Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Obedience is surprisingly exhausting, and challenges are inevitable in the darkness that comes with being a female in a world where man dominates. You become a field that is mercilessly harvested. Black and red colors are all around, with a yellow ribbon around the neck. We become a dream, an echo, a shadow of ourselves, while waiting to pretend ... Pluto, the Lord of the underworld who is also an uncle, steals a 14-year-old girl and takes her into his world of death and darkness. Even though she feels like a victim, she doesn't know how to change and escape from it. 'Be mortal with me' says he, on what she replies, 'I don't want to live forever in the dark.'
She becomes a decaying queen ... a sexual exploitation who understands that she can only push God so much before she is turned into a constellation.
Sorry. challenges the many ways women defer, adapt, comply, and apologize in a man's world.
"Have I run out of all of my sorrys?"
This very complex multi-layered play has a variety of genres. A collage of vignettes about women's issues feminist themes juxtaposed with a plot about a woman who has killed a husband. The only male actor represents a shift changer and slips in and out of actual different characters representing men in general. The show is complex, so layered that even the elements like; music, costumes, certain actions were most likely hard to explain during the process of creating it. They are wonderful but challenging.
The perplexity of it makes you wonder, their next move. Some of the style of the vignettes have a feeling of early German expressionism. And yet there are three supporting actors, contrasting the three main actors, similar to that of a Greek chorus. Not only do they punctuate the themes and issues, but they also literally move set pieces and costumes around. The variety of issues using Greek mythology are brought up, and amongst it - women's history in general. It also has many comedic elements with literal gallows humor which adds levity to the seriousness of the issues.
The interchange of futuristic visual elements and the Greek mythology intermingles so flawlessly, especially when the lighting strikes, and the vibrant music tops it all, it gives us an extraordinary ocular and hearing effect. Transitions are holding one's attention by being infused with the choreography moves. The creative and colorful garments are extraordinarily gorgeous. So, pleasing to an eye. The subtle humor brings in balance. The show is a true experience! Highly recommended.
The cast of seven is phenomenal; Lea Floden, Anna Giannotis, Jeffery Johnson, Denise Leiter, Melissa R. Randel, Denise Scheerer and Jacqueline Wright. Bravo!
The tapdancing scene is unforgettable; performed skillfully with passion. It produces an effective rhythm of the drums behind the horrifying statements. It is always so enlightening to see great tap dancing. Very grateful for that.
SORRY. is written by Melissa Randel, co-directed by Larry Biederman, and produced by Dana Schwartz. Set Designer is Justin Huen, lighting designer is Brandon Baruch, sound designer is Joseph "Sloe" Slawinski, and costume designer is Rosalida Medina. Stage Manager is Ashley Weaver, Graphics were done by Michelle Hanzelova and PR is covered by Sandra Kuker PR. What a team!
A note: Audience is asked to remain for a Q&A session after the performance.
Moving Arts Theatre is located at 3191 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles, CA. 90039 with the performances from June 20th - July 19th; Friday & Saturday 8pm and Sunday 4:00pm.
(No performances Sat. June 28 & Fri. July 4)
General admission is $36.00.
Tickets can be purchased at:
https://movingarts.ludus.com/index.php
NOTE: Sunday, July 6th at 4:00pm there is a special performance for Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers. Admission is free for Survivors and Caregivers.
There will be a Q&A immediately following the performance. For more information:
http://www.leapinthedarkproductions.com