My excuse is that I am English and Joyce Carol Oates in not an author I was exposed to, but it’s not a very good excuse, especially after my modicum of research and her illustrious career.
Having admitted to my ignorance, now to this most recent production of the play ‘I Stand Before You Naked’.
Not performed in Los Angeles for more than ten years, this play debuted in London in 1992 and is about the presumed paradox of a woman’s strength and vulnerability. An ongoing theme of the extremely prolific, and much celebrated, american author Joyce Carol Oates .
Brave and truthful are the words that keep running through my mind after watching the excellent production.
The stage is set like a boudoir, all red velvet and mirrors. And the play opens with a women, completely naked, reclining on a sofa, her back to us.
To begin with such a courageous and awe inspiring act, something that many of us would never have the nerve to do, is a wonderful way to bring us into this world. A world of a particular group of women, and their stories of pain and love, humiliation and bravery, horrible, ethical mistakes and their consequences.
I was riveted.
The actresses who performed on the evening I attended where half of the cast. The other half perform on successive nights, but if these performances are anything to go by, any night you choose to attend will be brilliant.
Each actress is on stage throughout the play, standing as if at a cocktail party, waiting to give their monologues. Its a powerful way to show how each of us has our own story to tell, our own past that makes us who we are and something that connects us all.
The stories vary from light to dark, universal and perhaps not so. I would spoil the play I think if I gave anything more away. Surface it to say that we can all relate one way or another of these women's histories, and the paths they chose.
The subjects these monologues cover are close to everyone’s hearts, not only women, and I urge any men who might attend to open your mind, you will certainly see yourself in these women stories too. Each of these women are magnificent, equal parts vulnerable and courageous. Mothers and sisters and daughters and wives.
It would be difficult to single out any one performance, and to be fair, since the play is so reliant on the emotional support each actress and even each audience member, brings to the night, I will simply say that everyone of these accomplished performers touched my heart, and my husband, who came with me, was equally moved.
There is some nudity, beautifully and naturally handled with grace and pride. I understand why the play requires it, and loved the context, a very brave lady indeed!
Gloria Gifford directs this play with a tender and humorous touch. Her staging is perfection, and the comfort of her actresses clearly paramount. I particularly loved the use of the large mirror, we should all see ourselves so completely! I cannot remember when I have seen a more committed and rehearsed cast. You can truly feel all the hard work and effort that everyone has put into this play.
I have already told everyone I know to go and see it, ‘I Stand Before You Naked’ is rarely performed and this production at the lovely T.U. Studios in North hollywood is well worth every effort to attend!!
I highly recommend it!!
Cast:
Akeda Abrams, Raven Bowens, Shelby Brown, Leana Chavez, Mariangelica Cuervo, Yvette Devito, Genevieve Joy, Davia King, Abigail Kochunas, Kelly Musselwhite, Tracey Nelson, Nakta Pahlevan, Kasia Pilewicz, Lauren Plaxco, Cynthia San Luis, Deidra Shanell, Tejah Signori, Pamela Smith, Samiyah Swann, Nancy Vivar, Lucy Walsh, Jade Warner, Sabrina Won.
Crew:
Stage Managers; Justin Truesdale and Keith Walker, Lighting Designer; Chris Rivera, Scenic Design; Jeffrey Casciano, Davia King and Sterling Cardon.
Produced by Chad Doreck, Lauren Plaxco and Jade Warner. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood, CA 91607
November 8th - December 14th 2014, Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7.30pm
Admission is $20 and reservations (310) 366-5505
Online ticketing at: www.tix.com
ADULT/NUDITY
Photo (L-R): Kelly Musselwhite, Samiyah Swann, Nancy Vivar, Cynthia San Luis, Sabrina Won, Genevieve Joy, Jade Warner, Leana Chavez, Tracey Nelson, Kasia Pilewicz.