Peace

Tickets and Information

RE:Peace...with Honor!
The Getty Villa was having a ball or two Saturday night...and the place was jumpin?! The production of ?Peace? is a fun night out. It is so much better attending with friends, because friends love to laugh together. Peace provides the atmosphere for plenty of humor and a whole lot more. Let us start with the Culture Clash troupe. The three zany members adapted the ancient work and make it their own. They have added hilarious local references to the material, and their presentation of it is not to be missed. They have a chemistry that allows for rapid-fire humor that does not get lost in overdone oratory. As writers, I have to say they take their comedy very seriously! Additionally, the message that Peace really is worth giving a chance comes across a whole lot more palatable when we can laugh about the absurdity of war. Next, up we have two dynamic actors in John Fleck and Amy Hill. Mr. Fleck handles an immense amount of dialogue seamlessly, often on the fly. His stage presence is strong, delivery clear and timing impeccable. Add spot on comedic instincts and his lead is potent indeed. Ms. Hill is a comedic cyclone on the rampage from her unforgettable entrance to final curtain. They play extremely well off each other, and with the addition of the Culture Clash troupe, wonderful mayhem ensues. The Mariachi Divas are fine musicians and the vocals are really quite beautiful. They do not just sit off to the side, they move around the stage, and are very easy on the eyes. They interact with the players, showing a flair for the dramatic as well. Now, it is great that I found all the above entertaining and quite funny. However, someone had to piece everything together to arrive at that junction. That is where Director, Bill Rauch comes in. Taking individual talent and mixing it up often has unexpected results. It takes true vision to concoct what I witnessed and Mr. Rauchs alchemy was definitely the source. The support staff was great. The costumes rocked, the puppets were fun, and lighting was suitable. The Getty staff worked well with this collage of talent to coordinate a play worthy of the antiquities housed within the backdrop. It was nice, if only for a night, to see it come to life. Kudos to the Getty for having the huevos to back this strictly adult, but really more along the lines of burleqsue-ish adaptation. Leave the kids with the sitter, and remember to bring along your sense of humor! The only real problem I had with it was that it all went by too fast. Perhaps, that will be solved with the Culture Clash?s next project. I am looking forward to it.

Reviewed by the shadow knows... on Sunday, Sep 6th, 2009