Stage Raw: Year Zero

Credit: Michael Lamont

Productions that garnered high praise this week are David Wiener's Extraordinary Chambers at the Geffen, about Americans in Cambodia, which Mayank Keshaviah describes as an “edgy drama that strikingly conveys the weight of history.” The ghosts of the Cambodian Khmer Rouge also inform Michael Golamco's Year Zero, at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, described by Pauline Adamek as a “tender story, filled with beautifully calibrated, incendiary performances.” Paul Birchall was smitten with Edwin Sanchez's drama, Unmerciful Good Fortune at Hollywood's Underground Theatre, and Deborah Klugman had good things to say about Paul Burnett's “incisive” family drama, Finding the Burnett Heart, at the Missing Piece Theatre in Burbank.

For all NEW THEATER REVIEWS seen over the weekend, press the More tab directly below.

NEW THEATER REVIEWS scheduled for publication June 9, 2011

NEW REVIEW GO EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS

Credit: Michael Lamont

Incongruity is both striking and informative. 3,000 people are killed by planes crashing into buildings, and a global “War on Terror” ensues, creating a new lens through which the world is observed with fear and suspicion. Twenty-five years earlier and half a world away, two million people are massacred, wiping out one-fifth of a country's population, but nary a blip on the global consciousness. The latter scenario, in case you don't recall, was the 1970s Cambodian genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge. Its aftermath in 2008 is the setting for this world premiere by David Wiener. American telecom executive Carter (Mather Zickel) is taken with Phnom Penh and its people, especially obliging guide Sopoan (Greg Watanabe), but his wife Mara (Marin Hinkle) would rather be anywhere else. The tension between the two creates a comic interplay that highlights the incongruity of Carter's “mission” in Cambodia. This disjointedness is further amplified in their first meeting with “facilitator” Dr. Heng (Francois Chau), a surprisingly raw encounter that's beautifully crafted by director Pam MacKinnon and rendered by Chau. Once the confusion dissipates, Heng becomes instantly hospitable, yet his wife Rom Chang (Kimiko Gelman) remains feisty and incisively outspoken. Her attitude reflects the effects of genocide, and in exploring them, the play becomes like a cave: the deeper you go, the darker it gets. The cast is stellar across the board: from Zickel's charisma and Hinkle's expressive body language, to Chau's ability to turn on dime, Gelman's understated ferocity and Watanabe's embodiment of an utterly broken man. MacKinnon potently molds Wiener's cleverly subversive scenes into edgy drama that strikingly conveys the weight of history. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Wstwd.; Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 & 7 p.m.; thru July 3. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.org. (Mayank Keshaviah)

NEW REVIEW FIFTH OF JULY

Credit: Courtesy of The Production Company

It's 11 years after the Summer of Love and a band of former hippies are protesting – grouching, really — about the fast-approaching decade of 1980s greed-based capitalism. They've got a patriotism hangover that stretches back further than last night's booze binge: During the Vietnam war, Ken Talley (Scott Victor Nelson) lost his legs, his sister June (Jennifer Sorenson) lost her optimism, and their childhood friend John (Christopher Carver) lost, well, nothing since he married a daffy copper heiress and folk singer (Jen Albert) who whisked him to Europe and far away from the reach of the draft. For two days, they're reuniting in Lebanon, Missouri at Ken's 19-room family estate (or asylum, given all the eccentrics) where for one and a half acts, they talk about nothing much, and then at the climax talk about everything all at once. At least in Lanford Wilson's dramedy, the first in his Talley Trilogy, their chatter about Eskimos and flowers and UFOs is just as interesting as the secrets they're keeping from each other. (Especially when Rob Herring's hilarious guitarist pontificates between puffs of weed.) At stake is what — or who — is up for sale, a list that includes the Talley mansion, June's daughter (Margaret Dwyer), and the happiness of Aunt Sally (Judy Nazemetz) and Ken's botanist boyfriend Jed (Johnny Patrick Yoder). At times, director August Viverito coaxes nice moments from his ensemble, but more often there's a lot of screaming. The Production Company at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru June 25. (800) 838-3006. theprodco.com (Amy Nicholson)

