Thursday, October 7, 2010

Compelling MUST SEE doozy, for all lovers of fashion, and old movie buffs!

TOLUCAN TIMES
by Pat Taylor

Only one production to discuss this week…
By Pat Taylor on October 6th, 2010 Printer-Friendly
But it was a compelling MUST SEE doozy, for all lovers of fashion, and old movie buffs!

A Conversation with Edith Head

Susan Claasen as Edith Head with film star Barbara Rush on the opening night of A Conversation with Edith Head.


Edith Head…the cleverly ambitious and undisputed Diva of fashion design from the 1920’s until her death in 1981, was quite a woman! She started out as a young costume sketch artist at Paramount Studios in 1924, and became a Hollywood legend! Having worked on 1,131 films, she was nominated for 35 Oscars in all, and WON a whopping eight of the coveted “golden statues” during her illustrious career.

Susan Claassen is a mesmerizingly focused and entertaining actress, who brings Edith’s personal journey and colorfully true “show-biz” stories to life, in her brilliant one woman play. Feisty, funny and flawless, she gives a fabulous performance, holding us captivated throughout! Touring this show in the U.S., London’s West End, and at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, since 2002, this is the L.A. debut…running in our own Noho Theatre District.

Delightfully decadent, and deliciously juicy, stories unfold “behind the scenes,” about the industry’s beloved movie stars. We are privy to a wealth of informative “inside stories”…served up with a double dose of laughs! Such legendary talents as Claudette Colbert, Mae West, Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Grace Kelly, Garbo, Hedda Hopper, Elvis, Redford and Newman (…just to name a few) must surely be either “giggling” or “grimacing” in their graves, as her “telling tid-bits” are told.

On a stunning set, loaded with film star photos and memorabilia, designed by Claassen and James Blair, with costume recreations by Chris Brewer and Maryann Trombino…We savor the taste of old Hollywood! Co-scripted by Claasen and Paddy Calistro, (who is a leading authority on Miss Heads life, and author of her posthumous autobiography) much of the dialogue comes directly from the famed designer, herself.

Every performance will be a bit different from the last…as Edith spontaneously answers pre-written audience questions, and responds to the scripted interruptions from a man in the front row…well played by a charming Stuart Moulton!

For a totally enjoyable evening of theatre, boasting a “tour de force” performance by a diminutive woman who bears a striking resemblance to Edith Head…This is the one to catch! Billed as “An Evening of Wit, Wisdom, and a Whisper of Gossip…” we enjoyed every moment!

Running through October 24 at the El Portal Forum Theatre,5269 Lankershim Blvd. in Noho. For tickets call (866) 811-4111.

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