[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of the world premiere of Tamir Yardenne’s The Young and the Rest of Us, running April 2 – May 10 at The Group Rep.
Imagine a play made entirely to entertain and fill you with joy. No great, profound life-changing moments. Nothing crass, nothing deep, nothing too meaningful.
Just a wild, ridiculous story filled with loud, mostly awful people being their usual selfish selves and creating one of the best pieces of live theatrics I have seen in quite some time!
The Young and the Rest of Us is a not-so-subtle tribute to every gloriously bad daytime soap opera you have ever had the misfortune to become addicted to. It begins with the day of the Emmys nominations and an overwhelming assumption by an actor 20 years into his role on one of the few remaining soaps on TV. For the last two decades, he has been nominated and never won. However, this year something changes.
The rest of the play is one farcical maneuver after another. Filled with sordid affairs, lightly veiled threats of violence, revenge-laced tirades, heartbreaking confessions, and absolutely no actual Emmys.
The characters are fetid and foul, brilliant and beautiful, and the performances absolutely wonderful!
The Group Rep has become a bastion of local theatrical ambition and talent. Everything they do is extraordinary. Fun, moving, impassioned and utterly authentic, each play is a new challenge and every story beautifully told. I’ve not seen a dud these many years, and I wager I never will.
The Young and the Rest of Us is another in a long line of magical, weird and unforgettable shows. Vivid, hilarious writing and inspired performances. What more could you possibly want from a play?
Drama, heartache, treachery and revelation…oh and a body in a suitcase. The bad guy gets their comeuppance! Oh, don’t we all wish that were more widely occurring right now!
Bravo once again to the good people of The Group Rep and this brilliant cast, giving a thousand percent of themselves and then some to this very funny and highly entertaining play. Hilariously dramatic, utterly riveting, and an exquisite homage to soap opera scandals!
Tickets:
When:
April 2 – May 10
Thursdays and Sundays at 7:00pm, and Saturdays at 4:00pm.
Talkbacks with the cast and crew after the Saturday matinees on April 4 and April 11.
Where:
Upstairs at the Group Rep
10900 Burbank Blvd., NoHo Arts District, CA 91601
The Young and the Rest of Us Cast
The cast features the talents of D. Anthony Boone, Tharon Dulla, Evelyn Kotch, Marcel Licera, Suzy London, Cierra Lundy, Erik Nothstein, and Erin Lee Smith.
The Team
Written by Tamir Yardenne
Directed by Douglas Jewell
Produced for the Group Rep Theater by Susan Carey Heenan
Asst. Director: Cynthia Bryant
Stage Manager: Kiana Irene
Costumes: Cyndy Payo
Board Operator: John Ledley