NEW REVIEW GO FINDING THE BURNETT HEART In playwright Paul Elliott's incisive drama, an already fractured family finally comes apart after the youngest member of the household, 16-year-old Tyler (Corey Craig), reveals that he's gay. The revelation takes place in the cramped bedroom he shares with his grandfather, James (James Handy), a mean-spirited widower temporarily boarding with his son's (Jeff L. Williams) family while the fire damage to his own home is being repaired. Though he loved his wife, James is otherwise a cold, stingy man who cruelly dissected his son's spirit and now aims a lacerating tongue at his grandson – a psychologically sturdy lad able to give as good as he gets. Not every aspect of the plot is fleshed out, but Elliott's dialogue is spot on; and under Jeffrey Hutchinson's direction, the performers volley among each other with consummate skill. Handy's portrait of an elderly narcissist at an unexpected crossroads is without flaw; nonetheless, it is Colleen McGrann as the family matriarch who captures the production's defining moment. At the outset, shes's a caring if no-nonsense mediator of family quarrels, but her discovery of her son's sexual preference creates an emotional chasm that, as a fundamentalist Christian, she cannot cross. There's no shortage of plays about coming out; the strength of this one is its perceptive handling of moral choice and the price we pay for intolerance. The Missing Piece Theatre, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m., thru June 12. (818) 563-1100. brownpapertickets.com/event/173963. (Deborah Klugman)

NEW REVIEW IMAGOFEST 2011

Credit: Julio J. Vargas

The theme of this year's trio of original one-acts by the Stella Adler Los Angeles Theatre Collective is the complex, often contradictory motives and conflicted psychological undercurrents that complicate even the most seemingly straightforward of relationships. With “Red Poppies” (directed by Yaitza Rivera), playwright Tim McNeil uses an unnamed, war-torn country and a funeral as the backdrop for a reunion of childhood sweethearts (Zulivet Diaz and Chervine Namani) separated by a brutal act of sexual violence and years of ensuing madness. “Cyclical Conversations to Nowhere” is playwright-director Alex Aves' elliptical dance of sexual desire, emotional need and wounding disengagement as practiced by a pair of archetypal, albeit alienated lovers (the fine Meghan Cox and an edgy Erik Adrian Santiago) maneuvering unsuccessfully to find a common language of understanding. Playwright Mark Donnelly shifts to the comic grotesque in the evening's most successful entry, “Mother's Day.” As an overmedicated housewife (a manic Susan Vinciotti Bonito) and her phlegmatic husband of 15 years (the perfectly modulated Jon Boatwright) enact an increasingly bizarre breakfast ritual, their strained pretense at suburban normality quickly unravels with the entrance of their decidedly dysfunctional children (Francesca Fondevila & Chris Petrovski). Milton Justice's tight and briskly paced direction realizes all of Donnelly's calculated absurdity in a staging graced by Paige Selene Luke's intelligent lighting. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru June 12. (323) 465-4446, stellaadler-la.com. (Bill Raden)

NEW REVIEW LAVENDAR LOVE

Credit: Chris Hume

Swanky period costumes lend luster to Odalys Nanin's indifferent comedy about a struggling actress who time travels back to 1920s Hollywood. Just split from her girlfriend, Alas (Lidia Ryan) is on the run from the police for stealing McNuggets; desperate, she dives into a secret passageway under the pavement and emerges into the luxurious digs of silent screen glamour queen, Alla Nazimova (Nanin). A closeted lesbian, Nazimova is frolicking with her latest amour (Stephanie Ann Saunders) while her just-for-show lover Paul Ivano (Drew Hinckley) gads about with Rudolf Valentino (Kristian Steel). The Roaring '20s folks are startled at Alas' appearance, and she soon panics about getting back to the present, even after Nazimova dresses her in as her new-found pet. Nanin ekes flaccid humor from a past vs. present clash of both culture and attitudes: Nazimova and company are perplexed by Alas' cell phone, while Alas is amazed at Nazimova's flamboyant manner and promiscuous proclivities. The one hour piece obviously is intended to be silly fantastical fun – but isn't. A bared female breast and a display of hot and heavy girl-on-girl sex hardly compensates for humdrum characters and dialogue. Co-directors Nanin and Ilmar Taska do stage the shenanigans effectively on designer John Toom's appealing set, but among the ensemble, only the under-utilized Saunders has a handle on the camp. The other performances are uninspired. Macha Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Road, W. Hlywd;. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru June 18. (323) 960-4429 . plays411.com/lavendrlove. (Deborah Klugman)

