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| Charlene Baldridge Photo by Ken Howard |
Amazons!
Photos by www.simpatika.com
Diversionary Theatre opened its 30th anniversary season Saturday night (September 12). The production of Jordan Harrison’s Amazons and Their Men marked new Executive Director Matt Morrow’s first time at the helm in San Diego.
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| John DeCarlo as The Man Kerry McCue as The Frau |
Amazons is a fanciful and complex riff on the life of German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003), who is not named and merely called The Frau in Harrison’s play. In the play, Riefenstahl, who famously made the 1934 Nazi propaganda film titled Triumph of the Will, receives almost daily messages from Hitler, who supports her other endeavors. She becomes the star of her own creation, a film that she purportedly destroyed later.
The Extra (Tiffany Tang), who is also her sister, assists Riefenstahl in the filmmaking. Riefenstahl’s film adapts an ancient play, Penthesilea, in which an Amazon (herself of course) falls in love withthe heroic Achilles (John DeCarlo, and he is beautiful) and engages him in battle. The filming goes wonderfully well until, at her Extra’s suggestion, she hires a messenger boy to portray Achilles’ companion, Patroclus (Jewels Weinberg). Oops. Sparks of the homoerotic variety fly.
Trying to stay one step ahead of the impending war (her Achilles is Jewish), Riefenstahl attempts to persuade Hitler to allow her to film on location, say in Africa. For reasons she doesn’t yet understand, he refuses.
We lurch about in fact, fiction and film and have an uproarious and intelligent good time – it’s a glorious spoof on reality, myth and oppression. There are projected visuals (Tara Knight) to go with all, and the acting and diction are purposefully “elevated” with glimmers of sincerity shining through. On opening night there was some confusion over the difference between intensity and volume. Hopefully vocal chords will survive as the actors settle.
Kate Bishop’s costumes and Kim Parker’s wigs are a stitch. Ron Logan’s rather bare but well-appointed scenic design works (props by Bonnie Durben). And Kevin Anthenill’s music and sound design are great assets as are the lighting effects of Curtis Mueller.
All this augurs well for the regime of Mr. Morrow.
Fore!
Ken Ludwig’s 2010 farce, The Fox on the Fairway, is decidedly not a hole in one with me, but it was a rip-roaring hit with North Coast Repertory Sunday matinee audiences, who seem to thrive on the predictable, mostly mindless farce, executed with a modicum of finesse. They gave the piece a standing ovation. Thanks are due director Matthew Wiener, the mixed-bag company, and Marty Burnett’s perfect set, which looks so much like my daughter’s country club she could be lurking just off stage, ready to hand out tournament trophies and awards. Roxanne Carrasco’s performance as the irrefutable Muriel – certainly a force of nature – is worthy of your attendance.
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| Jacquelyn Ritz as Pamela and Roxane Carrasco as Muriel Photo by Aaron Rumley |
Ludwig spends two entire program pages lecturing audiences regarding the properties of an excellent farce and the proper techniques required to bring it off. Furthermore, he finds fault with critics, whom he says do not have the right critical tools to assess it. Guilty, say I, and I pledge to write no more of this due to my own inadequacy.
Concerning the rivalry between two private country clubs, The Fox on the Fairway continues through October 11 (extended already!), North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, www.northcoastrep.orgor 858-481-1055.
Drag Legend to Appear in Benefit
Diversionary Theatre presents the inimitable drag legend, Charles Busch, in his new show at Martini’s Above 4th at 8pm Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 14 and 15. $25-$35 gets you reserved seating. $15 minimum food and drinks. Tickets at diversionary.org