Last night, we ventured over to @SouthCoastRep again. We had already seen “Saturn Returns” and “Fences” this season, so we knew we were probably out for a good evening…
We saw the world premiere of Howard Korder’s “In a Garden”. Set in the fictional Middle Eastern dictatorship of Aqaat, the story follows the trials and tribulations of a young American architect in 1989 when Dead Poet’s Society and The Little Mermaid were box office hits… and moves through the presidential eras of Bush, Clinton and ending in 2004 during W. Bush.
Dominated by Matt Letscher (Entourge, Eli Stone, Brothers & Sisters) as the commissioned architect Andrew Hackett, and Mark Harelik (Prison Break, Heroes, The Big Bang Theory) as Othman the Minister of Culture of Aqaat, the story does a great job helping us relate to the transition of time as a “small building” is designed and built in a garden over the years. References in dialogue (movies), costuming (transition of suit styles), and props (laptop with W2004 campaign sticker) do a good job in bringing the viewer back into the period. As the story played out on stage, in the back of my head, I was thinking of where I was at in my life during that time.
The first half felt a bit slow because I wasn’t sure where the story was headed. It seemed as though it was going to be a formulaic story of a cocky young architect, humbled and inspired by an elder mentor… It’s anything but. Once the second half began, I quickly understood the time that Korder took to set-up the story. And the final acts packed the punch I had been lacking early on.
If you’re an architecture fan, you’ll enjoy the many architectural references and name-droppings such as Richard Meier (Getty Center). If you’re a building novice, be sure to read through the program before the play begins. It lists the architects and the structures that are referenced in the play, and will help you follow along better.
“In a Garden” is indeed another SCR play that @PadrePablo and I happily recommend. Check it out through March 28 on the Julianne Argyros stage.
—
As of late, SCR has been doing a great job telling some unique story about the making of their productions. Check out their YouTube interview with sound designer Vincent Olivieri at @UCIrvine.
Photo: jimnix/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Read more
Two thumbs up for Noah Haidle’s play, Saturn Returns at South Coast Repertory.
On a whim, @PadrePablo and I decided to get rush tickets. It’s only the second time that we’ve seen a show at SCR. The first time we saw a preview showing of Hamlet. We’re both 2 for 2 and impressed with the caliber of plays right in our own backyard.
The story follows Gustin Novak through three phases of his life: at 28, 58 and 88 years young, though not chronologically. At each stage of his life you see Gustin interact with a different woman who brings equally different meaning to his life: Loretta, Zephyr and Suzanne. Each of the different relationships is a reaction to an experience he’s had throughout his life in a small Michigan town. “Saturn” is a reference to the nearly 30 years that it takes for the planet to make one orbit around the sun.
The three female characters are brilliantly and uniquely played by one actress, Kristen Bush. And each Gustin, (Nick Ullett at 88, Conor O’Farrell at 58, and Graham Michael Hamilton at 28), plays a stubborn, hardened, and simultaneously gentle father and husband. I laughed, cried, giggled and scoffed. Saturn Returns is a story full of emotions and keeps you completely entertained for the full 80 minutes.
Turns out it was the preview evening. But as fresh off rehearsal as the cast was, it was a great show and worth every dollar.
With Opera Pacific having folded half way through the last season, I often worry about SCR’s fate too. But if they continue to feature well-written and well-played scripts like Saturn Returns… I don’t think there’s much to worry about.
The play runs through November 22 at SCR.
Read more