Old Friends

Nothing says it better than the classic Simon & Garfunkel song: “0ld friends, sat on the park bench like bookends …old friends, winter companions, the old men.”

Now at the Actors Company, in its run at the 2015 Hollywood Fringe Festival, Old Friends comes to life onstage, and a poignant relationship is portrayed; based on Richard Hulse’s book Forty Crazy Years of Friendship, and brilliantly directed by Robert Arnold with a flawless cast.

BY BONNIE PRIEVER ON JUNE 18, 2015
The ensemble consists of the big man on campus; the best friend; the intellectual family member; the comic relief; the scorned brother – all the makings of a rich dramedy.

Life is a journey… death a destination. Oft times the road between the two is filled with memorable moments of childhood; secrets kept; joy and sorrow; and through it all… to quote the Beatles, “…I get by with a little help from my friends.”

This show is riveting from start to finish as it explores, in larger than life fashion, the deep

By Wyatt Haupt Sr.

Baines Spivington and Richard Hulse had been friends for years. Their friendship
began when they both worked at Ralph’s Grocery Store in Sherman Oaks on Ventura Boulevard thirty five years ago. Baines was the catalyst among the two; Richard, his disciple, along with a few others who thought the world of him.

Richard was fascinated by Spivington’s intellect, social skills, and creative talent.
Baines was well read and quoted frequently from literary classics during casual
conversations. Richard relied on Baines to set him up with girlfriends that no longer interested him. There were so many! As a young actor, Baines commanded the stage in non-equity productions. Richard hardly ever missed a performance. Baines was so smart and so cool! He made things happen! Baines was a hero!

In college, Baines’ classmates envied him because he was the apple of their English professor’s eye. He assisted the professor with preparations and paper grading. Surely Baines

HOLLYWOOD, CA. – OLD FRIENDS THEATRE COMPANY is proud to announce the WORLD PREMIERE of OLD FRIENDS. Based on the book, “Forty Crazy Years of Friendship” by Richard Hulse. OLD FRIENDS is written by award-winning educational theatre director Bob Arnold and features a cast of 9 actors playing at The Actors Company in West Hollywood, CA, June 13 @ 8PM, June 18 @ 10:30PM, June 21 @ 6:30PM, June 27 @ 3:30PM, and June 28 @ 3PM, 2015. This play is of one man’s journey dealing with the unexpected death of his best friend. They are reunited in the best friend’s burnt condominium to take a walk down the path of remembrance and reconciliation to the demons within.

“The script and story are both well written and kept the audience on the edge of their seats… I might have been at the Dorothy Chandler or Mark Taper.” – Jim Rowe, Producer/Director – Bush Gardens Shows, SPEBSQSA Shows-USA

“Tremendous show from start to finish.” -Tommy Gelinas, Founder/Creator – Valley Relics Museum

HOLLYWOOD, CA. – OLD FRIENDS THEATRE COMPANY is proud to announce the WORLD PREMIERE of OLD FRIENDS. Based on the book, “Forty Crazy Years of Friendship” by Richard Hulse. OLD FRIENDS is written by award-winning educational theatre director Bob Arnold and features a cast of 9 actors playing at The Actors Company in West Hollywood, CA, June 13 @ 8PM, June 18 @ 10:30PM, June 21 @ 6:30PM, June 27 @ 3:30PM, and June 28 @ 3PM, 2015. This play is of one man’s journey dealing with the unexpected death of his best friend. They are reunited in the best friend’s burnt condominium to take a walk down the path of remembrance and reconciliation to the demons within.

“The script and story are both well written and kept the audience on the edge of their seats… I might have been at the Dorothy Chandler or Mark Taper.” – Jim Rowe, Producer/Director – Bush Gardens Shows, SPEBSQSA Shows-USA

“Tremendous show from start to finish.” -Tommy Gelinas, Founder/Creator – Valley Relics Museum

“O