Last Saturday, Hugo and I saw Finding the Burnett Heart at the Lillian Theatre in Los Angeles. I was on assignment with Life in LA, and the entire experience confirmed to me just how much I love my job.
Click This Link to Read my Life in LA Review
You've read the review. Now, here's a little something about the cast.
Jeff L. Williams is the Lead Producer, and a lead actor in the play, and as it turns out, a kindred spirit. In my review, I erroneously credited The Lillian Theatre for having the class to choose U2 songs in their "intercom music" before and after the show, and during intermission. After reading my review, Mr. Williams gave me a much needed oh, by the way, when he told me that the music selection was a soundtrack, so to speak, and that they had hand selected each of the songs. And that the U2 selections were all his own personal contribution. Another reason why I love my job. I get to work with awesome people, with impeccable taste.
This guy with impeccable taste also happens to be a fabulous actor, as it turns out. He plays the father of a 16 year-old boy who comes out that he is gay. By far the most endearing personality in the show, he warmed the hearts of the entire audience, when he accepted his son, and he promoted it boldly, in spite of the fact that he was challenged with accepting the sexual preference of his son. That is no small feat to tackle as an actor, when most of us can't even pull that one off in real life. To love, and accept someone dear, when you don't accept what they're doing. But Mr. Williams pulled it off very well, allowing us to see a true battle going on in his spirit, while his family fell apart before him. He demonstrated love and tenderness, and he also demonstrated frustration, and disappointment. His character had confrontations, and Mr. Williams was able to let the audience in on the disappointments in his childhood without coming off bitter, or resentful, because his character really wasn't about either of those things.
This guy with impeccable taste also happens to be a fabulous actor, as it turns out. He plays the father of a 16 year-old boy who comes out that he is gay. By far the most endearing personality in the show, he warmed the hearts of the entire audience, when he accepted his son, and he promoted it boldly, in spite of the fact that he was challenged with accepting the sexual preference of his son. That is no small feat to tackle as an actor, when most of us can't even pull that one off in real life. To love, and accept someone dear, when you don't accept what they're doing. But Mr. Williams pulled it off very well, allowing us to see a true battle going on in his spirit, while his family fell apart before him. He demonstrated love and tenderness, and he also demonstrated frustration, and disappointment. His character had confrontations, and Mr. Williams was able to let the audience in on the disappointments in his childhood without coming off bitter, or resentful, because his character really wasn't about either of those things.
James Handy is a veteran TV, film, and stage actor, and he played the boy's grandfather. Mr. Handy worked his craft flawlessly, playing a mean-spirited, bigoted, and defeated man. It took an actor with his level of talent to take the audience on an emotional ride that brought us from a place of hating him, then pitying him, and eventually loving him. Many people can do anger on stage, as we have many places from which we can draw that emotion. But to compartmentalize that emotion and display the varying levels, and triggers of anger, is definitely an art form. He is able to shift in and out of humor, and he keeps us challenged in our feelings. He can say one thing, and think another, and let us see it, without overacting. He's subtle, but yet such a powerful actor. It was a joy to watch him in action.
Colleen McGrann played the mother of the boy, and hers was the character with whom I identified with the most. Thankfully, God has brought me far, and has showed me that it isn't my job to dispense hate, and judgement. It's my job to dispense love. Unfortunately, Grace doesn't extend any grace to her son, and in fact, is antagonist in the play. Or, at least, her bitterness and anger are. Ms. McGrann embodied the spirit of every one of us who have gotten lost in the troubled waters of misguided faith. She was natural as an angry mom, angry wife, and angry Christian. A thin, smaller woman, she was still able to push along the views of her character, going against 3 men at once, towering over them every time. She expended high energy in just about every scene. She would deliver a biting line, and the audience would gasp. She owned all of us, bringing an audible response from us all, many times.
The boy. Wow. Joel Johnstone played the 16 year-old boy. If I hadn't done a little snooping, I wouldn't have known that Mr. Johnstone is really 27. Mr. Johnstone gives us insight into what it might be like for a child who has always respectfully abides by the rules of his parents, but yet has a secret that he fears they can't accept. He has to demonstrate a wide range of emotions, and responses to the situation that would be a tremendous challenge for any actor, and he does it so well, we are able to really get what the boy is going through. We see denial, fear, anguish, shame, anger, coolness, and amazingly, we also see happiness, laughter, joy, peacefulness, and even acceptance. We see it in his face, his body, his countenance. We hear it in his voice. It takes a great deal of substance to pull all that off. Joel Johnstone is the heart of the play, because of what he is able to bring to it.
Colleen McGrann played the mother of the boy, and hers was the character with whom I identified with the most. Thankfully, God has brought me far, and has showed me that it isn't my job to dispense hate, and judgement. It's my job to dispense love. Unfortunately, Grace doesn't extend any grace to her son, and in fact, is antagonist in the play. Or, at least, her bitterness and anger are. Ms. McGrann embodied the spirit of every one of us who have gotten lost in the troubled waters of misguided faith. She was natural as an angry mom, angry wife, and angry Christian. A thin, smaller woman, she was still able to push along the views of her character, going against 3 men at once, towering over them every time. She expended high energy in just about every scene. She would deliver a biting line, and the audience would gasp. She owned all of us, bringing an audible response from us all, many times.
The boy. Wow. Joel Johnstone played the 16 year-old boy. If I hadn't done a little snooping, I wouldn't have known that Mr. Johnstone is really 27. Mr. Johnstone gives us insight into what it might be like for a child who has always respectfully abides by the rules of his parents, but yet has a secret that he fears they can't accept. He has to demonstrate a wide range of emotions, and responses to the situation that would be a tremendous challenge for any actor, and he does it so well, we are able to really get what the boy is going through. We see denial, fear, anguish, shame, anger, coolness, and amazingly, we also see happiness, laughter, joy, peacefulness, and even acceptance. We see it in his face, his body, his countenance. We hear it in his voice. It takes a great deal of substance to pull all that off. Joel Johnstone is the heart of the play, because of what he is able to bring to it.
The show closes this Sunday. You have got to go see it! Call 323.960.7792, or go to www.plays411.net.
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