I want to remark upon the raging success of Ernest Thompson's directorial genius and in the presentation of the play, "Mama at Midnight" at the beautiful Zephyr Theater on March 17th, this last month.
First of all we were all surprised to find that unusual for a reading - every seat in the house was filled.
Second of all, the next day or so, I received comments that I would like to share:
"What I liked was that the play is so real and at the same time, so poetic." Juliette Lewis, Actor, Rock Star
"Once again, an unforgettable piece of theatre, both eloquent, touching, evocative and compelling. The ferocious intensity and honesty you impart to your writing goes right to the heart of every gesture, every word and (as you could see last night) to the heart of the audience.
I loved the "memory" quality of so much of it - the sense that this was a moment in time, with some recollections extended and other brief, like the flash of a photo." Richard Tanner: screenwriter, playwright, performance story teller
"By your use of detail, the minute details of placing something just here and just so, and on and on, and all of the repetition it had, it created this different time sense that occurs when one is caretaker of another-
So your play, even in the short amount of "regular time" that transpired, had this great sense of l-e-n-g-t-h of time, of how days and nights are seamless and almost collapse together or stretch so far apart that they seem never to meet."
Bettie Ross Blumer, Composer of Symphonies and Piano concertos (many C/Ds)"This unflinching honest and unsentimental portrait of an older woman [Mama] was a brave and deeply loving nod to the historic female characters that have been all but wiped off the modern stage and screen." Kamala-Lopez- Marshall, Award winning Documentary Film Maker, Actor, Director
"The details of the aging process is painfully obvious, but to delve into how it affects the children is the drama at hand. I loved when you let you mind reel in the Tennessee Williams-esque illusionist metaphors. When you let your emotions fly, it is truly beautiful." Azalia Snail, screenwriter, Film Director, Music Video Director
ACTUALLY, MANY MORE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SPOKE, AS WELL, AND I LEARNED A LOT FROM THEM!
ALSO!
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO A SECOND READING AT THE BEAUTIFUL ZEPHYR THEATER, 4758 Melrose Ave. L.A. TO THE PLAY:
"MOSES SUPPOSES"
THURSDAY, MAY FIRST
AT 8:00PM
This is an hilarious comedy, just so funny! And my character is amazing; I love playing her. I hope you will come to see this "how families just don't relate" scream of a show.
Written by Ellen Melaver, recipient of the Juliard playwriting fellowship and whose latest play will be playing at the prestigious Williamstown theatre Festival.
Directed by Lee Sankowich, the man who pulled "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" from the oblivion it was sinking into and put it onstage for all to see and wonder at. And at which to wonder. All wondered at which. Oh, maybe the grammarians are just stupid. His latest effort, The Last Schwartz has been playing at the Zephyr for a record seven months!
THIS READING IS COMING RIGHT UP, THIS THURSDAY!
See you there,
Karen
