12 Balboa Park


News Nuggets p. 14


“Let Me Down


Easy” Award-winning solo show tackles nation’s health care


By Charlene Baldridge SDUN Reporter


Renowned actor/playwright Anna Deavere Smith brings “Let Me Down Easy,” her most recent one-woman show, to San Diego Repertory Theatre April 27 to May 15. As always, her work involves social issues and is based on interviews with everyday people. The words she uses in this composite are theirs, not hers. Matters for discussion are the resilience of the human spirit when faced with the inconstancy, imperfec- tion and aging of the human body, and the cost of health care to the individual and society. Smith interviewed renowned, cancer-stricken cyclist Lance Armstrong, Texas governor Ann Richards, a heavyweight boxer and a super model, among oth- ers. In the resulting show, Smith portrays more than 20 people. “To write ‘Let Me Down


Volume 3, Issue 9 • April 29–May 12, 2011 • San Diego Uptown News SCOTT MARKS / FILM REVIEW


Ray Stevenson stars as unstoppable Cleveland gangster Danny Greene in “Kill the Irishman.” (Photo courtesy Anchor Bay Films)


Anna Deavere Smith’s one-woman show, “Let Me Down Easy.”


Easy’ I interviewed over 300 people on three continents,” says the Baltimore native, whose journey with this piece began when she was invited to


be a visiting professor at Yale University School of Medicine. “Really, me, a clown, to create something in such a serious, elite environment,” she asked herself. “I walked away from the experience with an increased compassion for doctor and pa- tient alike. The stories stayed in my heart and became the basis of this play.”


“Let Me Down Easy” opened in October 2009 at New York’s


“CRITIC’S CHOICE... A TEUTONIC KNOCKOUT”


–San Diego Union-Tribune


“WONDERFULLY REIMAGINED”


–North County Times


“SMART AND SEXY... OUTSTANDING”


–ArtsNFashion Magazine


Joy Yandell as Sally Bowles.


Photo by Jay McNabb “STELLAR” –SDGLN OLD TOWN THEATRE


www.cygnettheatre.com AT THE


OLD TOWN | SAN DIEGO


For advertising, call Mike at (619) 519.7775 ext. 108


UPTOWN DINING


see Down, page 13


Kings, Queens and mob pawns liven up Landmark screens


“Kill the Irishman” (2011) Directed by: Jonathan Hensleigh Written by: Jonathan Hensleigh and Jeremy Walters based on Rick Porillo’s book by the same name Starring: Ray Stevenson, Vincent


D’Onofrio, Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken and Robert Davi Running Time: 106 min. Rating: HHH


If you haven‘t already seen see Film, page 13


FROM PAGE 8 FESTIVAL


Karson St. John as Emcee.


Photo by Daren Scott


mission for Arts and Culture. The rest comes from private sponsors, including Ascent Realty, San Diego Dialed In, FM 94/9 and many more. To assist with the lack of parking in the area, the parking structure at 3829 29th St. will be free all day and will offer a unique bike valet service by Velo Cult. For more information, visit: northpark- festivalofarts.com.u


EXTENDED THRU


MAY 22


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