Posted by RachelS on September 23, 2008 at 16:23:15:
21stCenturyArtist.com' RADIO! Live!
Los Angeles Events in the Hollywood neighborhood - Events - LA Weekly online listing and site visitor review.
_______
Reunion in Bartersville
http://www.laweekly.com/events/reunion-in-bartersville-333637
Egyptian Arena Theater
1625 N. Las Palmas Ave.
L.A., CA
(323) 595-4849
DATE/TIME: EVERY WEEK FRIDAY, SATURDAY FROM FRI., SEPTEMBER 5 UNTIL SUN., SEPTEMBER 28, 8:00PM, EVERY WEEK SUNDAY FROM SUN., SEPTEMBER 7 UNTIL SUN., SEPTEMBER 28, 4:00PM
HOLLYWOOD THEATRE REVIEW- Reunion in Bartersville
"Reunion in Bartersville" is an absolute smashing comedic HIT! The play is a smart, fast paced, who-dun nit murder mystery/comedy in two acts that has a limited run - my advice – quickly dash to the Egyptian Arena Theatre, Hollywood to see it before it closes September 28, 2008.
The emphasis of "Reunion in Bartersville" is on the comedy and there is plenty of it in this Celeste Bedford Walker award winning play. We only explore the murder aspect of the performance during the stunningly unpredictable second act as Roger E. Mosley ("Magnum PI") who plays AJ, enters and effectively terrorizes the class of 1933 during their 50th reunion party to our enjoyment. The star filled cast is led by a spectacular performance by Mitch Ward ("Murder in Mind") as Perry Rousell a big headed Hollywood star who returns home with his rich Hollywood white wife Liz exquisitely played by Susan Fallender ("Wild Hearts"). Both were perfectly and enjoyably fake and phony to the hilt in such an old and new Hollywood way. The evening I attended I witnessed a flawless performance by Mr. Ward - from the moment he made his smooth and sweeping entry with his beautiful wife, through the surprising instance where he danced the stage with Gene Kelly’s grace. Mitch Ward’s performance, judging by the audience’s reaction and the photo requests in the lobby afterwards, was a riot. Mitch Ward may not have a star on the Hollywood walk of fame yet but his delivery of such dead pan and uproariously funny lines ending in grand old Hollywood slogans like, "I love it!" and "Well, that calls for another drink!" were fantastic and places him a step closer.
So many laughs are stitched together seamlessly by the new Cambridge Players cast of professionals directed by the cleverly talented Sherrie Lofton a mentee of Ed Cambridge who was the founder of the original Cambridge Players. The original group included Academy Award nominee Juanita Moore (“Imitation of Life”), Lynn Hamilton (“Sanford and Son”), Esther Rolle (“Good Times”) and others. This Cambridge Players-Next Generation of "Reunion in Bartersville" includes cast member Jeris Lee Poindexter ("Everybody Hates Chris"). He paints a vivid picture with his character Cous. Mr. Poindexter’s masterful comedic skills leaves us watching his every move until the next fast laugh line is delivered by another equally talented cast members. The fun and jokes are in abundance at this reunion! The remaining members include Thomas Anthony James and Aloma Wright ("Scrubs") who play a mixmatched couple filled with laughs - he's a young hunk and she's a 60-something year old night club owner. And Amentha Dymally ("Gumbo Paribe"), whose performance especially at the end of the show recalls some of the best performances of Bette Davis.
"Reunion in Bartersville" produced by Cambridge Players in Hollywood at the Egyptian Arena Theatre, 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue 90028 – 213.281.5664 – www.plays411.com/reunion
Rachel Stuart
http://www.21stCenturyArtists.com
“TOP…Entertainment”…GOOGLE
_______________________________
Some other press (LAWEEKLY.com) regarding Reunion in Bartersville, Hollywood
__________
The Playgoer
For the month of September, please join Playgoer and his guest bloggers: ABIGAIL KATZ (Dramaturg and Literary Associate for The Civilians) and STEVEN LEIGH MORRIS (playwright and critic/theatre editor for L.A. Weekly).
