‘Entropy’ is on Thru End of May

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language has five definitions for “entropy” [ěn′ trә-pē]. Four of the five could aptly be applied to Bill Robens’ play of the same name currently bouncing off the walls at Theatre of Note.

Myself now, I think I’ll go with #2 and #5.

#2 – “A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.”

#5 – “Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.”

entropy4.jpg
Now some plays are too multifaceted to give a decent short synopsis of. ♦

And some plays are just too stupid to give a short synopsis of. ♥

But some plays offer up the opportunity for a synopsis that’s just right:

“The Three Stooges meet The Right Stuff in a graphic novel by Gary Larson.”

Yep, that about covers Bill Robens’ Entropy.

Now kudos to the artists credited in the program with those unique skills we see all too seldom on stage:

Jen Albert “Fight Choreography,” Andrew Leman “Puppet Design,” Fred Manchento “Model Spaceship Construction,” and – here’s my personal favorite – Misty Lee “Magic Consultant.”

Happily all of their good efforts are to be partaken of in producer John Money’s undertaking which splashes down somewhere between the hilarious and the histrionic.

A strong cast earns their laughs, especially David Wilcox, Brad C. Light, Alexandra Mikhailovna and Sputnik. (Easily his best work since 1999’s October Sky.)

Christopher William Johnson directs with a wicked intensity and devilishly clever flamboyance.
Truth be told, on opening night while I didn’t witness the blind given sight or the lame walk, I did see an entire audience laugh themselves sick.

And that ain’t bad.

“Whiny Danish guy gets a visit from his old man’s ghost….”  ♦

“Jewish Afro-American slaves during the Civil War…. What the – ?!? Are you serious?!!??  ♥

*  *  *

entropy1.jpgENTROPY

Written by Bill Robens
Directed by Christopher William Johnson

Produced for NOTE by John Money

at Theatre of NOTE
1517 N Cahuenga Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028

Previews April 17 & 18 @ 8PM
Opens Friday, April 24 @ 8pm
Performances thur May 30, 2015
Friday, Saturday @ 8PM
Sunday @ 7PM

Tickets: $25 Seniors/Sudents $20
For tickets or information: www.theatreofnote.com

Written by

An award-winning L.A. playwright and rabble-rouser of note who has hoisted glasses with Orson Welles, been arrested on three continents and once beat up Charlie Manson. His first play, "Among the Vipers" was a semi-finalist in the Julie Harris Playwriting Competition and was featured in the Carnegie-Mellon Showcase of New Plays. It was produced at the NPT Theater in Ashland, Oregon and Los Angeles’ celebrated Odyssey Ensemble Theatre. His following play, “The Little Boy Who Loved Monsters” was produced at The Hollywood Actors Theater, where he earned praise from the Los Angeles Times for his “…inordinately creative writing.” The play went on to numerous other productions including Berlin’s The Black Theatre under the direction of Rainer Fassbinder who wrote in his program notes of Kearney, “He is a skilled playwright, but more importantly he is a dangerous one.” Ernest Kearney has worked as literary manager or as dramaturge for among others The Hudson Theater Guild, Nova Diem and the Odyssey Ensemble Theatre, where he still serves on the play selection committee. He has been the recipient of two Dramalogue Awards and a finalist or semi-finalist, three times, in the Julie Harris Playwriting Competition. His work has been performed by Michael Dunn, Sandra Tsing Loh, Jack Colvin and Billy Bob Thornton, and to date, either as playwright or director, he has upwards of a hundred and thirty productions under his belt, including a few at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater as puppeteer. Kearney remains focused on his writing, as well as living happily ever after with his lovely wife Marlene. His stage reviews and social essays can be found at TheTVolution.com and workingauthor.com. Follow him on Facebook.

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