NEW REVIEW MOOSE ON THE LOOSE

Credit: Ed Krieger

Back in the 1950s, the Tappino family left their home in Calabria, southern Italy, to search for work. They settled in Thunder Bay, in chilly northern Ontario, Canada, where the temperature often drops to minus-40 degrees. By 2001, they have become a large and obstreperous clan, headed by irascible paterfamilias Giuseppe (John Cygan) and his wife Maria (Connie Mellors). Their children include studious Joseph (Nick McDow), couch-potato Bruno and his Native American fiance Honabiji (Jemma Bosch), touchy Carmela (Corinne Shor), her Anglo husband Darryl (Michael Lorre), their young son Timothy (Grant Venable), and Giuseppe's other daughter Gina (playwright Dina Morrone). Also present are Maria's parents, garrulous Rodolfo (Jack Kutcher) and acerbic Pina (Laura James), whose acid comments provide much of the comedy. Morrone's play is clearly semi-autobiographical, inspired by her family, and the day a moose wandered out of the bush and into a neighbor's backyard. Short on plot, the play centers on a big family dinner, and Giuseppe's ill-starred attempt to shoot the moose. It's a pleasantly old-fashioned family comedy, affectionately but keenly observed, and deftly directed by Peter Flood. Tom Badal plays both the talkative Moose and the local chief of police. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Boulevard West, L.A.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., thru July 10. (323) 851-7977. (Neal Weaver)

NEW REVIEW THE POOR OF NEW YORK

Credit: Sherry Netherland

Dion Boucicault'a classic 19th century melodrama follows the travails of the Fairweather family, whose sea-captain patriarch is robbed of $100,000 and then his life by the dastardly banker Gideon Bloodgood. Twenty years later Bloodgood's crime is about to catch up to him. In program notes, director Larry Eisenberg explains his choice to avoid the contemporary mocking tone that melodramas are so often treated with, in favor of an honest reenactment of the emotion and sentiment – borrowing from the style of early silent film tear-jerkers. Unfortunately this, a pastiche of 19th century text, early 20th century sentimentality and 21st century acting styles keep clashing as the performance rolls by. A few of the actors take the plunge into deep pathos, most notably Kate O'Toole and Juliana Olinka as mother and daughter Fairweather; and Van Boudreaux, who nearly channels Edward G. Robinson in a role both comic and heroic. Others, such as Max Bunzel as Alex Parker, try to mold themselves into similarly noble figures, but can't escape their young Hollywood hunkiness, which exposes a certain artifice. So the style keeps shifting away from any kind of unifying propulsion. Interesting projections mimicking '20s silent films keep the story grounded in a black and white past, but the accompanying old time movie theater music (sound design by Steve Shaw) that underscores the entire production seems haphazard and distracting rather than providing period and emotional cues. Of the designs, only Liz Nankin's costumes actually help the production. Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theater, 10900 Burbank Blvd., N. Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru July 10. (818) 700-4878. thegrouprep.com. (Tom Provenzano)

SEX AND EDUCATION

Credit: Nancy Savan

Lissa Levin's West Coast premiere about a high school English teacher versus a jock. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 4 p.m. Continues through July 10. Victory Theatre Center, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, (818) 841-5421, thevictorytheatrecenter.org. See Stage feature on Wednesday night.

