[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Theater4All’s inaugural production, the world premiere of the mythic drama Crone Creed, directed by Marc Morgenstern at El Portal Theatre, running through October 17.
The world premiere of Crone Creed is presented by Theater4All at NoHo’s historic El Portal Theatre, which just happens to be celebrating its 100-year anniversary!
Crone Creed is an intriguing and sophisticated, mythical story spanning centuries, written by the collaborative trio of John Epstein, Casey Morgan, and T. Theresa Scarano.
This extremely ambitious production tells the story of godlike magical humans who are able to jump through time, inhabiting different bodies, but always able to recognize their own kind. Eons ago The Crones were charged with the protection and guidance of humans by The One – an overlord-type power of creation. Over the millennia, they were able to gently guide the human race, encouraging them on the right path forward with kindness and fairness at their core. But of course some strayed from the path and battles turned into a division between two factions, the Crones and the Fallen. Both are equally powerful, but since the Fallen are governed by rage and greed, they are able to dominate and twist the fate of the flawed human race to their end more easily.
One family is at the center of this chapter of the Crones’ history. Two sisters and a brother, cared for by their mother. We begin their story in medieval Europe. They are very poor and the son has grown tired of their menial lives and tries to elevate himself by becoming a lackey to a particularly odious local landowner with his eye on one of the sisters. The son has discovered the power of The Fallen after finding his dead father’s magical chess piece hidden away by their mother. And as he develops his power, he is able to reignite not only his role in The Fallen, but both his sisters’ powers too. The eldest sister, Vita, is helped by two Crones, one of whom’s mistakes when Vita was a child led to her family’s dire circumstances. Together they train Vita to help her defeat her brother, whose powers are rapidly growing.
The two Crones also guide us through this story, which at its core is really about love and loyalty and how the loss of both can twist a person and, in turn, the world around them.
This play is ambitious. But with a combination of powerful set design and wonderful wardrobe, Crone Creed brings its audience fully into the play’s mystical world. There is also a good deal of projected design and video, which is absolutely brilliant, and on the huge main stage of El Portal Theatre adds a truly phenomenal element to this wildly creative production.
This is the perfect time of year for the mythological and the magical. And El Portal is truly the perfect venue for such an epic story.
Are you drawn to the magical, or enjoy video games with large-scale mythological worlds and movies whose storylines contain epic journeys as well as the age-old struggle of good vs evil, the powerful and the proletariat? Then Crone Creed was made for you!!
The performances by a group of truly talented actors are inspiring. Each takes on their roles with gravitas and nuance. They become these disparate characters and bring the story to life with their commitment and their courage.
Absolutely incredible performances, in fact! I highly recommend Crone Creed at the wonderful El Portal Theatre in NoHo!
Crone Creed Cast and Design
The production features a talented ensemble led by Vivianna McCormick as Vita, alongside Brennen Amonett, Ben Ubinas, Corey Dorris, Carolina Hoyos, and a supporting cast including Matt Kirkwood, April Nixon, Avery Norris, and Jacquelyn Ritz. The technical design incorporates set, projection, and puppet work by Daniel Chapman, costumes by Kaylee Silcocks, lighting by Eliseo Aragon, sound by Jonathan Flikkie, and music by Brandon Moore.
Where: The El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd, NoHo
When:
September 30 – October 17
Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with an additional performance on Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/371/production/1285555