbit hole of having to chose one amazing writer over another. If I start to answer this question I won't sleep for a week. But I will tell you that right now I am very inspired by women like Eve Ensler and Anna Deveare Smith who investigate individuals in order to be able to drill down to essential truths of humanity. Both of them are beacons of light.

Other female playwrights I think are really interesting right now are Sarah Ruhl and Annie Baker. Besides being wonderful writers, they both have tremendous intention and I deeply admire the way they trust their impulses to the end, without apology. As a side note I am currently crazy about Pamela Adlon and Tig Nagaro's shows on cable. They are both so brave and sometimes their respective brands of funny are so funny that all you can do is weep. 

Do you think that it's getting easier for women playwrights to get produced?

Walker: I don't think there is anything easy about getting produced. I've been lucky to have my work championed by women, like Ann Filmer of 16th Street Theater. She produced my play The Art of Disappearing when I couldn't get anyone to consider it and I didn't have a good agent. Russ Tutterow of Chicago Dramatists gave me a Saturday Series reading slot for the play and asked Ann to direct it, she later decided to produce it herself. It was a very long path to production and I'll be forever grateful to Ann for taking a chance on me-- an unknown playwright. The path to production for The Madres has been shorter than that one, but not 'easier.' It takes work and relentlessness to get produced. There are so many no's.

It's wonderful that there are people like Nan Barnett creating opportunities like the Women's Festival in DC. It might be easier to get read. If Artistic Directors continue to keep the focus on parity, then it will get easier. It is exciting to see theaters like Skylight who aren't afraid of plays by women or programming more than one slot by a playwright who is a woman.

Brooks: Nope. But I'm deeply admiring of theaters like the Skylight that make an extra effort to ensure that a wide range of new and diverse voices get heard.  

What's your favorite thing about theatre. And, your favorite part about having your play at the Skylight Theatre?

Walker: I love working with people who believe passionately that art can change the world. I love the collective experience of empathy that happens while watching live theater, the bravery of actors who put their trust in the play and the director. My favorite part about having my play at the Skylight Theatre is the trust they have put in the process and the passionate support everyone invests in the show. It feels very good to know that there is a team of people willing to do whatever it takes to make sure this play has a long life.

Michelle Kholos Brooks
Michelle Kholos Brooks

Brooks: I love writing for the theatre because I can dream up a story, gather some actors and then receive the enormous gift of getting to hear my thoughts outside of my head. It's pretty exciting. Also, nauseating. In terms of  watching theater-- it may be masochistic but I kind of like that once the curtain goes up, I am trapped in that theater and have to endure, confront and (hopefully) enjoy, whatever comes at me. Even if a play is not my cup of tea, I get to respond to a dynamic event. There is always something useful for my own writing and my own learning in that experience.

I love that The Skylight is committed to new plays. Not just because-y'know... I only write new plays, but because the audience gets to reflect on the concerns of the day as they are happening. The Skylight is a great space with a sexy courtyard and I love that it's located between a bookstore (remember those?) and a yummy bistro. It's a little artist's haven over there.

What's next after this run?

Walker: The Madres is opening in Chicago at Teatro Vista in April followed by Moxie Theatre in San Diego and Shrewd Productions in Austin. I have a second production of my play The Art of Disappearing opening this summer in Calgary and a reading of my newest play, Friends With Guns, coming up at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City. I'm hoping that the NNPN Rolling World Premiere of The Madres will ignite interest in my companion play,  The Abuelas. This is by far the busiest I've ever been in my writing career and it's so exciting. 

Brooks: I'm fortunate in that another new play of mine, Hitler's Tasters, is about to open at Centenary Stage in New Jersey and will then be produced by the New Light Theatre Project in New York in October. Like Hostage, the story in Hitler's Tasters is based on true events.

Another project I'm really excited about, War Words, is being developed with the support of the Atlantic Council, a D.C. think tank, and revolves around interviews I'm doing with people who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is a project that's become a great passion of mine-one of those things I wish I could work on forever. But, I guess I'll have to put the breaks on at some point. 

While change may come slow, Walker and Brooks are leading by example. Never sitting on their laurels, but constantly hustling, learning, fighting and most importantly, creating. What are both women hoping for the future? In a word, parity.


HOSTAGE by  Michelle Kholos Brooks opens at 8:30pm on Saturday, May 26 thand continues with performances Fridays and Saturday 8:30pm; Sundays 2:00pm; Mondays 8:00pm through June 24, 2018.

