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FEBRuary 2018
SECTION ONE
NGA - Hancock Park Annual Fundraiser Friday, February 23, 2018
Sponsors: Balthazar
Greg and Donna Econn Alexander Eddy Insurance Stephanie and Michael Sourapas Phillips Law Partners LLP Lisa and Mark Hutchins
unWINEd
Jeroboam
City National Bank California United Bank
Imperiale
Kiel FitzGerald and Jeff Reuben Beverly and Jason Brown Mary and Bernie Jaworski The Savagian Family Robin and Cameron Chehrazi Carrington and Carlos Goodman SierraConstellation Partners Anne and Lew Williams Michaela and Joe Burschinger Wine Warehouse
Please join us! For more information and to purchase event tickets, please visit www.ngahancockpark.org/gala.
Larchmont Chronicle
Lewis and Freud discuss God; Trump fallout in 2418
Freud’s Last Session by Mark St. Germain is suggested by the book “The Question of God” by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr. The play imagines a meeting between Sigmund Freud (Martin Rayner) and C.S. Lewis (Martyn Stanbridge), author of “The Chronicles of Narnia” among other works. The time is September 3, 1939, the day England entered World War II. The radio broadcast of the English monarch George VI committing the country to war is reproduced. The conversation between Freud and Lewis takes place in Freud’s office in London (excellent scenic design by Pete Hickox). The subject of the discourse between newly converted-to-Christianity Lewis, and atheist Freud, is God’s existence. But much more of their lives is covered in the play as these two characters engage in a range of topics from love and sex to family history laced with intelligent humor and wry, witty jokes. Resolutions are hoped for as Freud’s endstage cancer of the mouth intensifies. (He ended his life on September 23, 1939.) This is a totally engrossing one-act, thanks to this superb script, the excellent direction by Robert Mandel and actors Mr. Rayner and Mr. Stanbridge. They give nuanced performances that are exceptional and seamless and allow the audience to concentrate on the content of the play. This really is not-to-be-missed — a fascinating and stimulating evening at the theater, a history lesson, and an insight into the hearts and souls of these two largerthan-life characters of history. Through March 4. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 310 4777-2055, Ext. 2, odysseyheatre.com. 5 Stars • • • Trump In Space, book and lyrics by Gillian Bellinger and Landon Kirksey, music by Tony Gonzalez and Sam Johnides, is billed as a musical comedy and is a production of the famed Second City troupe. With studios in Chicago and Toronto as well as Hollywood, Second City is known for their cutting-edge satiric revues as well as the starstudded list of alumnae: everyone from Joan Rivers to Stephen Colbert and more, starting from their establishment in 1959. “Trump In Space” takes place in 2418 on two opposing space ships. The fallout of the Trump administration has left humans in search of a new planet because the earth has exploded. Capt. Natasha Trump, a direct descendant of the current POTUS, has been tasked to find a new planet and has zeroed in on planet Polaris Four. Also headed for Polaris Four is the spaceship California, the crew designated by blue uniforms. They
spend a lot of time as prisoners of Natasha. A Darth Vader-type villain enters the scenario, and a surprise character appears at the end. The ensemble cast is earnest and works hard to put this over. Specific roles are not attributed to specific perform-
Theater Review by
Patricia Foster Rye ers. A 2017 Fringe Festival winner, the musical’s approach seems juvenile and not up to the cutting edge of previous Second City productions. There are a few laughs. Through April 27. Friday nights only. The Second City Hollywood Studio Theatre, 6560 Hollywood Blvd., 323 464-854, secondcity.com/ shows/hollywood/trump-inspace. 3 Stars
My star system
A clarification for the New Year: 5 Stars: All aspects of the show (writing, direction, performers, production elements, etc.) are above average and the show is very entertaining. Rarely given. 4 Stars: One or two of the above aspects of the show may be weak but the show is still intriguing or very entertaining. Worth seeing. 3 Stars: Flawed, but there are some values (mentioned in the review) that make it worth seeing, or it’s just entertaining. 2 Stars: A train wreck in the making. 1 Star: Never should have opened. Rarely given.
‘Winter Gets Hot’ book signing at Farmers Market
Author David M. Hamlin’s sequel to “Winter in Chicago” will be featured at an Open Books launch and signing Thurs., Feb. 8 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Original Farmers Market, Third St. and Fairfax Ave., on the upper deck above Gate One. The sequel in the Emily Winter series, “Winter Gets Hot,” picks up Emily’s quest for justice and equality two years later when the feisty news reporter is first on the scene at a gruesome murder at one of Chicago’s leading civic organizations. Former “Los Angeles Daily News” reporter and LAPD Wilshire Division Det. Brent Hopkins will conduct an interview and Q & A with the author. Reservation required. RSVP to 323-804-3102 or sydney@whrp.com.