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
Critix Corner
By Steven Leigh Morris
Haven't been confronted much lately with the question of what qualifies one as a theater critic, other than in discussions among seething colleagues and on blog postings over the issue of Joe Public posting his/her own review on newspaper websites. That all changed yesterday with a phone call and follow-up emails requesting, pleading and demanding that I print a review in the L.A. Weekly that I had allegedly assigned (being the section editor) of a small-theater production in Hollywood called Reunion in Bartersville.
Questioning my own memory, and then my sanity, I struggled to recall ever assigning a critic to review this play, and whether or not I was guilty of gross administrative incompetence. My doubts were compounded with the tone of one email that came in: (The formatting is largely intact):
“This [the PR] was sent to you in enough Time.... So about this review, will it be in the Paper and also online? . . . . If this is correct Please contact me as to know what we should expect.
Thanks Mr. Morris
Fondly,
Kirk”
The “fondly” seemed a bit over the top, but I let it wash over, before replying that I had no recollection of ever assigning a reviewer to this production. Kirk fondly replied with a copy of a review. It came with with an L.A. Weekly logo embedded in one corner -- an unqualified rave of the production written by somebody named Rachel Stuart. I'd never heard of her.
Here's an excerpt from the review, again with formatting largely intact:
“So many laughs are stitched together seamlessly by the new Cambridge Players cast of professionals directed by the cleverly talented Sherrie Lofton a mentee of Ed Cambridge who was the founder of the original Cambridge Players. The original group included Academy Award nominee Juanita Moore (“Imitation of Life”) and Lynn Hamilton (“Sanford and Son”), Esther Rolle (“Good Times”) and others. . . . The remaining members include Thomas Anthony James, Aloma Wright ("Scubs"), and Amentha Dymally ("Gumbo Paribe"), whose performance especially at the end of the show recalls some of the best performances of Bette Davis.”
Kirk continued pursuing his agenda:
“Could you let us know as to when this will be in the paper. I owe you Big Time... You Rock !!!
Fondly,
Kirk Kelley-Kahn
CEO/President
Cambridge Players-Next Generation”
I wrote back saying that this was the first time I'd ever seen this review. An hour later, the author replied, hoping that I'd simply “green light” it for publication.
“Thank you for your email. We are independent of LAWEEKLY. I write freelance for 21stCenturyArtists.com. We simply post our reviews on LAWEEKLY's online site for general read. We also post our articles on a number of other sites for general pickup/review and print if a publisher so desires. These articles are then picked up by GOOGLE and other search engines and then we have no idea where they will end up. Our articles and reviews appear around the Internet and are free for publication for anyone, just as long as credit is given to the originator/author of the article. Thank you.
“Best wishes,
“Rachel S.”
I know this is Old Business, but the L.A. Weekly has only recently installed a “Post Your Review!” on its website, an opportunity for Rachel S. to promote her cottage industry.
It all too clearly illustrates the frivolousness of mere opinions, and how the quality of criticism is determined by the larger frame that encloses those opinions, and gives them perspective. In a commerical culture, the battle, probably a losing one, is to keep distinguishing arts criticism from PR. And that distinction was the source of the clanging, fond missives among Kirk, Rachel and one perplexed theater editor.
Sara Ontiveros said...
Wow, What a story. I favor the Kirk character for his aggressiveness and get it done attitude. Even if it seems that LA Weekly Dropped the Ball, what a history and legacy this theatre company has. Seems like an incredible missed opportunity to review such a great Hollywood Historical Event.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:24:00 PM
Jake said...
So is this an apology from the LA Weekly or an excuse for being overworked. I will see this show for sure.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:26:00 PM
Anonymous said...
This Kirk Guy was really trying huh? Go Kirk. I dont blame either party. All were trying. I do wonder about this show now.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:30:00 PM
Anonymous said...
How ironic, by coincidence, I saw the show last Friday night. I loved the production. It was a down home, lovely production with some noted African American actors. It was fun and very intimate. I recommend it to all!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 3:36:00 PM
Anonymous said...
Good for Kirk! What's the big deal. He was just trying to get attention for his play. You should go see it and review it. There are other plays in LA beyond those at the Ahmanson and the Taper!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 3:37:00 PM
21stCenturyArtist.com' RADIO! Live!
Comments: