[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Theatre West is kicking off their Plays on Words — A Reading Series featuring New Works, Timeless Classics, and Forgotten Gems with the much-anticipated adaptation for the stage of the novel California Soul: A Descendent’s Story, written by John A. Goux and directed by Victoria Lavan on Sunday, October 6.
I adore staged readings! There is something so intimate about them. Raw even. A group of actors gathered together to perform words on a page. It’s like being in the room for the beginnings of a production, a rehearsal, when everyone involved is getting to know each other and their characters. When done well as a public event it can be utterly magical. Theatre West is the oldest continuously active theatre company in Los Angeles and, as such, it has developed many original works, launched many careers, and explored and expanded on the idea of theatre and the art of theatrical performance. It has become a bastion of theatre in Los Angeles and I have no doubt that this production will be as thrilling as everything else I have seen there.
Since the novel California Soul is such a fascinating look into the inception of modern Los Angeles and the four people who founded it, we thought we would take the opportunity to find out more about this one-night event, so we asked Victoria Lavan, director and producer, to give us some insight into the how and the why of this production.
California Soul is a fascinating story, but what inspired you to turn the novel into a play?
California Soul: A Descendent’s Story is not only a fascinating story it is based on the true story of how and who founded and settled Los Angeles and by extension, much of Southern California. The author, John A. Goux, is a direct descendent of 10 of the 44 people who settled Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara. His eighth great-grandparents were Luis and Maria Petra Quintero. The novel is a work of historical fiction in that it depicts true events but intertwines historically documented events with fictional characters set in 1973 Santa Barbara. It is indeed epic in scope. However, it is also the story of one family through eight generations. John A. Goux seamlessly takes us back and forth from the enormity of recounting an arduous pioneer journey in 1781 to the singular journey of a college grad student in 1973 serendipitously finding a diary and through reading about her own ancestors, discovers herself. The juxtaposition of the epic and the personal is masterful and profoundly moving. What has resonated strongly for me in reading this novel is any one of us could dig deep into our own ancestry and discover inspiring stories about the people who have come before us. With today’s constant stream of celebrated negative behavior and commentary about everything, encountering a deeply inspiring story of true events experienced by real people, heroic in their desire to create a better life for their family and future generations, I have no doubt it is a story that must be told and heard. It is a story that will lift people up because it celebrates the human experience on so many levels.
The event at Theatre West on Sunday, October 6 at 3pm is not a play. It is an adaption of about 50% of the novel presented as a staged reading. However, I am not incorporating the usual staged reading format, i.e., chairs on a bare stage with reading light. Rather, there is staging, theatrical lighting and incredible music throughout. It has also been crucial to distinguish the historical characters from the fictional 1973 characters. I have been able to do that by using the entire stage with lighting to indicate the shift of time and place.
What was your technique in turning a novel into a staged reading?
The novel is extremely rich and detailed, so the first task was to decide how much of the story to focus on. Additionally, John A. Goux’s writing is exquisitely descriptive and visual which makes for a beautiful reading experience, but we unfortunately had to cut some of the narrative exposition for the characters to tell the stories by interacting with each other on stage. I feel we have achieved a good balance creating a very clear story throughline traveling between stories, times and places, while at the same time honoring the integrity of the novel.
Why only one night? Are you tempted to extend it, or in the magic in the event itself?
One night only because Theatre West is BUSY!! We would like absolutely to do this again. As I have mentioned, if you live in Los Angeles or other parts of Southern California, you must know this story! To think that the City of Los Angeles was founded in 1781 by just 44 people, 22 adults and 22 children and today Los Angeles is a city of 3.8 million people. It is truly remarkable!
How did you cast such an epic story?
This is a GREAT question!! Casting was so important, and we are very fortunate to have incredible actors from the membership of Theatre West and from outside the company as our cast of 25!! What is most exciting for me is how enthusiastic each actor is about the material. They are inspired and excited to be a part of telling these stories and bringing this novel literally to life!
You worked with the author, John A. Goux to develop the reading, how was that?
Working with John A. Goux has been a wonderful experience. I have worked quite a bit with original material, authors and composers. It can be a challenge for many reasons. John has been the ideal partner in bringing this reading to life. He is generous and kind, very collaborative with the mindset that we are a team working in service to the people who actually lived this story. It has been a total pleasure!
This is the beginning of a series of staged readings at Theatre West, “Plays on Words — A Reading Series featuring New Works, Timeless Classics, and Forgotten Gems.” How did you choose this book and why is it the first?
Yes, the staged reading series is a very exciting development at Theatre West. I pitched California Soul: A Descendent’s Story to be done on October 6th as our first reading event because of the material and how it relates to several important dates connected to Los Angeles. First, Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781. Second, National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. This reading is a wonderful way to celebrate both events!
How does directing a staged reading differ from a full performance?
A staged reading has certain conventions specifically the actors will be holding scripts. But more important a staged reading is intended to showcase the writing and the stories being told more than individual performances. That is definitely true for California Soul even though all of the actors involved are experienced, skilled artists. It is an ensemble work. Every single character and scene, no matter how brief, is indispensable in moving the story forward. As a director, it is crucial to find the balance of “how much” to offer the audience. We want the audience to read the book or see the television series – fingers crossed for both those things! We don’t want to give the entire novel away. We want to inspire curiosity and a desire to learn the whole story.
What do you hope audiences take away from this performance?
I hope those who see the reading of California Soul: A Descendent’s Story walk away inspired, moved, and proud to be Angelinos. I hope learning about the remarkable people who sacrificed and worked so hard to build this City so future generations could thrive gives our audience a deeper understanding of their own power to influence the future. I hope this story resonates throughout our community so that every high school student studying California History learns about the people who founded our City.
Do you have anything you would like to add…anecdotes that stand out from the experience, or advice to anyone attempting a staged reading of a novel?
The only ‘advice’ I ever have for anyone whether it’s singing a song or writing a play or novel or directing something on stage is you must love the material. Don’t engage in a project you don’t unabashedly and unreasonably love. My experience is without the element of love you cannot persevere through the difficult moments that are always a part of any artistic process. But more than that your own vision is limited if you don’t allow deep and profound love guide you as you bring any artistic endeavor to life.
If I had to describe California Soul: A Descendent’s Story in one word, I would use the word LOVE. It is an intricate and intimate telling of many love stories over three centuries. What a beautiful gift to be able to bring these stories to life. It has indeed been a labor of love for everyone involved.
Thank you, Victoria!
What a lovely way to start the holiday season than a trip to the beloved Theatre West for a stage reading of the novel California Soul: A Descendent’s Story, written by John A. Goux. Theatre bliss!!
Tickets:
https://theatrewest.org/on-stage/california-soul-a-descendent-s-story
The Cast:
Jana Souza plays Claire Goux
Mason Eaglin plays Dylan
Gabriella Collazo plays Ali Ramirez
Preston Simon plays Dr. Neil Adebisi
Alexandria Sanders plays Maria Petra Rubio Quintero
Marc Antonio Pritchett plays Luis Quintero
Where:
Theatre West
3333 Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles 90068
When:
Sunday, October 6 at 3pm