[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Nicky and the Angels, story and book by Jillana Devine-Knickel, music and lyrics by Ali Mandelbaum at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2023.
It had been a long day and this play was the third of three today. I was tired, hungry, and determined to give this show my full attention and focus. Thankfully, I didn’t have to work that hard at it. I was smitten by the cast and revitalized by the songs and the performances. The house was packed and the anticipation in the audience was palpable. We were greeted by three young and charismatic actors, Nicky, Courtney, and Angie, played by Zachary Santolaya, Allison Belinkoff, and Katie Silverman, respectfully. The charisma and joy that exuded from the actors were as infectious as it was entertaining.
The story dealt with the dreams of our three central figures. Nicky wanted to be an actor, Angie a dancer, and Courtney wanted to go into premed. All were determined and had grand plans and they all worked as ushers at a theatre in Los Angeles, where all the action is set. A wrench in the works is represented by Jason, played with quiet brilliance by William Bennett. When these three are together, Nicky, Courtney, and Angie, we are presented with wit, presence, and a hope that these three will achieve their aspirations. We are on their side. Good writing and the right cast makes this happen.
Even though you have the right cast with great words to say, you still need a determined and inspirational captain of the ship to keep sailing forward. That role belongs to the director, Jillana Devine-Knickel. The Nicky and the Angels songs were well paced and the staging felt natural and didn’t get in the way of the story. I wasn’t the only one enjoying myself. The entire audience was in the pockets of the actors, foot tapping and wriggling in their seats in unison with the songs. What a pleasure to end my long day with this wonderful show. The only question I had left at the end, as we all exited out to Santa Monica Boulevard, was “What am I going to do with all this newfound energy?”
Read the NoHo Arts interview here>>
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9545?tab=tickets
When:
June 17 at 8:30 P.M., June 18 at 2:00 P.M.
Where:
Second Stage at the Broadwater
6320 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038