Skylight Theatre is located at 1816 1/2 N. Vermont Ave, LA, 90027. Tickets are $15 - $41. Reservations: 213-761-7061 or 866-811-4111. Online at  http://SkylightTix.com

ICE - Theatre Review

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By Bill Garry

Do you want to experience our city's ethnic diversity and see where new cultural leadership is being developed? Then add the 24th Street Theatre to your L.A. itinerary. This non-profit company produces shows for family audiences that bridge Latino and white cultures, even as that divide is -- thankfully -- shrinking. And "family-friendly" does not mean that it doesn't tackle tough issues and challenge kids emotionally.

ICE
Tony Dúran and Jesús Castaños-Chima
Photo by Cooper Bates
Now running is  ICE, a look at the U.S.'s current immigration mess through the eyes of two illegal Mexican immigrants in pursuit of the American dream. Playwright Leon Martell weaves humor, pathos, and danger into a story that operates on two levels. It's a gentle fable for kids about baseball and friendship as well as a thought-provoking commentary for adults about personal integrity, government ethics, and the clashes that can arise between them.

Chepe (a magnetic Jesús Castaños-Chima) and his cousin Nacho (played with a simple mind and a big, intelligent heart by Tony Dúran) dream of making it big with a taco truck and their Tia's salsa recipe. But they have no papers, and must dodge government authorities and helpful citizens (all portrayed by the versatile Davitt Felder) alike to stay in the shadows.


Davitt Felder
Photo by Cooper Bates
The show is set in 1988, but it could be 2018, and director Debbie Devine highlights the parallels. Two giant 1980's TV sets dominate stage right, feeding the actors a constant barrage of mixed messages about the American dream and American immigration hysteria. Center stage is The Truck, a character in its own right, who brings the two men together and provides the magic that leads the story to its bittersweet conclusion.

The show is performed in Spanish and English with supertitle translations projected on a screen above the action. Kudos to creative team members Keith Mitchell, Matthew Hill, Dan Weingarten, Christopher Moscatiello, Shannon Kennedy, Benjamin Durham and Alexx Zachary.

ICE
Jesús Castaños-Chima and Tony Dúran
Photo by Cooper Bates
A rewarding part of the 24th Street Theatre experience is interacting with the local community members who staff and attend their productions. The company serves all the people of its gentrifying neighborhood -- inner-city residents, homeless people, local kids, students and visiting parents from nearby USC -- and teaches them to use the power of theatre to amplify their own voices. The company's productions point out the issues; the hard-working artists and neighbors behind the scenes make the changes real.

ICE will be at the 24th Street Theatre from May 19 - Jun 10.

Night of Shorts Night at The Parlor

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By Valerie Milano

A comic walks into a bar...
In this case Eric Toms (a stay at home dad by day and warm up comic by night - typically for game shows) and his two friends, David and James Codeglia, (the brothers work for J.J. Abrams' production company, Bad Robot) were tired of tossing their completed short films up on-line so they decided it would be fun to put together a screening night to showcase their work in Hollywood.

Toms, a Silicon Valley native, contacted a bar on Melrose whose owners agreed to an evening screening. Eric Toms says, "We were delighted so we made reservations, sent out flyers and invited our friends. When we arrived for the actual event night, the lights were off, the doors were locked and no one answered the phone. Our friends began arriving and as I drafted an apology in my head, my wife and our friend offered to find a new location. I scoffed at the idea."

Who in Hollywood would have a location and allow them to screen a bunch of shorts with no notice? Eric felt it was an impossible situation but within a few minutes his wife called to inform him that they had found a place just a few blocks up the street. Thus began a monthly evening screening event with The Parlor on Melrose in Hollywood and the Night of Shorts Night was born. This makes the July 2nd series the 15th month and going strong.


Night of Shorts Night at the Parlor
Eric says, "When the Parlor's general manager, Patrick, approached me after our first night and asked if we'd like to hold another film night. I jumped at the opportunity and now nearly a year and a half later we've screened over 120 short films, documentaries, music video, web series and more! I feel so many filmmakers are frustrated when it comes to film festivals. Often times short filmmakers are using their own money to fund their work and shoot in their spare time and rarely do any of them have the additional funds that film festivals require, the process fees are just too high. Ask any filmmaker and he or she will tell you the second a stranger watches their work it becomes a brand new experience. That is one of the reasons the Night of Shorts Night is completely free to exhibitors and audience members alike."


Monday July 2nd from 8-10pm the Night of Shorts Night returns to the Parlor in Hollywood, located at 7250 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046. They will be screening films by some of the best established and up-and-coming film makers. 

The event is completely free, including street parking. There is a full bar and kitchen and valet parking is available.

If you'd like to screen your short, send a link to eric@erictoms.com. We accept any genre and length, but prefer shorts between 5-10 minutes. We do ask that filmmakers be present on the night of the screening which is the first Monday of every month from 8-10pm at The Parlor.

Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightofshortsnight/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShortsNight

Armenian genocide haunts the psych ward of "100 Aprils"

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By Victor Kong

100 Aprils
Rachel Sorsa, Robertson Dean, John Perrin Flynn, and Leslie Ayvazian in "100 Aprils"
Photo by Michelle Hanzelova

If the dying doctor's paranoia wasn't enough to chill the scene of the psychiatric ward, then the detachment of his wife and daughter might seek to drive him mad. Sitting on the chair upstage is a tall Turkish man-and in "100 Aprils" his appearance is left ambiguous.

At the MET Theatre, Leslie Ayvazian's tale of genocide denial deals a striking note when you remember it is being performed in the heart of Little Armenia. Rogue Machine's "100 Aprils" tells the tale of the Armenian genocide and how refusal to recognize its place in history can torment the ones seeking only the faintest of recognition. Strapped to the hospital bed is Dr. John Saypian (John Perrin Flynn) whose faint memory and ghostly incoherence only serves to maximum his uselessness. He stammers in and out of thoughts, asking for wet pajamas, commenting on his hidden notebook of drawings, calling out for his wife (Ayvazian) and daughter Arlene (Rachel Sorsa) through fits of absentmindedness.


Leslie Ayvazian and Robertson Dean
Photo by Michelle Hanzelova
And that's where the heart of the play truly lies is in its lead's futility and lack of worth. Ayvazian focuses the dialogue and the narrative on minutiae-pajamas, bee stings, bathroom locations and more. The toll of the Armenian genocide and the haunting presence of Robertson Dean's Ahmet, a taunting Turkish soldier of John's mind, surges forth in bursts, yet never finds enough momentum to pay off, nor is anything foreshadowed with a clear ending. Dean also portrays the dual role of a Turkish doctor assigned to John's care-and perhaps there may be an important thematic link between the roles outside of ethnicity, but Ayvazian chooses minutiae over set-ups and payoffs.


Leslie Ayvazian and John Perrin Flynn
Photo by Michelle Hanzelova
Some stories can cut to the chase so quickly that they know to tell "lightning in a bottle" moments of time. "100 Aprils" is set in such a continuous moment of a psychiatric ward, told in real life. Yet stories of that ilk deserve clearer substance. Ayvazian's play recalls an experimental structure not unlike Luis Buñuel. In its characters, in its structure, in its narrative, there's an unnerving message that has a germ of potential in its ambiguity. But if only we could figure it out easier.

100 Aprils
Written by Leslie Ayvazian
Directed by Michael Arabian
Thru July 16 at the Rogue Machine Theatre.  


That's Not Tango - Theatre review

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By Bill Garry

Editors Note:  Discover Hollywood's roving reporter Bill Garry saw this play, which is looking for a home in Hollywood, on his travels to NYC.

That's Not Tango, playing in New York and preparing for a national tour, is not simple to describe. It is billed as a "theatre piece with music," but those few words do not do it justice. It is a live concert, a biography, and an intimate, emotional theatrical experience all rolled into one. The show is a visit with the ghost of Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine-American composer and bandoneón player, who reinvented the music of Tango and took it from the bordellos of Buenos Aires to the great concert halls of the world.

You don't have to know who Piazzolla was, or to even have listened to his music, to be moved and engaged by this show. You might want to refresh your memory on some of his influences, though. Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, Bach, Cab Calloway, and Bartók (who also turned ethnic music into symphonic gold) are referenced. If you've heard Piazzolla's music before -- you haven't heard it like this.

On stage, an actor playing Piazzolla stands reminiscing about his life -- messy contradictions and all. Sometimes it seems that he is arguing with St. Peter at the gates of Heaven. Sometimes he is alone in deliberation with himself. Behind him is a band -- a pianist, a violinist, and a bandoneónista -- who play a dozen compositions, some in full, some in part, that work with the maestro's own monologues to pack an emotional punch.

Doing the punching are three world-class musicians who are part of this project for their love of the man. And you feel it.

Brandt Fredriksen, the pianist, puts enormous talent on display here. Mr. Fredriksen plays Piazzolla, as well as snippets of Bach, Stravinsky, Ellington and Bartok, with rhythmic energy and masterful technique.

JP Jofre is probably the best living bandoneón player in the world. Not only does he play Piazzolla's instrument with impeccable skill, but he imbues his performance with Piazzolla's own laughter, tears, anger, and grief.

Nick Danielson, the violinista, brings passion and life to every note. He pulls the story out of the sheet music (and no wonder -- as the assistant concertmaster for the New York City Ballet, he must do that everyday.)

