Last night, we went to the first show of our new subscription to the Colony Theatre in Burbank: “Grace & Glorie”.
“Grace & Glorie” is a two-woman play that tells the story of Grace Stiles and Gloria Whitmore. Grace is a feisty 90-year old (is there any other kind) who has just been released from the hospital to go home to her granny cottage in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to die. Gloria is a transplanted Type-A New Yorker who is her volunteer hospice worker. Grace is strongly independent and doesn’t want any help; she has a strong faith in God (although not church-going) and an acceptance of what life has dealt her. Gloria moved to Virginia with her husband after a personal tragedy; she’s not religious and fights for everything with a strong need to be the survivor at the top. The clash of the two teach each other lessons about life, while entertaining the audience along the way.
The portrayal of these two women was perfect, owing to the work of the director (Cameron Watson), as well as the excellent actresses, Beth Grant and Melinda Page Hamilton. Grant plays Grace as a fragile old women with loads of inner strength. She captures the backwoods Virginian ways—she is the embodiement of what you would expect for Appalachia. In contrast, Hamilton, as Gloria, captures the outwardly strong and bossy New York type with inner fragility. Both came across as real people; there was no consciousness that they were putting on roles.
[Both actors are members of 
Actors Equity ]
The set designed by Jeff McLaughlin, with properties and set dressing by MacAndME, was rich, detailed, and intricate. It captures the cabin in the Virginia mountains well, with a seemingly working wood stove, real food, beautiful quilts and knitting, and the ephemeria of a life. The lighting, by Luke Moyer, created the mood well with use of oranges and blues, and nary a follow spot. The sound design by Cricket S. Myers not only blended into the background in terms of amplification, but provided the requisite atmosphere perfectly, be it the chirping crickets in the quiet time, or the directional sound of construction around the cabin. The costumes by Terri A. Lewis , reflected the personalities perfectly: Glorie in power-suits and elegant pants; Grace in aged, faded pajamas. Lara E. Nall served as the Production Stage Manager.
The full Playbill is online, if you want to read the full acting and technical credits.
“Grace and Glorie” continues a the Colony Theatre until July 18, 2010. Tickets are available through the Colony Theatre, and often via Goldstar Events and LA Stage Tix. The reviews for this show have been strong.
A word about the Colony itself: This was the first show of our Colony subscription (which is the replacement subscription for the Pasadena Playhouse). At least based on the first night, the Playhouse has a lot of work to do to win us back as subscribers. Here’s how I see some of the key differences:
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The Colony Theatre |
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The Pasadena Playhouse |
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Parking
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Free directly in front of the theatre.
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$8 in the lots around the theatre. You might find street parking, but it a bit more of a walk.
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Pre-Show Waiting Area
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Covered, elegant lobby.
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Picturesque outdoor courtyard.
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Shows Presented
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West coast premieres, simple musicals, plays, dramas.
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A mix of new works (often with ethnic themes), larger musicals (often new works), with a few classic plays or reimaginings of classic musicals thrown in.
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Stage Capabilities
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Simple stage (essentially a large black box), with no flyspace or wing space, necessitating a mostly static set.
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Fair wing and fly space, making possible multiple scenes in significantly different locals with complicated scenery.
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Greetings and Friendliness
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The Artistic Director opens every show excitedly with some words about the program and the season. The staff are friendly and remember you.
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Since Sheldon Epps took over as Artistic Director, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him introduce a show. The volunteer house staff recognized the regulars, but that staff went away in the bankruptcy.
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Communication with Subscribers
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Website, a regular emailed newsletter, an active use of the Facebook page.
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A blog that is not being updated, lack of regular communication with subscribers via email. A preference for communication through announcements in the mainstream media.
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Local Dining Options
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Lots of restaurants near by on San Fernando Road, near Ikea, or up on Glenoaks. Our favorite, Cafe Columbia, is reasonably priced.
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A captive restaurant that has had a number of operators (the current is “Elements“), which we haven’t tried. A few restaurants in the courtyard nearby; our regular spots were Sachi Sushi or El Portal. Burger Continental isn’t far away.
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Bookstores
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There’s a Barnes and Nobel across the street from the Ikea (about 10 minutes walking).
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There are both great independent bookstores (Vromans) as well as a great used bookstore (Cliffs).
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Pricing
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About $350 for a 5-show season, payable in two parts.
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About $800 for a 6-7 show season (based on the initial 2010-2011 pricing; post-bankruptcy pricing unknown), payable in a single chunk.
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Upcoming Theatre and Dance. Next weekend bring “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” at REP East on July 17 and the July “Meeting of Minds (Catherine the Great, Daniel Cromwell, and Daniel O’Connell, starring Gary Cole, Penny Peyser, Ian Buchanan and Jim Handy) on July 18. The 4th weekend brings “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” at Cabrillo Music Theatre on July 24, and “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” at the Mark Taper Forum on July 25. August starts with “Young Frankenstein” at the Pantages on August 1. The next weekend brings “[title of show]” at the Celebration Theatre on August 6. August 15 brings the August “Meeting of Minds”, and August 21 “Side Man” at REP East. Looking into September, there is “Free Man of Color” at the Colony on September 4, and “Leap of Faith” at the Ahmanson Theatre (September 5-October 17, to be ticketed), and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” at REP East (9/17-10/16). It is unknown if there will be a September “Meeting of Minds”, and if so, when and where. October will bring “Happy Days: The Musical” at Cabrillo Music Theatre, and possibly “The Glass Menagerie” at the Mark Taper Forum.
As always: live theatre is a gift and a unique experience, unlike a movie. It is vitally important in these times that you support your local arts institutions. If you can afford to go to the movies, you can afford to go to theatre. If you need help finding ways, just drop me a note and I’ll teach you some tricks. Lastly, I’ll note that nobody paid me anything to write this review. In fact, I receive no remuneration for any reviews I write.
