Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
This romantic comedy uniquely captures some serious truths with humor, perfect casting, and excellent timing. The witty dialogue and clever scenarios make it a truly hilarious comedy experience.
Pacific Resident Theatre presents OUT WITH A BANG, cleverly written by Tony Pasqualini and brilliantly directed by acclaimed Emmy Award-nominated Andy Weyman. Add to that talent an amazing cast that operates with flawless precision. Tony Pasqualini as Eddie Cappielo, Sarah Brooke as Betty Amalfitano and Robert Lesser as Daniel Katzenberg make it seem like these actors know each other very well. The ease in which they bounce off each other, using facial expressions accompanied by perfect body language, is hilarious. I laughed out-loud throughout the show. What a cast!
The time is present day within a Senior Living Community in Orange County, California. Betty unexpectedly visits her ex-husband Eddie because she has a huge problem. She came to tell him a story. Five months ago, her husband died and now she’s all alone and facing a difficult challenge. She’s visibly upset and frustrated. Patsy, Betty’s fifteen-year-old dog, died and she thinks it was Theodore, the guy next-door, who killed her. Now she needs some sweet revenge. The morning after the funeral of her late husband Peter, around 6 am on Thanksgiving Day, Patsy was sad because Peter was not there. Theodore never liked Patsy’s barking, so Betty believes that he decided to poison her – so, she pulls out a gun. Betty wants to wipe that smile right off of Theodore‘s face. A catastrophe is now waiting to happen.
The playwright’s note says, ‘I began work on Out With A Bang as I was about to turn the dreaded seventy. I’m fortunate enough to still lead a fulfilling life. I’m able to work at a profession that I love; I have a forty-year marriage going strong; two adult kids who live nearby; many good friends; you know, the whole nine yards. Nevertheless, as I cogitated on staring my eight decades, I realized…well, some of this good fortune has come to me through persistence and hard work; a great deal of it, however, might simply be the product of dumb luck.’ You created the characters that many actors will be eagerly looking to portray. Bravo!
Out With A Bang runs at 8pm on Thursdays and Saturdays; 3pm Sundays through September 6, 2026 (check website for performance updates). Pacific Resident Theatre is located at 705 1/2 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291. Street parking or limited free lot behind building. Tickets $35; 55+ Discount, Veteran Discount $25.00 per ticket ($10 Off); $12 Student tickets ($23 Off). There is a 15-minute intermission. Reservations: https://pacificresidenttheatre.org/ or call (310) 822-8392.