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Theater
Reviews
To
Take It Off,
Or
Not To Take It Off?
LOS
ANGELES, CA - Playing
at the Ahmanson, The Full Monty was a delightfully fun
show to experience live. Similar
to the motion picture in story, there were many added musical and
dance scenes that make it a perfect show for the stage. There
were some fabulous performances by the lead characters, many of whom
had been in major Broadway hits in the past. Particularly noteworthy performances were by Robert
Westenberg, a noted Sondheim performer; Carol Woods from Broadway’s Smokey
Joe’s Café; and Cleavant Derricks from Broadway’s Dreamgirls,
who brought the house down with his song, “Big Black Man.”
Ben Whiteley, musical director/conductor, led this outstanding
pit band providing
colorful accompaniment, perfect for the comical strip sequences.
A well written show, balancing the fun and excitement of the
anticipation of the "Full Monty" revealed, and an
underlying, touching plot with family and morality issues. A
must see! - M. Upward
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Evita
Reaches A Rainbow High!
REDONDO
BEACH, CA - Civic Light Opera of South Bay City's Evita
was a professional, outstanding
production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece. True to
the original stage production, even the sets and costumes were reminiscent
of the days when Patti Lupone graced the stage with her
characterization of Eva Peron. The Equity guest
stars joining the Civic Light Opera were top rate and the
non-union performers rose to the challenge of this difficult
show. It was impossible to
tell the difference. The choreography for the group dance
numbers was true to the period, yet highly original, and the
ensemble made the moves their own. A notable outstanding
aspect of this production was the lighting direction by Raun
Yankovich. The cues were perfect and the direction was well
conceived. He made
use of some bold and artistic effects like backstage lighting,
floor lights and follow spots from the wings.
It raised the quality of this already sensational
production ten-fold.- M. Upward
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