Theatre is like an assorted box of chocolates… In the words of Forrest Gump, “You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Cesar & Ruben
NORTH HOLLYWOOD – An important slice of life history, passionately told here through mind-bending truths and heart-wrenching songs written by well-known songwriters (Santana, Sting, and others). This is a musical you must experience! It is a true telling of the life and dedication of labor activist and pop icon Cesar Chavez. Diligently fighting for the rights of farm workers, he eventually formed the United Farm Workers of America union, to insure their fair treatment. Having died in 1993, his loving family continues his efforts and legacy today, through the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. It was an honor to meet many of them on the star studded opening night of this exciting production. Written and directed with theatrical pizzazz and deeply felt emotion by Ed Begley (a successful actor and tireless environmental activist himself), his multi-faceted effort here is monumental! Though the first run of this play in 2003 was well received and awarded, it was a mere shadow of this newly cast and revised version. This time, Ed wisely brought in one of L.A.’s most innovative and gifted choreographers, Frankie Anne. Her vision, skill and boundless creativity brought these characters to life, as they zoomed in from all corners of the theatre, and into our hearts forever! (Also a powerful singer/actress, she will step in when needed as the understudy, in the roles of Helen and Juana). The story opens in Heaven after Cesar’s violent death, and backtracks through his selflessly dedicated life. In the café where he was killed 23 years prior, he reconnects with L.A. Times journalist, Ruben Salazar, who covered his exhausting journey for many years. Through flashbacks and large screen “real life” footage, we too take this amazing trip! Danny Bolero was endlessly captivating as Cesar! With a chilling singing voice and the acting ability to deeply convey the man’s beliefs and struggles, this is a remarkable portrayal. Mauricio Mendoza is also flawless in the dashing and powerful role of Salazar. As Cesar’s wife and mother of his eight children, often left behind for her husband’s dream to unfold, Crissy Guerrero was most inspiring. Danielle Barbosa was tough and sassy as activist Dolores Huerta, and Gustavo Rex was despicably dynamic as Cesar and his workers’ bullying nemesis. Too many involved to credit each one, but this is a strongly talented cast with top notch technical excellence behind the scenes. Luke Moyer’s mood setting lighting and Alfonso Calvo’s effective sound must be noted, as well as musical director Ron Snyder and his live rockin’ band. A highly entertaining and meaningful production, focused on following your dreams and fighting for your beliefs, you must catch this one! Running through Sept. 15 (Thursday through Sunday) at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. in NoHo. Call (818) 508-7101.

The Outskirts of Paradise
HOLLYWOOD – The respected Alliance Theatre Co., abruptly uprooted from their 20-year long theatre in Burbank, has temporarily moved to Hollywood’s Met Theatre, using the smaller downstairs space to present their works. A fan of this cutting edge troupe, I’ve spent many evenings caught up under their theatrical magic spell. Unfortunately, this was not one of those times! As always, the individual performances are very good and well cast, but this frantic script left me cold from start to finish. Ambitiously penned by Jamie Virostko (her first full-length play) with a handful of hilarious lines and promising skill, but the dark subject matter has been done to death! It is still another story about a highly dysfunctional, self-absorbed, garbage mouthed family one upping each other with rudeness. There wasn’t a single character I connected with or cared about! Sorry. Director Adam Legg commendably attempts to keep the manic action playful, but still the overall offering runs amuck while going nowhere! (Cute and colorful set also created by Legg.) In the rural Midwest, we meet Joe and Alice, a longtime married couple, living a humdrum existence though their love still flickers underneath it all. Solid performance by Brad Henson and a high spirited depiction by BiBi Tinsley. When their adult brats come home for a holiday visit, the nonstop bickering, blaming and blasphemy runs rampant. Warren McCullough capably plays the son (Jason) and Royana Black rises above the material as the daughter (Ellen). Both Teddy Vincent as the ghost of Alice’s mother and Carolyn Freppel as Joe’s neurotic and sickly mother, offer flamboyant and quirky moments, and Darrell Bryan is fun as the “regular guy” handyman with a crush on Alice. To be fair here, much of the audience opening night roared with laughter, which puzzled my friend Connie and I endlessly! To check it out for yourselves, go to the Met Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford in Hollywood through Sept 15. Call (323) 223-6564.

As always...more to come next week!