LA Times Review

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Theater review: 'The Trojan Women' at City Garage*

November 12, 2009 | 6:00 pm

A high level of invention suffuses "The Trojan Women" at City Garage. Deconstructing Euripides' classic tragedy into a multifarious current-day collage, adaptor-designer Charles Duncombe and director Frederíque Michel pull few punches in the wake of burning Illium.

The geopolitical realities in Duncombe's freewheeling text range from harrowing statistics of recent genocides to sardonic swipes at our blog-infested society. Darfur, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, overpopulation, climate change and more punctuate the same gender positions that have driven this saga since its Peloponnesian War premiere.

Hecuba (June Carryl, magnificently composed) suggests a traditional African queen, clothed at the outset by title mourners whose burkas are but one of costumer Josephine Poinsot's inspirations. Cassandra (Mariko Oka) devolves from culture vulture to a naked, feral creature of website contours. Andromache (the touching Amelia Rose) turns the society trophy wife into a figure of post-millennial pathos, rending against Troy Dunn's quietly insidious Greek envoy.

And when an assured Alisha Nichols turns up as Helen of Troy, here a Britney Spears clone with nude dancing boys and hip attitude, her face-off with Michael Galvin's intense, Billy Connolly-flavored Menelaus crystallizes the enterprise. Dave Mack's empathetic diplomat, Crystal Sershen's understated Hermione and Cynthia Mance's entertainment reporter are among the other standouts in a marvelous ensemble effort.

Dividing focus between the keening women and the marauding men, Duncombe gets a slew of modern context in (Euripides is understandably absent from the credits). The approach risks overload, some things unnecessarily explained, and director Michel occasionally struggles to keep the tone consistent. Still, if the aim is to yank "Trojan Women" into our consciousness, this company benchmark, though overstuffed, is a triumph.

– David C. Nichols

"The Trojan Women," City Garage, 1340 1/2 4th St. (alley), Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 p.m. Sundays. No shows Dec. 14 through Jan. 8. Ends Feb. 21. Adult audiences. $20. (310) 319-9939. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.

*UPDATE: A previous version of this review misspelled the first name of Alisha Nichols as Alicia.

Photo: Marika Oka as Cassandra in "The Trojan Women." Photo credit: Paul Rubenstein.

It's A GO! for LA Weekly Yay Who!

"It's too smart and too passionate to dismiss"

In his adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy (So freely swiped from the original that Euripides' byline doesn't appear on the program), Charles Duncombe takes a macroscopic, brutal and unrelenting look at the end of the world. Genocide in Rwanda and Sierra Leone, unsustainable population growth and climate change carry the day, and the play, with excursions into a theme that's punctuated Duncombe's earlier adaptations of texts by Sophocles and Heiner Müller: the relationship between gender and power. Scenes depicting physical mutilation and rape in war zones - choreographed by director Frederique Michel - contain an excruciating authenticity, even in the abstract. Michel undercuts this harrowing tone by incorporating elements of farce in other scenes. One scene is a gem of understatement and humor: The reunion of fluttery Helen of Troy (Alisha Nichols, attired like a dancer in a strip club, and employing all those powers of manipulation) with the Greek king Menelaus (stoic, furious Michael Galvin) from whom she fled and started this bloody mess (the Trojan War, that is). This is where the adaptation and direction congeal and captivate. This is still very much a work-in-progress, conceived for all the right reasons. As is, the directorial tones wobble like a top, and the adaptation contains far too much explication. The evening also reveals why theater matters, and how this kind of work wouldn't stand a chance in any other medium. It's too smart and too passionate to dismiss. City Garage, 1340½ Fourth Street (Alley entrance), Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5:30 p.m. ("pay what you can"); thru Feb. 21. (310) 319-9939. (Steven Leigh Morris) See Theater feature on Thursday

It's not me, it's you...you stupid freeway

Dear Mr. 405,
It's really hard for me to talk about this. You've been taking me North and South for so long now. We've had some great times. It's been fun and really convenient. But lately I just feel like I can't trust you. You are always causing me to be late. Sometimes I find myself spending way too much time waiting for you to get going. I have even found myself in park, not moving at all. Look, you see so many cars everyday. I just don't feel special anymore. I need a road who can get me where I want to go and give me some space at the same time.
Maybe someday when you get all your problems worked out we can be together again. Until then, I'll see you sometimes when traffic is gone. I just think it's best we keep our distance. I hope you understand. Sorry we had to end like this.

Big trip 'Down Unda'

My mom and I went to Australia in August. It was so much fun! Here are some fun picks to give you a taste.


This is the Harbor Bridge. I climbed all the way to the top!



This is me in Darling Harbor. We ate some great seafood!



At the aquarium. Great Barrier Reef



Out at Kings Cross



Beautiful Beach, The Entrance



Hangin out with a kangaroo



Kangaroo and her baby, awe



Koalas chowing down.



At the famous Sydney Opera House.

The Lab, not at school!

So you want a drink, but not the usual boring pint of beer. Hmmmm...what to do? Maybe the lab is cure to your mundane cold one. They serve their many beers in a beaker, which is super fun. The atmosphere is also very labby, along with attractive USC student serving you. It's a gastropub so grab a bite while you are there.
Just accross the street from USC, it's super slow right now but just wait until football season starts.

3500 Figueroa Blvd. • Los Angeles • CA • 90007
Information 213.743.1843
www.thelab.usc.edu


Mix with Caution!

Henry's Hat

To Henry's Hat we go!

