Live Theater Review by Jeanie K.Smith - January 2020
Heisenberg Has a Heart
British playwright Simon Stevens is best known for his mega-hit,
Georgie (Shannon Rider) spots an attractive older man in the train station (John Craven) and impulsively plants a kiss on his neck— thus sparking conversation and intrigue as the two strike up a tentative friendship that promises possibility. Independent and idiosyncratic, both characters navigate their way into this curious relationship, taking baby steps or big leaps of heart. Surprises and twists make for a bumpy road and opportunities for reflection on the mysteries of love.
As LET Artistic Director Argo Thompson notes, “I was attracted to this play because of the writing. It’s fresh and unexpected and took me off guard. The characters are oddballs and make choices that keep the audience guessing about who they are and what will happen next. And, I enjoy the correlation with the uncertainty principal. There is no real way to measure subatomic particles nor can we measure these characters and the choices they make. They keep changing right before our eyes.”
Left Edge’s commitment to mounting recent plays that haven’t been produced in Sonoma County continues to bring us new and exciting works fresh from Broadway, and this one is a great example. You’ll enjoy the humor and ultimately the heart of Heisenberg.
Heisenberg
Runs Jan. 10 - Feb. 2
Left Edge Theatre
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa 95403
https://www.leftedgetheatre.com
A Breath of Spring in Midwinter
January days still short on daylight, rain and grey skies clouding our vision— why not take a brief vacation to sunny Italy, via the theatrical treat. Enchanted April presented by Sonoma Arts Live?
Lotty Wilton (Katie Kelley) and her friend Rose (Lyndsey Sivalingam), tired of the English weather and marriage strife, spot an ad for renting an Italian villa on the Mediterranean coast. A dream of sunshine leads them to enlist other women to join in this hoped-for respite from gloom. Four ladies make their way to Italy, discovering a hillside haven blooming with bougainvillea and much-needed relaxation.
As sunshine and blossoms work their magic on tired souls, the women unravel thorny life issues, conflicts with each other, and begin to blossom themselves — until the arrival of unexpected male guests threatens the healing and peace. Amusing, a lot of fun and yet thoughtful, Matthew Barber’s sweet play encourages all of us to find our own respite from weariness and a return to sunshine and love.
Director Larry Williams tells me he’s enjoying the rehearsal process with his excellent cast. “I love that this is a female driven show. There aren’t that many around that have such fulfilling characters. This cast knows what the show and the characters are about and are pouring themselves in to the characters!”
A sure cure for winter doldrums, Enchanted April’s lively humor and gentle ode to the enduring power of love takes us on a welcome journey with these delightful characters.
Enchanted April
Runs Jan. 24 - Feb. 9
Sonoma Arts Live
Andrews Hall, Sonoma Community Center
276 E. Napa St., Sonoma 95476
“Good Bets” department:
The Buddy Holly Story
Runs Jan. 10 - Feb. 9
6th Street Playhouse
G.K. Hardt Theatre
52 W. 6th Street, Santa Rosa 95401
https://www.6thstreetplayhouse.com/home
Mary’s Wedding
Runs Jan. 10 - Feb. 1
Main Stage West
104 N. Main St., Sebastopol 95472
The Wolves
Runs Jan. 24 - Feb. 9
Raven Players
115 North Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Ripcord
Runs Jan. 31 - Feb. 16
Cinnabar Theater
Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma
