"Karma Cafe" (movie)
"Talk to Me" (movie)
"A Mighty Heart" (movie)
Alexandros Kapelis (piano recital)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the update on the Hollywood production of Eavesdropper
Promotional Synopsis:L.A.'s Longest-Running New PLay - An uninvited party guest hides behind the shower curtain EAVESDROPPING on partygoer's private moments, intimate conversations and ends up witnessing a crime. Thirteen people: In one hour, all their lives will change forever. A dark, sexy, voyeuristic romp with a surprise ending that keeps audiences talking.
"This Year's Best New Play" --MAGazine
WINNER MAGGIE AWARD for Best New Play. Dark Comedy/Suspense
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Steven Vilendrer, the ultra talented and ultra hottie actor signed to play the role of Will in Drones, Clones and Pheromones, is currently performing in "Eavesdropper" in Hollywood. I traveled from San Francisco to Los Angeles to see Steve in the play and perhaps video it for him, and the trip was well worthwhile in so many ways.
Eavesdropper owes it life to its producer/director Andy Libby. He purchased the rights to the play, mounted the production, and directed it with vision and skill. He is committed not only to the quality of the performances, but also committed to give his actors opportunities to be discovered by the film industry. In person he is affable and clearly dedicated to his actors careers.
The cast changes from night to night, so I was able to see some of the actors in different roles. This rotating cast in an ensemble play is well adapted to the primary mission of Hollywood community theaters, which is to showcase new talent for industry members, and to provide serious practical experience for the actors. As a director, I prefer experienced actors or everyday people, each of whom can deliver realistic performances if properly directed. On the other hand actors fresh out of acting classes, can be so full of anxiety and drowning in technique that it takes real work to get them to let go and get into the character fully. These live stage experiences go a long way in smoothing out that wrinkle. While I'm on this point of directing, sometimes a new director sees the job as one of commander, but the director's job is to give direction, "HELLO!", which is really more like scouting ahead, and coaxing the actor to find the best way.
The play is generally well written with good plot points and authentic sounding dialogue. I do like the trope of the eavesdropper character periodically freezing the action to narrate the moment, so I have a taste for the experimental, however, the overall structure of the story seems a little like patchwork. It wasn't so bad however as to distract my enjoying the through lines of the characters. The parts for the guys seem more strongly written, so I don't feel I got the best take on the talent of the female actors.
Clearly the best parts are Carl, Joe and Skeeter. Skeeter is a college frat boy dating a slightly older grad student named Lulu. He has been dating her three months and tells her he loves her, but she will not reciprocate nor sleep with him. Carl is a good-looking, high energy frat boy, is sidekick to fraternity president Joe. Carl has invited two underage girls to the party as possible targets of a game of "TAG BAG" where frat brothers must "bag a chick on the toilet" for Kappa Kappa Kappa. Carl has a dark secret. Joe is a charming, gorgeous, fraternity president with a badboy edge who ends up seducing a high school Virgin on stage.
Steven Vilendrer played Joe one night I attended, and Carl the other night. I preferred him as Carl. That role has rich complexity, and Steve shines when the role calls for an intelligent, insightful actor. David Tolemy also played Joe one night and Carl the other, so I got to see these two switch roles. David is bursting with charismatic energy and playfulness that keeps your eyes on him for the sheer pleasure of watching him. Matt Waldeck I felt was doing perfectly adequately as was the rest of the cast, but in the climactic scene with he and his girlfriend, Matt showed real fire and power in his acting.
We've become so accustomed to elaborate set design, such as the highly realistic "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe" currently touring, that it's refreshing to see a production that invokes our childlike skills of pretend. This Eavesdropper production, besides the set design items and props necessary for the action, a wall or a bathroom mirror is merely suggested, and we mentally fill in the spaces. It's fun to play along.
I was entertained, and found the time worthwhile. You ought to see it. There are scenes that stick with you afterwards which is the sign of a good play or movie. The party music, generally well chosen, has its volume dropped for the significant scenes, most of which take place in the bathroom, where the eavesdropper is hiding behind the shower curtain. The other cast members hang out in the living room, the hallway, or the upstairs bedroom, keeping their parts of the story going through mime. The mime is is usually graphic enough for us to get what's going on, and sometimes is funny, and sometimes sad, generally well done, although the slo mo fight near the end could benefit from fight choreography.
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Runs through May 27, FRI, 8PM FRI, 10PM SAT 8PM SAT 10PM SUN 8PM (running time 72 minutes)
$20 general admission, industry comps available
Performance includes brief strobe effect at end of play, adult language and themes. No late seating.
Complex Theaters
6470 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollwood, CA 90038
Call 323-365-8305 for reservations
(Click on any cast member photo below to enlarge)
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