Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
'Because It's Sunny In L.A. (Especially On Skid Row) is a three-act dark comedy musical exploring the severe nature of homelessness in LA. All performers have experienced homelessness or housing insecurities in their lives; therefore, 'all stories are real'. They represent the voices of people on the skid row and everywhere in LA.
The play reveals, 'Homeless crises are health crises too', and poses a question, 'How can we as a society allow people to live with rats on the streets of LA? Are we as a culture avoiding this issue?' We all say, 'But what can I do?' Yet thousands a year die from issues of homelessness. 'Life doesn't last forever and every second matters ... '
Seven amazing performers through 10 min vignettes share the desperation, hunger, bathroom issues, being bitten by a hungry rat, and showing the SKID Row being on fire, where stabbing and shooting are everyday occurrences. Those wonderful storytellers are accompanied by two drummers, whose beat goes in and out throughout the play indicating the seriousness of the challenges. People live there, develop friendships, go to school, celebrate birthdays, and keep each other warm when it is cold outside, especially during the rain - living in a tent is just not fun. Having an address on the corner of the 5th and San Pedro posed a question, 'Did God and I fall out so much that I need to live more as an animal than a human being?' In all of this 'Having a vehicle on a Skid Row means - not being homeless.'
This WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL was created by Thaddeus Nagey, his debut as an Equity Musical Theatre Producer and Union Playwright. He created this project from years of personal experience with homelessness and is determined to truly make a positive difference in the world of homelessness and create safe places for marginalized people to have a powerful voice in our communities. His love and dedication to serving and helping the homeless community are totally expressed with all his might and an open heart for his fellow human beings. Director Karesa McElhemy together with Garth Herberg (Musical Director) and Tim Poulin & Thaddeus Nagey (Composers), developed all the professional performers to make us laugh, cry, sing, and dance with them. The songs are a beautiful addition to the heaviness of the stories. Seven members of the incredible cast who worked so nicely together are Veve Melendrez, Emelle, Alikhan Lochin, Thaddeus Nagey, Iron Donato. Betzo Marroquin, and Lorinda Hawkins Smith. Great ensemble work!
Why are people homeless in LA?! We know there are many reasons why they got there. Some were unfortunate, lost their house in a fire or the cost of housing went up, and for whatever reason they ended up without a home. And many have certain issues like, alcohol, drugs, or mental illnesses. Regardless of the reason, they all should be taken care of somehow, especially the ones that are dangerous to our society. Is it cheaper to feed and count them, than to put them back on their feet, providing housing, jobs and making them responsible beings in our society? Or for ones that need help, to get them into the institutions where they would be taken care of, so everyone can walk safely on the streets of LA. 'Life doesn't last forever and every second matters ...'
BECAUSE IT'S SUNNY IN LA (Especially On Skid Row) - Open June 3 - 24 - The Hudson Backstage -
Sat, June 3rd @ 5pm | Fri,
June 9th @ 830pm | Sat, June 10th @330pm | Sat, June 17th @5pm | Sun, June 18th @630pm | Fri, June 23rd @830pm | Sat, June 24th @530pm. The show is an immersive dark comedy musical, the play is designed to culturally inspire change and the way people think and feel about homelessness. NOTE: This is Not a Fringe Fest Show.
BECAUSE IT'S SUNNY IN LA (Especially On Skid Row) - Open June 3 - 24 - The Hudson Backstage - Sat, June 3rd @ 5pm | Fri,
June 9th @ 830pm | Sat, June 10th @330pm | Sat, June 17th @5pm | Sun, June 18th @630pm | Fri, June 23rd @830pm | Sat, June 24th @530pm. The show is an immersive dark comedy musical, the play is designed to culturally inspire change and the way people think and feel about homelessness. NOTE: This is Not a Fringe Fest Show.