Theater Pocket book: Previous Globe-born ‘Virtually Well-known’ musical takes a drubbing from Broadway critics
“Virtually Well-known,” the film-inspired musical that made its world premiere in 2019 at San Diego’s the Previous Globe, opened on Broadway Nov. 3 to largely tepid opinions.
A number of critics mentioned the musical made no enchancment on the beloved 2000 film by Cameron Crowe, which was impressed by his personal adventures as a teenage rock ‘n’ roll correspondent for Rolling Stone in San Diego within the Seventies. Crowe wrote the e book for the musical and shared lyrics credit with composer Tom Kitt, who wrote the rating.
New York Occasions critic Jesse Inexperienced known as the musical a “mystifying muddle” that “misses each alternative to be the sharp, sensible leisure it may need been.” Washington Publish critic Peter Marks describes it as “not rather more than a wan rewind of what transpired onscreen.” New York Publish critic Johnny Oleksinski mentioned the musical was a “wisp” of the unique movie. And Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones mentioned the musical is entertaining however fails to inform its story authentically, and its scene of a teen boy’s deflowering feels out of step with at this time’s sensitivities.
Jay and Julie Sarno with their Standing Ovation Award on the San Diego Performing Arts League’s 2022 Star Awards on Nov. 7 on the Bahia Resort Resort.
(Courtesy of Eder Escamilla)
Jay and Julie Sarno, Jennie Hamilton honored at Star Awards
Jay and Julie Sarno, a Carlsbad couple who’ve given many years of service and monetary help to a lot of the skilled theaters in San Diego, have been honored Monday with the Standing Ovation Award on the San Diego Performing Arts League’s twenty sixth annual Star Awards on Monday
For 40 years, Jay Sarno has been serving to San Diego County troupes remedy tough technical and organizational issues. And for greater than 35 years, Julie has helped with publicity and fundraising, served as a frequent gala chair, ready meals for casts and housed actors. The couple are additionally donors with annual subscriptions to many native theaters.
Their efforts have been beforehand acknowledged in 2017 with a nationwide service award from the Actors’ Fairness Affiliation, and in 2019, North Coast Repertory Theatre honored them with the Champions for the Arts award. The Sarnos met within the mid-Eighties whereas serving on North Coast Rep’s board of administrators and married on its stage in 1989.
“Jay and Julie have impacted practically each arts group in San Diego by means of their time, expertise and treasure and we’re thrilled to honor their 35-year historical past of service,” says Jay Henslee, board president for the San Diego Performing Artwork League (SDPAL).
Of their honor, SDPAL is launching a scholarship program of their identify.
Jennie L. Hamilton, founding father of Neighborhood Actors Theatre, thanks the group for her Pioneer Award on the San Diego Performing Arts League’s 2022 Star Awards.
(Courtesy of Eder Escamilla)
Additionally honored Monday was Jennie L. Hamilton, who acquired a Pioneer Award for her 40 years because the founder and govt director of Neighborhood Actors Theatre (C.A.T.) in Oak Park, which was one in every of San Diego’s first Black theaters. The retired San Diego grade-school instructor elementary college instructor created the corporate with a small group of colleagues in 1982. Since 1998 has been headquartered a the C.A.T.-owned theater house at 2957 54th Road. In her identify, SDPAL will provide some two-year free memberships to these in want.
The SDPAL ceremony invitations League member theaters to honor their high volunteers with awards. For the total checklist of honorees, go to sdpal.org/star-awards.
Playhouse’s DNA New Work sequence unveiled
La Jolla Playhouse has introduced the dates and lineup for its 2022 DNA New Work Sequence.
4 new performs will probably be offered as readings Dec. 1 by means of 12 within the Playhouse’s Rao and Padma Makineni Play Improvement Heart. The annual sequence presents playwrights and administrators the chance to develop new work by offering rehearsal time and house, theatrical sources and public audiences.
In years previous, DNA New Work has been a fertile launchpad for performs which have gone on to be produced on the regional and nationwide stage, together with Ayad Akhtar’s “The Who & The What”; Michael Benjamin Washington’s “Blueprints to Freedom”; Jeff Augustin’s “The Final Tiger in Haiti”; and Quiara Alegría Hudes and Erin McKeown’s musical “Miss You Like Hell.”
“The DNA New Work Sequence serves as a significant pipeline for brand spanking new work — on our levels and past — in addition to a crucible for fostering new artist relationships,” Christopher Ashley, the Playhouse’s creative director, mentioned in an announcement. “Through the years, DNA has grow to be one of many Playhouse’s hottest packages. Patrons relish the chance to participate within the start of a brand new play, whereas giving playwrights invaluable help and suggestions within the early levels of the work’s improvement.”
Right here’s the lineup for the readings, that are offered with no costumes, surroundings or staging components and the actors carry scripts in hand. Tickets are free however should be reserved upfront at lajollaplayhouse.org.
“The Loyal Opposition” by Keith Bunin: A Playhouse fee that will probably be directed by Ashley, this play from the creator of “The Coast Starlight” is about three longtime pals who come collectively at a restaurant to have fun their previous, their unsure futures and the worth of friendship. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and three.
“Manny and the Sensible Queens” by Idris Goodwin: The Playhouse commissioned this hip-hop comedy from this creator of greater than 60 performs starting from his hip-hop-inspired break-beat sequence to historic dramas to work for younger audiences. It is going to be directed by Jacole Kitchen, the Playhouse’s director of arts engagement and in-house casting. Set through the vacation season in 2020, it’s a few depressed highschool grad who’s visited by two smart queens (somewhat than three smart males) who come bearing items for his deliverance. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and a couple of p.m. Dec. 4.
“Derecho” by Noelle Viñas: A Latina political candidate aiming to affix the wave of ladies of shade coming into public workplace is torn between how her household’s conventional Latino values battle with the American definition of success. The play will probably be directed by multi-award-winning native director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 10.
“The Company” by Lia Romeo: On this comedy, an out-of-work actress indicators up with a rental company the place lonely purchasers can rent actors to function surrogate pals and family members. The play explores the non-public value of dwelling in a society the place cash should purchase nearly something. Pesha Rudnick, founding creative director of Native Theater Co. in Colorado, will direct. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and a couple of p.m. Dec. 11.
San Diego-raised Elijah Reyes, left, and Charlotte Mary Wen are co-starring within the nationwide touring manufacturing of “Hamilton,” taking part in Nov. 9-20 on the San Diego Civic Theatre.
(Courtesy of Broadway San Diego)
San Diego alums in ‘Hamilton’ tour
Two San Diego-raised musical theater performers are featured in of the nationwide touring manufacturing of “Hamilton,” which performs Wednesday by means of Nov. 20 on the San Diego Civic Theatre.
Elijah Reyes attended the San Diego College of Inventive and Performing Arts from fifth by means of twelfth grade. Amongst his first skilled productions regionally was taking part in Rum Tum Tugger in “Cats” at Vista’s Moonlight Amphitheatre in 2009. He has been a part of the “Hamilton” ensemble for the previous 12 months, performing as an understudy for George Washington, Hercules Mulligan and James Madison.
Charlotte Mary Wen grew up acting at San Diego Junior Theatre and has carried out on the Previous Globe in “Life After” (2019) and, when she was youthful, in “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” She is a swing within the “Hamilton” forged, understudying the roles of sisters Angelica Schuyler, Eliza Hamilton and Peggy Schuyler.
For tickets, go to broadwaysd.com.
Kragen writes about theater for the San Diego Union-Tribune. E-mail her at [email protected].