None of these men, and the substitutes who occasionally fill in, are the kinds of musicians you find playing in small clubs. They are virtuoso musicians and are almost never to be found in such an intimate encounter. Seeing them live, in service to a master composer, is extraordinary.

Have I mentioned that Piazzolla himself is played by a woman? Lesley Karsten, the show's creator and co-writer, brings forth the man's wiles and toughness. It is disconcerting at first. But as the show progresses, the choice to have a woman play the part becomes apparent. Piazzolla was painfully torn between the women in his life -- his mother, three "wives" and daughter -- and his music. Ms. Karsten's performance brings forth the vulnerability that is so visible in his music. A woman in the part also offers the possibility of redemption to the man and the women who survived him.

The script, by Ms. Karsten (a documentary filmmaker) and Stephen Wadsworth (a writer/director in both the theatre and opera worlds), is well-structured and tightly woven. We enter Piazzolla's heart through his ears; the music of New York, Paris, Harlem, and Buenos Aires sweep us away. In the end, the threads of the man's life come together in a powerful marriage of text and music.

The show is playing through the end of July at SubCulture in New York's Greenwich Village. Seats still available on July 18, 19, 25, and 26. Tickets at http://tickets.thatsnottango.com.

POSTSCRIPT

July 4 is the 26th anniversary of Piazzolla's death, and it would be fitting to see this show during this time of political chaos. Piazzolla lived as an example of the American idea -- using the diverse experiences of his youth to create something new, bigger, and bolder. In its way, this show is a tribute to both Piazzolla's genius and to the nation of immigrants who freed the world through their labor, their passion, and their art.

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot - Film Review

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By Joan Alperin


Joaquin Phoenix and Jonah Hill in "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot," opening July 13.

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot is the story of the crazy, self-destructive, but always fascinating and engaging cartoonist and quadriplegic John Callahan. The title of the film is the caption of one of his cartoons: A cowboy leading a posse who comes upon an overturned wheelchair in the desert.

The cartoon represents the type of work Callahan was known for...edgy, controversial, irreverent, and hilarious newspaper cartoons that developed a national following and gave him a new lease on life after an accident that left him paralyzed.

The film, brilliantly directed and written by Gus Van Sant, based on Callahan's autobiography, is a tribute to the AA's 12 step program but don't let that stop you from seeing this wonderful, intense and poignant film about the healing power of art.

Joaquin Phoenix is absolutely incredible in his portrayal of every emotion that Callahan goes through; from the frustration with the system he depends on for money in order to live and get treatment, to his absolute terror when he realizes he will never walk again, and to his insane alcoholic binges. Callahan is charming, angry, engaging, thoughtful and Joaquin captures everyone of the character's complex emotions.

Another standout character is Jonah Hill who's acting just blew me away. In fact, with his long blond hair and his newly thinned-down body I almost didn't recognize him. He plays Donnie, a wealthy, alcoholic, gay man who becomes Callahan's sponsor and savior as well as his best friend. I predict he will nab the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Jonah is that good.

The film, which takes place in the 70's, has several flashbacks of Callahan's life, before becoming sober and after. Jack Black plays a vital part in the film but to avoid spoilers that's all I'll say.

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot opens in theatres July 13, 2018. Don't miss it.

Letter from the Editor

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In addition to providing information for visitors and residents to discover the unique culture and lore of Hollywood, our publication is the "magazine for people who love Hollywood." What exactly does that mean? There's no doubt that we cram a lot of information within our 64 pages and we are the only such publication that focuses solely on Hollywood-the place. But what about the "love" part?

When I talk with a member of Hollywood Heritage, the love affair is with Old Hollywood, the Silent and Golden Eras and what remains of those times in our built environment. If my conversation is with a developer, it's about a love of potential and the financial benefit a new project will bring. When I talk with someone who's seeking to make their mark in the industry synonymous with our world-famous name, there's no doubt that that love is for fame and fortune.

Sometimes all of that does come together and it does define this place. Real estate has been a commodity in Hollywood ever since the first filmmakers arrived. The article on Hollywood's rise to fame and its industry's "factories" digested from a presentation at a Hollywood Heritage program by Richard Atkins and Christy Johnson takes us on that journey. Initially, that's what it was all about-land and plenty of it.

Although it doesn't take much real estate for Hollywood's newest attraction. What fun to see the town laid out in miniature. Another coups by Hollywood Heritage; its acquisition of the art piece created over 60 years ago, gives us a glimpse of Hollywood of yester year. Strangely, it still looks very familiar.

There's no doubt that Hollywood is at a crossroads and Keldine Huff takes us into a few of the businesses that are located at historic landmark Crossroads of the World. Plans are underway for yet another development in the vicinity. Crossroads will remain, but the addition of a few high-rise buildings nearby has the community greatly concerned.

