Onstage Playhouse is Back with the San Diego Premiere of THE HARVEST

A Play that Voices Thoughts and Tackles Comfort 

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Adriana Cuba, ShelbyWuitschick, Jaden Guerrero, Marcel Ferrin. Photo Daren Scott

I recently saw a Mexican content creator that I love, do a sketch on the Virgin Mary talking to Joseph about how she got pregnant through the holy spirit, ahem, the white dove, and the comments on that reel, oh the comments... what I am getting at, is that material that makes us uncomfortable and/or makes us question things is good. It might not feel good at times, but that is different. 

Onstage Playhouse is back on the theatre scene and celebrating its 40th season with the San Diego Premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's THE HARVEST. Set in a church basement in Idaho, realistically created by Set Designer Duane McGregor, the first scene comes at the audience with a group of young people praying/talking in tongues. The youth group led by Ada (Adriana Cuba) is training to do missions in the Middle East and convert Muslims...aye...touchy touchy subject... other people in the group are married couple Denise (Shelby Wuitschick) and Marcus (Geoffrey Geissinger), and childhood friends Josh (Marcel Ferrin) and Tom (Jaden Guerrero). Josh has a one-way ticket to the mission and will live outside the village and, as soon as his older sister Michaela (Emily Candia) finds out, she drives to Idaho from Eugene, Oregon where she has been living since she ran away at 16 because of addiction and an abusive father. The closer the departure date gets, the more skeletons come out of each character's closet like panic attacks, work tasks, true feelings, and most importantly, true intentions.

James P. Darvas and Marcel Ferrin. Photo Daren Scott

OSP Artistic Director James P. Darvas did a solid job directing this piece by really getting out each of the human traits of the characters, good and bad. He also plays the role of Chuck, Tom's dad, and the church's founder. And even though he shared the boards last year with Salomon Maya in Lonely Planet, I love the counted histrionic dosis he gives audiences because when Darvas hits the stage, there is no playing around. Just the simple trace of preparing a cup o' noodles gives the chills and is pretty amazing. Jason Chody's lighting pumps every scene adding suspense to the already tense moments.

The casting combo for this ensemble is a round one with the OSP debut of Shelby Wuitschick, who delivered each of Denise's layers with comedy and truth, giving stage husband Geoffrey Geissinger playing game and making their couple realistic and relatable. Emily Candia returns to the South Bay theatre and she should do it more often! I had not seen her since Drowning Girls, having a rapport with the audience and Ferrin, performing difficult, gasp-triggering, family trauma-related scenes. Another comeback is Jaden Guerrero who took a year off to pursue his music and is doing sound design for this production as well. Guerrero is sensitive and so fragile as Tom. The playwright hints at a hidden love from Tom that is played out well. And Adriana Cuba as Ada is awful in the best interpretative way because Ada is manipulative and knows her assignment masterfully. 

I like a good set of wardrobe changes during a performance and Brad Dubois's costume design gave spot-on variety, especially for the female ensemble. 

THE HARVEST reminds me of The Book of Mormon and the Shiny Happy People documentary where thoughts are given a voice, and abuse is confronted once recognized. This play is a good post-theatre convo for sure.

Go compare notes for yourself. THE HARVEST is currently playing until April 14. For performance times and ticket prices please click HERE.


King James is a Tender and Creative Play

That -at a glace- Weaves Basketball with Theatre 

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Caleb Foote as Matt and Joshua Echebiri as Shawn in King James, 2024. Photo by Rich Soublet II.

I think plays in the round with an intimate setting like the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre at The Old Globe, have a different vibe. It was not the exception for their latest production King James, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph. People that are basketball fans, and especially, Laker fans, immediately gravitate towards the title. Me, I am a basketball spectator from time to time but the truth is I know spic about the sport so, aside from the artwork, I did not grasp immediately that it was a play about or with basketball -at a glance-, because what James really touches upon, is friendship and life. 

The plot is set in Cleveland on the course of a bromance between wine bar owner Matt (Caleb Foote) and Shawn (Joshua Echebiri). In the beginning, they do not know each other. Matt has season tickets to the Cleveland Cavaliers, (the basketball team where LeBron James started playing professionally) that he needs to sell quick so he can pay off some debt. After a heated price negotiation and acquaintance catch-up, Shawn buys the tickets. We then see time passing showing audiences the different stages in each of their lives along with their now tight friendship that was born through the love of basketball. And just like life, sometimes we are up, sometimes we are not, and sometimes we are not as close as we used to be.

