Mix Tape
Mix Tape, the bi-annual one-act festival in its fourth run, is filled with vibrant, young, talented writers, actors and directors. It does, however, suffer from the usual complaint of one act festivals: seeming to be an exercise or warm up for a later, more full endeavor. The line up of plays is as follows:
Happy Birthday/I’m Dead: A young woman comes home from her birthday party and drunkenly discovers a dashing stranger in her apartment.
End of Paralysis: Two roommates who may be in love are tested when he brings a match.com date home to meet her.
Willoughby: A teenager girl comes to terms with her father's death by bonding with her estranged uncle.
Hanover: The new girl in school discovers a huge secret about the outcast girl when they meet on the bench during lunch.
Billie Jean at the Graveyard: Michael Jackson has just died and James is upset, but his girlfriend Billie Jean is about to turn his life upside down.
A Girl Who Likes Comics: A nerd meets the girl of his dreams while working in a comic book store. Or does he?
Outstanding among the actors is Douglas Dickerman in Willoughby. He is so extraordinarily interesting that it is not possible not to want to see more of his work. Lulu Brud is an extremely provocative and compelling actress if only she would articulate. This criticism can be given to Omar Wilkes, Jade Lane, and, in reality, to most of the cast, especially the men. It saddens me that these young and extremely apt performers don’t seem to really care about live theatre, and may just be using it as a showcase. Don’t they sense that we, out there in the dark, attentive like loving family members eager to know ‘everything,’ are a part of this theatrical experience, and don’t they want to share themselves with us? Are they only cognizant of some imaginary mike hanging over their heads? Where are the directors to help these young actors? I can only hope that they will correct this error during the run. Otherwise, the evening is charming enough and on a good level of talent all round.
Elephant Space Theatre
6322 Santa Monica Blvd. (1 block W of Vine)
Oct. 1-Oct 17. Thurs., Sat, 8pm & Sun at 2pm.
$15
3230962-0046/323-428-2550