What I liked
Some of the freshest, funniest writing I’ve heard uttered on a stage in Los Angeles in a long time.
You get two short plays, both hilarious and with a nod to the uniquely Angeleno spirituality and the universal message of attracting what you want – and sometimes, accidentally, what you don’t want.
This runs just under an hour and flies right by. I was laughing so hard I was afraid I’d miss the next funny tidbit, but still couldn’t stop myself from yelping and hooting.
If you do one thing this weekend, go see this. How do I tell you without giving a spoiler? Hmmm…. cup.cake. A cupcake. Like you’ve never seen him before.
What I didn't like
It was over too soon! Both of these plays feel like they could stand on their own and be fleshed out. I want more!
Also, I would love to be in that theatre with a bigger crowd. There were only a few rows of us, and it was already really raucus. It would be even more fun with a full house.
My overall impression
Sharp, clever writing and tight direction by Caroline Marshall. These actors have the most delicious roles to sink their chompers into. And thank you, writers (like her) who give women over the age of 32 something to work with!
Flawless tech by Joshua Silva (who also did the groovy graphic design – I mean did you SEE that naughty glint in the Cupcake’s eyes?).
Aura Lord of Dawgtown: Krista Conti shimmers with palpable desperation as the new-to-Venice vendor of all-natural incense, Carl Weintraub serves up two-parts gentle healer and three parts pompous shaman as the Aura Lord himself, and Jon Ryan McMahon will steal your heart with his open-chakra’d, free hug-giving, Grateful Dead lovin’ Gary.
Frankenstud: As Haley, Dagney Kerr is everything! She approaches her meditations, her mantras, and her bad dreams with adorable gusto. Finally, a heroine I can root for! Krista Conti is back, this time as BFF Jessica, firing off busy-mom task-mastery peppered with a strong desire for margaritas and ill-conceived matchmaking. And Max Lichtig is utterly brilliant as your ultimate guru, Master NOW, charming (but is he single???) waiter and of course, as the sexiest and most sinister frosted Cupcake you could ever DREAM of… this show is good enough to eat.
