![\"Annalee](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/d_d_0262_copy_2-e1443718226946.jpg\")
<\/a>Annalee Scott, Ben Theobald, and Christopher Franciosa. Photo by Ed Krieger.<\/p><\/div>\n
Double Door<\/em> is a period piece about a trio of wealthy grown siblings in New York in 1910. Of course, there’s a weak nebbish of a little brother, a na\u00efve innocent sister, and, best of all, the evil villainess. You can just tell something ominous lurks, but you’re not really sure what it is. Or how it will all end. (In all honesty, I did<\/em> see a couple of things coming, but was somehow still surprised by them.)<\/p>\n I think I can speak for the entire assemblage when I say we were all riveted to the action, especially in Act II. It’s an ideal show to see with someone you want an excuse to hold on to. (Sorry guys\u2014I’ve<\/em> already seen it.)<\/p>\n The casting was all excellent. Each actor fit his or her role, and, for once, I had no quarrel with any<\/em> of the acting. Rhonda Lord, as the hateful older sister, was of particular perfection. Every time she walked to my side of the stage, I noticed myself cringing.<\/p>\n I’ve been to Theatre 40 a few times now over the past year, and each time the set is spot-on. This one, designed by Jeff G. Rack, was wonderful. (But make sure to sit in the center section for this one. There are view-obstructed seats on one side, and on that same side, where my friend and I sat, we weren’t able to see one big, important area of the stage. So, be careful when you order your tickets.)<\/p>\n Rhonda Lord and David Hunt Stafford. Photo by Ed Krieger.<\/p><\/div>\n The costumes, by Michele Young, are straight out of old movies, (which is what I made note of\u00a0during<\/em> the show, when I had no idea this story was already a film!) I only wish the miscreant sister had changed wardrobe as much as the other females in the cast. She’s so rich that I think she would own more than two dresses.<\/p>\n The most popular cast member made only two brief appearance, though, and had not even one line. It was Raffles, a tiny Yorkshire terrier! I actually started the applause on his second pass across the stage. Somehow, his little walk united the crowd, and our communal reactions built comfortably from there.<\/p>\n Double Door<\/em> is one of the very few shows I can recommend with absolutely no hesitations this year! If you’re a fan of film noir, thrillers, psychological dramas, good acting, perfect theatre, and yes, Yorkies, you must absolutely see this show at convenient Theatre 40 while you can!<\/p>\n [Note: I swear, when I got home that night, I could not stop researching the subject! For those of you who become as obsessed with this story as much as I have, here’s a link to the 1934<\/em> New York Times<\/em> review of the film!: www.nytimes.com\/movie\/reviewres=9A0DEEDE143CE23ABC4D53DFB366838F629EDE<\/a>.]<\/p>\n Double Door<\/em> running through October 19, 2015<\/strong> DOUBLE DOOR I really enjoyed this play!\u00a0 Actually, the entire opening night audience seemed to feel the same way.\u00a0 The second act had us all reacting as one to the on-stage dramatics. Before I began this e-zine, (which means before I worked almost non-stop, as I do now,) I used to love watching old black-and-white<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n Theatre 40 241 S. Moreno Drive Beverly Hills 310-364-0535 www.theatre40.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"