Theater Review: Proof

                    Catherine, Robert and Howell (photo by Daren Scott)
 

Are mathematicians really a weird lot, or is that designation limited to just some of the ones you’ll run into in the course of playwright David Auburn’s “Proof”?

I’ll leave that for you to decide. Let’s just say Backyard Renaissance never shies away from intriguing topics, and that their current presentation of the Auburn play (which runs through Dec. 9 at San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Arts Center) is a prime example.

Twenty-something mathematician Catherine has spent years in Chicago caring for her brilliant but unstable mathematician father Robert’s physical health, to give him time to pursue his brilliance. 

But Robert has recently died, and now it’s up to Catherine (played wonderfully by Liliana Talwatte) to figure out how to treat his legacy with the respect it deserves, and what to do with the 103 notebooks he left behind. Talwatte is brilliant as the young keeper of the flame and guardian of the notebooks.

Robert’s former student Hal Dobbs (William Huffaker) offers Catherine help with the notebooks (in fact, he can hardly wait to get his hands on them). Will she release the notebooks to him? Oh, and there might be a burgeoning romance here as well.

Catherine’s sister Claire (played by Wendy Maples) shows up to suggest that Catherine move to New York and live with the rest of the family. This does not thrill Catherine, and she really doesn’t want to just leave the notebooks where they are. And it’s difficult for Catherine to get interested in things like jojoba hair conditioner, one of her sister’s major interests.

Ah life, so complicated, so confusing and perhaps also so promising. 

This is a play like no other I’ve ever seen, but then Backyard Renaissance specializes in this sort of thing. Fear not, they (along with excellent director Anthony Methvin, along with the fine set and props of Yi-Chien Lee, lighting by Curtis Mueller, sound by Matt Lescault-Wood, costumes by Jessica John Gercke, and technical direction by Chad Ryan) do it justice and provide an evening’s thought-provoking entertainment and even amusement.

Bravi tutti.

Theater Review: Ebenezer Scrooge's Big San Diego Christmas Show

                                        Cast of "Ebenezer Scrooge's Big San Diego Christmas Show"

There’s nothing like a 170-year-old story to warm the cockles of the old heart during the Christmas season – especially when that story is Charles Dickens’ famous “A Christmas Carol.”

San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre has presented this story annually for some years itself. This year it’s called “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show” and you can (and should) see it between now and Christmas Eve at The Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre.

The White’s in-the-round structure lends itself wonderfully to the crazy story of the cheap old geezer who “celebrates” the coming holiday with one single, solitary hard-boiled egg for dinner. Until, of course, his dead partner Jacob Marley dies and all those other crazy folks (and ghosts) show up to add to the rollicking goofiness of the Dickens story that ends by spreading wondrous good cheer everywhere.

Gordon Greenberg directs this version, which features five actors playing a total of some 17 characters, a huge age range and local interest script that even includes SNOW falling in San Diego. And wait till you see Scrooge on a scooter. There’s a twist you didn’t read in the original.

The original telling of this story was in 2019 (remember Covid?) and we’ve seen a version of it every year since.

The cast and production values are extremely high (not to mention often hilarious). Scrooge (Christopher Sieber*) is the only actor who only has to play one character, but you have to admit that guy really does have to work. And wait till you see that red and white bathing suit.

Don’t waste a minute more of your time. Grab the phone and get tickets now. And bring your friends.

““Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show” plays through Christmas Eve. 

Playing schedule: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. 

Tickets: (619) 234-5623 or Tickets@TheOldGlobe.org

 

Theater Review: The Little Fellow

                        

I wasn’t around in the 1830s, nor have I ever been what some call a strumpet, so my comments about Cygnet Theatre’s latest show “The Little Fellow” can be taken with as many grains of salt as seem reasonable to the reader. I should also confess that I arrived a few minutes after the show started (and was not given a program), so my comments about this particular demimonde may be a bit off.

 

But playwright Kate Hamill’s latest play about this world, now in its world premiere production through Nov. 19 at Cygnet, is decidedly a most unusual play in a world-class production, directed by Cygnet’s Rob Lutfy. 

Most of the action takes place in the world of the strumpet Harriet (sometimes called Julia and played by Keiko Green), one of whose first lines is “Gentlemen always come,” which gives you a taste of what’s to come.