Surely there's a solution that can satisfy all those who love Hollywood and all that it represents without killing the goose that has sustained this small but world known corner of the world for 100 years. The challenge as I see it is to maintain our scale, to protect the authenticity of the place, to build new with respect for the old, so that our unique heritage is preserved and the future is secure.

The good news is that nothing happens overnight. Hold tight to your hopes and dreams. Enjoy and partake in all it has to offer. One thing is for sure: there's never a dull moment in Hollywood.

Oscar's Hollywood

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I recently attended the opening of The Argyle, an 18 story mid-century modern-inspired tower next to Capitol Records that has 114 artfully curated apartments and panoramic views from the Hollywood Sign to the Pacific. I took a photograph from the Penthouse of Capitol Tower where I served as Director of Media & Artist Relations in the late 70's and sent it to several of my former Capitol label-mates along with a description. Among the replies was one that said it all, "WOW! just WOW"!

The Argyle is a project of well-respected Related Companies and besides its beauty, it has state-of-the art technology that anticipates and completes sophisticated to-dos based on resident's wants and needs. Rents range from $3295 for studios to $6295 for 2 bedrooms and the 3 bedroom Penthouse number is available upon request.

Beside close proximity to the 101 and the Metro Redline, the neighborhood has an abundance of cafés, coffee shops, restaurants as well as theatres and nightlife.

Is Hollywood happening? WOW!

"Sharp Objects" Debuts on HBO - Television Review

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By Valerie Milano


Sharp Objects, a new eight-part HBO mini-series based on Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name, launched on Sunday, July 8th, 2018.

The psychological thriller was created by Marti Noxon and directed by Jean-Marc Vallé. Golden Globe-winning actress Amy Adams plays the leading role of Camille Preaker, a crime reporter recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital after years of self-harming.

Camille returns to her tiny hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri to investigate the murders of two young girls. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the scoop for her boss back on Chicago. Camille's oddball mother, Adora Crellin, is played by veteran Emmy-winning actress Patricia Clarkson.

It soon transpires that the killer is a Wind Gap native, not a stranger. As the investigation unfolds, Camille is distressed to find it coming closer and closer to home.

Sharp Objects was Gillian Flynn's well-reviewed 2006 debut novel. Her next two books were Dark Places (2009) and Gone Girl (2012).

All of Flynn's novels reach far beyond the usual requirements of the crime thriller and feature female protagonists who are as psychologically complex as the stories they inhabit. Dark Places and Gone Girl have both been adapted into feature films.

Emmy-winning Canadian-born director Jean-Marc Vallée recently directed and executive produced the acclaimed 2017 HBO mini-series Big Little Lies starring Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, and Reese Witherspoon. The great success of this earlier HBO series featuring top female talent bodes well for Sharp Objects.

Grand Opening Paw-ty at Wag Hotels Hollywood

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By Susan Hornik,

Hollywood has gone to the dogs! Wag Hotels are opening their newest luxury doggy daycare/boarding in LA, with three locations opening: in Hollywood (960 North Highland Avenue) West LA (2250 South Barrington Avenue) and South Bay/Carson, (22251 South Wilmington Avenue, Carson)

Discover Hollywood readers can celebrate the grand opening of these beautiful hotels by heading to a free event on Sunday, July 22 from 10am to 3pm at Wag Hotel Hollywood. Activities there will include: Caricature Artists, Photo Booth, Pet Communicator, Ask the Trainer, Pet Masseuse, Pet Tattoos and have some food and drink. (Did you know there is such a thing as Dog Beer?!) Lots of raffle prizes too.

These locales are the ultimate relaxation spot every pooch dreams about. With a variety of services, you can customize your pet's stay and definitely be reminded why "happy happens" here.

Best of all, all donations and raffle ticket proceeds will go to The Vanderpump Dog Foundation!

Wag Hotel is an all-encompassing pet resort -- your dogs can board, play all day, get groomed and be trained all in one place. Dog murals on the side of Hollywood hotel are stopping people in their tracks, so if you are on Highland, walk your dog over and check it out!

They also offer top-of-the-line Ultra Suites for dogs, that include:king size beds with plush bedding large screen TV with on-demand video and music selections, 24/7 room service, Pet-dispensing web cams so you can see your dog(s) and send them a treat remotely and nightly 2-way video chat!

In addition to dogs, they now house cats (cat condos and ultra suites) -- in completely separate areas with unique air systems to prevent each from smelling the other. Meow!

