Written by Patrick Chavis
Catch Me If You Can, or Can’t: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN The Musical @ The Attic Theatre in Santa Ana – Review
Written by Scotty Keister
Frank Abagnale, Jr. is a fascinating character from 1960s American crime lore. Before reaching the age of 21 he forged checks and bilked million of dollars from banks. He posed as a Pan Am pilot, a surgeon in a Georgia hospital and even an attorney—to name but a few of his alleged professions. Eventually he was caught, and after serving a minimum sentence, he became a fraud consultant for the FBI. Steven Spielberg made a lighthearted and fun movie of his life, Catch Me If You Can, which focused on the taut relationship between Abagnale and Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent who pursued and eventually arrested him. Sound like the perfect recipe for a Broadway musical? It’s not. The production currently running at the Attic Community Theater ably demonstrates its shortcomings. Continue Reading
Oliver! @ The Attic in Santa Ana – Review
Written by Mike Martin
The Attic Theater’s Oliver! is an energetic production with more than its fair share of charm. That said, uneven casting and direction which sways between detrimental and non-existent keeps it well within the realm of what audiences have unfortunately come to expect from the words “community theater.” Continue Reading
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum @ The Attic Theatre in Santa Ana – Review
Written by Daniella Litvak
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum’s (hereafter referred to as “A Funny Thing”) opening number makes a lot of guarantees to its audience. No kings will be grasping for crowns in this play. There will be “Something for everyone.” Most of all, no tragedy allowed because it’s a comedy. Does this farce about Roman slave Pseudolus helping his master woo the girl next door (in exchange for his freedom) deliver on its promises?
The first act’s pacing is not perfect. Some plot points and character observations get repeated over and over again. When the end of the act comes, it feels like the show could be wrapped up then and there with just a couple of extra minutes needed to tie up loose ends. Fortunately, the second act averts this problem with a much better flow. Continue Reading
The Miracle Worker @ The Attic Theater in Santa Ana – Review
Written by Alina Mae Wilson
There is something drippy and self-important about naming a piece”The Miracle Worker”. Along with words like “angel” and “blessed”, “miracle” manages to sound as though it’s trying to make you tear up before the plot’s been introduced. Based on the true-life experiences of famed deaf and blind author Helen Keller and her teacher/lifelong friend Anne Sullivan, this is the sort of passion-driven story that if done right will have your attention from beginning to end. The Attic Community Theater’s production had me blinking, but not for very long.
photo courtesy: Jennifer Owens
I describe Helen Keller above as an author, but in truth she is more–her descriptions range from political and social activist, to lecturer, to the first deaf & blind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree. She revolutionized the way American people treated others with disabilities. But “The Miracle Worker” is not a play about her triumphs in the public eye–it is the story of what could be described as her most vulnerable stage, and the singular person who comes to aid her in her plight. In the play we get to watch the isolating effect Helen’s physical limitations have on her and her entire family. In desperation the family reaches out to a doctor who recommends the young and visually impaired but still tough Annie Sullivan. With sheer willpower she battles to break through the wall that has been set firmly around her young charge. Continue Reading
9 to 5 : The Musical @ The Attic Theatre in Santa Ana – Review
Written by Daniella Litvak
Photo Courtesy : Jennifer Owens
After a long workweek, there is nothing like escaping to the theatre and watching people on stage complain about their jobs. In this play 9 to 5 at the Attic Theatre, we get to meet three of these people. Judy (Allison C. McGuire) recently entered the workforce for the first time because of her divorce. Violet (Maggie Ikerd) was passed over for a promotion. Oh, and everyone thinks Doralee (Nicole Gerardi) is sleeping with the boss. The person responsible for all this misery is Franklin Hart – a “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” and CEO of Consolidated Companies. Judy, Violet, and Doralee fantasize about taking Hart down, not realizing their dreams are about to come true.
Going into the show, I knew 9 to 5 had been adapted from a pretty successful 80s movie I never watched about disgruntled employees exacting revenge on their boss. Knowing that, I was really surprised in how much the show indulged in spectacle: a gangster movie sequence, a chorus line dressed exactly like the secondary antagonist, animated animals, and I could go on. Continue Reading
