[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Group Rep‘s Could I Have This Dance?, written by Doug Haverty, directed by Kathleen R. Delaney, and produced by Brent Beerman for The Group Rep., running through May 5.
Could I Have This Dance? is a beautiful, thoughtful and very funny play about a terrible, tragic, deadly disease…except it isn’t…not really. Although the mother and matriarch of this family is stricken with Huntington’s Disease, unable to speak, constantly moving, shifting from side to side and foot to foot, giving us the unmistakable ‘dance’ in the title of the play. This play really isn’t about the shocking debilitating disease at all. It’s about how this brave, frustrated soul finds a way to still help her family, guide her daughters and love her husband. It’s about truly ‘living’ when you are living with something this bad. And it’s about how this wonderful, strange and deeply real family, – two sisters, a mother and a father – skilfully and determinedly fold this tragic turn of events into their lives.
It’s absolutely brilliant and honestly easily one of the best shows I have seen at The Group Rep. Doug Haverty, the wonderful artistic director, wrote this lovely play decades ago, in the 80s I think, if the heartfelt period decoration big hair and wardrobe is anything to go by. Although seeing the 80s as a vintage piece is still hard for me to accept…since I’m an MTV kid at heart. Gulp.
Could I Have This Dance? is poignant and deeply moving, with really excellent performances from the entire cast, particularly, of course, Carla Rodriguez as Jeanettte Glendenning, the mother. How she kept up the physicality of the role I have no idea, it was mesmerizing to watch her act so exquisitely while moving continuously.
The rest of the cast were also wonderful, funny, moving, their characters strongly individual and shiningly authentic. They moved through this work as if they were born to play these roles. Each bringing something special, something transportive, something truthful.
What struck me most keenly about this production when I sat down to write about it was how much I laughed. Not something you might expect to do when seeing a play that revolves around a disease. But that is because of Doug Haverty and this clever compassionate and ultimately thoroughly inviting world he has created. You love these characters.
You want them to be well, to feel loved, to find themselves. How wonderful and fitting it is then that the lead role of the mother never speaks. All her power is channeled into her face, her eyes, her need to be relevant still. Being herself throughout her journey from powerful unstoppable PR CEO to fragile, poignant shimmering shadow of her former self. Yet still present. Still needed. Still loved. What a lovely place to be then, if ever the power of speech is ever taken from us, in the center of your family, kept close and cared for by them all.
Could I Have This Dance? is an utterly gorgeous play. Tenderly written and with the utmost reverence and wickedly wonderful humor. I absolutely loved it. If you see any play this month make it this one.
The Group Rep is such a bastion of positivity in NoHo Theatre. They deserve our patronage and our thanks. Bravo!!!
Tickets:
When:
March 29 – May 5
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Sunday Talkbacks with the cast and staff March 31 and April 7, after the matinees.
Where:
10900 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood,CA 91601
The Cast
The Group Rep cast features the talents of Sean Babcock (Errol Watkins), Anna Connelly (Monica Glendenning), Anica Petrovic (Amanda Glendenning), Lloyd Pedersen (Hank Glendenning), Clara Rodriguez (Jeanette Glendenning), and Andy Shephard (Colin McMann).
The Team
The Creative Team includes Set Designer Kathi Chaplar, Lighting Designer Frank McKown, Costume Designer Shon LeBlanc, Sound Designer Nick Foran, Marketing Denise Downer, Public Relations Nora Feldman, Graphic Design Art & Soul Design, Webmaster & Online Marketing Kristin Stancato, Promotional Video & Photography Doug Engalla, Social Media Jackie Shearn, and producer for The Group Rep Brent Beerman.