[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of In the Unlikely Event of an Actual Emergency, written by John Mullican, directed by Rickie Peete and produced by Andrea Meshel at Hudson Guild Theatre through October 26.
What an utterly brilliant title for a play! I admit I was really looking forward to seeing this, and not just because of its title. But also because of the fact that it’s based on the playwright’s actual experience surviving a plane crash and also because I had heard great things about the workshopped version earlier in the year. And then there is the added intrigue of the play having an on-stage very much ‘live’ DJ throughout…wow.
And wow, as it happens, is a rather accurate noun for this entire play. We are invited to board the ‘flight’ as we enter the theatre and after the very charming inflight safety check and once Arturo, our hero, has taken his seat, we are off!
Truly phenomenal projections on three sides of the stage create the effect of being in the plane and watching the ground drop away below us as this huge lump of steel fights its way up into the ether. You know that sickening stomach drop you get when the plane takes off? Whether you like flying or you hate it, everyone gets it. Well, I got it in this little theatre in Hollywood. The projections are that good. And once up in the air, we follow the flight and Arturo’s story both in the air while we wait for the crash and shown in flashbacks of his life earth side. So many events led to him being on that fateful flight and for him to change his seat to one further back in the plane, rows away from the one he had paid extra for…something that absolutely saved his life.
In the Unlikely Event of an Actual Emergency is a play about fate, art, love and being who you really are in this world. Embracing it, celebrating it, being brave enough to walk towards your dreams. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? But it’s not an oversimplification of that. Each character has their own voice, their own reason. Arturo’s struggle to feel worthy is I think central. Worthy of his wildly creative and successful parents, worthy of a life beyond them, and in the end worthy of surviving when so many didn’t.
I loved this play. It’s full of magic and is so skillfully and creatively presented. With gorgeous projections and music mixed live onstage, creating another language, another layer to the emotional and intricate story of this man’s life. The performances are also beautiful. So much care has been taken with every single nuance of this production that it feels effortless and unbound.
I highly recommend In the Unlikely Event of an Emergency” It’s a witty, heartfelt and hugely original piece made with purpose, integrity and heart. What better reasons are there to create!? Bravo!!
Tickets:
https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/boxoffice/cart.asp?show_id=6436&orgin=guest
Where:
Hudson Guild Theatre
6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles , CA 90038
When:
Through October 26
Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 3PM and 8PM
The Cast
The cast includes Dolores Aguanno, Stacy Aung, Jason Leon-Baptista, John Mullican, Katheryn Peña, Glenn Ratcliffe, and Amoni West.
The Team
Stage manager: Dayanara Williams, Sound design: Chris Moscatiello. Video/Projection design: Fritz Davis. Lighting design: Steven Pope. Choreography: Kiana Moattari.