By Cory Bilicko
Entertainment Writer
I usually don’t take a self-referential approach to writing a play review, but I think, in this case, it will better serve the occasion.
When I first accepted the task of reviewing The Found Theatre’s Hell Valley High School Reunion, it was with some reluctance. Although no stranger to the footlights in high school, college and community theatre, when I attend any kind of live performance, the idea of being brought onstage, or being otherwise acknowledged by the performers, is a cringe-inducing proposition. I prefer my entertainment to be one-sided escapism, and, based on stories I’d heard about The Found Theatre, the fourth wall is non-existent there.
When my rather reserved friend Sergio and I arrived at the front door of the theatre, we were already being greeted by in-character actors who gave us nametags that assigned us our predetermined identities, complete with yearbook photo and club involvement. I was bestowed with the moniker “Teddy Finklemeyer,” a four-eyed, bow-tied fellow in the Young Libertarians.
I submitted to my new persona for the evening and, hoping that this capitulation would be the extent of my participation as an audience member, took a seat!all the way in the back.
Hell Valley High School Reunion was written by Found founder Cynthia Galles and Virginia DeMoss, who directs this production, after DeMoss had attended several reunions, and it was partially inspired by the play Tony and Tina’s Wedding, in which the audience interacts as family and guests at the fictional wedding where everything goes wrong.
Reunion is a multimedia production that implements wacky scenarios, monologues, musical performances, dancing, video segments and, of course, audience interaction to celebrate a reunion of the Hell Valley High “Vermin.”
Galles, DeMoss, et al first performed Reunion in 2001, just days before 9/11, and they were soon faced with a decision–whether or not to continue with performances. They decided it best for the cast and crew to be together, so they went on and donated that week’s proceeds to the firefighters in New York. One can imagine the challenge of doing such a show, not only one of blatant silliness, but one that demands audience involvement in comedic situations at a time when a simple chuckle felt inappropriate.
Six years later, with only one other original cast member, the delightful Laura Bosworth, DeMoss has gathered a robust group of actors to fill the shoes of, among others, grumpy Principal Good, karaoke lounge singer Dean Diamond (who croons at the reunion 12 songs for the price of ten) and, as Dean himself puts it, “sexy cafeteria lady” Tessy Ptomaine. Each in the cast of six has certain personae s/he fits better than others, but Bosworth and Ron Grigsby excel at fashioning particularly dissimilar characters.
Speaking of fashion, plays featuring actors with numerous parts usually depend on simple alterations in dress to suggest different characters, but it seems that special attention has been given to costumes here. Though not elaborate, the outfits in Reunion authentically represent the types of people the actors are portraying. The aforementioned Tessy really looks like a woman you’d see dumping “turkey surprise” onto your mint-green cafeteria tray, and Sister Mary Magdalene (Joyce Hackett) truly looks like the one who’d put the ruler to the knuckles for your use of a four-letter word.
That is why, near the end, when the lights dimmed and she slowly approached my friend and, with a most sincere disposition, asked him to slow-dance with her, I lost it. I really did. Full-throttle belly laugh.
The sight of this bespectacled nun in full habit appealing to my just-tagging-along gay friend for a romantic spin under the disco ball was too much. I guess you had to be there, and I’m glad I was. Because that’s when I got it.
The whole “I hope they don’t call me up there” thing was worth it because I’d learned a valuable lesson about seeing this kind of theatre… bring a friend as sacrificial lamb!
Hell Valley High School Reunion will be reminiscing one last weekend this Friday, July 20, and Saturday, July 21, at 8:30 p.m. at The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Boulevard. Tickets are $12.
For information or reservations call (562)433-3363 or go to www.foundtheatre.org.
