By Shari Barrett
The Unraveling, conceived and directed by Katharine Noon, artistic director of The Ghost Road Company, was originally devised in workshop with the Ghost Road ensemble and guest artists that was seen as part of the Villa Theatre Lab at the Getty Villa this past November. The production brings together the company’s trademark poetic language and movement techniques with various other elements ranging from video games, Appalachian and Scandinavian-influenced folk music, mythological puppet design by Emory Royston and Jack Pullman, imaginative fantasy scenic design by David Offner, and props designed by Cate Chapman to tell this modern story of family and loneliness, of solitude and friendship.
Inspired by the mythical character of Circe and Ulysses’ journeys in the Odyssey, this contemporary play centers around Sharon (the always incredible Ann Nobel), an aging and often bitter Classics professor who feels increasingly disconnected from her always-on-their-phones students. In the aftermath of crossing a line during a class session, Sharon escapes from society and isolates herself on the side of a remote mountain where she can enjoy the silence to read, marvel at nature, and weave on her prized loom. “Little by little I forgot who I was” but now “I am blissfully alone,” she shares.
Sharon’s peaceful isolation is destroyed by the arrival of Felix (mesmerizing Kelvin Morales), a young grieving video gamer who moves into his recently departed mother’s house next door and reacts loudly while playing online games with New York-based Penelope (perfectly intense Camila Rose). Sharon soon decides to take drastic steps to silence him – until she realizes he may be the answer to her need for human connection. But just how far will she go to be part of his life?
The talented ensemble of supporting players includes Christine Breihan, Ronnie Clark, Liz Eldridge, Sika Lonner, Raven Pinkerton, and Brian Weir, each of whom take on many roles including a Greek Chorus who comments on the action, video game characters maneuvered and created by Felix and Penelope, mythological characters ranging from three-headed Cerberus to The Lotus Eaters, Ulysses crossing the sea in a small boat (thanks to the super-flexible Ronnie Clark), or the Fates and gigantic Cyclops trying to lure Ulysses to his death. And while the plot line may be difficult to follow at times, the stunning special effects will entice you to pay attention to see how isolated and lonely strangers Sharon, Felix, and Penelope learn to appreciate and understand each other to create their own special brand of friendship and family.
The show also includes evocative music composed by Liz Eldridge, with extraordinary movement direction by Christine Breihan and Adam Dlugolecki, lighting design by Brandon Baruch, sound design by Cricket Myers, and inventive modern and classical costume design by Adriana Lambarri.
The Unraveling marks Ghost Road’s fourth production at the Broadwater and its first as an official Resident Company at the theater. Performances continue Thursday, March 20 and 27 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 22 and 29, Sunday, March 23 and 30 at 3 p.m., Monday, March 24 at 8 p.m., and Friday, March 28 at 8 p.m. at The Broadwater Mainstage, 1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles 90038. Runs 95 minutes. General Admission is $35 ($20 for students), available at ghostroad.org and at the venue, space permitting. Since The Ghost Road Company could not exist without our Los Angeles community, which has experienced devastating loss in recent months, they are offering 10 free tickets to every performance to those affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires in advance at https://ghostroad.org/ Allow time for street parking only and note all posted restrictions.
In both Cuban and American cigar factories, the finest cigars were hand-rolled. To entertain and inform the workers during their tedious and repetitive task of rolling and stuffing hundreds per day, it was common for a lector, hired by the workers rather than the factory owners, to read newspaper articles and novels aloud on the factory floor. In the heart of Ybor City, just northeast of downtown Tampa, Florida, a mysterious entity began to influence the Reader system used in the cigar factories, leading to worker education and rising workplace tensions. After a shocking death in one of the factories, Nena, a grieving employee, emerges as the first female reader and reluctant leader of a revolutionary movement.
To both tell the stories of this remarkable community and her own migrant experience, playwright and director Mariana Da Silva created Ybor City, a sensory rich production with movement directed by Stephanie G. Galindo to popular Latin songs, location projections by Cihan Bilal, and lighting designed by Bosco Flanagan in The Actors’ Gang first fully bilingual production in English and Spanish. Under the guidance of Academy Award-winning actor and The Actors’ Gang Artistic Director Tim Robbins, this 90-minute play includes supertitles in both languages, with the cast made up from The Actors’ Gang ensemble.
Robbins shares, “After the success of last year’s workshop, it’s been incredible to see Ybor City evolve and develop even further as a truly original piece of theatre. This new approach immerses the audience in a world where movement and language collide, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. The story of the Lector reading works like Don Quixote and Tolstoy to the workers, highlights the profound impact that literature can have on people’s lives. The play is a vibrant exploration of a dynamic culture, mixing historical drama, magical realism, and revolutionary passion. It’s been a great experience working with Mariana to develop this further, and it aligns beautifully with The Actors’ Gang’s mission. We’re especially proud of the diverse and talented cast, who reflect the true spirit of community and creativity at the heart of our company.”
The Actors’ Gang ensemble cast includes Mariana Da Silva as Nena, Brent Hinkley as Doc, Miguel Angel Garcia as Jose, Raiza Licea as Carla, Magali Shukar as La Cantante, Megan Stogner as Meg, Jolene Hjerleid as Jacquie, Luis Quintana as Eddie, Rich Loya as Toni, Marcelina Valenzuela as Yari, Dora Kiss as Dora, Jimmy Berry and Christian Skinner as Johndo, and Andres Velez as Santos, all of whom provide a vibrant depiction of cultural diversity and human connection on stage, while emphasizing the area’s rise and decline due to the Great Depression and industrialization.
Ybor City continues through April 5 on Thursday-Saturdays at 8 p.m. at The Actors’ Gang Theater, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City 90232. Street meters or parking in nearly lots. Tickets are $25, available at www.theactorsgang.com, by phone at 310-838-4264, or via email to boxoffice@theactorsgang.com. Pay-What-You-Can on Thursdays at the door. Doors open one hour before show time for purchase of drinks, refreshments, and snacks. Suitable for ages 13+.
