[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Group Rep’s NETWORK, written by Lee Hall, based on the Paddy Chayefsky film, directed by Tom Lazarus, and produced by Stevie Stern.
The Group Rep’s NETWORK is an absolute triumph. An innovative adaption of one of the most iconic American films of the 20th century, Lee Hall’s version of the Paddy Chayesfsky film is utterly brilliant. It’s a cautionary tale of the allure of titillation over truth in media, truer now than ever before.
It begins with the sad ending of a once glorious career in television journalism. Our hero, Howard Beale, is an anchorman at the end of his rope. He has given up on the world and the world in turn seems to have given up on him. In what becomes his last night as anchor of the nightly news, he has a breakdown and declares that he will kill himself live on TV the following night. He is, of course, taken off the air. But manages to persuade his long-time friend and producer to give him one final send off the next night on the understanding that he will apologise and resign. He does neither and instead goes on another rant about the new media, politics and the state of America in general. Appealing to the working man as he rants about lies and life being “bullshit.” The ratings spike as never before, and the network gives him his own show…a talking head for the regular guy.
Each night on his show, he delivers monologues on the “truth” of our nation and the audience eats it up. But the pressure to remain popular turns him from a hero for the everyman to just another corporate sap.
NETWORK is a riveting story of mythical proportions. The characters are almost all completely flawed and even the nice ones are in trouble in the end. In fact, if this were a fable, I would hardly know what the byline would be…be careful what you wish for?
NETWORK has won all kinds of awards and I am not surprised. It’s searing and fascinating, troubling and sad, beautiful and grotesque. It is also stunningly accurate and shockingly prescient, given that it was originally written in the early 70s. We’ve clearly become steadily worse at the craft of news in the last 50 years then…
A great story can only work if those who tell it tell it well. As usual, the wonderful folks at the Group Rep outdo themselves. I am always so excited when I hear they are doing a film adaptation…they are ridiculously good at it. But I have to say this one really is a stand out for me. And not just because of its pertinence. Every single actor is absolutely phenomenal and the set! Wow…60’s TV studio! Gorgeous.
I have to give a particular mention to the mind-bendingly good Bert Emmett as Howard Beale. Deliciously warped, slowly becoming that which he hates, biblical in his fall…fabulous.
Can we be any more grateful than we are for the Group Rep? This group of serious thespians with a love for comedy and the iconic nature of film are a true gift for NoHo and Los Angeles. Supporting them is a no brainer for me! Please go and see this astonishingly excellent version of an icon of American cinema. Bravo GRT yet again!!
Tickets:
https://thegrouprep.com/show/network
Where:
The Group Rep at Lonny Chapman Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
When:
May 23 – June 29
Fridays and Saturdays 8pm. Sundays 2pm
Talkbacks with cast and staff after Sunday matinees on May 25 and June 1.
The NETWORK Cast
The Group Rep cast features the talents of Linda Alznauer, Patrick Anthony, Fox Carney, Ken Dixon Jr., Bert Emmett, Idielís Hernández, Belinda Howell, Mimi Kmet, Angie Lin, Hudson Long, Melissa Lugo, Bob McCollum, Michelle McGregor, Kevin Michael Moran, Tom O’Shea, Sherrick O’Quinn, Danny Salay, Tack Sappington, Amy Shaughnessy, Larry Toffler, Cathy Diane Tomlin and Sylvie Wiley.
The NETWORK Team
The production team includes Tom Lazarus (Set Design), Ellen Monocroussos (Lighting Design), Shon LeBlanc (Costume Design), Mikaela Padilla (Sound Design), Sammy Strittmatter (Audio/Visuals), Denise Downer (Marketing), Nora Feldman (Public Relations), Doug Haverty (Graphic Design), Suzy London (Artistic Council Liaison), Kristin Stancato (Webmaster & Online Marketing), Doug Engalla (Promotional Video & Photography), Jackie Shearn (Social Media), Dan O’Connell (Sound Consultant), and Lee Redmond (Set Build Foreman), Cathy Diane Tomlin (Production Stage Manager), and Tori Austin (Assistant Stage Manager).