Rsvp here:https://waghotels-hw.eventbrite.com

For those who live on the Westside, we will be celebrating the Grand Opening of Wag Hotels West LA on July 21.  For those in/around the South Bay, please join us in Carson for our Grand Opening on July 28

On Your Feet - Theatre Review

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By Bill Garry


Mauricio Martinez as Emilio Estefan and
Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan and Company,
ON YOUR FEET!
Photo © Matthew Murphy

On Your Feet, the musical now playing at the Pantages, starts at 110% and never lets up. Chronicling the life of pop superstar Gloria Estefan, the show packs infectious beats, swirling dance numbers, and passion into -- literally -- every corner of the theater.

The first act is wall-to-wall music, taking us from Havana, where little Gloria Fajardo and her family are enjoying life before the Cuban Revolution, to the cusp of superstardom in Miami. She meets, and falls in love with, Emilio Estefan, a Miami bandleader who encourages her talent.


Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan and Company,
ON YOUR FEET!
Photo © Matthew Murphy
Along the way, they fight a little racism and deal with a few family problems. But not too deeply, for this is a jukebox musical that wants to keep the audience in high spirits. The act ends with a hilarious scene of Gloria and band performing "Conga" at a bar mitzvah, Italian wedding, and Shriner's convention.

The second act is where we get more angst, including the 1990 bus accident where Gloria almost loses her life. There are two beautiful numbers here -- "Wrapped," which represents Gloria's dreams during her 9-hour surgery, and "Reach," where her fans sing of the love and admiration they have for her. These two very moving numbers reveal the show's, and Gloria's, real, beating heart. (My own heart could have used those numbers earlier in the show, but my feet didn't miss them.)


Company of the National Tour,
ON YOUR FEET!
Photo © Matthew Murphy

What's also heartwarming about the show is that it presents the Estefans as an average American, hard-working, immigrant family with average American problems: mother-in-law pained by having had to give up her dreams to take care of her disabled husband, kid sister hanging out with the wrong friends. Fortunately, there's a wise grandma who shows up when we need her.

Jerry Mitchell (direction) and Sergio Trujillo (choreography) capture the spontaneity of Havana and Miami and the athletic dance numbers the band became famous for. Alexander Dinelaris (book) and Emilio and Gloria Estefan (musics and lyrics) keep the show light -- there are 25 hits to squeeze in, after all.

Christie Prades and Mauricio Martinez do an excellent job of presenting the talent and energy of Gloria and Emilio. But the show is stolen by Carlos Carreras and Jordan Vergara (young boys who alternate in a myriad of roles, including the Estefan's son, Nayib) and Debra Cardona (Abuela Consuelo). Which is fitting, since this show is as much a celebration of family as it is of the music.

On Your Feet is playing at the Hollywood Pantages through July 29. 


Cry It Out at the Atwater Village Theatre - Theatre Review

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By Kathy Flynn


Megan Ketch and Jackie Chung
Photo by Darrett Sanders

Anyone who has been through the changes motherhood brings will relate to Cry it Out, Echo Theater Company's dark-edged comedy about two new moms and the friendship that forms between them.


Jackie Chung
Photo by Darrett Sanders
Jessie (Jackie Chung), the emotional center of this piece, is a former corporate lawyer whose entire worldview has changed with the arrival of her daughter. Lonely and desperate for companionship, she strikes up a friendship with her neighbor Lina (Megan Ketch), another new mom. Their naptime coffee meetups turn into a strong and relatable bond between two very different people. When a wealthy stranger drops by uninvited to ask if his wife can join them, all of their lives change in unexpected ways.

Cry It Out highlights the privilege that comes with both class and gender and the unbearably hard choices women often have to make. It's sweet and heartbreaking and laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes all at the same. Both Chung and Ketch turn in pitch-perfect performances, as do the rest of the cast, but it's Ketch who shines the most as brassy Long Island housewife Lina, a fully-fleshed out performance that is hysterical and messy and utterly real.


Brian Henderson
Photo by Darrett Sanders
Rounding out the cast is Brian Henderson as the wealthy neighbor, and Emily Swallow as his mercurial wife, both absolutely terrific in their roles. Swallow, who is also currently appearing in Henry IV with Tom Hanks and Hamish Linklater, brings impressive depth and pathos to a character that could easily become one-note in lesser hands.

Cry It Out is the perfect moms night out. Grab your playgroup, Moms Club, or PTA friends and laugh and cry along to issues that you already know far too well.

Cry It Out was written by Molly Smith Metzler and directed by Lindsay Allbaugh, and plays at the Atwater Village Theatre through Aug 19.

The 4pm performance on July 22 has been designated "Child Care Sunday" - Echo Theater Company will provide free child care for parents attending that performance.

