Now playing at the Ahmanson theater is Sir Peter Hall's stiff and arch production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." Sir Peter should be banned from the Ahmanson because he has once again brought to that venue an entertaining script with his bland and boring direction. Lynne Redgrave chews up the scenery when she is on stage, but does it in a way that is out of synch with the other actors, none of whom have anything close to the panache called for to make this show work. A major disappointment.
By contrast, a major surprise just closed at South Coast Rep in Orange County- Jeff Whitty's funny and moving take on the place where fictional characters go to thrive or perish. Well served by nimble direction of Bill Rauch, and an able group of comedic actors, I thoroughly enjoyed this show well beyond what I expected from the gimmicky plot description. This show deserves a long and happy life beyond SCR, and provided a nice way fro LA area theater to start the new year.
I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" at the Brentwood Theater at the VA grounds in Brentwood. Although the show lags a bit when Jay is not performing his considerable ventriloquism skills, Jay is one supremely talented ventriloquist who creates funny and original characters. The showplays through mid-Februarybefore heading for Broadway, so try to catch it if you can.
Other recent shows I have seen that left me bored and/or disappointed were "Permanent Collection" at the Kirk Douglas, and "Book of Liz" at the Blank Theater. The first took itself too seriously, the second was just too silly for my taste.
