Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
A new production of Incitation to The Dance written by Michael Van Duzer, who is also a director of the play, opened on February 13 at Theatre West, who has been entertaining and educating audiences in the greater Los Angeles area since 1962. The dramatic style of the play gets us to experience many acting elements in revealing the character’s identities and the direction of the plot. More we go into the play, more interesting it becomes.
Malcom, portrayed by Michael Gabiano and Asher, portrayed by David Mingrino, an older gay couple, live a somewhat stagnant life, as do many married couples after many years being together. From the beginning, it is evident that they need some fresh spark of excitement in their relationship. Asher is a dance instructor, who has been unemployed for some time now. Malcolm is a film professor, who adores Deanna Durbin movies and goes through the collection of her movies often. Finn, portrayed by Casey Alcoser, who is not doing well financially, is looking for a place to stay and somehow gets to choose Malcolm’s and Asher’s home as his shelter. And he manages to get invited to stay there. With a sexy go-go dancer in their home, the love triangle now takes us to a new dramatic choice. The balance and proportion of story elements are at times realistic, but at other times they seem in a dreamlike state. The writer/director indicates that the cast embraced and conquered many challenges and brought visual and aural life to the play in a very short time, by contributing their unique artistic choices for the play to flourish.
Enjoyable music choices designed by Sammy Dallas are heard all the way through the play. In the scene where two dancers Mingrino and Alcoser dance Tango, the beautiful music together with subdued lighting by Miles Berman, and extremely sexy costumes for that scene designed by Michael Mullen bring to surface two actors who obviously love to dance, but are intermingled in emotions by the intriguing circumstances, which are brought about with a charming choreography by Stan Mazin, fight choreographer Mel Glickman, and the intimacy choreographer Rachel Zapata. Both actors are strong in their choices and interesting to watch. Casey Alcoser showed a great singing ability in his solo song.
As Theatre West is celebrating 64 years of existence and 43 years of children’s theatre, the enthusiastic members are always exploring new, exciting work of raising and established playwrights. It is a membership joint of actors, playwrights, directors, and technicians. Many celebrities have been a part of this theatre on the way to stardom, during the beginning of their careers. The producers of this production are Bryan Siu, Dina Morrone and the associate producer is Alexandria Sanders. Scenic design is by Carter Vickers and Sarah Acuna is stage manager.
Incitation to the Dance is running from February 13 – March 15, 2026, at Theatre West – 3333 Cahuenga Blvd West. The performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $30 online and $40 at the door.
For reservations, call 323-851-4839 or go to
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/incitation-to-the-dance-tickets-1975939145174