Have you ever seen your life flash before your eyes? If you’re superstitious, you may think it indicates the end, but in John Mullican’s case, it was only a giant wake-up call. Now, the former industry executive brings such a moment to life with the help of six versatile fellow actors and a spectacular video-surround that depicts, among other things — airline interiors, ice floes, and family memories, all designed by Fritz Davis.
On a routine trip to Boston, in real life, Mullican’s flight bounced off the runway in a snow storm and ended up in the river. His “unlikely event” experience is graphically depicted first by a frightened stewardess (the versatile Stacy Aung), the flight purser (Katheryn Peña), and a number of panicked passengers (also Aung). As the events of Mullican’s life flash before his and our eyes he sees his loving parents (the delightful Delores Aguanno and Glenn Ratcliffe) and his departed boyfriend, Bill (a charismatic Jason Leon Baptista) who died of AIDS well before his time.
Mullican chronicles his progression from rescue out of the water, the recovery of belongings and, finally, to the resolution that transforms his outlook on life and death, with the help of an omniscient being who also functions as a D.J. (a laugh-out-loud rendering by a stolid Amoni West. Despite God’s omniscient presence, I call this a one-man show with side-bars.
But it took a village to mount this pleasant presentation: from Director Rickie Peete and Producer Andrea Meshel on through the excellent designs for Chris Moscatiello (Sound), Steven Pope (Lighting), and Kiana Moattari (Choreography) and right down to the imaginative program, designed by Kangi Downing that simulates the emergency checklist found in the pocket in front of your seat that any passenger is admonished to peruse “In case of an emergency”. Mullican has surrounded himself with all the best!
In The Unlikely Event of an Emergency…. runs through October 26, playing Fridays at 8 pm & Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm at the Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038. All tickets: $28.50. For online ticketing, go to: https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/boxoffice/cart.asp?show_id=6436&orgin=guest
