Naked in NoHo
A quick detour from my Hawaiian adventures to mention some good theater.Regular readers of my blog may remember I mentioned Naked in Idaho, the play my roommate Michael Cornacchia is in, when it opened a few weeks back. Well, I not only saw it opening weekend, I saw it again last Saturday, and I heartily recommend you see it too, before it closes this weekend.
The production is comprised of two one-acts, both cleverly written by Sean Michael Welch. Although the two plays differ in character and situation, thematically they are very much alike in that both explore the boundaries of what constitutes "Art" and how people react, to hilarious effect, once those boundaries are broken.
In the first piece, Boise, Idaho, a couple (Hara Finnegan and Mark Shrier) enjoying a meal at a cafe unwittingly find themselves as part of a narrative being said aloud by an imaginative stranger (Scott Rognlien, bringing a delightful subversiveness to the character) at a nearby table. The couple's mundane words and interactions become trashy, high-drama to the stranger, who envision both involved in tawdry affairs and secrets which threaten to tear their relationship apart. Once the two start to play along, and get swept up in the narration of the stranger, fact and fiction begin to merge and what's real and what's not becomes harder to define in their minds. It's all hilarious and clever, and the rapid pace and timing of all the actors involved is quite impressive.
In the second piece, Try Not to Step on the Naked Man, a married man named Barker (Jake Johnson) comes home and is shocked to find a naked man, Frank (a charming, hilarious and surprisingly subdued Michael Cornacchia) lounging on the floor of his living room. He yells for his wife, Donna (luminous and funny Maia Peters) who not only knows about Frank, she approves. It turns out Barker inherited Frank from his dead Aunt Gertrude, who bought him as a piece of art. When Barker's boss, Carny (Dana Powell) shows up for dinner to discuss a possible raise, hilarity ensues as Barker is the only one uncomfortable with the naked man, much to the delight of Donna and Carny.
Yes, Cornacchia is indeed naked throughout, but he's behind a couch for most of the play, so the only ones who aren't spared the indignity of Michael's nakedness are the players onstage, although the audience does get a flash of ass now and then, always resulting in laughs.
The small theater was packed last Saturday (June 10), so if you want tickets you should definitely call and pre-order them. Both shows are short and funny, so if you're looking for a good time at the theater, and a perfect show to bring friends to, definitely check it out.
Almost forgot to mention the funny "Changing the Set" song by Tim Koch, between plays. It's very funny and takes away the tedium of the necessary set change, especially when the actors sing and play along to the music. That ushers come out to refill your complimentary beverage (wine and beer included) adds to the fun.
Naked in Idaho
THE RAVEN PLAYHOUSE
5233 Lankershim Blvd., N. Hollywood
Friday -Saturday, 9 p.m., thru June 17
(818) 771-7202
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