by Shirley Lorraine
Theaters offer digital performances
The Elite Theater based in Oxnard, is presenting periodic digital offerings. Opening on August 21 and continuing through Aug. 28 is 24 Minutes by David Dudley. A one-act play, 24 Minutes features a 911-emergency operator (Yanelly DeLaRosa) who takes a disturbing call made by Caller 1 (Rachel Lemos). The call is coming from a frightened, near-hysterical young woman shot in the thigh who is bleeding on the bathroom floor of a club. Attempts to get specific information is spotty which causes the operator to reflect on similarities surrounding an estrangement with her own daughter of the same name and orientation as the caller. The operator struggles to stay professional and calm while at the same time trying to adjust her own thinking to be more understanding. The call takes only 24 minutes, at which point the caller is no longer heard.
The play is dedicated “in honor of the 49” which took a little research for me to connect as it is not clear from the piece by itself. The 15-minute play is a well-acted and well directed slice of time depicting a portion of the terrorist shooting at the Pulse Nightclub, a gay club in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016. In that melee, 49 died and 53 others were injured. The incident has been cited as the second worst mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history up to that time.
Next up for the Elite is 20 Questions by Allie Costa, to be presented September 25, 26 and 27. Check the website at www.thelite.org to buy a $5.00 ticket which reserves you an invitation to the stream.
Elite’s digital performances are made possible in part by the City of Oxnard’s Arts in Public Places Grant Program, the Oxnard Cultural Arts Commission, and by patron donations.
A new work is soon to be in rehearsal at the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse, digitally, of course. Playwright, actor, and director Michael Perlmutter will be premiering his new work “Polite Conversation & Wine”. Watch for information on the YouTube streaming event to be held the weekend of September 26. Check www.skywayplayhouse.org for up to date information.
Through a special collaboration, the Rubicon Theatre is offering free digital viewings of Arlene Hutton’s Nibroc Trilogy, previously performed at the Rubicon. There will be two performances of each of the three plays streamed online at Vimeo.com.
The Last Train to Nibroc will air Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 30 at 2 p.m.
See Rock City will air Saturday, September 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 6 at 2 p.m.
Gulf View Drive will be seen on Saturday, September 12 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 13 at 2 p.m.
All performance require a reservation to receive an online invitation and password to join in. www.rubicontheatre.org has all the details.
Ventura County theater is out there. Grab a snack, wear something comfy, log on and tune in.
