by Ernest Kearney — IAMA Theatre Company’s production, Sinner’s Laundry, at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood, can be summed up simply as Orange is the New No Exit.
Two inmates at a women’s correctional facility find themselves suddenly alone, surrounded by clothing which, had been worn by others but, is now lying empty, strewn around the floor about them.
Is it the Rapture?
Is it The Leftovers?
Did everybody else take off for pizza and forget to invite these two?
Who knows?
The script by playwright John Lavelle takes us many places, up and down and all around, but the fault is it begins nowhere and ends nowhere. If this was the playwright’s intention, well then congratulations, however from an audience’s point of view, it is somewhat frustrating.
“Dreaming is a lie we don’t know we’re telling ourselves,” Lavelle writes but I’m willing to wager that he hasn’t any idea what either that “lie” or that “dream” is. I certainly didn’t.
Director Becca Wolff succeeds in keeping the piece moving and in providing some needed mooring, but it is not enough to overcome the faults of the script.
Not that this evening is without reason to recommend it.
As the two prisoners suddenly faced with a reality that consists only of each other, Courtney Sauls and Christine Woods deliver strong and convincing performances that I’m sure will draw in some audience members despite the show’s flaws.
For instance, my lovely wife Marlene thought it was an utterly engaging production and thoroughly enjoyed it, voicing her opinion that I’m just a big grump for not.
She could be right. She often is.
♦ ♦ ♦
Sinner’s Laundry
October 20 – November 20
Written by John Lavelle
Directed by Becca Wolff
Starring Courtney Sauls and Christine Woods
Remaining Performance Dates:
Friday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. (understudy performance)
Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.
Lounge Theatre
6201 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90038
(just east of Vine)
For Tickets and Additional Information
Call 323-380-8843
or go to
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