By Shari Barrett
Based on a true story, These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich centers around a group of four women in the 1920s who are thrilled to earn high wages doing the delicate work of painting iridescent dials on watch faces in a factory in Ottawa, Illinois from 1922-1928. The story centers around Catherine Donahue (Abigail Stewart in a dramatic tour-de-force performance), a young mother of twins who eagerly joins the workforce to earn more money than most jobs would pay a woman at the time. And since her husband Tom’s paycheck barely covers their expenses, she figures it’s an easy way for her to supplement the family’s income. Their loving marriage in which Tom (Issac Jay) supports his wife’s desire to enter the work force is thrust into turmoil as Catherine’s long hours and failing health keep her from caring for her family’s needs. But the money is too good for Catherine to stop working.
Never warned by her supervisor or company doctor about the dangers of working with radium, after years of ingesting the shiny green paint (lick the brush to create a fine point, dip it in the radium, paint the dial, repeat), the women started experiencing deep-rooted pains in their bones from their teeth to their toes. Worried about what was going on, Catherine and the others decided to consult an honest doctor outside of town who was able to diagnose the women as suffering from fatal radium poisoning.
Known as the “Radium Girls” whose skin, teeth, and hair glowed in the dark (and whose bodies will stay radioactive for thousands of years), once they discovered the cause of their deteriorating health, Catherine courageously stepped up to take action against the watch company and their supervisor Mr. Reed (John Colella) by hiring high-powered attorney Leonard Grossman (Michael Kachingwe) to plead their case. And after speaking up about it for years and six re-trials, the Supreme Court finally awarded Catherine the victory she so deserved. But, unfortunately, she did not live long enough to celebrate the win.
The three other women working with Catherine in the watch factory are played to the hilt with authenticity and individuality by Allison Schlicher as Pearl who the others tease about her poorly told jokes; Jessica Woehler as red-haired, flask-toting firebrand Charlotte who talks a good game and leads the pack, until action needs to be taken; and Shannon Woo as Frances, the moral backbone of the quartet.
As intense and heart-wrenching as this drama is, I guarantee you will walk away thinking about the passing of time and how necessary it is to speak up for yourself and your loved ones, no matter how difficult the challenge may be. And with this being Women’s History Month, kudos to the real Catherine Donohue for bringing attention to the need for employee protections in the workplace, which led to the creation of OSHA (whose primary goal is to ensure that American workers have safe and healthy workplaces free from unlawful retaliation).
The amazing talents of the production team add to the overall magnificence of the play: Chloe Babbes (Technical Director), Julia Hibner (Stage Manager) and Nikki Alday (Asst. Stage Manager) who swiftly assist in moving set pieces between scenes, Joel Daavid (Set Designer), A. Jeffrey Schoenberg (Costume Designer – but why no wedding ring for devoted wife Catherine?), Derrick McDaniel (Lighting Designer whose actually makes the women “shine”), David Marling (Sound Designer whose clanging clock tower bell will shake your soul), Nick Santiago (Projection Designer extraordinaire), Judi Lewin (Hair/Wig/Makeup), and Kevin Williams (Prop Designer).
Exquisitely directed by Thom Babbes to highlight the nuanced intelligence within Marnich’s script, and produced by Crystal Yvonne Jackson, These Shining Lives continues through March 30 on Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. with additional Saturday matinee on March 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the Crossley Theatre at The Actors Co-op, 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood). Free parking lot on Carlos, across the street from the theater entrance. Reserved seat tickets are Adults: $35, Seniors (60 & over) $30, Students w/ ID: $25, Union Members: $25. Student Rush Tickets available Friday Nights, Group Rates, and Season Subscriptions are available. For ticket information visit www.actorsco-op.org or call the box office at (323) 462-8460. Talkbacks with the cast after each Sunday matinee.
With Leonard Bernstein’s soaring score, Stephen Sondheim’s unforgettable lyrics, and Jerome Robbins’ visionary direction and choreography, West Side Story remains a poignant and relevant exploration of prejudice, violence, and the enduring power of love. Based on Shakespeare’s tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet, the musical centers around Tony and Maria, two young, idealistic lovers caught in the middle of the intense rivalry between the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks in New York City.
High expectations surround any production of this most beloved and celebrated musicals of all time. And I guarantee the current production performed in the round at The Nocturne Theatre, brilliantly directed by Justin Meyer (who also designed the forceful lighting and plays Officer Krupke), with outstanding multi-style choreography by Melissa Schade and Mackenzey Franklin, highlighted by an incredibly beautiful ballet celebrating all forms of love during “Somewhere,” will not disappoint fans given its overall ability to draw you in emotionally and then break your heart. Scenic designer Jay Michael Roberts sets the gritty gang warfare in an underground subway station with trains frequently passing to stunning effect.
Jordan Iosua Taylor portrays Tony with all the goofy wonderment of first love and natural sex appeal necessary for the overwhelming infatuation he and Maria (angelic dreamer Alexa Rosengaus, an exquisite soprano) feel for each other the moment they meet at the dance. The excitement of being together for the first time is on full display during the “Tonight” quartet with Anita (Liana Rose Veratudela, a voluptuous vocal powerhouse) and Bernardo (somewhat underplayed by Zachary Balagot), each singing from the four corners of the theater with fully modulated harmonies thanks to Music Director Nolan Monsibay. Other standout performances include Sam Tilley as the baldheaded Anybodys, the girl who desperately wants to be a Jet, Kong Vang who joyfully leads the Jets during “Hey, Officer Krupke,” Jesse Graham who personifies the machismo of Riff, and Jewell Valentin as Chino who deals the final blow to Tony and Maria’s love. Costumes designed by Koalani Walkoe use color to divide gang members.
Do not miss this electrifying production running through March 30 at The Nocturne Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale 91203. Park at meters or adjacent pay-to-park lot. Tickets at https://thenocturnetheatre.com/box-office/
Kentwood Players presents Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning play Love! Valour! Compassion! that explores friendship, love, and betrayal amid the struggles of gay men navigating life and relationships. Set over three summer weekends at a lakeside home, the play captures the humor, heartbreak, and humanity of a group of eight friends as they confront their fears, desires, and mortality. Directed by Aric Martin and produced by Martin Feldman and Lou Saliba, the play is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. Featured in the cast are Kevin Dulude, Andre Heimos, Matt Landig, Michael Mullen, Giovanni Navarro, Ray Tezanos and Christopher Tiernan. Performance dates are Friday, March 14 through Saturday, April 5 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. will be added on March 22 and continue through the rest of the run at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045.
Reserved seats are $25 with a $4 discount for seniors, children, students and military, available by calling (310) 645-5156, emailing boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org or online at www.kentwoodplayers.org where you can find info about upcoming auditions for Urinetown: The Musical, parking, public transit options, special events and upcoming shows. Based on availability, $10 rush tickets may be offered at select performances 30 minutes before curtain time. On Friday, March 21 a special PRIDE NIGHT celebration for members of the LGBQT+ community includes a pre-show reception at 7 p.m. featuring drinks, light appetizers, raffles, music, and a fundraiser for AIDS Project Los Angeles. Reserved seats for this one-night event are $25, with a $5 discount with the use of promo code PRIDE.