Aside from a few references that in this case are very inside -basketball-, I like what Joseph did weaving the sport in with theatre attracting different audiences to come see the play. I also liked the purity in Matt and Shawn's friendship and how accurate the depiction of a tight friendship can be throughout the years passing weathering life's different stages. What I kind of understood but gave me a sort of an ick at the same time, was the racial tint with Matt being white and better off (in most of the story) and Shawn being Black and sort of depending on his friend. It is obvious that Rajiv Joseph aims with a lens that goes beyond race and have the story only be about true friendship but... sometimes the context and the development of it, again, gave me a bit of an ick... 

Caleb Foote as Matt and Joshua Echebiri as Shawn in King James, 2024. Photo by Rich Soublet II.

The core team with the playwright, director, and actors is coincidentally another bromance where Justin Emeka had a good trace using the round space and really having that disappear in dimension as the story is immersive and the focus is strictly on Caleb and Joshua. Another aspect that is worth mentioning is that as time passes and they age, the slight difference in attitude is palpable. Sarita Fellows's costume design accentuated this with good attention to detail from the shirts to the jerseys, to the shoes and the sneakers. I enjoyed Foote's performance on Hand to God at the now-defunct SD Rep in 2017 which earned him a Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play. He was charming and dynamic as I had seen him last yet, in this performance I found him to be a little extra accentuating mannerisms a little too much. Joshua was also charming and matched well with his costar. 

The play is around two hours with an intermission and I believe it had the strength to easily be a shorter one-act. Lawrence E. Moten III's set design plays well with the space bringing the different places in the story like Matt's wine bar and the antique store his parents own (Armand's). There is a reference in the script about the wine bar being formerly a church asking to look up at the stained glass and Moten recreated that visual well complimented by Abigail Hoke-Brady's lighting design that contoured each scene accordingly and  Lindsay Jones's sound design that also created a visual for audiences to really imagine the plays, the games, and the passion that true basketball fandom brings. 

All in all, I thought King James was a very creative and tender play that with a little more rounding could land better and become something great.

Check it out for yourself! King James is currently playing until April 7th.

There will be a Post Show Forum on Tuesday, March 26, and an Open-Caption Performance on Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m. 

For information on ticket prices and performance times please click here. 






Family Secrets Tend to Come Out During Funerals

Oceanside Theatre Company's California Premiere of Chicken & Biscuits Proves to be Universal 

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Durwood Murray, Kiara Hudlin, Kimberly King. Photo Esteban Marin

Oceanside Theatre Co's production and California premiere of Douglas Lyons's "Chicken & Biscuits," directed by Kevin “Blax” Burroughs in his debut as Artistic Director and his first foray into straight plays, is a refreshing and entertaining theatrical experience. 

The story starts with a family gathering in the church due to the sudden passing of the patriarch. The service will be hosted by Baneatta's (Kimberly King) husband Reginald (Durwood Murray), and as she is getting ready she is also dreading having to see her younger sister Beverly (Taylor Renee Henderson) who has a flare for attention and drama. Also expected to attend are Baneatta and Reginald's kids, Simone (Kiara Hudlin) who just went through a heartbreak, and Kenny (Jacob James), a working actor in a relationship with Logan (Marley Bauer). This relationship is one that Baneatta is not a big fan of and vocal about. Beverly is joined by her 15 soon-to-be 16-year-old daughter and aspiring rapper La'Trice (Allyce Calloway). Once the service takes off and practically everybody has said their "peace", Brianna (Michael Amira Temple), an unexpected guest arrives claiming space. Revelations unfold with a mix of conflicts, and humor, delving into themes of love, forgiveness, and the intricate dynamics of family relationships.

Allyce Calloway, Taylor Renee Henderson. Photo Esteban Marin
“Blax” Burroughs shared in the press release that “Chicken & Biscuits is unapologetically black,”. Agree with the context, the style, and the celebration of the service but it also proved to be universal as commonly, those family skeletons really come out during funerals.  
His favorite quote in the show: "Family is a loaded word"... is it ever! Absolutely. All these elements make the play even more celebratory, adding to the communal theatre experience.

The cast delivers performances that breathe life into their characters and establish a nice on-stage chemistry. Durwood Murray's eclectic sermon is the star of the show flaunting mean moves and that deep velvet voice he is known for. Taylor Renee Henderson is a hoot as the younger sister which balanced out well with Kimberly King's steady rhythm. Allyce Calloway performs a fun rap number that pumps the audience while Kiara Hudlin, Jacob James, and Marley Bauer land the plot back to how family matters and the meaning of its support. Michael Amira Temple is the icing on this family cake rounding out the service and the dynamics! While the ensemble works well together, a touch of tightening could further enhance the cohesiveness of their interactions, elevating the overall impact of the production.

The Creative Team, featuring Andre Buck, Jr. (sound), Emily Carter (costumes), Reiko Huffman (scenic design), Tori Jones (props, set dressing, stage management), and Mashun Tucker (lights), contributed to the atmosphere of the production, illustrating the storytelling that created a fun experience for the audience.

