Live From the Purple Lounge
Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
Crimson Square Theater Company at Beverly Hills Playhouse
Thru May 22
RECOMMENDED
To be great is to be misunderstood. Creatives in all mediums are often misunderstood. Whether it be judgment from people closest to them or, perhaps, from others who don’t know them at all.
In its world premiere presented by Crimson Square Theatre Company, Live at The Purple Lounge, is a dramedy that takes us inside the worlds of five female stand-up comedians, and all manner of misunderstandings that ensue. Set in the Green Room of the Purple Lounge comedy club, the awkward, funny, tough and truthful moments are all laid out. Although they all share the same profession, the women are at various stages in both their stand-up career as well as their personal lives.
The play also happens to be written by five women (Caroline Patz, Kari Pickering, Rachel Drayke, director Elisabeth Tsubota and Faye Viviana). The structure of five vignettes leads to a continuous building of tension, with each comedienne creating a captivating, honest and at times, gut-wrenching experience. What is crafted so well is the presence and power of the female voice. Live at the Purple Lounge depicts – crucially — various types of women in dissimilar states of mind, and stages in their respective lives: From Rory (Isabella Olivas) and her complicated relationship with her mother; to her polar opposite who is rash and larger than life, Victoria (Mia Christou); to the experience of Lena (Phoebe Pearl) who is struggling with grief.
The stage manager, Bethany (Maria Proios) is a constant throughout – being part of each vignette. Her importance of being much more than an employee was made clear; she ends up being much more in the lives of everyone around her.
In each vignette, the relationships are crafted so well due to the authenticity and specificity given by both the playwrights and actors.
Live at the Purple Lounge is as enjoyable as it is truthful.
Crimson Square Theatre Company at Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 S. Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills.; Fri.- Sat., 8pm; Sun., 7pm; thru May 22. www.crimsonsquare.org
