By Shari Barrett
Agatha Christie has been acknowledged as one of the greatest mystery novelists of the 20th Century, although she was a prolific playwright as well. She and Gerald Verner, himself the author of 120 thriller novels who also wrote for the stage, screen and television, brilliantly adapted Ms. Christie’s novel TOWARDS ZERO for the stage, now being presented at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. This nail-biting thriller probes the psychology of jealousy in the shadow of a savage and brutal murder, beginning when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of Lady Tressilian (Michelle Schultz) where she is cared for by Mary Aldin (Katyana Rocker-Cook). Dropping in is her is lifetime friend Matthew Treves, portrayed by John Combs who gives a tour-de-force performance as quite the sleuth himself.
The gathering is hosted by Neville Strange (tall and handsome Christopher Franciosa) who finds himself caught between his rather quiet and reserved first wife Audrey (Holly Sidell) and his second wife Kay (Kristin Towers-Rowles who plays an absolutely perfect, self-centered Diva), whom he hopes will be able to get along and become friends. But which one does he really want to be with for the rest of his life? And how do the two women feel about each other? Just what will they do to stay with the man they love – or do they even love Neville or is it just his money they are after? Other invited guests include Neville’s long-time friends pipe-smoking Thomas Royde (Jeremy Schaye) and lovelorn Ted Latimer (Michael Mullen). But could both be in love with Neville’s wives?
After a brutal murder is committed on a dark and stormy night (of course), Superintendent Battle (David Hunt Stafford) and Inspector Leach (Hisato Masuyama) are called in, resulting in a careful, detail-filled investigation during which the house guests are questioned and fingerprinted, revealing each had the opportunity and motive to commit the crime. But what happens when all that is sure is that a killer is at large in the house? And how will that person be revealed? I guarantee the quality of Christie’s plot structure and character development will keep you guessing, with enough plots twists to point the finger at everyone. Can you guess whodunit? Was it just one person or was there an accomplice to the crime? I’m not telling!
Director Craig Hissong (who is also the production’s Stage Manager) is to be commended for his sharp staging with many characters reacting as if their guilt has just been revealed as each bit of information is uncovered, keeping the audience confused to perfection about who the real guilty party is. And though I am not usually a fan of mysteries, I can tell you with certainty that I LOVED this production! Tech credits are top notch including set design by Jeff G. Rack, lighting design by Derrick McDaniel, sound design by Nick Foran, and gorgeous costumes designed by Michael Mullen.
Towards Zero is produced by David Hunt Stafford for Theatre 40, located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School in the Mary Levin Cutler Theatre at 241 S, Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills 90212. Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the theatre. To access parking, enter through the driveway at the intersection of Durant and Moreno Drives. Performances continue through October 22 on Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35. Available by calling (310) 364-0535 on online at http://theatre40.org
The Whitefire Theatre presents the world premiere of FREUD ON COCAINE an outrageous new comedy written and directed by Howard Skora, based on Sigmund Freud’s own words as documented in his book, “Cocaine Papers.” Jonathan Slavin stars in the title role as one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century, a respected doctor, loving husband, devoted father – and a drug addict who convinced his patients to try cocaine for whatever ailed them, saying “Trust me, I’m a doctor.” And they did – and suffered for it. But so did he. In fact, Freud used up to a gram of cocaine daily for at least a decade, taking copious notes and never sleeping, leading to terrible mood swings, brilliantly exemplified by Slavin’s wild-eyed portrayal.
With the help of Emanuel Merck from Merck Pharmaceuticals (Barry Brisco whose flippant line delivery generated lots of laughs), Freud was always fully stocked with enough cocaine to turn not only his patients but also his intelligent German fiancée (Sara Maraffino) and snobby future mother-in-law (Sigute Miller) into happy addicts. Freud even convinced his fellow doctor and best friend, Ernst von Fleischl-Marxow (Aaron LaPlante whose knowing double-take reactions to Freud’s often asinine comments generated lots of giggles) to use cocaine to control Ernst’s addiction to morphine and heroin after a painful accident. And while treating patient Emma Eckstein (Amy Smallman–Winston) for the “nasogenital” cause of her hysteria, Freud and another doctor cauterized Eckstein’s nose with a gram of cocaine, nearly killing her after three nasal surgeries to correct errors made on the operating table due to both doctors being high on cocaine at the time. The cast also features Mitch Rosander in the role of the narrator. The creative team includes scenic designer Dusti Cunningham, costume designer Michael Mullen who dresses the women in gorgeously lush attire, and video designer John Knowles.
When asked about the truth of these instances, writer Skora shared, “Everything in this play that appears insane is actually true. The comedy comes out of looking at the past through the lens of the present. We see how even someone as brilliant as Freud was a slave to the science of his time. Until his dying day, Freud insisted that cocaine was not addictive. What scientific beliefs do we hold today that might seem equally crazy in the future?”
Freud on Cocaine continues Saturdays at 8 p.m. through November 4 at The Whitefire Theatre, located at 13500 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks 91423. General admission to all performances is $40, with VIP seating (first three rows) available for $50. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (818) 687-8559 or go to www.whitefiretheatre.com Please read parking signs in the area carefully to avoid ticketing, or park in the lot available behind Starbucks on the corner of Ventura and Allott for $10. And be ready to laugh at Freud’s foibles!
The Tony-Nominated Musical THE PROM with book and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Bob Martin and music by Matthew Sklar, is at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 East Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley. The story follows four washed up Broadway stars (incredible songstress Michele McRae as Dee Dee, enthusiastic Philip McBride as Barry, Brent Ramirez as Julliard graduate turned waiter Trent, and high-stepping Réanna Morris as Angie the long-time chorus girl full of “Zazz”), all in desperate need of some good publicity to turn their careers around. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town Indiana prom and that the press is involved, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue … and themselves.
The timely story centers on Emma (triple-threat performer Tommi Jo Mongold), a student who wants to take her girlfriend Alyssa (Nico Fisher brilliantly stepping in for Haley Wolff) to the prom, which puts the school board and the whole town in a tizzy. The town’s conservative parents, led by Alyssa’s unsuspecting mother, Mrs. Greene (fireball Ariella Salinas Fiore) want to keep the dance on the “straight” and narrow. But when Emma challenges their small-town societal norms, the entire town has a date with destiny when Broadway’s brassiest arrive at a PTA meeting to join the fight and soon deliver several kick-ball-changes to make sure that love wins. Other featured players include John Dantona as Principal Hawkins who transforms Dee Dee, Aaron Ellis as Sheldon Saperstein, Rachel Yoffe as Kaylee, Jake Noren as Nick, Maddie Ragsdale as Shelby, and Luke Smith as Kevin.
The Prom features a 27-member ensemble cast, directed and choreographed by Keenon Hooks with Tori Cusack as Co-Choreographer. Vocal direction is by Jan Roper with Fred Helsel and Philip McBride as Executive and Associate Producers. Costume Designer is Samantha Jo Jaffray, Lighting Design by Seth Kamenow, Set Design by Nicholas Caisse and Seth Kamenow, with Ethan Strubbe as Sound Designer. Intimacy Director is Ariella Salinas Fiore with Luke Smith as Dance Captain. Performances continue through October 1 on Fri/Sat at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $33 Adults, $28 Seniors & Students, available at www.simi-arts.org or (805) 583-7900. Easy, free parking is available in the adjacent lot of the theater, with additional street parking available on the neighboring streets.