Harriet is attended by the servant girl Mary (Rachael VanWormer) and Sofia Jean Gomez, who plays several other characters as well.

There are also a few gentlemen callers, all played by MJ Sieber in various outfits and attitudes.

But never mind who’s who. Just relax and watch these ladies (and the occasional gentleman) at work and play, as you ponder the world of the wealthy and the not-so wealthy.

It’s easy to get confused (and I did), but it doesn’t really matter, because what we’re discussing here is a world most of us know only from reading or from exposure at a safe distance.

In case you’re wondering, the original “Little Fellow” was a horse, a young colt in a Marguerite Henry book by learns the meaning of jealousy and friendship.

In Hamill’s telling, there are only four actors, playing a variety of male and female roles. But all are excellently done and wondrous fun to watch, and will leave you with lots to talk about on the way home.

Don’t miss this show.

“The Little Fellow” plays through Nov. 19, 2023 at Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs Street in Old Town. Buy tickets online (cygnet@cygnettheatre.com) or call the box office: 619-337-1525.

Theater Review: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

                    Andrew Polec as The Grinch

For 26 years, San Diego audiences have watched, laughed, cried and enjoyed Dr. Seuss’ grouchy old green Grinch as he cavorts around Whoville and environs, trying to tell everyone that they’re crazy to be getting together to enjoy the Christmas season, dancing, eating and singing their hearts out.

Fortunately, nobody has paid that much attention to the Grinch’s ugly behavior. Instead, they’ve showed His Greenness just how much fun and joy can be had by being good to each other.

So when Old Max (Steve Gunderson) decides to retire and returns to say goodbye to the Grinch and the rocky hovel they lived in for the last time, he bumps into some young, current Whoville residents who dance up a storm.

Even when Andrew Polec, this year’s green Grinch (for the third time!) tells us how much he hates Christmas, some of the adorable kids in the cast get to him and even he starts to become, um, is human the word?

This year my friend Diana and I were really lucky: we got aisle seats very close to the front, so we got to see the cast cavort up close and personal. It was a terrific show, brilliantly directed by James Vásquez. The book and lyrics are by Timothy Mason, with music by Mel Marvin. Elan McMahan directs the orchestra.

If you’ve never seen this show, or if you’ve seen it numerous times, it’s always a joy, especially with all the young kids (and older kids, even adults) cavorting about onstage. It’s Christmas, for heaven’s sake. Don’t miss it.

Theater Review: Mamma Mia!

“Mamma Mia!,” the world’s longest-running jukebox musical, has just opened to a very appreciative audience at San Diego’s Civic Theatre, where it will run through November 12.

The current form stars Alisa Melendez as Sophie Sheridan, a young woman who lives and cavorts on a Greek isle with her mother and several other people, some related, some not, but all talented singers and dancers and, with music from ABBA, great fun to watch. With a book by Catherine Johnson and music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, “Mamma Mia!” is now the eighth-longest-running show in Broadway history.

Having over the years boasted cast members including the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Meryl Streep, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan, the show also has a history of all-star casting.

Now celebrating 13 years and over 5,475 performances on Broadway,”Mamma Mia!” is also an international hit, having been seen by over 54 million people in 39 productions in 14 languages in over 400 cities. The original West End production is now in its 16th year in London.

In case you were wondering, yes, another film is in the offing. But in the meantime, you could do a lot worse than spend an evening at Civic, watching the guys and gals cavort through their bits, singing and dancing to everyone’s delight.

The goofy plot has Sophie hosting three men who all claim to be her father, all of whom have arrived on the island hoping to give her to the man she says she will marry.

Well, of course complications ensue, but mostly what this show is about is people trying to communicate and doing it largely by dancing and singing. You can’t get a much better show than that to spend an evening with. 

Phyllida Lloyd directs this effort with a sure hand and a great attitude, and the cast is backed by a huge (and hugely talented) ensemble of some 14. The band of six pounds out songs with titles like “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Super Trouper” and “The Winner Takes It All.”

It’s not like any other show you’ve ever seen. But that’s why it’s so great to have it here on our stages. Don’t miss this show.

Ticket prices start at $39 and availability is limited.  Performances are Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m; Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 11 at 2 and 8 p.m.; None. 12 at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets available on TicketMaster.com.