WIGS

Rarely if ever have dread and delight merged like they do in Lindsay Beamish and Amanda Vitiello's "Wigs." The piece, part drama, part dance, part performance art, presented as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, doesn’t swing back and forth between gloom and glee, but manages to blend them into a single feeling throughout its too-short hour. The dread is embodied by a tiny area, cordoned off by a curtain that looks like a child’s sheet, which invisibly serves as both offstage and the center of the lives of the characters, girls played by Beamish and Vitiello (contradictions are everywhere in "Wigs"). From there emanates the voice of a man we never see, playfully played by the two women alternately in mock-deep voice, who has, we com... full review

Funny, creepy, moving all combined with two incredible performances. I woke up the next morning thinking of it. Rarely has a piece of art stayed with me like that. Congrats Lindsay and Amanda!!... full review

This is all about the interaction between two women with each other...and also within themselves as individuals...I loved the dialogue between the characters. Who we have to be for other people..and who we have to be for ourselves...and the emotional destruction that occurs when we have to be someone we aren't meant to be...... full review

Amazing!... full review

Initially, I was curious and intrigued by the description of the show and then once there found myself fully immersed in the performance. I was immediately drawn in by the strange and sweet scenes and as the story progressed I related to the complex characters in their remarkable situation. This is exactly why I attend theater. Several days later I am still musing and contemplating this show.... full review

I saw this when it was being developed at UC Davis. It's an incredible show.I think if a play can one minute make you howl with laughter and then dissolve into tears it's ticking a lot of boxes. The two Artists and I do mean real Artists , Lindsay Beamish and Amanda Vitiello are sexy, hilarious, deeply moving, and incredibly physically adept and takie you on a fascinating journey which left me in awe. Thank you ladies so much! ... full review

Wigs is a tragi-comedy of the highest caliber, exposing of the darkest elements of the human frailty with wit, levity, emotionally riveting choreography and gorgeous lighting. I was unhinged at the end, feeling a spectrum of emotions as complicated as a trauma bond itself. The two-woman show is so engaging you won't mind the bare bones staging. GO SEE IT!... full review

Brilliant exploration of a Trap. Startling, engaging, and well out-of-bounds. Great! ... full review

"Wigs" is a perfect example of what can be achieved by "intimate theater" which is a hallmark of the LA theatre scene. In a small, 25 seat space, the two actresses Lindsay Beamish and Amanda Vitiello manage to tackle difficult materials while still creating a connection with their audience by fusing an energetic performance style with compelling moments and humor. The play focuses on two young women (or are they girls?) who are apparently locked in a room by a man who remains unseen, behind a curtained structure. The girls pass their time rehearsing dance moves, while trading quotes from commercials and popular culture mostly from the 1980s ("Where's the Beef?" "ET Phone Home") The free association and play is stopped only by the building se... full review

Intense, thought-provoking, funny and beautifully acted. WIGS leaves you on the edge of your seat as you join Jenny Parker and Ruthie Featherstone on their unforgettable journey to escape their captor! Amanda Vitiello and Lindsay Beamish give incredible performances as they portray the unimaginable circumstances of two young girls being held against their will; and you root for them every step of the way! The immensely talented Vitiello and Beamish keep you captivated throughout the entire show and their outstanding performances stay with you long after you leave the theatre. WIGS is a must-see!... full review