If you’re a committed theatre goer, or even if you’re not, you probably have a vague idea of what it takes to put on a play. Now, Art Shulman rips the curtain from a lifetime of theatre secrets to reveal “the happy, the sad, the comedic and the dramatic” events that unfold to produce that “boffo” performance you may have just attended.
Because of its proximity to film and television production, Los Angeles has long been seen as a thriving secondary market for easily produced, black-box plays that are meant to showcase the talents of the performers. Here, Shulman’s experiences gives an up-close and personal look at actors’ travails as they strive to ply their trade.
Shulman weaves together a series of vignettes through the persona of “Amanda” (Lana Ford), who has to audition for the role of “stage manager.” It turns out that Amanda will be our guide as we peek behind the curtain to see the mechanics of theatre making up close. Veteran director/choreographer Stan Mazin guides the actors through theatre traditions from soup to nuts. How, for example, will you react when you learn that you are the obnoxious audience member, not the respectful, applaud-in-all-the-right-places one?
My favorites just happen to involve my favorite actors: Joan Kubicek is hysterical trying to take direction to perform a one-minute play with only two lines. And Jerry Weill and Brad C. Carter bring out the absurdity in the idea of an Association of Unseen Characters; like Godot, for example. All this plays out on a bare stage with a minimum of accoutrements, so normal for most stage productions like a couch, for instance. The actors make the best of three chairs (how’s that for the ultimate improv?), with minimal lighting, both provided by veteran stage designer, J. Kent Inasy.
Behind the Curtain continues at Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, California 91602, through August 17th; Friday and Saturday at 8 pm; Sunday at 3 pm. General admission, $30; Seniors, $25, and Students, $10.00. Buy tickets at bit.ly/curtainplay, or at the door.
