Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Great opening with the heavenly sounds of original live music composed by Emmy Nominated Roger Bellon with amazing sounds on saxophone performed by Alexander Andresen, under blue light, on the top of the upper stage right. The setting is in Greenwich Village during summer of 1961. The basement apartment of a somewhat-known writer, who hires the typist for his next ‘Bestseller.’
The writer portrayed by Noah James obviously has issues, as many artists do, and expresses them strongly. His wonderful, powerful voice is a little too loud for my ears at the beginning in that small and very intimate theatre space. It was beautiful when he got in touch with his feelings and ‘talks normally’ as the play goes on and he lets his talent come through, not just his voice. As a character, the combination of being fearful of emotions and loneliness gets him to self-indulging habits. James is a pretty good drunk, whose confidence is disturbed when he is judged. He doesn’t value anything, even life.
Evangelina Edwards portrays the typist, truly a beautiful girl who is so pleasant to watch. She is strong even when her back is towards us. Her truthful and honest approach gets her to deeply connect with her emotions. She is unconventional and extraordinary. Both characters carry their own sadness and hope that someone will come and save them from themselves. His drinking problem is evident from the beginning and his intentions become fun and playful between two actors. I especially love the ending. A little twist which is wonderful.
The World Premiere of THE TYPIST by multiple award-winning playwright Shem Bitterman and directed by Jeremy Wechsler is a common story of two people who are looking for escape in each other. She escapes from killing herself and looking to find her own voice as a writer, while he gets away from alcohol and finds freedom from negative force. ‘There is nothing honest with you, except your talent,’ she says. But, by exploring the realm of possibilities they found the truth for themselves and rise above into a new state of consciousness. Wonderfully written and the ability to creatively lift the words from the page makes the collaboration between those two artists fluid.
The stage created by production designer Joel Daavid, put together by carpenter Claire German, with all the props looks fantastic and gives us a feeling of crowded, bug infected space where someone lives, who does not care much about anything. Combined with fabulous lighting, which indicates the change of scenes and puts an emphasis on major emotional states, together with the enchanting sounds of jazz music through saxophone, shows us his anger at one point, with the lights flashing red and sax going insane. Costume designs by Charly Charney Cohen are simple and down to the point. Love them. This super effective, powerful play, produced by Danna Hyams and MK Viakley is worth seeing.
Plays with People and Danna Hyams Productions The Typist runs at The Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038, from January 30 through March 9, 2026, bringing audiences a jazz-infused love story.
Performances are every Friday & Saturday at 8pm; Sundays at 3pm; Mondays at 7:30pm. Running time 90 minutes – no intermission
General admission: $45 / Senior $35 / Student $20 / Previews $20
Tickets sales begin December 3 at: www.playswithpeople.ludus.com