By Shari Barrett
During times of societal upheaval throughout history, theatre artists shine a light on the darkest recesses challenging us by presenting plays meant to examine what is going on behind the scenes. Such is the case in the West Coast premiere of Sleeping Giant written by Steve Yockey and directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky at the Road Theatre Company in North Hollywood. The play’s four talented actors portray several different characters during seven scenes, with each representing the most common types of people who get pulled into following others, even to their own detriment. They are Jacqueline Misaye as The Naif, Eric Patrick Harper as The Raconteur, Justin Lawrence Barnes as The Messenger, and Andrea Flowers as The Convert.
The 80-minute play begins when a fireworks-filled marriage proposal goes very wrong, not only for the couple involved but also due to the accompanying explosions that wake up something very old that has been sleeping in the nearby lake for thousands of years. What follows are intimate, darkly comic, often unsettling, startling vignettes about the lengths to which people go when they desperately want to believe in something, or want to convince others to believe in the same thing to validate their opinion.
In the play, that something is a very old, large one-eyed creature (who we never see but do hear groaning) that lives in an ever-increasing-in-size lake from where it tempts the locals with lakeside dance parties and free meals. But after they are pulled in and converted into followers, horrific acts take place which they readily accept as the best way to live their lives. It’s not a stretch to imagine the monster pulling these innocent humans to follow it by speaking appealing lies and offering tokens of necessary things represents none other than our recently elected leader. Then again, no doubt those who follow an ardent religious leader may see that person as the monstrous leader of the lake pack.
What is universal is the talent of writer Yockey to make unbelievable storylines seem so real via fully-realized characters, and director Tobolowsky’s creative ability to realistically bring the horror to life adapting into the acceptance of evil, right down to the seamlessly innocent act of eating a piece of homemade cake. Yockey’s perfect build-up of events meticulously lowers the boom as each character is persuaded to believe in the same thing.
Also lending their impressive skills to the production are Scenic Design by Katrina Coulourides; Lighting Design by Derrick McDaniel; gorgeous lakeside Projection Design by Ben Rock; emotionally-riveting Sound Design by David B. Marling; Costume Design by Mylette Nora (loved the outrageous fascinators), Properties Design by Scottie Nevil, and Production Stage Manager Maurie Gonzalez. And just wait until you witness the final technical scenic wizardry created by Coulourides and Master Carpenter Kurtis Bedford.
Sleeping Giant performances continue on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. through February 23 at the Road Theatre, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood. There will be two captioned performances for the deaf and hard of hearing communities on Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets run $39 (General Admission), $25 (Seniors), and $17 (Students), available online at roadtheatre.org or by calling 818-761-8838. The play is produced by Danna Hyams and Taylor Gilbert, Founding and Artistic Director of The Road Theatre Company who is also starring in The Civil Twilight at the intimate Broadwater Studio Theatre in Hollywood through February 23.
Night Miracles, an exhilarating and inventive 10-minute play festival, continues at The Actors’ Gang Theater in Culver City for two more weekends. Each play written, directed, and performed by ensemble members explores a diverse range of themes, emotions, and storytelling techniques, ensuring a truly unforgettable theater experience. The festival’s fast-paced, short-form performances promise to surprise and engage, ranging from laugh-out-loud comedy to deeply poignant moments.
“It was incredibly challenging to select just ten plays from the incredible creative energy that exists within this ensemble,” says Tim Robbins, Artistic Director of The Actors’ Gang. “This collection [reflects] what inspires me – the raw energy, humor, and profound depth of the human experience. Each piece is a testament to the fearless imagination of our artists. I’m excited to share this bold, unpredictable journey with our community.”
The ten short plays include In Recovery by Mary Eileen O’Donnell, Love Song for Buried Hens by Megan Stogner, The Job by Mary Eileen O’Donnell, Sixteen Summers by Ayindé Howell, Punch and Judy on the Coast Starlight by Mary Eileen O’Donnell, Game Show by Adam Dugas, Nun Fight by Willa Fossum, Rough Hewn’s 24 Hour OPEN MIC by Ken Palmer, Two Angels Walk Into a Bar by Mary Eileen O’Donnell, and Ghost Light by Caroline Redekopp.
Performances take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm through Saturday, February 8 at The Actors’ Gang Theater, 9070 Venice Blvd, Culver City 90232. Thursday nights are always pay-what-you-can. Tickets for all other performances are $35 at the door or available online at theactorsgang.com
