CENTER THEATER GROUP’S “BIG NIGHT” HAS A BIG MESSAGE BUT ARE WE READY TO HEAR IT?

Tom Phelan, Kecia Lewis, Wendie Malick, Bruce Hutchison, Max Jenkins and Luke Macfarlane star in Paul Rudnick's "Big Night", a world premiere now playing at the Center Theater Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre. All photos by Craig Schwartz.

Award-winning playwright Paul Rudnick is known for his comic takes on gay culture set against the backdrop of everyday life - his hit play/film “Jeffrey” examined the modern day dating dilemma of its protagonist; but his latest effort “Big Night”, now having its world premiere at Center Theater Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, tries to step up a level. This time Rudnick sets the personal travails against the larger global issue of gay genocide. It is an often uncomfortable mix of humor and horror, but if anyone can carry it off, it is CTG and the talented cast.
 
Journeyman actor Michael (an engaging Bruce Hutchison) is pacing like a caged tiger in his luxury suite in Beverly Hills prior to the Oscar telecast, so full of conflicting emotions at his Best Supporting Actor nomination, he can barely contain himself.


Bruce Hutchison and Max Jenkins

His new, ambitious young agent Cary (played to perfection by Max Jenkins) tries to calm his thoroughbred down by confiding his latest coup for Michael: a featured role in the next four “Star Wars” films. (Hey, even gay men have Jedi knight obsessions.)

While Michael nervously awaits the arrival of his partner, social activist Austin ( the charming Luke Macfarlane) who is delayed on business at the Hollywood LGBTQ Center, family members begin to arrive for the pre-show festivities.

Kecia Lewis, Wendie Malick
and Tom Phelan

First is Michael’s transgender nephew Eddie (a winsome Tom Phelan) who wants Uncle Mike to use his acceptance speech as a platform to blast the Hollywood community for their deplorable treatment of gay actors and characters. Cary nervously points out to Michael that tonight’s NOT the right moment to bite the hands feeding him.


Bruce Hutchison and
Wendie Malick

The next arrival comes in the fabulous form of Esther, Michael’s oh-so-glamorous mother who wants to make tonight all about her talented son, but can’t stop herself from turning the spotlight on herself and her new relationship. The divine Wendie Malick plays the hell out of Esther, floating around the suite in a sparkling backless gown, aphorisms dripping from her lips while passing the appetizers; my only quibble is that Malick is waaaay too young to play Hutchison’s mother.

Esther has brought along Eleanor, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet (a sassy Kecia Lewis channeling her best Maya Angelou persona), who has captured Esther’s admiration and more. Her own experiences dealing with discrimination make an impact on the group, especially her handling of the loss of her daughter in a drive-by shooting.

Luke Macfarlane and Bruce Hutchison

The plot takes an abrupt swing, however, as a chilling act of brutality occurs at the LGBTQ Center just as the ceremony begins. The shock and horror unfolds on live television and casts a pall over what should be the ultimate celebration. Austin has been caught in the crossfire at the youth center but stays to help survivors, arriving finally at the hotel suite disheveled, in shock and grateful/guilty to be alive. Luke Macfarlane hits all the notes of Austin's character and you are grateful that Michael has such a solid love in his life on this particular big night.

Director Walter Bobbie orchestrates the highs and lows of this wild evening, but there are moments that jar: some audience members caught themselves when they laughed at a witty zinger just seconds after a horrifying recollection of the massacre by Austin. It’s always a risk pairing comedy and violence, but that is the society we inhabit these days and one must always applaud any worthwhile effort to make it work onstage and off.

A veritable All Star team of Broadway designers support Bobbie’s production - namely multiple Tony Award-winners John Lee Beatty (Scenic Design) and William Ivey Long (Costume Design). Beatty conceived a fabulous, glittery suite set that had me wanting to move in immediately; the colors, the subtle backdrop of the lights of Hollywood, the oversized furniture pieces, all create the feeling of luxury. Ivey’s costumes are spot on, particularly Malick’s slinky sequined number. Legendary Broadway lighting designer Ken Billington creates a glorious glow on the stage, remembering that stars always need that flattering key light.

Perhaps it is too soon after Orlando to begin dramatizing the tragic loss of life in the name of religious beliefs. But anything that makes the audience question what they know and what they feel  is 90 minutes well spent.

“Big Night” plays through October 8th at the Kirk Douglas Theatre located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA 90232. Catch it while you can.

-- Lisa Lyons

NORTH COAST REP PRESENTS NEIL SIMON'S GROWN-UP COMEDY "LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS"

Katie Karel, Noelle Marion, Phil Johnson and Sandy Campbell headline "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" at North Coast Repertory Theatre. All photos by Aaron Rumley.

If only it were possible to roll back time to the 1960’s, 1970’s and 80’s when America’s favorite and funniest playwright Neil Simon was knocking them dead with his prodigious string of winning comedies.

No one had his gift and talent for writing gut-busting, laugh-out-loud comedy plays. He was simply the best! Simon was referred to as the ‘King of Comedy’ and deservedly so. Not before nor since has a playwright had three smash hit plays running simultaneously in the same season on Broadway.

He caught the mood of the country at just the right time creating characters that the average person could relate to, laugh with, and enjoy the plot situations he created. In short, he became the people’s comedy playwright despite the fact that his plays were very New York-centric. Simon connected with both working and middle class families and individuals across America and beyond. His success grew because he understood the American Dream, its quirks, warts and all, plus the vicissitudes of our journey through the Alpha and the Omega that all human beings share. Simon leavened those rides by employing comedy, the one element that takes the sting out of life’s heartaches and loves lost.

North Coast Repertory Theatre (NCRT) artistic director David Ellenstein’s selection of “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers”, is a definite winner in kicking off its 36th season. It’s one of Simon’s best comedies. Deftly directed by Christopher Williams, the four person cast takes to this play like ducks to water.

Katie Karel, Phil Johnson

Assisting him in his hilarious ill-fated comedy quest are: Katie Karel as Elaine Navazio, a sexpot who likes cigarettes, whiskey, and other women’s husbands in that order. When Karel turns those seductive eyes and that smoldering stare in Barney’s direction, we all know he’s in big trouble. And so does Barney. Elaine is way out of his marital infidelity league.The story in short, centers on nebbish-like, twenty-three year married middle-age seafood restauranteur Barney Cashman (a terrific Phil Johnson) who is worried that the sexual revolution of the 1960’s is passing him by before he can join its ranks. In trying to understand the Barney’s of this world, perhaps, a little Yiddish humor will help. Do you know the difference between a Schlemazel and a Schlemiel? The answer is, if a waiter in a restaurant when serving a bowl of soup accidentally spills the soup onto his customer’s lap, the waiter is the Schlemazel and the unfortunate customer is the Schlemiel. Our Barney Cashman has been a Schlemiel most his life. Johnson’s impeccable timing in executing his double-takes throughout the play is worth the price of admission alone. It’s a star turn worth catching.

Noelle Marion and Phil Johnson

Noelle Marion as youthful, bubble-headed Bobbi Michele, is an actress friend who Barney later discovers is a pot-smoking, scatterbrained flower child. Although she would be a tasty morsel for his dalliance, Barney feels Bobbi may be living just a tad too far in outer space for him to handle.

Sandy Campbell as Jeannette Fisher, his wife’s best friend and a strong moralist, is a formidable and reluctant candidate for an affair. But, to Barney hope springs eternal. The Jeannette character serves as Neil Simon seeking moral equivalence for placing his characters in questionable situations, but they’re all so darn appealing and funny in their moments that it’s difficult to cast aspersions. Remember the play takes place in the 60’s. Our society has changed big time over 48 years when it comes to illicit affairs of the heart.

Phil Johnson and Sandy Campbell

The technical team elements are always first-rate at NCRT and this production is no exception. The ‘dynamic duo’ of Scenic Designer Marty Burnett and Lighting Designer Matthew Novotny deliver a set that any audience member could easily move right into and feel at home.Director Chris Williams is the person responsible for sorting out of all this on stage sexual innuendo interplay, and he does it with style, and elan. The comedy just flows along and is seamless in its execution and is chock full of nice directorial touches. Of course, the cast and director Williams can thank the brilliance of playwright Neil Simon and his scintillating dialogue and zingers that allow for all the comedy magic and insights that takes place right from the get-go.

The costumes designed by Elisa Benzoni fit the characters to a tee. From Barney’s suits that give him the harried look of an unmade bed to the femme-fatale look of Elaine’s predatory character, to Bobbi’s youthful mini-skirts, to the ‘sensible’ Jeannette, a middle-age woman dressed in a tailored outfit sporting a pill-box hat, who clutches onto her purse as if was a life preserver; are all spot-on. Peter Herman’s wig designs are a plus, as are the sound designs of Aaron Rumley, along with the props design of Andrea Gutierrez. Cindy Rumley is the Stage Manager making sure that everything goes as it should.

“The Last of the Red Hot Lovers”, is a delightful comedy that should not be missed by audiences of North Coast Rep Theatre. The production has already been extended one week to accommodate the demand for tickets. The play now runs through October 8, 2017, in Solana Beach, CA.

-- Jack Lyons

.