EVIE'S WALTZ - FOOTLIGHT PARADE

November 22, 2008


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Pictured: Darren Bridgett and Marielle (Evie) in the Gun Sight

EVIE’S WALTZ
“Hypnotic, Stunning!”

The play starts out with a typical suburban family that seems to be ready to enjoy an afternoon on their private patio. Clay (the Husband) is preparing veggie kebabs. However, what looks like a tranquil afternoon with a few drinks on the patio, soon turns out be an afternoon of tension as you squirm around in your seat and wonder what is going to happen next? Gloria (the Wife) seems to drink a little too much, and she has reason to be cynical. Perhaps the drinking is to help her get over the fact that her son, who is now 15-years-old is a little terrorist. He is uncontrollable and he has a gun. Dad, on the other hand is in denial. He thinks that this is just rites of passage that will soon go away. “Danny’s still the little boy that he was” – He tells his wife. Well, Dad is wrong. There is no denying that Danny is a little S—t and a dangerous one.

They start to get the idea that something is terribly wrong with Danny when he shoots some homemade plates that hang on the wall of the house. They can’t see him, but he can see them from the trees somewhere out there.

In bursts Danny’s girlfriend “Evie” who has just killed her own mother. She has blood on her when she comes over to Danny’s house. Danny is still out there somewhere in the bushes. Evie and Danny are worse than “Bonnie and Clyde” – at least they killed for money, but these two whacko's with their mixed up brain cells have convinced themselves that they are ridding the world of people who are not like them. You know the type – they are in every school in the City. No matter what City it is. Schools are a dangerous place to send your children to because of nut cases like Evie and Danny, who have made a map of the school and all the exits that they can lock, when they decide to shoot whoever comes down the hall. Their plan is that there will be no escape.

I have to tell you, there are times during the play that it literally takes your breath away. The rifle ‘sights’ are not just aimed at the players on the stage, but at the audience as well. This play and the spine chilling visuals are so powerful, that you begin to be part of this cat and mouse drama. And if that doesn’t scare the hell of you, I don’t know what will.

Here are the things that Danny’s mother has charged Evie with? Credit Fraud, Taking Fire Arms to School, and making Maps of the school. Evie’s response: “We have a plan.” Here would be my plan. When Danny is focusing his rifle on his Dad and his Mom and Evie, I wanted to shout out – “Shoot Her” (Evie). Of course this is testament of how good the acting was if that got that kind of reaction from me. Evie, is not a nice person.

And where does the “Evie’s Waltz” part come in? Well, apart from the fact that the Austrian church and establishment condemned the waltz – it was considered a forbidden, even erotic dance. Even Queen Victoria banned it. The young however, adored it. And it also is Danny’s favorite music. So, in sort of a dance of death, Evie grabs hold of Clay (Danny’s father) and they dance to the soaring music of a Strauss Waltz. Yes, this Carter W. Lewis play is beautiful and horrifying at the same time. I’ve no doubt that someone will make it into a movie. Loretta Greco’s direction is a triumph. Greco brings out the special exuberance and authenticity of the actors.

MEET THE GOLD PLATED CAST: Darren Bridgett (Clay). Unforgettable acting that is subtle and nuanced. “Powerful and moving!” Julia Brothers (Gloria) – Her varied emotions are a thrill to watch. Brothers, is “Terrific!” Marielle Heller (Evie) – you hate the character, but love the bone chilling performance. “ Mesmerizing!” Where is Danny and Evie’s mother? We never see them, or hear them, but they are definitely a necessary part of the story. You feel their presence.

This family drama builds up to stunning and crashing emotions. It’s one of the best plays this year. The Magic Theatre is off to a winning season.

AT THE MAGIC THEATRE

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating) -trademarked-

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))

[See more reviews at beyondchron.org]

FOOTLIGHT PARADE

This you won’t want to miss. The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Fourndation (REAF) will present a special One Night Only Cabaret with the touring cast of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Theatre 39, on Pier 39 in Sf. Featured along with the Phantom cast in this great evening of Music & Comedy for the Holidays, will be Broadway/Pop star Deborah Gibson & Recording star Spencer day. www.helpisontheway.org. (The Phantom of the Opera Show opens at the Orpheum Theatre on Nov. 26. Get out your cape!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! And you can make it a very happy one as Rainbow World fund presents “Tree Of Hope” Tree lighting Ceremony at City Hall in San Francisco. The Lighting Ceremoney is Tues. Dec. 9 – 5:30 pm. Thousand Worldwide have contributed wishes for the future of The World. The Tree will be on public view from Dec. 4. -- Jan 2, 2009. There will be concert a 5:30 pm by the San Francisco Boys Chorus. Remarks are scheduled by 7 PM by Mayor Gavin Newsom. Donna Sachet will be the emcee. The Rev. Lea Brown of SF MCC will be there and the wild and wonderful Veronica Klaus will entertain at the party. Several Celebs beside Mayor Newsom have sent wishes on white Origami Cranes. They are Dame Jane Goodall, Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Frances Moore Lappe, Danielle Steel, and Stanley Gatti. The Event is free. The Rainbow World Fund does humanitarian work all year long. This is the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and it’s one that will get your Holiday in high gear.
(For Daily events updates check out: www.forallevents.info/leehartgrave.

AND THAT’S A WRAP!