Lost in the Light 

Review by Neal Weaver 
The Blue Door 
Through May 12 

CRE (Create-Reflect-Empower) Outreach is a non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to empowering underserved low-income individuals in the Los Angeles area, with several component organizations, including Creative Youth Theatre and Veterans Empowerment Theatre. For this production, two of its component groups have joined forces: Theatre by the Blind, the only blind theatre company in America, and Rex & Friends, composed of gifted autistic and/or blind musicians. (Rex is Rex Lewis-Clack, the young key-board player who was born blind, diagnosed as autistic as a toddler, and declared a musical genius at age 7, able to play complex compositions after a single hearing.)

The show tells the tale of Angel Taylor (Magally Ocampo), who was born blind, but later diagnosed as a candidate for reparative surgery. Along with her family, Mom Almita (Sylvia Taylor), Dad Luke (Kenny Lee), kid brother Jake (David Sandoval), Grandpa Buck (a salty Ernest Pipoly), and boy-friend Martin (Lee Pugsley), Angel must cope with the surgery, and its challenging aftermath, as she struggles to learn to live as a sighted person.

The show is a bit tricky to review as it involves so many issues above and beyond entertainment and artistic considerations. It is an act of empowerment, a life-line for performers who feel isolated by their condition or lack of opportunities, and an assertion of their own capabilities. (The opening number is an anthem called “I Can Do Anything” which, like most of the six songs, has music and lyrics by musical director Laurie Grant and Chloe Copoloff.)

The script was based on the contributions and experiences of the whole company of 23, under the direction of Greg Shane, but the nominal playwright is Pelita Dasalla. The play is dramaturgically naïve, though often effective. And it suffers from the fact that though the musical numbers provide subtext and commentary, they stop the forward action, and sap dramatic thrust.

The level of acting is variable. Some performances are excellent, but even the weakest of them is graced with sincerity and simplicity. And the professionalism of the musicians is extraordinary, given all that they have to contend with.

The audience seemed extremely sympathetic, visibly pulling for the performers. And the company apparently marshals strong support: all performances are already sold out, unless they decide to extend the run.

The Blue Door, 9617 Venice Boulevard, Culver City. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. No performances on Sat., Apr. 28 & May 4; Apr. 29 at 7 p.m. only. https://creoutreach.org/lostinthelight. Running time: One hour and 50 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.