Elevator

Hudson Guild as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival

Reviewed by Bill Raden, L.A. Weekly

June 22, 2010


One might expect seven strangers trapped in an elevator for nine hours to begin their ordeal with an attempt at reserved civility and end it tearing out each other's throats. Not playwright-director Michael Leoni. In the muddled logic of his implausible claustrophobia comedy, the close confines become a de facto confessional, as his initially icy, urban archetypes quickly melt and begin spouting deeply personal truths that would take the average neurotic years to work up to in psychotherapy. Pedestrian dialogue, non sequitur psychology and a slack staging defeat a valiant ensemble in an interminable 90 minutes; the Marx Brothers did it much funnier in less than three.

Hudson Guild, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Fri., 10:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 3 p.m.; thru June 27. (866) 811-4111.
 

 
Subscribe to Back Stage

More LA Theatre Reviews

Sideways

LA Review: 'Sideways the Play'
In “Sideways The Play,” at Ruskin Group Theatre, swilling with overgrown boys in wine country is enjoyable, but we’r... More »

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Unscripted Blog


    Visit Unscripted »

    Sponsors

    Back Stage Video

    Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, talks about opening every submission and what he wants to see in a headshot.; casting; Duncan Stewart; headshot; new york city; open submissions; Duncan Steward, director of casting, talks about what he wants from an actor in a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and lack of ego.; advice; casting; Duncan Stewart; new york city; tips; Duncan Stewart, director of casting, talks about what he expects from an audition and common mistakes actors make.; advice; auditions; casting; Duncan Stewart; new york city; Alaine Alldaffer breaks down the real role of a casting direcor.; Alaine Alldaffer; casting; casting director; Grey Gardens; play; stage; theater; Casting director Alaine Alldaffer talks about casting "Saved" and all the misconceptions about being an actor in New York City.; Alaine Alldaffer; casting director; NYC theatre; play; saved; NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what actors need to know before walking into an audition. (Part 1 of 2) ; Bernie Telsey; casting director; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about working on soap operas. (Part 1 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teschner; soap opera; NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how to give your best audition. (Part 2 of 2) ; Bernie Telsey; casting director; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about working on soap operas. Need only beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teshner; soap opera; We spoke with casting director Mark Teschner about auditioning for soap operas. (Part 3 of 3) ; General Hospital; Mark Teschner; soap opera; Videos for the Back Stage News & Features section.

    ADVERTISEMENT