26
HOLIDAYS — DECEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
Larchmont Chronicle
Stories told with country music; Iceland’s frightening Nazi threat Salvage, book by Tim Alderson, music and lyrics by Mark Heard, Pat Terry, Rudy Vanwarmer and Tim Alderson, is billed as a play with music. The play takes place in a rundown, out-of-the-way bar, excellent scenic design by Joel Daavid. Preacher (David Atkinson) a lone guitarist, is strumming and drinking from a bottomless whiskey bottle. Bartender Johnson (Leonard Earl Howze) is deep into a puzzle book. Harley (Christopher Fordinal) arrives looking for the bar where Floyd Whitaker, a somewhat famous musical star, died. He’s found it. Harley is on his way to pawn his guitar; his wife Destiny (Nina Herzog) is pregnant with their first child. So, this is a pilgrimage to visit his hero’s last gig and possibly say goodbye to a lifestyle he loves. What follows is an exploration of weighing dreams and
aspirations against responsibility paced with some very sweet country music. As the story is told, songs like “I’m So Tired of It All,” “House of Broken Dreams” and Destiny’s “Everything is Alright” reveal the characters’ deeper emotions. The singing voices of Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Fordinal and Ms. Herzog are terrific, resonating with just the right amount of emotion and perfect country timbre. Director Damian D. Lewis has melded the music and dialogue seamlessly. The ending ties it all together in a satisfying conclusion, connecting the
seemingly disparate stories. This is a lovely interlude in the theater with some terrific music, talented performers and a satisfying play. Don’t miss it. Through Sun., Dec. 15, Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, 323-960-7712, onstage411. com/salvage. 4 Stars ••• The island of Hrísey off Iceland’s Northern Coast. Spring 1942. Invasion by Nazi Germany is a frightening reality. This is the set-up for The Defenders by Cailin Maureen Harrison. Three American GIs — Sgt. Frank McKinely (Tavis Doucette), Pvt. Fred LeFleur (Spencer Martin) and Lt. Marcus Jansen (Bryan Porter) — find shelter in an abandoned church, (excellent scenic design by David Goldstein). The play centers on their struggle to survive,
isolated and alone with a broken radio, damaged and missing weapons, constant threat of discovery and a series of unnatural and natural, yet unexplainable, phenomena: fluttering lights, earthquakes, lightning strikes, incessant rain and more. Tempering the situation is local Rev. Geir Stirdson (a terrific John P. Connolly) and his daughter Vigdis Geirdottir (Una Egerts). The reverend takes great pride in his country and is fiercely loyal. The residents of Hrísey fear the loss of their culture, their women and their safety with the presence of foreigners on their land. According to playwright Harrison, “the play examines the relationship between political and natural environments.” Director Reena Dutt keeps the intensity of the soldiers at a fevered pitch with only some respite. Mr. Martin’s (Pvt. LeFleur) Cajun
Holiday Fun Celebrate the Season at The Original Farmers Market Friday, December 6
RINGING IN THE SEASON: A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WITH THE SALVATION ARMY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7:30pm Plaza
Friday, December 20
GRAND ARTS HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3pm Strolling EINSTEIN BROWN’S CALYPSO CHRISTMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5pm Plaza SUSIE HANSEN LATIN JAZZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9pm West Patio
Saturday, December 21
ANIMAL CORK CRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3pm Plaza NUTCRACKER MARIONETTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:30, 2pm Plaza DICKENSIAN CAROLERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5pm Strolling TOM KENNY & THE HI-SEAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8pm West Patio
Sunday, December 22
DICKENSIAN CAROLERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11am-2pm Strolling CHANUKAH CELEBRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:30-5:15pm Plaza EB’S HOLIDAY RANCH PARTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7pm West Patio
Monday, December 23
SNOWMAN CRAFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3pm Plaza THE NOELLE’S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:30, 1:30, 2:30pm Plaza DICKENSIAN CAROLERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6pm Strolling DAVE STUCKEY & THE HOOT OWLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8pm West Patio 85 YEARS 19 34-2019
6333 W. THIRD ST.
Tuesday, December 24
MARIACHI FIESTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3pm Strolling Schedule subject to change.
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accent is hard to understand. Through Sun., Dec. 8, The Broadwater Black Box, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-9605770, onstage411.com/defenders. 3 Stars
A PAS DE DEUX from “Don Quixote” performed at last year’s ABT Holiday Gala featured Isabella Boylston and Aran Bell. Photo by Vince Bucci
Holiday dinner gala with a twirl
American Ballet Theatre (ABT) will host its annual Holiday Gala dinner and one-nightonly performance at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Mon., Dec. 16. The performance will feature ABT dancers, with principal dancers Isabella Boylston, Misty Copeland, Christine Shevchenko, Cory Sterns and Devon Teuscher scheduled to appear. Honorary Chair of the ABT Holiday Gala is Jennifer Garner. Cocktail reception is at 7:30 p.m., the performance with dinner, and dessert with the dancers to follow. Tickets start at $1,000. Contact Judy Levy at Judy@lpaevents.com or 310-201-5033 Ext. 2.
Carol-athon to visit local houses Dec. 14; book now
Silverlake Conservatory of Music (SCM) is holding its annual Carol-athon fundraiser on Sat., Dec. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. For a $100 donation, more than 75 singers will visit your home to sing two holiday (Christmas or Hanukkah) favorites, sung right on your doorstep by enthusiastic carolers from SCM’s children and adult choirs. To request SCM carolers visit your house, contact Karen Gilman at 323-466-1541, gilperson2@gmail.com. Want to join the group to go caroling? Email SCM at receptionSCM@outlook.com.
Art, mingling at Pop-Up Gallery
Keller Williams Larchmont hosts its ninth annual Pop-Up Art Gallery, 118 N. Larchmont Blvd., on Sat., Dec. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. Fifty percent of art sale proceeds will be donated to local Larchmont Charter School.