by Shirley Lorraine
Decisions Come With A Price

Santa Paula Theatre Center’s 2023 season promises myriad opportunities to reflect on life-changing occurrences, starting with The Children by Lucy Kirkwood, now on the main stage. A multiple award nominee, the play offers a deep and thought-provoking look at possibilities after a disaster with far-reaching effects. For a serious subject, there are quite a few truly humorous moments interlaced, which offer a welcome relief from what could easily be a heart-stopping situation not outside the realm of possibility.

Imagine a disastrous event occurring at a nearby nuclear plant that causes wide-spread consequences. Now imagine you are a retired nuclear scientist grappling with a full understanding of the situation and yet the all-too-human desire to protect oneself and one’s family in an insular way. Your altered life is now shattered by a prior co-worker’s request to step away from comfort for the greater good. What do you do? How do you weigh your needs with the needs of many others?

The Children, directed by Santa Paula Theatre Center Artistic Director Jessi May Stevenson, is a masterful piece of theater brought to life by three extraordinary actors. Leslie Upson appears as Hazel, a retiree acclimating slowly to a new way of life. John Webber is her husband Robin (the two are married in “real life”), also a retired scientist, who goes to great lengths to adjust and protect Hazel from some hurtful realities. Their world is upended by Tracy Hudak as Rose, a fellow scientist, former co-worker (and more), who appears on their doorstep after a 30-year absence with what is ultimately discovered to be a life-changing request.

The three are a force to behold, drawing the audience in from the first moments. We laugh with them, feel their inner struggles, hurt with them over the turns their lives have taken, and ache with them for the weight of their future.

The staging is tightly choreographed to allow unencumbered movement in a small space. This cast is near perfection in their portrayals. Timing is paced well. Subtleties in the background are spot-on, and each of the three actors gives a strong, compelling performance.

I left the theater with a profound sense of obligation to think deeply about my priorities and pondering what would I do if I were able to make a difference on this huge a scale.
SPTC’s season will continue with a series of plays that will delve into a plethora of human situations which pose emotional challenges for consideration. If you are not already a season subscriber, I highly recommend this season as a time to become one.

In addition to the main stage productions, there are concerts, backstage readings and opportunities to witness works in progress. The Santa Paula Theatre Center offers a wide range of stagings to suit many varied interests. Check the website often for current offerings and updates.

www.santapaulatheatercenter.org or (805) 525-4645.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
The Woman King – Netflix

“The Woman King” is based on incredible true events from the 1800s involving an all-female elite force of warriors known as the Agojie that guarded the African Kingdom of Dahomey. A new young king Ghezo (John Boyega), had just taken power. Their enemy, the Oyo Empire joined forces with the Mahi people to raid Dahomey villages and sell their captives to European slavers. The powerful Oyo was led by General Oba Ade (Jimmy Odukoya) and had new guns and horses, but King Ghezo had his own fearsome weapon: the Agojie led by General Nanisca (Viola Davis).

In the Kingdom of Dahomey, the Agojie were respected and revered and the Dahomey people were not aloud to look upon them, rather bow their heads in honor of their service to the king and kingdom. They lived in their own palace, where men were never allowed, where they trained and lived comfortably among each other thriving on traditions of dance and culture in a world set apart. They trained in hand-to-hand combat, using knives, machetes and spears as well as some limited use of ball and musket firearms.

In order to fight with the Agojie, young women from the Dahomey and those captured in raids from other villages were offered the opportunity to train and had to past a final test in front of the king at the palace. A young girl named Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) was dropped off at the palace after her father tried several times unsuccessfully to wed her off to older men. Nawi was stubborn and always questioned authority, but was taken under the wing of Izogie (Lashana Lynch) who tried to keep her out of trouble and in good graces with General Nanisca.

Nawi was first to complete the brutal challenges of the final test and caught the eye of the king as well as recognition from Nanisca. Nawi had a chance opportunity to speak with Nanisca alone, who explained the she was only trying to keep Nawi safe and from harm with her harsh rule. Nanisca noticed that Nawi had a scar on her left shoulder and was very taken back. Many years before Nanisca was captured and raped repeatedly by Oba and his men and ended up pregnant. She hid her pregnancy, had a baby girl and Agojie warrior took her away after she was born.

Unknown to anyone else Nanisca had made a small cut on the baby’s shoulder and placed a small shark tooth inside to always be able to recognize it was her if their paths ever crossed again. Nawi was shocked when she was able to pull a small shark tooth from her scar and felt terrible for what she represented to Nanisca, but Nanisca said she had nothing to do with the terrible experiences of her past. This however, was another reason why Nanisca wanted to end General Oba and soon after the Agojie along with male warriors ambushed the Oyo camp.

