Let the plays begin. Actors Alliance of San Diego have begun their run of short plays, and what a festive beginning this year. The Space at the Lyceum is the location of this grand event. Over thirty plays and over 100 actors and directors in five programs play the Special Program and Youthfest. Each program runs two nights. You are sure to find many plays you like with a host of excellent actors and actresses. The festival opens with Easy Targets written and performed by Burglars of Hamm. This is goofy group out of that strange suburb of San Diego called the Land of LA. Emceed by Matt Almos, the group offers the audience something special: a chance to fight back. Those wishing to can purchase a bag of rolled-up socks to pelt the actors for bad acting. There is only one small catch; the acting is excellent, thus the actors are pelted for good acting. Keep on Truckin', written by Jon Beauregard, who also directed with Carolyn Almos, is performed by Hugo Armstrong. As a semi driver, he tells the tale of truckin' along the highways of America. He lets us known that looking down upon cars passing him can be pure pleasure, especially when the car is a convertible, and there is a lovely, scantily clad lady in it. Actually, this story, hilariously told, does have a moral. The Greatest Love of All, written directed by Matt Almos and starring Carolyn Almos is an homage to their relationship from the moment they met, through the consummation of their love for each other, the final marriage, and their current relationship. Carolyn has a huge head shot of Matt on an easel. It is a delight to see the emotions of love pour out from her. Well, until you realize that he wrote it. The piece proves an audienceĀcharmer. When Matt introduces the next piece, he's massively pelted. A Muse of Fire, a piece written and directed by Carolyn Almos with an assist by The Bard, is joyfully performed by Cris O'Bryon. Classically garbed, he finds a huge tome of William Shakespeare and selects some passages. His delivery gives the audience ample reason to pelt him repeatedly. A classical interpretation of Shakespeare with some delightful humor. Hi Dad, I'm Gay, penned by Selina Woolery Smith with Carolyn Almos directing, stars Jon Beauregard. How do you tell a super-macho dad that you are gay? Or do you just hide it? Beauregard does a great job of walking that fine line between seriousness and humor. The piece works quite well. This Special Program, a fund-raiser for Actors Alliance, is a must.
Subtitle:
Special Program
Ended:
July 2007
Country:
USA
State:
California
City:
San Diego
Company/Producers:
Countywide Actors Association theaters
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Lyceum Space
Theater Address:
Horton Plaza
Phone:
(619) 640-3900
Genre:
One-Acts
Director:
Burglars of Hamm, Carolyn Almos
Review:
Cast:
see review
Critic:
Robert Hitchcox
Date Reviewed:
July 2007
