The Bird and Mr. Banks
The Road Theatre Company's production of "The Bird and Mr. Banks" stars Sam Anderson, not a household name but a character actor/artist who has chiseled from scratch some of TV and film's favorite characters (for '80s sitcom lovers, Principal Dewitt on "Growing Pains," and more currently, Bernard Ladler on "LOST"). Alongside the star are the Chicago-trained Jenny Kern, playing Annie O'Shaughnessy, and Chet Grissom as Hartsfield.
The story is quite dazzling, indeed.
Seymour (Anderson) has an extreme distaste for birds, that is, until he finds an orphaned chick that requires a mother or, in this case, a father as Seymour treats "Peep" like a child. He receives the help of his friend, Annie, who is almost raped in his home by Hartsfield. Annie purposely burns down the Banks home to protect Seymour following his murder of Hartsfield. The two (or twee-t) then go on the run into the second act, which seems like forever. The final moments of the play are endearing and bittersweet.
Sam Anderson is highlighted by his ultra creepy yet empathetic character, Seymour Banks. Anderson is one of the best character actors on an L.A. stage, tenderly holding his audience captive in The Road Theatre Company's black box on the second floor of the Lankershim Arts Center.
Director Mark St. Amant certainly proves his own radiant talents, pushing the story as rapidly as possible to keep our focus on the dialogue, while Desma Murphy manipulates a small stage into illustrations right out of the pages of a book.
"The Bird and Mr. Banks" scores another point for The Road Theatre Company.
On a Grading Scale - A