SUPPORTING CAST: A TALENTED TEAM IN LAMPLIGHTER’S PRODUCTION

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

The Supporting Cast runs August 14 - September 13

By Kathy Carpenter, www.sdtheatrereviews.com Associate and Youth Reviewer

August 19, 2015 (La Mesa) - The Supporting Cast, is not a title of a play that grabs me and says “Hey, you need to see me.” However, the play it turns out is aptly named. The title is the name of a book the lead actor in the play wrote. The book is about people who are all married to famous people - thus the supporting cast. These are the heroes behind the celebrities who would not be who they are without the support of their loved one standing behind them. The wonderful support of the entire cast makes the play a hit.

Billed as a comedy, although it had its moments, it is not overtly funny. This is a character rich play, with delightfully quirky friends who we grow to know and love. The play is directed by Kristen Fogle, who created a piece we can all relate to.

The show runs, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. August 14th - September 13, 2015 at The Lamplighters Community Theatre, located at 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa.

The place takes place in the ‘80s on Ellen's back porch in Malibu, CA.This is a two act play with two complete scenes. Usually the acts have several scenes.A fun fact of the play  is that during the lengthy history of the Lamplighters, they have done the play once before. The original lead works in an office next to the director and was in possession of the original glass sliding door (which plays a big part in the show); she let this cast use the original door, tying both versions together in a unique way.

The story is about Ellen, who writes a book loosely based on her four friends. So the friends cannot bring lawsuits against the book, Ellen's agent says she must get them to sign waivers or the play can't be released. Thus Ellen brings all her friends together for a luncheon at the same time in order to get everything  over all at once. Needless to say, the friends do not take kindly to the idea and the story ensues.

Andrea Bensussen  portrayed the lead, Ellen, and did an amazing job. Her supporting cast was equally gifted: Caroline Amiguet as her French friend, Florrie; Cecily Kepple as the neurotic, crazy, Sally; Ray-Anna Ranae as the delightful Mae, and Michael Shantz as the wonderful Armold.  This is a talented team in a well-done production.

What's next for Lamplighters?  If you have been waiting for a mystery, it's here. Stage Fright opens October 9, 2015.

Purchase tickets online at www.LamplightersLaMesa.com , tel. 
619.303.5092

Boxoffice@LamplightersLaMesa.com

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.