A-LISTS theatre by lisa lipsey
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE Adapted for the stage by Joe Landry and Directed by Sean Murray, the classic,
It’s a Wonderful Life, based on the film starring Jimmy Stewart returns to Cygnet. What is “A Live Radio Play”? According to Landry in a September 2008 interview with Mark Smith, Artistic Director of the Legacy Theatre: “What uniquely separates a “radio play” from a “regular” play is the style of theatrical storytelling. In the “radio plays” I’ve written thus far, (It’s a Wonderful Life and Vintage Hitchcock) the audi- ence is invited to experience the magic of a live 1940s radio broadcast. The golden age of old time radio is recreated using a handful of actors who play the dozens of characters in the stories and create sound effects and musical accompaniment to assist in engaging the imagination.” This year’s cast features returning favorites from last year’s production includ-
ing Tom Andrew as George Bailey, who received a 2008 San Diego Critic’s Circle Award for this signature performance and the brilliant Scott Paulson, who reigns over Bedford Falls once again with his live, old-fashioned Foley sound effects ‘orchestra’. It’s A Wonderful Life runs now - December 31 at the Cygnet Theatre in Old Town. For tickets and more information call 619.337.1525.
Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words Winner of the 2009 Drama Desk Award, the show features a first-rate comedic en- semble performing from the actual memoirs of a wide range of celebrities. The passages run the gamut from the “poetry” of Suzanne Somers to the shocking “romance tips” of Tommy Lee to the most famous Hollywood love triangle in history — Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. And what’s remarkable and unforgettably hilarious: it’s all in their own words. Hear the words from Tovah Feldshuh, Will Forte, John Good- man, Paul Michael, Kathy Najimy, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, Marion Ross, Jennifer Tilly, Michael Urie and more. The theatre is featuring an all-star cast of Globe favorites and a couple of new allstars too. Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words runs one night only, Monday December 6 at the Old Globe Theatre. For tickets and more information call 619.234.5623.
PLAID TIDINGS Once upon a time (in 1956), there were four wholesome guys who loved to sing
(Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie). They rehearsed nightly and became “Forever Plaid.” They sang in harmony at high school proms and store grand openings. Then, on February 9th, 1964, while on their way to pick up their custom-made plaid tuxedos, their car was struck by a school bus filled with Catholic teens. The Catholic girls were unharmed, but “The Plaids” were killed instantly. Through the power of harmony, Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie were
allowed to come back to Earth just long enough to perform the show they never got to do in life. Thus was born the show Forever Plaid conceived by Tony® Award-nominated playwright and director Stuart Ross. Now comes the sequel, Plaid Tidings! This nostalgic holiday show is filled with squeaky-clean humor and “Plaid-erized” Christmas standards such as “Let It Snow” and a tribute to good old Rudolph. Plaid Tidings: A Special Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid runs now - December 26 at the Old Globe. For tickets and more information call 619.234.5623.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING OUT Santa Claus Is Coming Out, is a theatrical mock-u-
mentary written and performed by Jeffrey Solomon. Criti- cally acclaimed, it has been dually noted that Solomon balances cavalier humor with poignant, tender moments. It starts with a little boy who asks Santa for a doll, gets a truck, and thinks he’s been bad. The child’s quiet letter of complaint shakes St. Nick to the soul as he recalls his fearful youth during the middle ages and regrets the promotional deals he made with Coca-Cola that force him to stay in the closet. When the secret, romantic life of the beloved childhood icon is revealed, it is the scandal of the ages. Throughout the play, Solomon transforms into a cast of dozens to tell the
“true story of Santa-gate,” includ- ing little gay Gary, his confused mom and angry dad, Stonewall
veteran and former Santa “girlfriend” Jose and Mary Ellen Banfield (who
evokes a 21st Century Anita Bryant), a homophobic chief elf, an empathetic Rudolph, Santa’s fake-actress wife and
Santa’s Agent Sidney Green, (who affec- tionately refers to himself as the “Little Jew Who Saved Christmas”). Santa Claus is Coming Out runs December 4 – 21 at the Diversionary Theatre. For tickets and more information call 619.220.0097.
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RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2010
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