24 SECTION ONE
Larchmont Chronicle
JUNE 2023
Bard’s ‘Folio’ marks 400th year with works on stage to June 4 This year, 2023, marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s “First Folio,” the tome that contains 36 of the Bard’s plays. Seven years after Shakespeare’s death, two members of his acting company decided that Will’s work needed rescuing from oblivion. With help from rival poet Ben Jonson (plus an eager editor and a vaguely sleazy printer and his son), actors John Heminges and Henry Condell coaxed the volume into existence. Without them, we would never have full texts of 17 plays including “As You Like It,” “Julius Caesar” and “The Tempest.” “King Lear” and “Hamlet” (to name but two) would exist only in earlier Quarto versions. There still is time in the days following the publication of the June 1 issue of the Larchmont Chronicle — but only a few days — to see the following three productions. The “Folio’s” saga is the theme of Laura Gunderson’s “Book of Will,” running at A Noise Within through June 4. The production staged by Geoff Elliot and Julia Rodriguez-Elliot rings with all the Shakespearean bardolatry of a romping, summer festival production: the language is muscular, the design sol-
Theater Review by
Louis Fantasia id, the staging sweeping. “Once more into the text, dear friends! Once more!” Elliot and Jeremy Raab outdo Hope and Crosby as pals on the road to publication. Ms. Gunderson dips her quill too often into melodrama and speculation, but it is all done from the heart, and it is refreshing to see the work of a Dead White Male celebrated with this much conviction. anoisewithin.org; 626-3563100. For more on the Folio see: folger.edu/explore/shakespeare-in-print/first-folio. “Othello” is one of Shakespeare’s plays that exists in both Quarto and Folio. (The latter toned down the sex and cursing to please the censors.) Yet I am hard-pressed to believe that anyone involved with the LA Opera’s staging of Verdi’s “Otello” (at the Music Center, also through June 4) read the play in either version. The singing is fine: Russell Thomas’ elegant Moor is more victim than protag-
onist (Igor Golovantenko’s Iago drives the action). Rachel Willis-Sørensen makes a promising debut as Desdemona (especially by the final act), and James Conlon gets appropriate Verdian thunder from the cast, chorus and orchestra. But how can you have either an “Othello” or “Otello” that manages, despite Shakespeare’s verse and Verdi’s libretto, to end not only without a bed to die on, but without a kiss before dying? If there was any sexual jealousy, envy or racial tension in the acting or staging of the evening, I missed it… sorely missed it. laopera.org; 213-972-8001. The Road Theatre in Burbank presents Academy Award nominee Alessandro Camon’s “Scintilla” (through June 4). The play is a passionate statement about the survival of the environment and the right to exit life on one’s own terms. There are, perhaps, too many issues and too much information tossed in, but the cast, under Ann Hearn Tobolowsky’s direction, gets it out with aplomb — especially Taylor Gilbert, who, as the dying matriarch of a combustible family, demands a death with dignity. boxoffice@roguetheatre.org; 818-761-8838.
What to watch for
“A Soldier’s Play,” the 1982 Pulitzer Prize winner on race in the military, is at the Ahmanson through June 25 (213-628-2772; centertheatregroup.org). The Will Geer Theatricum opens its season with “MacBeth,” through Sept. 23 (310-455-3723; theatricum.com). The Fountain Theatre revives the Jane Chambers 1974 groundbreaking lesbian drama “Last Summer at the Bluefish Cove” through Aug. 27 (323-663-1525; fountaintheatre.com). The Hollywood Fringe Festival runs June 8 - 25 in various locations. A list of plays and workshop is at: hollywoodfringe.org/shows.
Songstress ranked at top of chart, added to Hall of Fame
Jan Daley, a longtime local resident, is being inducted into The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, Sat., June 24, in Washington, D.C. Daley’s song “Way of a Woman” is the official single of the event and is featured as Billboard magazine’s No. 1 Traditional Jazz album of the same name. Currently, Daley is ranked as No. 1 Independent Artist and No. 25 on the Adult Contemporary chart (Taylor Swift is No. 24 and Lady Gaga is No. 26). “My single, ‘Way of a Woman,’ has been shooting up the adult contemporary charts alongside Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift! I am amazed and over the moon with the news,” Daley told us in an
JAN DALEY
email. An actress as well as a vocalist, Daley began her writing career composing a song a week in 2017. “To be inducted into this Hall of Fame is a dream I never even considered,” she said, “but [I] feel blessed to be included with such great women songwriters!”
Celebrate Grads & Dads with our June Dinners! Grilled Salmon Tapenade Grilled Atlantic Salmon served on creamed spinach with creamy mashed potatoes.
Almond Chicken Breast of chicken dusted with flour and almonds served with steamed broccoli and creamy mashed potatoes.
Gourmet Meatloaf Choice chuck and pork ground together to create this old-time favorite! Topped with mushrooms and gravy. Served with creamy mashed potatoes.
Hotcakes for Dinner
Open Every Day 6 AM — 9 PM
(323) 933-8446
6333 W. 3rd St. In the Original Farmers Market
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One Buttermilk Hotcake, one egg, choice of one turkey link or bacon. Served with maple syrup and butter.