Love in Bloom
It was as if we were watching Shakespeare set to music with its Faerie King Orion (Chris DeCarlo) and Faerie Queen Talia (Evelyn Rudie) at the helm of Love in Bloom at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Written by these two brilliant and talented Co-Executive Directors of the Playhouse, they have, once again, created a production that brings magic to their theater. Love In Bloom, not only brings Shakespeare to mind, but some of the music is a take from Gilbert and Sullivan; some of the scheme of the play is definitely theatre of the absurd and we then think of Ionesco. The creativity behind the book and the performances of the cast is captivating. The innovative set design by Tim Chadwick, James Cooper and George J. Vennes III adds enchantment to the production, as well as does the lighting by James Cooper. The story, likewise, is enhanced by projections at the back of the set. The costume designs by Ashley Hayes are all made by the members of the Santa Monica Playhouse.
The play takes place in Hamelot where Prince Hamelot (Tlyner Pesch) is scheduled to marry a bride chosen for him. Naturally, he wants to find true love, but if he refuses to marry at the set time, he will lose his kingdom. When he chances upon a lady who he never actually lays eyes on, he falls in love, unbeknownst to him that she is Constance (Serena Dolinsky) the lady to whom he is betrothed. She too, falls in love with the man she encounters, but does not look upon. Constance is also upset at being betrothed to someone not of her choice, so the merriment begins when they both try to prevent the wedding. While the show is presented with a small cast (that also includes Liz Eldridge, Melissa Gentry, Jake Levy and Jack Medway) they change characters by donning wigs, and by clever and skillful maneuvering, they also become the objects of the sets. The original songs are fun, humorous and well done. All of the performers are expert in the brisk singing ala Gilbert and Sullivan.
Enjoy an evening in Hamelot in The Other Space at the Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., in Santa Monica, as you watch the comedy, Love In Bloom playing through Dec. 13, 2009. For reservations, call the Playhouse Box Office at (310)-394-9779, ex. 1.