Edith Head was a Hollywood icon in the field of costume design, fashioning some of movies most famous apparel for nearly every star from the 1920’s to the early 1980’s. She won eight Oscars for her work and was nominated thirty-five times. No other woman has that claim.

 

In A Conversation with Edith Head, playing at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, Susan Claassen literally evolves into the woman. She is so believable in her portrayal that the audience seems to forget that they are not watching the real Edith Head in person. She takes on the persona of the woman and seems to bring her back to life. Written by Paddy Calistro and Susan Claassen, we are taken back to 1981. 

 

Miss Head’s host is Stuart Moulton who interjects Claassen’s performance with pertinent questions to embellish her story.

 

With a beautiful stage setting showing “personal” pictures from all of her admiring stars and several costume recreations by Chris Brewer and Maryann Trombino, the audience actually becomes the players as well, listening to Edith Head giving a talk about her life and even involving some members of the audience.

Miss Head’s life was appealing enough to hold the interest of an audience. She was born October 28, 1897, and died October 24, 1981, just short of her 84th birthday. She had absolutely no training as an art designer or a costume designer and admits to the fact that she stole another student’s designs for her job interview when she was hired. She worked for Paramount Studios for forty-four years, and left to work for Universal Studios in 1967. Though she was a loyal employee and enjoyed being at Paramount, she was surprised that she ended her job there with no fanfare or acknowledgment.

At the end of her “conversation” with the audience, she invites everyone up on the stage to peruse all of the pictures, costumes and whatever else is part of the set and to ask her any questions regarding “her life.” Because of the style of this production, Ms Claassen admitted that every performance can be a little different. Nevertheless, she brings a wonderful performance to the stage. My only problem was that Mr. Moulton did not speak up loudly enough and it was difficult to hear his interjections.

Plays Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM, Sundays at 3 PM

El Portal Theatre

In the Forum Theatre

5269 Lankershim Blvd.

North Hollywood, CA

Tickets: (818) 508-4200, online at www.elportaltheatre.com