[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of “Garden of Alla: The Alla Nazimova Story” written and performed by Romy Nordlinger, directed by Lorca Peress, and playing at Theatre West through July 23.
Theatre West is celebrating its 61st year as the oldest continually running theatre in Los Angles. So it’s a particularly fitting host to this fascinating biographical play about old Hollywood legend, Alla Nazimova.
This exquisite solo piece is the story of the legendary bisexual actress, classical violinist, writer and director, Alla Nazimova. The ‘garden’ refers to her iconic Sunset Blvd home, whose gardens were the stuff of another kind of legend and the playground of the greatest stars of silent movies from Charlie Chaplin to Anna May Wong and where Nazimova’s infamous “sewing circle” originated as a code for gay or bisexual.
Nazimova’s story starts long before that of course, before Hollywood was even a glimmer in Chaplin’s eye. She was born in Russia and it was her extraordinary talent as a classical violinist that bought her freedom. Nazimova traveled to New York, where she became the biggest star Broadway had ever known, still eclipsing stars of today with her financial success. Then Hollywood came calling and she conquered every role, then wrote, directed and produced film after film. Her ‘Salome’ became the first ‘art’ film and a landmark in gay cinema history.
I confess I knew almost nothing about Alla Nazimova before this wonderful play. Romy Nordlinger’s portrayal of this beautiful and phenomenal woman is utterly bewitching. She seems to channel her, the performance is so flawless. She slinks, she poses, she casually recounts harrowing adventures, and seems to almost hover over her life in the way someone who has suffered and fought her way through it does.
The production is graced by some utterly sublime mixed media. The sound is as gorgeous as the simple set and astonishing images and clips from Nazimova’s beautiful films. The combination of art and performance is beguiling and the lyrical and poignant writing by Nordlinger is a perfect tribute to All Navimova and her incredible life.
Nodlinger has performed “Garden of Alla: The Alla Nazimova Story” all over the country, but this is her West Coast debut with it. Surely there can be nothing more ‘Hollywood’ than this story of an immigrant trailblazer, LGBTQ icon, and mysterious and courageous woman. It’s an experience not to be missed and in these days of uncertainty a perfect reminder that we have been through other dark times and blossomed still.
“Garden of Alla: The Alla Nazimova Story” features video design by Adam Jesse Burns, and the original score and sound design are by Nick T. Moore. Anne Leyden and Benjamin Scuglia (Behind the Bar Productions) produce in association with Theatre West and Georganne Aldrich Heller.
Tickets:
When:
Through July 23. Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Where:
Theatre West
3333 Cahuenga Boulevard West, Los Angeles, CA 90068