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Director Patricia Riggen came to the attention of English-speaking audiences several years ago with the beautifully poignant “Las Misma Luna”. Her follow-up, “Lemonade Mouth” was a smash success for the ABC Family Channel. As if fated, she now helms GIRL IN PROGRESS, a film blending elements and emotions from each of these earlier projects into a coming-of-age story that at times touches the heart, makes you laugh, makes you cry, addresses social issues such as bullying, and will definit...
As part of its 30th year celebration the Actors’ Gang will present George Orwell’s ‘1984’ on Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm beginning May 18. In addition, The Actor’s Gang this week began six workshop performances of Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’. The performances will continue on May 10, 16 and 17 at 8 pm....
While we all know that MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS hits theatres this weekend (and I know that 98% of you are chomping at the bit to see it, and you should, and you will), there are a few other films that are truly gems on which you should cast your eye. But before getting to them, I give you a word of advice when seeing THE AVENGERS - sit in the middle section of the theater. As many of my colleagues and I learned during a screening at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the sound mix is such that if seated o...
To paraphrase Edgar Allan Poe's own descriptive terms in The Tell-Tale Heart, what many may mistake for my own madness is but over-acuteness of the senses when it comes to THE RAVEN. In a phrase, A MASTERPIECE! Thanks to an inventive, intriguing and intricately twisting script courtesy of scribes Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare, which is exquisitely showcased and brought to life by director James McTeigue, fact meets fiction during the last days of Poe’s life as he becomes embroiled in a...
In a world set apart from holy matrimony based on true love, where complex old-world traditions are nurtured by some, but collide with new dynamics of social order, and with inevitable questions about optional free-will for a young teenage girl living in the small southern African Zimbabwe town of Salisbury, under British jurisdiction, the late 19th century story is told from a black point of view. Discover what defines the risks and challenges as a young woman from the Shona people named...
Kentwood To Present ‘The Miracle Worker’ Kentwood Players presents THE MIRACLE WORKER by William Gibson from May 11 to June 16 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester. Adapted from William Gibson’s 1957 Playhouse 90 teleplay of the same name, THE MIRACLE WORKER is based on Helen Keller’s autobiography “The Story of My Life” and won several Tony Awards including Best Play. The production is directed by Shawn K. Summerer and produced by Alison Mattiza and Elizabeth S...
While I may not be a Steve Harvey fan per se, I am a fan of all things funny, especially when funny comes in the form of a great ensemble cast, well told organically unfolding intertwining stories and characters, and all packaged as a gem of a film shot in, of all places, the Heart of Screenland - Culver City. And this is exactly what director Tim Story gives us with THINK LIKE A MAN - a funny, funny film filled with heart and laughter. Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling comedic advice book ...
Who could ever imagine that Friday, April 13th would give birth to one of the richest weekends of new film releases that we have seen in a long time. With so many to choose from, I thought I’d give you a taste of some of my faves: DETENTION Joseph Kahn’s comedic genre-busting love letter to the 90's that is brilliantly constructed with rapier dialogue, sharp creative visuals, meticulously tapestried themes and plots, a soundtrack that is to-die-for, an off the charts performance by Dane Coo...
When director Tarsem Singh told me back in the Fall of 2011 that MIRROR MIRROR was (1) unlike anything he had done before, (2) unlike any "Snow White" story that had been previously done, (3) was filled with "color, fantasy and fun" and, (4) "you will love it" - he wasn't lying. Creative, colorful, fanciful and funny, this is one fantastic fairy tale that is hilarious fun for the whole family! MIRROR MIRROR is the stuff from which dreams and fantasies are made and I love it! Now, the tale of...
The Kentwood Players will present “Oliver!”now through April 21, with performances on Friday and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse , 8301 Hindry Avenue in Los Angeles. With music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, and based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, this much-loved British musical won several Tony Awards on Broadway and vividly brings to life Dickens' timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more. The production is directed by Harold Dershimer, with musical dir...
Are you hungry yet? I hope so because with THE HUNGER GAMES you are in for a seven course meal with all the trimmings, guaranteed to satisfy even the most ravenous fan. Directed by Gary Ross and based on Suzanne Collins’ best selling young adult novel of the same name, THE HUNGER GAMES is not only a faithful adaptation of the book, but excels with high production values, vivid visual imagery, thought provoking detail on topical social and political issues as relevant today as in the futuristic R...
This is a big week for movie releases and there’s quite an assortment from which to choose. In the mood for some laughter myself, I’ll give you a glimpse of two of my favorite films of 2012, both opening March 16th - CASA DE MI PADRE and, the funniest film of the year, 21 JUMP STREET. CASA DE MI PADRE Admittedly not a big Will Ferrell fan, suffice it to say that when I tell you that CASA DE MI PADRE is flawlessly funny and absurdly hilarious, you can take it to the bank that it is. So ent...
Anyone who knows me or who is a regular reader, knows of my unabashed admiration and respect for Nic Cage. While his chosen roles and performances are sometimes spot on and sometimes not, he never ceases to stretch himself and go outside the box with interesting, eclectic diversity. In SEEKING JUSTICE, Cage is in unfamiliar territory as the bookish Will Gerard which lends itself well to Cage delivering one of his best performances in some time. A high school teacher, Will is married to the...
