7-08-WaywardSaints

We have covered this company a couple of times in the past and have never been disappointed in their productions. This show continues that string. Performed in the style of commedia dell' arte, George Herman's story deals with a group of actors who seem to have gone wayward, are flat broke and are looking for a way to go home again. The premise is that a wealthy nobleman comes to their show and offers to help them go back if their performance is worthy. In this play within a play, the actors who call themselves A Company of Wayward Saints, decide that the best way to gain the patronage of this important patron is to put on a stylish and imposing show. But what? They finally decide on a theme that will be all inclusive. They will perform the "History of The World."
Starting with the Garden of Eden (which was just this side of genius) through birth, adolescence, marriage and death the company argues, fights, and tries to outdo one another as they perform their various scenes. Though chaos reigns supreme, they still manage to get as far as the assassination of Julius Caesar and the homecoming of Odysseus. But by now the Wayward Saints have reached the end of their patience with each other, and their selfishness and self indulgence triumph to dissolve the company so each goes his and her own way.
But guess what – these are actors and what is an actor without a stage? So they somewhat grudgingly get back together to finish the performance for the nobleman, who has been patiently sitting in the back, and this time they tackle far more meaningful aspects of life. Needless to say, they pull it off and eventually they realize that there are far more important things in life besides gaining recognition and fame. Along the way the company (the real actors) performs with true zest managing to engage the audience in laughter at times mixed with introspect. The Commedia masks crafted by Wendy Gough are just wonderful as they create distinct personalities for the actors. So are the costumes by Tchia Casselle which combine period with present and work in synch with Joe McCLean’s set and props. Rich Wong also worked on the set and lights. But it’s the entire cast that makes this happen, and the evening we dropped in the actors included Marc McHone, Andrew Miller, Andrea Pandazedes, Justin Radford, Sarah Yahr Tucker, Beth Fisher, Jonathan Harrison, Samm Hill and Sarju Patel. All of them were super in their roles. The productions continues through August 3, 2008. Reservations at (323) 469-3113. The theatre is located at 6128 Yucca Avenue, at St. Stepehen’s Church in Hollywood. Comments? Write to us at: Letters@ReviewPlays.Com Want to blog? Click here to visit www.ReviewPlays.Blogspot.com