NEW REVIEW GO UNMERCIFUL GOOD FORTUNE

Credit: Adam Blumenthal

In Edwin Sanchez's compelling drama, fast food worker Fatima (Melissa Camilo) is arrested for killing over 20 patrons using burgers laced with poison – “You want extra sauce with that?” However, as prosecutors start interrogating her, they discover the tough talking Bronx Puerto Rican gal is “blessed” with a supernatural talent that provides only too justifiable reasons for her doing what she's done. Fatima also gradually develops an increasingly spooky relationship with Maritza (Arlene Santana), the deputy D.A. assigned to interview her, whose own equanimity is frayed from tending to her dying and increasingly delusional mother (Marlene Forte). Sanchez's drama boasts the cracklingly taut dialogue of a Law and Order police procedural, but with a dash of Torchwood. The deft and often delicate writing boasts a thought-provokingly metaphysical debate on destiny and fate. If you know someone's future is dire, is it evil to offer a kinder, gentler way out? With the very recent death of Doctor “Death” Kevorkian, these topics are more timely than ever, but director Jon Lawrence Rivera's evocative staging artfully melds dark humor and world weary melancholy in a production that never short-circuits the philosophical situations' emotional and psychological underpinnings. The acting is especially engaging, from Camilo's terrifying, yet oddly vulnerable Fatima, an angry figure who could be either saint or demon, and to Santana's sad, brittle, seemingly out of her depth Maritza. Forte as the dying mother – bubbly and giggly as a school girl, and yet possessed of a gleeful malice as she spitefully pretends to be deluded – is both thrilling and disturbing. There are also fine supporting turns by Clay Bunker, as a weaselly lawyer, and by Jerry Oshinsky, as an embittered, boozy old DA. Dijo Productions at the Underground Theater, 1313 N. Wilton Pl., Hlywd.; Mon.-Wed., 8 p.m. (added perf Sun. June 12, 3 p.m.) thru June 15. (800) 838-3006. brownpapertickets.com/event/170643. (Paul Birchall)

NEW REVIEW WORKING: THE MUSICAL

Credit: Courtesy of The Tribe Productions

A relentlessly patronizing tone nearly ruins all the fun in Steven Schwartz's musical about average Joes and Janes on the job, though some authentic moments of human experience manage to slip through the condescending cracks. The cast, however, isn't always up for the challenging task of taking the sentimental songs and monologues to humanizing heights. As a whole, the ensemble has too many ham-fisted moments to usher the stereotypical characters – a boorish iron worker (Tim Borquez) with a supposedly ironic love of books; a self-loathing housewife (Judi Stewart) chained to her laundry basket; a valet (Tyrone Washington) who, by golly, refuses to let car parking rob him of his plainspoken pluck – to more meaningful ground. But a few stand-out performers spin their snatches of sloppily stitched material into meaningful musings on time-clock punching. Jill Kocalis Scott, for instance, successfully seeks out the joyful motivation of a sophisticated waitress in “It's an Art.” Amanda Celine Miller goes from hooker to receptionist to cleaning lady with ease, crafting flesh-and-blood characters defined by toil. There's an undeniable pleasure in seeing everyday people take center stage, but the real blue collar trenches are certainly filled with more interesting men and women. The Tribe Productions at The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sun., 8 p.m.; thru July 10. (323) 960-5774. thetribeproductions.org. (by Amy Lyons)

NEW REVIEW GO YEAR ZERO

Credit: Michael Lamont

Anyone who thinks the Colony Theatre in Burbank only caters for the blue rinse set with safe, theatrical selections will be pleasantly surprised and refreshed by the first of this year's six-show season. Brilliantly directed by David Rose, Michael Golamco's play about a young med student and her teen-aged brother facing an uncertain and divided future is a tender story filled with beautifully calibrated, incendiary performances swirling around the psychological fallout from the Cambodian killing fields. Newly orphaned, Ra (Christine Corpuz) and Vuthy (David Huynh, giving a broad but convincing teen performance) are the offspring of a recently deceased Cambodian refugee. It turns out these two knew little of their mother's grim fight for survival. Running a store in the Long Beach's Cambodian community, she concentrated on keeping her kids away from gangs and teen pregnancy. Young, ripped and inked up gang member Han (Tim Chiou) has just been sprung from prison, but he's no thug. Han remembers the Mother's kindness over the years and wants to help his neighbors, to “give back.” But Ra is proud and thinks she can cope by sending her brother to live with an “Auntie” while she completes her studies at Berkeley. Vuthy is being bullied at school and looks to Han for advice. Succumbing to Han's fervent interest, Ra starts contemplating a future minus her milquetoast Chinese boyfriend (Eymard Cabling). Short but satisfying scenes glide by with the grace and precision of a figure skating, effortlessly skirting stereotypes and predictable outcomes, while a dynamic pace is fuelled by Peter Bayne's contemporary, driving score. Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third St., Burbank; Thurs.-Sun., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru July 3. (818) 558-7000. colonytheatre.org (Pauline Adamek)

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