Tag: Genie

SENIORS OF THE SAHARA – MAGIC AT THE WOOTEN THEATER

SHORT TAKE:

Modern day fairytale comedy about the upheaval resulting from a magic lamp at a Senior’s assisted living apartment complex. On stage by the Impromptu Players at the Wooten (aka The Impromptu) Theater in DeRidder through March 14, 2020.

WHO SHOULD GO:

Aside from a few mild tongue-in-cheek references to … elderly intimacy, anyone can go. There’s no bad language, no disrespect to God or country, no inappropriate behavior and just a tiny amount of slapstick violence.

LONG TAKE:

Fantasy adventure heroics are usually the purview of the young. Barbara Pease Weber’s plays fly in the face of that cliche. Weber writes for those whose lifetime of experiences provide a more mature perspective on these familiar stories. Plays like Weber’s: Foolish Fishgirls and the Pearl, and The Witch in Apartment 204 (sequel to Senior of the Sahara) tackle supernatural characters from the point of view of the seasoned citizen. Sahara does the same.

In Seniors of the Sahara, Sylvia Goldberg and her friends, residents of an assisted living complex, must deal with the fallout from Sylvia’s unknowing purchase of the classic Genie’s Lamp and the nefarious character, Savalass, who has followed her trail to get it back at all costs. Sylvia ultimately must decide whether to re-embrace a full life with all of the dangers and pitfalls inherent therein, or stay inside her safe and routine, socially expected, dowager bubble of normalcy.

The refurbished West Brothers Building re-opened as the Wooten Theater in 2004 – a culmination of thousands of volunteer hours over two years and a $250,000 loan paid off with a challenge grant orchestrated by John Wooten in memory of his parents.

Clever use is made of Wooten’s intimate stage by director Maria Sanchez, her assistant Lille Robertson and producer Anna Wiggins. Blackouts instead of curtains allow for more room to expand on their two detailed sets, which were designed by Guy Bordelon and aided by Ken Harlow’s lighting and sound.

The cast have the easy camaraderie of friends whose shared experiences make them willing to tackle everything from burglars to romantic setups together. The chemistry amongst the quartet of matrons is natural and funny. Shirley Houin, as Sylvia, must face the brunt of the humorous hazards. Linda Bottoms makes her stage debut as Mabel Millstein, busybody and self-appointed yenta. Neda Robertson is Fannie Green, adventurous widow with more than a little hoolah left in her hips. And Denise Robertson is Thelma Wachter, the egger-on-er and only married member of the group who is the proverbial mouse who wants to play while her cat is away. Katrina Houser does double duty as Herman, Mabel’s cousin, who likes Sylvia but will settle for anything in skirts, as well as a peddler in the opening scene. Mario Carrillo is the wicked Middle Eastern previous owner of the lamp, Savalass, who will do anything to get it back. And Tommy Lang imbues Eugene, the geriatric genie, with the adorable personality of a sangfroid spirit.

My husband and I went to one of the dinner theater gala performances. Along with the performance, the dinner was delicious and served by the most charming teens whose volunteer efforts were to encourage tips which would go to fund their Youth Theater Summer Camp.

It was hard to tell who had the most fun – the amused audience, the vivacious volunteers, or the energized entertainers.

Seniors of the Sahara is a good reminder that you’re never too old to step out of your comfort zone for a new adventure. While all is played for laughs, there is great wisdom snuck inside the wisecracks and peculiar circumstances in which Sylvia and her friends find themselves.

So step outside of YOUR comfort zone if you have to – and go get your tickets QUICKLY as the show only runs through March 14, 2020 with, as of March 7, 2020, only one more dinner performance:

Please call (337) 462-2751 to make your reservations TODAY.

 

 

ALADDIN – FANTASTIC LIVE ACTION VERSION AND, DARE I SAY, BETTER THAN THE ANIMATED CLASSIC

 

AUDIO PODCAST OPTION OF ALADDIN REVIEW

SHORT TAKE:

Fantastic live action remake of the 1992 animated Aladdin.

WHO SHOULD GO:

Anyone and everyone.

LONG TAKE:

I walked into the movie theater fully expecting, nay planning, not to like this new version of Aladdin. I dreaded a cheap imitation of the original.

Happily, I could not have been more wrong. This live action Disney Aladdin musical is absolutely adorable and Smith is wonderful in it. It is both fresh and familiar, telling the same story, touching all the same plot points and featuring all of our favorite music, moments and lines, yet does not merely imitate. This Will Smith-led Aladdin does respectful homage and even honor to the memory, not only of its animated predecessor in general, but of Robin Williams in particular, and brings Smith’s own unique tone to the story.

It’s obvious that Smith loved and respected Robin Williams’ Genie. He is playful with the character that Williams invented yet gently puts his own spin on the character.

Robin Williams was frenetically comedic, exuding an ambiance of anxious-to-please humor, whereas Smith is more self-confident and wryly witty. Robin Williams excelled at impersonation, jumping effortlessly from character to character – that was his style. Smith stays Smith as Genie – that’s his style. Both are two variations on the same theme. Like Tchaikovsky’s tribute to Mozart in his Mozartiana, Smith hits all of his predecessor’s brilliant notes and rhythms but applies his own personal talents to this clever musical take on the Arabian Night tale.

The 2019 live action version, directed by Guy Ritchie (Robert “Iron Man” Downey, Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes features) even resolves plot holes and improves character arcs in ways that were not necessarily required of an animated feature, but meet one’s heightened expectations of a live-action movie.

The songs are all there with the same energy and comedy and touching moments portrayed by performers with whom, other than Smith, I have very little familiarity, but who are terrific in their roles.

Naomi Scott, an openly devout Christian and child of pastors, has an incredible voice and does an amazing job as Jasmine. Mena Massoud is charming and personifies the thief with a heart of gold (or diamond as the case may be). Marwen Kenzari (Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express, Cruise’s Mummy and the very peculiar dystopian What Happened to Monday), avoids a caricature “mustache twirler” Jafar and instead is portrayed as the flip side of Aladdin, with chilling effect. Navid Negahban (12 Strong, Fringe and American Sniper) creates a far more realistic portrait of a troubled and stern but fair and caring father and ruler in the Sultan than in the animated version. Comedian Nasim Pedrad (SNL and Despicable Me 2) creates the new character of Dalia, at once handmaid and confidante to the princess and focus of an unlikely suitor to adorable affect. Frank Welker reprises his voice acting talents as both Abu and the Cave of Wonders.

The color palette used was appropriately bright and well-defined, like the beloved cartoon feature brought to “real” life. The music was just as we remembered, with amazing singing from both Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud. There is also a terrific Bollywood-style courtship dance number which has been added to the proceedings. One of my only criticisms of this Aladdin is that there was not two or three more of them.

While I would love to wax eloquent about the zillion ways in which they have successfully and entertainingly brought this classic animated feature to life, I do not want to ruin a minute of it for anyone with spoilers. However, from the very first setup in the very first scene it will become obvious the thought, care and affection with which they have invested to recreate this story.

So go enjoy this delightful re-creation of the animated movie we grew up with. And, since you’re going anyway …. bring your kids.