And this is the easiest theatre in town. My friend and I decided to go to the opening night only a few hours beforehand, and luckily for us, we were able to get tickets. We just jumped up and went, with no fuss. There\u2019s tons of free, convenient parking just a few steps below the entrance, and no seat in the auditorium is bad. What\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n
And once inside, we spent the next two hours laughing our butts off. I love an evening like that!<\/p>\n
![\"(L-R)](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/RFS_0411-copy-2-e1563736440520.jpg\")
<\/a>(L-R) David Hunt Stafford, Gail Johnston, Lane Compton, Mona Lee Wylde, Rebecca Driscoll, and Martin Thompson. Photo by Ed Krieger.<\/p><\/div>\n
All you really need to know about Renovations For Six<\/em> is that it\u2019s a comedy involving three couples, all at different stages of their lives, who are all coincidentally renovating their homes. That last part is just the theme that runs throughout, but is not really crucial to the plot. The youngest pair invites the other two to a party at their new house. Anyone who has ever thrown a soiree, or even attended<\/em> one, should really appreciate that scenario. So, that means everybody<\/em>!<\/p>\n It\u2019s written by prolific Canadian playwright Norm Foster. The whole play is very clever. And modern<\/em>. You can tell pretty quickly that this one was written very recently.<\/p>\n The very first comment from my friend when the play was over is that when you, as an audience member, can anticipate a line or catchphrase that is about to be repeated, before the character says it again, that\u2019s good writing! I concur.<\/p>\n One really fabulous surprise element of Renovations For Six<\/em> is that from time to time, the three couples, (or parts of them,) are on stage at the same time, walking right past each other, though in their own homes. That’s very creative of either the author, the director, or both.<\/p>\n Rebecca Driscoll and Lane Compton. Photo by Ed Krieger.<\/p><\/div>\n There\u2019s something positive to be said about all six cast members, which is always a pleasure for me. (It\u2019s so much easier to write a glowing review than a negative or middle of the road one!) Besides that each actor is excellent in his or her role, their bios in the program are revealing.<\/p>\n From her dearth of credits, I have a feeling that this is the first professional gig for Rebecca Driscoll, (who plays the wife of the young couple.) Though she started off a little shaky in the beginning on opening night, (which is totally understandable,) she certainly held her own throughout the rest of the play, and hit many of the best lines just right.<\/p>\n On the other end of the spectrum, career-wise, Gail Johnston (of the senior-most duo) reveals in her bio that she\u2019s worked with some of the greats in the business, which is very<\/em> impressive. That means that she\u2019s been in the biz for a really long time, so no wonder she has such excellent comic timing. She reminded me a bit of one of my favorite actresses, Ruth Gordon, and made me laugh every time she spoke.<\/p>\n Gail Johnston and David Hunt Stafford. Photo by Ed Krieger.<\/p><\/div>\n And I always love seeing the lovely Mona Lee Wylde. That woman is the consummate professional, right up to her perfect posture! I have confidence in a scene just seeing her enter. (And she and her character\u2019s husband, played by Martin Thompson, matched each other the most.)<\/p>\n David Hunt Stafford, who has performed at this theater probably more than anyone else, (and is also the Artistic and Managing Director of Theatre 40,) outdid himself this time. Who knew he was that funny?<\/p>\n And I appreciate that the attractive young husband, Lane Compton, adds so much to look at. It\u2019s a good move by Theatre 40 to cast such a cute guy in multiple productions!<\/p>\n But the winner of the program writing<\/em>, (of all time, actually,) is Martin Thompson. It is mandatory<\/em> that you read his bio–it\u2019s perhaps the best one I\u2019ve ever seen, displacing Dame Edna from having that honor. (You know how good his bio is if I\u2019m bumping my favorite performer in the world for him!)<\/p>\n Mona Lee Wylde and Martin Thompson. Photo by Ed Krieger.<\/p><\/div>\n The script really gives each cast member his or her moment to shine, especially Mona. That\u2019s much appreciated in an ensemble piece.<\/p>\n This show is very well-directed by Howard Storm; the challenging blocking, especially with everyone on set at once in Act II, could have been very confusing, but it is not.<\/p>\n Just don\u2019t be misled by the sort-off slow start. The humor really ramps up from there. And remember–it\u2019s not how you start, it\u2019s how you finish. And this one finishes perfectly! I love an adorable ending, and this one has just that!<\/p>\n I always adore Jeff G. Rack\u2019s sets, and this one, though the furniture was covered with paint drop clothes the entire time, featured some items on the walls that I love more than anything in life\u2014paint cards!!! Yes, the ones you get at hardware stores that show the paint color samples. No worries\u2014I know<\/em> it\u2019s nutty of me, but they make my mouth water! My mother gave me some when I was about five, knowing how crazy I am about colors, and I still consider them to be my favorite gift ever! (Well, outside of the credit card<\/em> Mr. X gave me for Christmas when we had been together for just over a year, with my<\/em> name on it but his<\/em> number!!! What a guy, eh?)<\/p>\n (L-R) Mona Lee Wylde, Rebecca Driscoll, and Martin Thompson. But I have eyes for only those paint cards on the back wall! Photo by Ed Krieger.<\/p><\/div>\n So, for every<\/em> reason, I really recommend that you see Renovations For Six<\/em> at Theatre 40 in the next few weeks. You might even come away with some paint color tips!<\/p>\n Renovations For Six<\/em> running through August 18, 2019<\/strong> RENOVATIONS FOR SIX Renovations For Six is the best show I\u2019ve seen at this theatre in a while. Actually, it\u2019s the best show I\u2019ve seen anywhere lately! I had been wondering if any entertainment was ever going to make me laugh again! [Note: In the almost five years that I\u2019ve been going to Theatre 40,<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>
\n Theatre 40 \u00a0241 S. Moreno Drive \u00a0Beverly Hills \u00a0310-364-0535 \u00a0www.theatre40.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"