“American Night: The Ballad of Juan José,” written by Richard Montoya, developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney, and directed by Bonney, opens Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre. Performances continue through April. The cast includes (in alphabetical order) Stephanie Beatriz, Rodney Gardiner, David Kelly, Terri McMahon, René Millán, Richard Montoya, Kimberly Scott, Herbert Siguenza and Daisuke Tsuji. The choreography is by Ken Roht, scenic design by Neil Patel, costume design by ESosa, lighting design by David...
Long an admirer of Tyler Perry and his works (with a few exceptions), I was curious to see what he would bring us with GOOD DEEDS, a film in which Perry sheds his usual onscreen persona of Madea and her over-the-top hilarity, and presents us with a man who, as I have come to learn, is the closest thing to Perry himself that we have ever seen. My curiosity is well-rewarded as GOOD DEEDS soars with emotion and is without a doubt, the best work that Tyler Perry has done to date; and by work, this...
Into The Torrent Sea, A Staged Reading Of The Lost Journal Of Grace O'Malley, The Pirate Queen Of Connaught will be performed on March 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 2 pm at the FanaticSalon Theater, 3815 Sawtelle Blvd., Culver City by Sandra Caruso. Parking: (SW corner of Sawtelle and Venice, park behind theater or on street) This is the true story of Grace O'Malley, a female Irish pirate from the 1500's on her journey to meet with her enemy, Queen Elizabeth. The two women work out a deal which allows Grace to remain a pirate. This journey takes place...
Kentwood To Present Oliver The Kentwood Players will have “Oliver” from March 16 to April 21, with performances on Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue in Los Angeles. With music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, and based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, this much-loved British musical won several Tony Awards on Broadway. The production is directed by Harold Dershimer, with musical direction by Catherine Rahm, choreography by Anna Rubin, and produced by Rocky and Victoria Miller...
Ebony Repertory Theatre’s highly successful production A Raisin in the Sunopened Sunday at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. The classic Lorraine Hansberry play debuted in 1959, and was the first play produced by an African American woman on Broadway. The playwright was inspired by her own family experiences moving into an all-white neighborhood when she was a child -- the Washington Park Subdivision of Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood during the early 1950s. The play later became a fil...
Steven Soderbergh - you are forgiven. After The Girlfriend Experience starring porn star turned wannabe actress, Sasha Grey, I didn’t think I would ever watch another Soderbergh film. Although visually stunning thanks to impressive cinematography, the heinous “acting” of Grey left me cold. Then came Contagion, a rehash of a rehash of a rehash just with bigger names than the prior rehashes. And I was saddened wondering where was the Steven Soderbergh of old? The Soderbergh who gave us the fun,...
Previews begin tonight (January 19) for the critically-acclaimed Ebony Repertory Theatre production of Lorraine Hansberry’s American classic “A Raisin in the Sun,” playing at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Opening night is January 22 and performances continue through February 19. Cast members include (in alphabetical order) Kenya Alexander, Keith Arthur Bolden, Brandon David Brown, Kevin T. Carroll, Jason Dirden, Deidrie Henry, Amad Jackson, Scott Mosenson, Kem Saunders, Kim Staunton and Ellis E. Williams. Phylici...
I have never known the world without those adorable, energetic and often impish chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore, and their adoptive father Dave Seville, as all were “born” along with me in 1958. In fact, The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) has been a mainstay of the holiday season for me since my first Christmas. Subsequent Chipmunk songs and albums were always a highlight for me, as were the cartoons when they began appearing on tv in 1961. And after a sad hiatus from the small...
Observer Editor In my less enlightened days I thought one-person plays wouldn’t be very interesting. Thankfully I no longer think that way, and Sunday night at the Kirk Douglas Theatre I thoroughly enjoyed Charlayne Woodard’s presentation of “The Night Watcher.” On opening night all of the theatre’s 317 seats were filled. As I drove in the rain I wondered if that would be the case, but the theatre was sold out and there was also a line of folks without tickets hoping for cancellat...
Entertainment Editor “Red Noses”, written by British playwright Peter Barnes has been chosen as the premiere play of the Actors’ Gang’s 30th season. Barnes was known for his dark comedy using shocking and biting, social satire. His Holocaust play is titled “Laughter”. “Red Noses” was written in 1978 but not performed until 1985 due to the newness of the AIDS epidemic and lack of information concerning it. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production in London that year won the prestigious Olivi...
Observer Editor I like country music, so it pleases me that ‘I’ve Never Been So Happy” at the Kirk Douglas Theatre is a two-hour musical with a Western theme. The near capacity crowd at the Sunday matinee agreed if we can judge from the frequent applause and occasional ovations. But if you object to raw language that isn’t necessary it may not be for you. I thought the play would have been better without the four-letter words. However, I’ve seen a lot of plays at the Kirk Douglas and this one...
By Mitch Chortkoff Observer Editor Shortly after I entered the Kirk Douglas Theatre Saturday afternoon to see “The Method Gun” ushers approached the audience with a pencil and slip of paper. We were asked to write the name of a teacher who had inspired us early in life, someone who made a difference. The play began and for the next 90 minutes there was no mention of the request. The play was about a popular teacher who suddenly departed for South America, leaving her students and former stu...
