Acting: The First Six Lessons
Beau Bridges is a veteran actor, the son of an actor (Lloyd), brother of an actor (Jeff), and father of two actors (Dylan and Emily). What an enjoyable experience being able to watch him in a performance with his daughter Emily in a play based on a 1933 book by Richard Boleslavsky entitled Acting: The First Six Lessons.
Before the actual play begins, Beau and Emily appear before the audience to introduce themselves and tell a little about the book Beau explains what it means to him and why he chose it as a vehicle for him and Emily to perform. Then they drift into the two characters they portray, as well as each of them taking on the roles of several others who make up the story. There is not much of a plot to this play; that does not seem to be the point of Boleslavsky’s book.. Emily portrays The Creature, an aspiring actress who turns to The Teacher for help. While learning her craft from The Teacher and becoming successful as a professional actress, her lessons teach her more than how to be a thriving performer; she learns what life itself is all about. This is what Boleslavesky was aiming for in his book, Acting: The First Six Lessons.
Emily Bridges is a skillful and charming actress, and she and her father make a charismatic appearance together under the expert direction of Charlie Mount. Original music is by David Loud. Following the play, Emily and Beau remain after their performances for a question and answer period with the audience, an added bonus to the show.
Acting: The First Six Lessons is playing in repertory with The Life ad Times of A. Einstein by Kres Mersky and continues through May 16, at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga West in Los Angeles. Tickets and schedule are available by calling (323) 851-7977, or online at www.theatrewest.org.