Arrival & Departure - Theatre Review

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By Bill Garry


Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur
Photo by Ed Krieger

The stage is a constant whirl of motion and noise in Arrival & Departure, the new romantic drama at the Fountain Theatre. The set is a reproduction of a classic New York subway station, although instead of advertising, there are large monitors on every wall.

Commuters rush through, occasionally stopping at a Dunkin' Donuts counter in one corner. It is there that Emily and Sam -- our fated couple -- meet. Emily is in distress, and Sam gallantly comes to the rescue. Their chemistry is strong and, although they are married to other people, they are drawn to test out an attraction that has a powerful, visceral grip on them.

The attraction is not just sexual. Sam is Deaf, with a capital D. He identifies as culturally Deaf and is active in the Deaf community. Sam is an expert in ASL (American Sign Language) and visual communication, and teaches at a school for the deaf. Emily is deaf with a lower-case d. With the aid of high-powered hearing aids, she lives in the world of sound (both her husband and teen daughter are hearing) and speaks both verbally and through ASL. Emily is exhausted by the energy required for her to communicate in both worlds and Sam offers easy validation and acceptance.

Despite all the motion in the background, and subplots regarding another couple and Emily's daughter's flirtation with a boy on the internet, Sam and Emily's struggle with temptation is kept front and center. And you really, really feel it.

That is due to the exceptional combination of actors and script, which was written expressly for the two leads. Deanne Bray (Emily) and Troy Kotsur (Sam) are actors of tremendous talent who -- no surprise -- are married to each other in real life. They transmit their chemistry and intelligence directly into the audience's souls.

Playwright Stephen Sachs' script dives into issues of morality, connection, independence, and personal integrity. Emily's ultra-Christian husband, Doug (well-played by Brian Robert Burns) is a little earnest, a little authoritarian, and a little clueless. Their daughter, Jule (alternately played by Kyra Kotsur -- Ms. Bray and Mr. Kotsur's real-life daughter -- and the authentic Aurelia Myers, who performed opening night), wants what she wants. And that includes a respite from her parents' constant bickering.


Stasha Surdyke, Adam Burch,
Jessica Jade Andres and Shon Fuller
Photo by Ed Krieger
The other romantic subplot provides comic counterpoint to Emily and Sam. Russell the cop (played with sweet swagger and vulnerability by Shon Fuller) courts Mya the Dunkin' Donuts counter girl (a terrific, easy-to-root-for Jessica Jade Andres). Whereas Emily and Sam have easy passion, Russell and Mya have to work at it.

I have to mention two other actors with vitally important roles, even though they enact them in the background. Stasha Surdyke provides the voice of Emily when Emily is using sign language. Adam Burch is the voice of Sam. More than voices, they are avatars. Sitting on the edge of the stage, they convey emotion with their voices, facial expressions and body language. With perfect timing, they mimic the leads so that you forget that they are different people. Ms. Surdyke and Mr. Burch's contribution doubles the relatibility and emotional impact of the show.


Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur (on screen)
Photo by Ed Krieger
I also should make clear that the play is performed in spoken English, in ASL, and with supertitles (which is what all the monitors are for.) The opening night audience was a mixed crowd of both deaf and hearing. No doubt, this play will bring those two worlds closer together.

Mr. Sachs is obviously at the top of his game as both writer and director (he is also co-founder and co-artistic director of the Fountain). The staging, design, integration of supertitles and ASL, never gets ahead of the audience. The Fountain creative team, too many to list here, balance storytelling, design, and technology to create Art.

Arrival & Departure is inspired by the Noel Coward screenplay for Brief Encounter, a 1945 romantic drama. It runs at the Fountain Theatre through September 30.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout - Film Review

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By Joan Alperin


Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures - © 2018 Paramount Pictures.
All rights reserved.

In Mission: Impossible - Fallout, we find Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF team joining forces with CIA assassin August Walker (Henry Cavill) to prevent a disaster of epic proportions.

Arms dealer John Lark and a group of terrorists known as the Apostles plan to use three plutonium cores for a simultaneous nuclear attack on the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When the weapons go missing, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

The film opens with Ethan in a tough place. He has made a mistake and is encountering elements from his past that have emotional resonance. This is a different Ethan then in past films, he's not just kicking butt, he's also doing a lot of soul searching.


Henry Cavill and Angela Bassett in Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Photo Credit: Chiabella James - © 2018 Paramount Pictures.
All rights reserved.
As with other films in the Mission: Impossible franchise, the film is filled with car chases, amazing stunts (still performed by Cruise,) edge-of-your-seat tension, surprises, and thrills. But it also has a depth when it comes to Ethan's character that we haven't seen before, and Cruise manages to nail all of the different emotional levels. This time around, director Christopher McQuarrie was eager to explore a darker and more human side of Ethan Hunt. He wanted to be more inside his head and feel his connection with other people. The title refers not only to nuclear fallout but also to the fallout of all of Ethan's good intention. He has walked into a situation beyond his control and he has to go through it even though he knows he's being manipulated.