Once the spot you knew as Minibar, is now Henry's Hat. An adorable bar that not only offers a cold beverage and a bite, but a board game to accompany it. Perfecto! They have a menu of games that you can check out for free. Choose from Connect Four, Battleship, or Girl Talk (it's not on the menu but trust me they have it!). They even have a Wii set up. Drunk tennis anyone?

Henry's Hat
3413 Cahuenga Blvd W
Los Angeles, CA 90068
323-512-2500

Hours:

Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Did you see last night's sunset?

I'm usually less than impressed with the Los Angeles sunsets, as they are typically hazed over with some lovely pollution. But last night was an amazing exception!

Wake Up America

I try to keep this blog light and fun, but when I find something on a more serious note that deserves attention I think it's important to share it.

This clip is 30 minutes but worth watching, 'The Third Jihad'
http://blip.tv/file/1382254

These are a few of my favorite things....

7 things I just can't get enough of...
1. Auditions! and I can handle more so bring it on!

2. Yellow Curry- Thai me to it.

3. Scrapbooking with friends- 90% of them are into it. Don't forget to accompany it with your fav reality show and glass of wine.

4. Mugshots.com- ha! go there.

5. Laurel Tavern and their chorizo fondue- Celebrities everytime.

6. Cook Yourself Slim the TV show- healthy and TASTY recipes

7. Britney dating her agent, Jason Trawick of William Morris, finally a good relationship decision!

Visiting friends and Roomies birthday's

It's been awhile, but I've had houseguests and crazy schedule.

My amazing friend Liz from Albuquerque can for a whole week and visited. We got to do all the fun Los Angeles things that you sometimes forget about when you live here. Rodeo, Sprinkles, Beach, Hollywood Blvd, and the fashions district. We had an amazing time and we're still close as ever!



On Rodeo at PRADA. Just taking it all in!




In front of Marylin's star. I want one! Then again having overwight tourists walk on you all day isn't very glamorous!




At Paradise Cove, why go to any other beach?




We sample saled like a pro downtown!



Hanging with Liz's Los Angelino friends, Sandy and Steve. They are my kind of people!



Then there was my roomies birthday party which was amazing! 80's rockstar themed. We Karaoked at a joint in Korea Town. Amazing!




All the ladies. So 80's.





Heidi and I do have matching outfits. Yes it's true!

Come to the Laurel Tavern

Laurel Tavern is one of my favorite local diggs. Not only do they have one of the most amazing selections of California beers you can find, but it's a celebrity watering hole! Now, I'm not good at spotting celebrities, and I had some help. On this Tuesday night JC Chasez, Brittany Snow, and Natalie Zea were all there. If that's not enough of a reason, how about the food? Their bar food menu is amazing! May I suggest the Chorizo fondue, yes I may. Now go friends.

www.laureltavern.net/

El Bar es muy bieno

EL BAR in Hollywood
Hmm walk into the dark mysterious place or not? Do. And so glad I did! Located on the Cahuenga pass, El Bar is a lovely little bar, that's not a dive and it's not a lounge but somewhere in the middle. Decorated with Spanish Frieda-esq decor and bull horns. Sign me up! They have a lovely list of specialty cocktails. And they make their sangria fresh by the glass and it is amazing! Ole for this spot. Andale!


Happy Hour
Mon-Fri
5PM-9PM

Open 7 days
El Bar
3256 Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90068

Awkward!

Bored, I understand. Take a visit to http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/. It's a great way to take a break in your day and have a laugh. Should you have a photo that should be on this website, you can mail yours in to be added to the collection. For one of my favorites http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2009/05/10/happy-mothers-day/

I know right...

Cafe Tazzina for your Caffine Fixation

Cafe Tazzina in Santa Monica is a lovely little place to stop for a panini, or salad. But more importantly grab a gorgeous baked good or a coffee. For a second you may feel as if you've escaped Los Angeles with the European servers and intoxicating coffee scent that fills the air.

1620 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403

310-828-2848

Varga in Santa Monica

Varga in Santa Monica
While taking a stroll on main street in Santa Monica, I dipped into an adorable store I've walked by time and again. Varga is an great boutique that carries clothing, accessories, shoes, and gifts. It's name comes from Alberto Vargas who painted the famous WW2 pin ups for Esquire magazine. They were sexy and coquettish. The store has a lot of gift items that feature pin up girls with funny sayings like, "I ran into my ex, then I put my car in reverse and ran over him again."

If you need a cute summer dress or accessories, it's a must!

2808 Main Street
Santa Monica,CA 90405
310-314-1933

It's Britney Bitches

A week ago I was basking in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Britney Spears concert. If you have been to a Brintey concert you know what I'm talking about. If you have never been then you have no idea. Britney fans are fanatical. They go to extreme lengths to show their Britney pride, especially in LA. Girls are dressed up in costumes, people make special t-shirts, there are wanna be Britney's everwhere.

The Circus tour was my third Britney concert. The Pussycat Dolls opened for Britney and they where quite spectacular. They are amazing dancers as well as singers, oh ya and they are beautiful.

Britney was great. It was so good to see her after so many years of not being in the loop. Her concerts are a place of spectacle and this was no exception, it is a Circus after all.


My friend Melissa and I outside the Staples Center, ready to go.



The Pussycat Dolls



Up close Nicole



Britney's Entrance



Dancin'



Britney is hot



Bollywood Britney





Womanizer



Yep...that's her

Welcome one and all!

Hi there,

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have a lot of fun living in a big, exciting city like Los Angeles. Since there is an umlimited number of restaurants, museums, and other things to do, I want to share with all new places to go and things to do.

As an actress, I encounter adventures that most people will never dare to. I want to share my journey with you, thanks for joining me.

Please subscribe and check it out often!

Alisha