Oceanside Theatre Co's rendition of "Chicken & Biscuits" is heartfelt and engaging.

Currently playing until March 24th. For more information on performance days and times, please click here. 

The Roustabouts Theatre Co. Brings the Stirring and Thought-Provoking

 Hand to God to the Diversionary Theatre Stage


Adam Daniel, Dave Rivas, Rebecca Crigler, Samantha Ginn & Devin Wade - photo by Daren Scott

"Hand to God," written by Robert Askins and skillfully produced by The Roustabouts Theatre Co. under the direction of Artistic Director Phil Johnson, is a darkly comedic exploration of inner turmoil and the battle between good and evil within us. 
The plot set in a small Texan town, revolves around Margery (Rebecca Crigler) who is recently widowed, and her son Jason, portrayed by Adam Daniel. Margery's pastor (Dave Rivas) assigns Margery to run the puppet club at the church as a distraction and to put on a show for the following Sunday. Jessica (Samatha Ginn) one of the neighbors, joins the club along with the town troublemaker Tommy (Devin Wade). Jason starts to grapple with his inner demons manifested in the form of his irreverent, foul-mouthed, and provocative hand puppet, Tyrone who takes over and brings out everything in everybody.

The cast delivered catching performances with great chemistry on stage, creating a cohesive ensemble that effectively captured the essence of the play. Adam Daniel displayed good puppetry skills that not only differentiated Jason from Tyrone but also added complexity to the characters, highlighting the internal conflict at the narrative's core. I had already seen "Hand to God" when SD Rep did it some years back but this time, I appreciated Margery's role more through Rebecca Crigler's portrayal which also delivered a truthful monologue regarding women. Devin Wade as the town baddie, is the typical class bully that needs obvious attention due to all the hurt happening inside. Samantha Ginn's portrayal of Jessica along with her puppet Jolene, is a standout, delivering a hilarious and also compelling performance that keeps the dynamics of the production in an upbeat rhythm. Dave Rivas is sweet as Pastor Greg, yet...appearances can be deceiving.

Adam Daniel. Photo by Daren Scott

Yi-Chien Lee's meticulous set design included a half that folded to reveal another room along with Annelise Salazar's atmospheric lighting, Justin Magallanes's detailed prop work, and Paul Durso's immersive soundscapes, created a rich and engaging theatrical environment that complimented the narrative and immersed the audience.

Pam Stompoly-Ericson's fun costumes added to the mix, truly bringing out each character's personality. I cannot conceive in this day a type of show like this, with sensitive topics and sexual scenes without the work of an Intimacy Coordinator. Bravo to D. Candis Paule, who also plays a crucial role in this production.

"Hand to God" is a stirring and thought-provoking exploration of faith, grief, and the complexities of the human psyche, greatly brought to life by a talented cast and dedicated creative team. With Phil Johnson's direction at the helm, this production offers a compelling blend of humor and drama, captivating audiences with its raw authenticity and emotional depth. 

Currently playing at Diversionary Theatre until March 31. For performance times and days please click here. 


Theresa Chavez and Nina Diaz on Adobe Punk: The Concert

Interviews From Another Zero-YouTube Edition

Artistic Director at About...Productions Theresa Chavez and Performer Nina Diaz, are hosted by the Zero to discuss Adobe Punk, THE CONCERT a six-day feast spread out between Los Angeles and Pasadena. In this lovely interview, we discuss the creative process for Adobe' as well as their Other Zeros.

Diaz and band members will weave in stories from the original Adobe Punk 2022 theaterwork which was co-created by Gabriel Garza and Theresa Chavez. The setting is early 1980s working-class Bell Gardens where punk music finds life in one of L.A.’s oldest adobe homes. Inspired by the bands X, the Minutemen, and the Bags, a young punk trio builds its songbook as they define their artistic identity and find their place in the musical, and historic early California landscape of Los Angeles.

Punkast interviews will enlighten new and seasoned audiences in the punk movement’s historic and current impact on the cultural zeitgeist. Also excited to share this work with Young Theaterworks public high school students from Los Angeles and Pasadena Unified School District. They’ll get to see the show and share their own writing on the topic in special weekday morning matinees at each of the venues.



Adobe Punk: the concert
Punkast Interviews With Host Jessica Schwartz


March 15-16, 2024 Friday - Saturday at 8 pm
March 17, 2024 Sunday at 6:30 pm
at Frida Kahlo Theater (MacArthur Park/Westlake)

March 22-23, 2024 Friday - Saturday at 8 pm
March 24, 2024 Sunday at 6:30 pm
at Lineage Performing Arts Center (Pasadena)

TICKETS:
$20 general admission, $5 discount with coupon code for Seniors 60+, Students, and Vets.
or use code NINA5 for five dollars off.
Available at aboutpd.org.