Also back is Sean Harris as Solomon Lane (the Rogue Nation villain) who is now seeking revenge for what Ethan did to him in the previous film. Lane blames Ethan for destroying everything he had built, and views Ethan as a villain.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout opens on Friday July 27th. If you are a fan of big-budget action films, you won't want to miss it.

Groundlings Family Road Trip - Comedy Review

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By Joan Alperin

I've been going to the Groundlings for at least ten years and I'm still blown away by what they do.

The Groundlings is an improvisation and sketch comedy theatre that was founded by Gary Austin in 1974. A 'Groundling' is one of the 30 company members who write and perform in the the theatre's shows and teach classes at the Groundlings School.

The school is the foremost comedy training ground in Hollywood, and a springboard for countless careers including comic geniuses from film and television including Jennifer Coolidge, Will Farrell, Kathy Griffin, Cheryl Hines, Lisa Kudrow, Paul Reubens, Maya Rudolph, and Kristen Wiig to name just a few

I've never seen a show there that I didn't love, and Groundlings Family Road Trip is no exception.

Director Michael Naughton navigates his hilarious cast including Michael Churven, Josh Duvendeck, Chris Eckert, Julian Gant, Emily Pendergast, Laird Macintosh, and Lisa Schurga through numerous sketches and improvisations, each one funnier than the last.

Their humor is not only funny but original and unexpected. You think you know where a certain sketch is going, but believe me you don't, and that's what makes them so brilliant.

The Groundlings band is also terrific. Led by Larry Treadwell on guitar, Greg Kanaga on drums and musical director Matthew Loren on keyboards, they absolutely rock it with their smoking music.

Groundlings Family Road Trip runs every Friday at 8:00 PM and Saturdays at 8:00 and 10:00 PM through September 29th. Tickets are $20. To purchase call (323) 934-4747 or visit https://purchase.groundlings.com/. The theater is located at 7307 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA

This is a definite must see show for people of all ages.

TCA 2018 - HBO

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By Valerie Milano

HBO convened its executive session on Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 at the 2018 TCA Summer Press Tours taking place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Present was Casey Bloys, HBO President of Programming, who immediately opened the floor for audience questions.

Bloys said that the DEADWOOD movie had been greenlit. It will hopefully air in Spring 2019. When asked about involvement from AT&T, Bloys said there were no plans to dilute the HBO brand in favor of volume programming. "No one has come to us and asked us to not do what we do, which is to curate excellence," he said as he tried to dispel anxiety about a possible acquisition or merger.

Hugely popular HBO programs like VEEP and GAME OF THRONES are coming to an end. But as Bloys intimated, great new shows will always come along on HBO.

Though the HBO series WESTWORLD won many Emmys nominations, the creative backlash was pretty widespread among viewers and critics since the show contained quite a bit of gun violence. Bloys said, "What I love about WESTWORLD is that the people who love it really love it. Even the people who dislike it feel the need to discuss it and talk about it and let you know they dislike it and debate it. And for a show to arouse that kind of feeling, that's what we [at HBO] want."

Other shows mentioned were THE NEVERS and THE DEUCE. The second of these stars James Franco playing twin brothers. THE DEUCE is coming back for its second season despite unresolved issues with Franco. Some other shows coming up on HBO include MY BRILLIANT FRIEND, TRUE DETECTIVE (Season Three), BIG LITTLE LIES (Season Two) with Meryl Streep, and THE NEW POPE (Season Two) with Jude Law and John Malkovich. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM will return with Larry David when he is ready. HERE AND NOW will not return after only one season.

Netflix does many international shows, and so does HBO, which is present in over 60 countries. HBO Asia, Latin America, and Europe are producing local shows and do not report to Casey Bloys in the US. Bloys said that while Netflix and HBO were cable television rivals, there was no "raging war" between them. HBO tries to put talent first and give the company a personal touch.

HBO just acquired THE TALE with Laura Dern. "I liked that we were able to see it before we bought it," said Casey Bloys. "I think that you're finding filmmakers more open to competing for Emmys as opposed to Academy Awards." It also looks like THE WATCHMEN will go forward soon.

Even if HBO needs to hire more executives, Bloys would not want the company's culture to change in any way. "I don't want it to feel like a factory," he said.

"Casey, when you find that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is meddling in your business, how does that set with you?" said the last questioner. Bloys replied, "I will tell you that is so far beyond my pay grade and what I worry about - which is developing good shows. What the DOJ is up to is not on my radar. It's not anything I'm really worried about."

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