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A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
Anything
| Go back to Brentwood in that tired outfit you call Casual Friday and while you're there, shove it up your ass.
— Freda
|
It's a tribute to McNeil's writing that he brings this flaming foul-mouthed drug addict down to a livable level while bringing Early up out of his funk to action, whether it's hiding Freda's pills at the risk of his life, bravely introducing her to his family, or writing her a description of himself and his heterosexual preferences. Freda shares her life history, too, describing with poignant bitterness the taunts of her father and displaying on her face the bruises from homophobes or vicious clients.
At a family dinner that goes south fast, Laurette forces Early to admit Freda is a man. Her husband Ted Sachman (David Franco) begs her to be more tolerant and teen-age son Jack (Jeremy Glazer) acts like the whole thing is the most fun he's ever had.
McNeil handles the ups and downs of this unlikely relationship with insight, humor and a flair for words that make him a playwright to watchr. As a leading man, he conveys Early's depression, shyness and the ultimate strength and courage he finds in himself.
Louis Jacobs is the real deal as Freda. From the first moment he's hilariously vulgar and hauntingly believable. Director David Fofi astutely brings out the nuances in these people and makes the most of a solid supporting cast.
Matt Maenpaa has designed a set of many spaces without losing the apartments drab East Hollywood ambiance and an upper level that displays Upstairs Slackers/Guitarists Robert Foster and Josh Breeding, who play appropriately heartsick Western tunes between the 11 acts. Character is nicely displayed in Amelia French's costumes, especially in the women's executive drab for Laurette and great boots for Freda.
|
ANYTHING Playwright: Tim McNeil Director: David Fofi Cast: Tim McNeil (Early Landry), Louis Jacobs (Freda Von Rhenburg), Mim Drew, Cheryl Huggins (Laurette Sachman), David Franco, Don Cesario (Ted Sachman), Jeremy Glazer, Michael Miro (Jack Sachman), Max Williams, CJ Chris Riddell (Larry), Upstairs Slackers/Guitarists (Robert Foster, Josh Breeding) ( Set Design: Max Maenpaa Lighting Design: Edward S. Marks Costume Design: Amelia French Sound Design: Robert Foster, Christopher Game Running Time: Two hours 40 minutes, one intermission Running Dates: December 1, 2007-January 13, 2008 Where: The Elephant/Lillian Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, Reservations: (323) 960-4410 Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on December 7. |
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
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