Nanisca was unable to find Oba during the battle, and the Oyo ended up retreating having been overcome by the Agojie. Nawi was no where to be found once it ended, so Nanisca returned to Dahomey believing she had been killed in the battle. Nawi had been knocked unconscious and was captured with several other Agojie and had been loaded on a wagon to be taken to the slave port for sale by Oba. One of the Agojie was able to escape and went back to Dahomey to tell Nanisca what had happened.

King Ghezo had just appointed Nanisca as the Woman King, and was going to host a celebration to announce it to the kingdom, so forbid her to go and try to rescue Nawi. Though recently discovered, Nanisca’s family bonds were strong, so she defied his command and set out with others who volunteered to go to the slave port and rescue Nawi and the others.

Runtime 2h 15m

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Pamela, a Love Story – Netflix Originals

“Pamela, a Love Story” shares an intimate view into the life of world famous actress and model Pamela Anderson, including very personal details about her childhood, career and how she became an international sex symbol and activist. Though she was married several times, the love story focuses on her relationship with well known Motley Crew drummer Tommy Lee and their whirlwind marriage, as well facts about their infamous sex tape.

Pamela Anderson grew up in Ladysmith, B.C. Canada. Her father drank and would get in fights with her mother, and they split up several times but always seemed to reconcile. Pamela was molested at a young age by her babysitter and raped by a 25 -year-old man when she was 12, so had issues with self-confidence and considered herself a shy tomboy. After graduating high school, Pamela moved to Vancouver.

In 1989 Pamela went a football game in Vancouver with a group of friends that were wearing Labatts beer t-shirts, ended up on the jumbotron and became known as the Labratts Blue Zone girl. Labratts reached out to her to do a commercial and a poster which ended up Monday football. The commercial caught the attention of Marilyn Grabowski from Playboy, who contacted Pamela to offer her the Oct 1989 cover of Playboy.

The first snap of the camera during the photo shoot seemed to shatter her negative past and became a gateway for her to take power of her own sexually. Marilyn said Hugh wanted Pamela to be a playmate, convincing her she had a career in LA. All the playmates had breast surgery, so Pamela had her breasts enlarged. Shortly thereafter, Baywatch reached out but Pamela didn’t show up 11 times due to insecurity, then finally agreed. Baywatch became the most popular TV show in the world, and Pamela turned slow motion running into an art form.

In 1994 she met Motley Crew drummer Tommy Lee at a club she owned on New Years Eve. Tommy followed Pamela to a photo shoot in Cancun, where after four days of living, loving and partying they got married. Pamela said that with Tommy there was no secrets, deception or game playing, just full heart to heart explosive love, and they filmed everything with a camcorder gladly capturing their loving relationship. In 1996, a safe was stolen from their home while it was under construction. Unfortunately they discovered later it contained video tapes of Pamela and Tommy’s personal sex life when a copy of it was mailed to their home.

Tapes started being distributed everywhere and the owner of Penthouse offered them five million dollars for the rights, but they refused. Then a company named IEG put it up on the internet and it became the world’s first viral video, all without their consent and without any compensation. Though they attempted to take the issue to court, the deposition process was too difficult for Pamela, so they dropped the case, but have never made any money from the video.

Due to jealousy issues that ultimately resulted in a domestic violence charge for Tommy, Pamela left Tommy and followed with several failed marriages, including one to Kid Rock. She decided to go it on her own and just as her life with her two sons began to have some normalcy, the whole sex tape issue resurfaced when Hulu released a series called “Pam and Tommy” which also was not done with Pamela’s consent and she has never seen the series or sex tape video.

This documentary provides a very personal look into Pamela’s truth regarding her very public life. Runtime 1h 52m

by Shirley Lorraine

Rubicon’s Realistic Joneses Hits Home

Prepare for a few jolts as you experience The Realistic Joneses now playing in a limited engagement at the Rubicon Theatre in downtown Ventura. The Rubicon, known for breaking new ground and presenting thoughtful and intriguing works, has hit another home run with this production.

The Southern California Premiere, presented in association with Gare St. Lazare Ireland and the Laguna Playhouse features a stellar professional cast of four. Rubicon returnees Joe Spano and Faline England, accompanied by acclaimed actors Sorcha Fox and Conor Lovett, pull the audience into their world tightly packed with trials and tribulations, emotional roller coasters and physical and mental challenges.

Presented with no intermission, we meet Bob and Jennifer, a suburban couple coping with Bob’s gradual disintegration due to a progressive neurological affliction. They cope the best they can, moment by moment. As Bob, Spano delivers the plays’ most humorous moments with thoughtful sincerity and an air of innocence. In the role of his patient and loving wife Jennifer, Sorcha Fox is immediately identifiable as she embodies the often-thankless caretaker role. She carries the weight and resignation of facing the unknown in her vocal and physical presence throughout.

