My overall impression
This year one of the plays being performed during the Hollywood Fringe Festival is Neil La Bute’s Some Girl(s). I admit I was a little bit hesitant about the storyline — This guy on the verge of getting married, suddenly feels the need to meet up with five old girlfriends whom he believes he hurt by walking out on them, wants to give them an opportunity for closure, but I like live theater so I purchased us tickets (and a button).
Seven o’clock found us at The 3 Clubs Cocktail Lounge for the preview performance of Some Girl(s). We were seated front table which lent itself to the intimacy of the play’s setting. The lights went down and my apprehensions vanished.
Gregory James’ performance made Guy into a Joffrey Baratheon kind of character – you hate him but you can’t take your eyes off of him.
It was the Girl(s), however, who made the play. Without giving too much away all I can say is that the Girl(s) and Guy saw his impact on their lives totally differently.
My favorite of the Girl(s) was Bobbie, played by Brianne La Flair. Again, I don’t want to give away any secrets, but La Flair was called upon to deliver a variety of emotions during their scene and she did so with an ease and skill that made it all feel natural, as if I was eavesdropping on my neighbors rather than sitting in a theater. Without a doubt, Brianne La Flair deserves Best Actress.
Do yourselves a favor. Go see Neil LaBute’s Some Girl(s), directed by David Svengalis, starring Gregory James, Laura Hartley, Dana Kalan, Rachel Parker, Brianne La Flair, and Katherine Diaz at The 3 Club Cocktail Lounge. Definitely not to be missed!
