[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Sunset Pictures’ The Wisdom of Eve written by Mary Orr and directed by award-winning director Bryan Rasmussen at the Whitefire Theatre through November 24.
This brilliant, perceptive play is adapted from the book by Mary Orr, written in the 40s, on which the film All About Eve was based. The story revolves around a young actress, Eve, and her meteoric rise to Broadway stardom. From wheedling her way into a job as assistant to the legendary actress Margo to taking up with anyone she deems able to assist in her career, to manipulating Margo’s best friend Karen and aligning her to her own cause. She stops at nothing to achieve her goal…
It’s a portrait of ambition, but Eve isn’t the only character whose flaws are revealed and, as the story unfolds, it puts our own needs for validation, purpose and position in question. How far is too far? When some of us have support and guidance and the ability to wedge our foot into open doors, what right do we have to criticize those who don’t, and their attempts to make their own shady path forward?
As awful as Eve is, you cannot come away from this play without some admiration for her. She is clearly a little psychotic. However, she creates the opportunities she seeks and grabs them and her performing talents and her motives are never in question, only her sometimes diabolical actions.
The Wisdom of Eve is a really wonderful play and the performances are terrific. Dahlia Waingort Guigui as Margo is an utter revelation. She ‘is’ Margo, subtly embodying the slightly fading leading actress determined to hang on to the ingenue roles for as long as possible with a touch of tenderness that makes her believable and far from weak. Eve is played by her daughter, Esther Guigui, and I must say that is a brilliant bit of casting. She shines as the steely Eve, never giving anything away, always icy calm. Not sure I would have the nerve to do battle with her! But then everyone is really excellent in this production, the cast is spot on. I love the casting of Barry Brisco as Karen, it is a pure stroke of genius, he is absolutely wonderful!!
These characters and their stories are skillfully directed by Bryan Rasmussen. He gently guides and lovingly supports these fine actors and the results of this collaboration are truly magical. I also have to make mention of the sublime costume and set design. This theatre is a beautiful blank slate, yet they somehow managed to create the effect of a big set and a limitless budget for vintage wardrobe! Incredible!
I highly recommend The Wisdom of Eve. How fabulous that we are able to see such talented actors playing these wonderfully written roles in a small theatre in Sherman Oaks! The Whitefire Theatre truly is a playground for stories with value and weight and The Wisdom of Eve is yet another in a long line of excellent, meaningful and beautifully wrought plays. Bravo to all!!
When:
October 12-November 24
(no show October 26)
Saturdays at 8PM
Closing night show: Sunday, November 24 at 7PM
Where:
Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
The Cast
The cast features (in alphabetical order) the talents of Cayla Black (Vera), Barry Brisco (Karen), Brady Gentry (Harvey), Dahlia Waingort Guigui (Margot), Esther Guigui (Eve), Mitch Hara (Shared role – Tally-Ho/Leila), Eric Keitel (Lloyd), John Mese (Clement), Michael Mullen (Shared role – Tally-Ho/Leila), and Mitch Rosander (Bert Hinkle).
The Team
The production team includes Bryan Rasmussen (Director), Dahlia Waingort Guigui (Producer), Jeff Rack (Set Design), Derrick McDaniel (Lighting Design), Michael Mullen (Costume Design), and Mitch Rosander (Sound Design & Projection Design based on original projection graphics by Bree Pavey).