New neighbors John and Pony (Conor Lovett and Faline England) make an unexpected appearance which leads the four into uncharted territories. They gradually reveal similarities that pull them together. The crux of this play, for me, was the impact of the unfailing power of those things left unsaid that compel us to meet challenges in different ways. All four characters are deeply ingrained in denial, acceptance, sadness and routines that enable them to cope with the realities facing them. It is not the challenges themselves, but how we cope with meeting those challenges that make up the realities of our lives. In my opinion, the author truly captured the nuances of those frailties.

The Realistic Joneses is a powerful piece of work written by Will Eno that has been nominated for numerous awards, and rightly so. Directed with a fine hand by Judy Hegarty-Lovett, it is performed with unusual staging touches that bring the audience fully into becoming an integral part of the story. I left the theater feeling as though I knew the families and wanted to somehow help them as they coped with the undeniable challenges that lay ahead.

Rubicon consistently delivers meaningful works that make us reflect. The Realistic Joneses is filled with pathos, and most effectively, humor. Whether we laugh in recognition or with empathy, humor really does heal the soul and makes many dark moments tolerable. This work gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own things unsaid and how we might approach them with knowledge and acceptance.

The Realistic Joneses is presented through February 12, after which it will travel to enrich the Laguna Playhouse attendees. Try and catch it if you can.
www.rubicontheatre.org/ 805-667-2900

by Pam Baumgardner VenturaRocks.com

As of press time, tickets were still available for the Perla Batalla’s second concert at the Beatice Wood Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 11 (Friday’s show sold out). You can expect selections from Perla’s original Mestiza song cycle, her one-woman Frida Kahlo show, the Great American Songbook Spanish language classics, new original work and several selections of Perla’s arrangements of Leonard Cohen songs. Ticket information can be found on the venue website at BeaticeWood.com.

Traveling through town on what they’re calling “Kick Up Your Boots” tour will be three solo female singer/songwriters, Thea, the Band (San Diego), Micah Justice (Inland Empire), and Katie Leigh (Ventura). They’ll make two stops locally, one at the Ojai Valley Brewing on Friday, January 27 and then again at Topa Topa Brewing on Colt Street here in Ventura on Saturday, January 28.

The Ojai Underground hosts the Refugees on Saturday, January 28 featuring a trio of artists including, Cindy Bullens who toured with Elton John and was nominated for two Grammy awards, Deborah Holland from Animal Logic (Stanley Clarke, Stewart Copeland), and Wendy Waldman co-writer of Vanessa Williams’ No. 1 hit, “Save the Best for Last.” You can get ticket information at OjaiUndergroundExchange.com.

Skull & Roses returns to Ventura in spring over the week of April 19 through 23 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds with Phil Lesh & Friends playing the two final days. Other performers include Melvin Seals & JGB, Dark Star Orchestra, Oteil & Friends, Jerry’s Middle Finger, local favorites, Shaky Feelin’ and so much more! You can find everything you need from passes to lodging and camping information at the official website SkullAndRoses.com.

And in case you hadn’t heard, the Strawberry Festival returns this spring, May 20 – 21, in a new location at the Ventura Fairgrounds. Live music is a big part of this event and this year they will have three stages going all day both days including a battle of the bands contest. The official website hasn’t listed any bands yet, but I noticed that Stage #3 is presented by Rock City Studios out of Camarillo with this stage featuring students of all ages and skill levels. I love that!! You can keep in the know at CaStrawberryFestival.org.

Quick Notes: Lucas MacFadden, better known as Cut Chemist (former member of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli) plays the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, January 26; catch Dreamland, a celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford on Saturday, January 28 at the Grape; Raging Arb and Friends play the Garage on Saturday, January 28; Guy Martin plays The Twist on Saturday, January 28; The Refugees play the Ojai Underground on Saturday, January 28;
Cadillac Zack presents Chris Cain at Cantara Winery on Friday, February 3; French Blues singer/guitarist plays Namba on Saturday, February 4; Katie Skene Band plays the Deer Lodge, on Saturday, February 4; and tickets for Ugly Kid Joe on May 5 at the Ventura Theater have gone on sale.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Devotion – Paramount +

Devotion is the true story of United States Navy Officer Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors), who was the first African-American aviator to complete the Navy’s basic flight training program and also the first African-American naval officer killed in the Korean War at the age of 24. Brown was stationed at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island and in early 1950 Lieutenant Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) transferred to the Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) and became Brown’s wingman.

The VF-32 had been flying F8F ‘Bearcat’ fighter planes, but the Navy created a modified F4U-4 Corsair they wanted them to fly in the Korean War. The Corsair was much more powerful than the planes they had been flying, and the pilots were warned by the chief engineer the if they didn’t manage the power properly they would easily crash. After learning the basics on the Corsair, the next test would be for them to land the plane on an aircraft carrier, which was difficult due to the Corsair having a longer front making it difficult to see in front of the plane.

