Theatre, Film & Broadcast

With the Lyceum Space arranged in a black box, centering the action, Scenic Designer Yoon Bae invites us into a world of bright colors, ornate patterns and cherry blossoms. The luxurious harem of 17th century Hindustan was paradise, employing only the finest seamstresses, cooks, nurses and … well, you know. There was always plenty of delicious food to eat and fine silks to wear. The women of the harem wanted for nothing so long as they kept their Emperor happy. Watching over the harem are trained, battle-ready female bodyguards. They must be ever-ready to spring into action. But there’s a lot more waiting than action, so the guards play little games to pass the time. Devereau Chumrau and Taireikca L.A. have a playful rapport with a musical hip-hop street swag that makes them fun to watch. The stage combat with jo sticks, ably choreographed by Ka’imi Kuoha, was like a scene straight out of Kung Fu. [Eric George Tauber]

By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — The Roustabouts upcoming premiere gUnTOPIA features 14 year-old Levi Laddon. Currently a freshman at West Hills High School, Levi will transfer to SDSCPA in the fall. Always happy to talk to the rising stars in our community, I sat down with Levi in the office of Temple Emanu-El

There’s an old Yiddish proverb: If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. We all make plans for our futures. Some work out, but many don’t. We’re encouraged to reach for the stars, but often we fall and hit the hard ground.

With the passing years, our families change and yet stay the same. Making God Laugh follows an American family with three grown children from the 80s to the twenty-first century. Bill and Ruthie are empty nesters in their cozy suburban home, waiting for “the kids” to arrive for Thanksgiving. The accouterments are very Catholic with the Ten Commandments by the front door, a crucifix, a portrait of the Madonna and Child and no mention of sex. [Eric George Tauber]

 The thirtieth annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival has passed, closing on Sunday, Feb 23rd, 2020. There was a good variety of films including indies, documentaries, histories and comedies. I wish I could have seen more, but what I did see did not leave me disappointed. [Eric George Tauber]

Rami Margron enters in purple robes and a golden garland. Dionysus has been reborn as Diane, who prefers the personal pronouns “they, them, and theirs.”  Diane is a landscape artist with the chutzpah to ‘follow their own vision, not their clients’. With a crocodile haircut, workboots and guns most men would envy, Margron gives Diane a brash, butch androgyny that makes them compelling. Diane’s vision is to “re-wild” the suburbs with permaculture, taking it from manicured lawns and rose bushes to producing food, herbs and medicine “off the grid.” But Carol (Liz Wisan) is not having it. A chatty suburbanite who clips pictures from HGTV Magazine, she cares too much about resale value, “curb-appeal” and what “the girls” will think. [Eric George Tauber]