[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of United Stages’ production of DIVA the Play, written and performed by Vivienne Powell, directed by Leah Patterson, and running through November 10 at the Zephyr Theatre.
What a beautiful performance by the extraordinarily talented Vivienne Powell in a play written by her about the celebrated Australian opera singer Louisa McCrae. This play is about loss. For Louisa, it is the terrible loss of her memory. She is in a nursing home and on the table in front of her is a suitcase. She is asked to open it and, when she does, each item neatly packed away brings back a memory of her life.
A ticket, a scarf, a picture, a piece of music, each deeply loved possession brings her back to who she is. Connecting her to her memories, her loved ones, her triumphs and her tragedies. For the audience, it is a magical unfolding, like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, its wings slowly unfurling, their colors becoming more and more vivid with every passing moment. But a butterfly only lives for a short while and Louisa’s recollection of her life sadly only lasts as long as the time it takes her to remember and to share her journey with us. Some of those memories are of her beloved mother, some of her husbands, her friends, and her struggles from small-town Australia to performing in Vienna, Paris, London and Milan. It is wonderful and filled with joy and longing.Â
We are treated to some of the most glorious vocal moments I have ever experienced in a theatre. Vivienne Powell as Louisa McCrae gifts her audience with her sublimely fluid and deeply moving voice. But it’s not just her singing voice that moves us. Her performance as a woman who has forgotten herself is heartbreaking. She lays herself utterly bare, her vulnerability tragic, and as she remembers pivotal and loving moments in her life it’s riveting.
DIVA is a dream of a solo play. Vivienne Powell a master at transporting us into the life of a fading icon. She is fragile and stubborn and completely real. I cannot recommend this astonishing heartrending performance strongly enough. Brava!!!!!
DIVA is playing again this weekend, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm and 7pm….go and see this incredible play!!!!
Where:
The Zaphyr Theatre
7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles CA 90046
Tickets:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/na71/1382198
THE TEAM
Vivienne Powell – Playwright / Performer
Leah Patterson – Director
Megan Reed – Production Stage Manager
Kim A. Tolman – Production Designer
Kate Bergh – Costume Designer
Felicity Jurd – Dialect Coach
Nova Meza – Sound Designer
Sandra Kuker-Franco – Publicist (SANDRA KUKER PR)
Jacqui Rathner – Front of House Manager