After passing their carrier tests, the VF-32 was transferred to the USS Leyte, which deployed to the Mediterranean Sea to deter Soviet aggression. They were granted shore leave in Cannes, France and while off on his own Brown met actress Elizabeth Taylor at the beach, who invited him and his squadron to a casino she would be at later that evening. The other guys were skeptical about Brown’s chance meeting the a famous Hollywood star, but saw upon arriving at the casino it was all true and that Elizabeth Taylor had a thing for men in uniform, especially aviators.

Upon returning to the ship the VF-32 was assigned to take out two bridges critical to the enemy’s advances. Before they departed, Brown was given an expensive watch by Leyte’s black crewmen, who admire him for his work. The squadron left and began its attack, however after destroying the first bridge they took on heavy ground fire so retreated under Hudner’s command. Brown felt he could take out the second, so broke formation, flew back and took out the second bridge. Unfortunately, Hudner’s report made it appear that Brown didn’t follow command and was written up for insubordination.

Even though that wasn’t what Hudner intended, Brown explained that everything happens differently for him because he was black. Hudner sought to repair the situation, but had to redirect his focus due to the VF-32 being assigned to give air support to ground troops that were trapped and quickly losing ground. The squadron successfully attacked the enemy troops causing them to retreat and saving the Marines on the ground, however as they set out to return to the ship the sky filled with ground fire striking Brown’s plane which began to lose oil.

Brown was forced to drop his ammunition and fuel tanks and crash land his plane in a field. As Hudner circled around, he saw that Brown was somehow stuck in the plane and decided to try to rescue Brown following the same steps to crash his plane. When Hudner got to Brown, his leg was trapped and despite their joint efforts was unable to free Brown’s leg. A rescue helicopter arrived just as Brown lost consciousness, and Hudner had no choice but to leave him. Upon returning to the plane the squadron was told a rescue was too dangerous and later were sent to destroy both planes so they wouldn’t end up in enemy hands.

For his actions in Korea, Brown was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Air Medal, and the frigate USS Jesse L. Brown (FF-1089) was named in his honor.

Rated: PG-13 Runtime 2h 19m

by Shirley Lorraine
A Slice of Life in a Texas Small Town

The Elite Theatre Company in Channel Islands opens their 2023 season with two one-act plays, Laundry and Bourbon, and Lone Star, both by James McClure. Billed as comedies, the two are connected only marginally by character references, punctuated by light chuckles.

Laundry and Bourbon takes the audience into the small town of Maynard, Texas where Elizabeth (Lea Roman) and her friend Hattie (Jolyn Johnson) enjoy Bourbon and coke in the afternoon and air their inner dirty laundry while attempting to fold actual laundry. Both married right out of high school, they find that the memories of what was carried them farther than the realities of their lives now. They are later joined by Amy Lee (Maddie Boyd), now a devout Baptist with a husband, Cletis, who runs a successful furniture store. All three are gossipy, biting and banter with bitterness over the state of their current lives. No one really seems happy as the author explores many intricacies that can accompany the slow erosion of relationships and the phenomenon of small town life where everyone seems to know or be involved in everyone else’s business.

All three give solid performances with a range of sometimes priceless facial expressions. The verbal pace is rapid, twangy and seems to echo bouncing off the stark walls of the minimalist set. As a result, I found many lines absorbed under the weight of those elements and moving on before the audience could catch up. I felt some opportunities for real laughter were lost as the actors hurried on to the next revelation.

The second act, Lone Star, gives the menfolk a place to air their woes. And air they do. Elizabeth’s husband, Roy (Scott Blanchard) is a former jock who, having survived the Vietnam war, now is a bitter drunk with PTSD. He is joined out behind Angels, the town bar, by his younger brother, Ray (Patrick T. Rogers) who is seemingly content to stay in the background of his brother’s former fame and who provides the balance of reason as Roy storms about. The third character is Cletis (Asher Mitchell), husband to Amy Lee, the only one of the three who appears to have made any progress in his life.

All three actors handle the material to the fullest. Action is fierce, emotions are at their peaks and the actors’ commitment to their roles is evident.

Director Kimberly Demmary certainly had her hands full with this accomplished cast and challenging material. All six actors seem to have been given a free hand to emote wildly and loudly, throw things around and generally chew up the stage with their inner angst. The plays were an evening well spent if you find that witnessing the emotional disintegration of others is entertaining.

The Elite’s season will continue with a variety of lesser known offerings including works on the South Stage. Now in its 10th year at the current location, and celebrating 29 years of existence, the Elite has grown in scope while retaining its intimate feel. www.TheElite.org.