Will Call Index

Ingrid Wilmot Rates
Southern California Theater
and Restaurants
Call Ingrid at (310) 377-7680

- Absolutely must see
- A wonderful evening of theater
- An excellent evening of theater
- A good show, but not great
- Mediocre, but better than no theater at all
No Stars - Do something else or stay home

Wonder of the World by David Lindsay-Abaire
This playwright is a master of whimsy (not a word about him in the program) but having seen his earlier Fuddy Meers at the Colony Theatre in 2006, I've become a fan. He creates the most outlandish characters and situations and this wacky, wonderful play is no exception. Cass Harris )Brittney Kalmbach), a pretty, young woman, gets the seven year itch after discovering her husband's (Stephen Peirick) rather strange sexual fixation and, as the play opens, is seen furiously packing to run away and start living the life she's always dreamed of. She's made a list of things to to do and see, among them, a trip to Niagra Falls (in the most realistically produced scene you'll ever experience). Along the way, she joins up with Lois (Geraldine Fuentes), a suicidal tippler, is stalked by a couple of amateur private eyes (Frank Farmer and Daryl Hogue) and is romanced by Captain Mike (Bill Wolsky). Director Holly Baker-Kreisworth keeps the action fast and furious, scene changes are cleverly accomplished and the actors go through their paces with extraordinary skill. Special mention is due Margaret Schugt in multiple rolls, including the costumes waitress in various theme restaurants. This is a hilariously funny show, especially if a little lunacy is your cup of tea, so quaff heartily and enjoy!

Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre Street at 8th, San Pedro. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday 8/24, 9/7 and 9/14 at 7 p.m. Thrusday 9/11 and 9/18 at 8 p.m. $22, seniors and students $20. (310) 512-6030 or www.littlefishtheatre.org. Entrance and parking lot in rear.

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: Just two blocks away is BEACH CITY GRILL, a fun, funky, little place. They have dubbed themselves "an uncommon restaurant)." The themes is colorful Caribbean, beach casual rules. There are lots of specials on the white board, but always available on thei regular menue is the Marengue Cuban style pork, tender, boneless shreds, lean as a surfer dude, in the center, a mound of deliciously flavored rice, alongside, black beans and platanos, all for $14.95. Same price for their Beach City shrimp in a tomato-white wine sauce, scented with fresh basil, choice of pasta or rice. There's a gumbo for $13.95, a Jamaican combo platter for $17.95 and plenty in between. they're famous for their desserts, homemade bread pudding, assorted pies and the chocolate decadence (lobotomy), a pudding-like affair with a generous topping f whipped cream, the real thing, not shot from guns, $6.50.

Beach City Grill, 376 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. B.Y.O.B. Street parking (310) 833-6345. Reservations for five or more only.

Pen by David Marshall Grant
A particularly well cast play, set in the Nixon Era, which explores various subjects - divorce, maternal tyranny, psychosomatic disabilities plus some plot twists, not all of them credible but dramatically effective.

Jill Remez, a shrill shrew of a mother you love to hate, is brilliant. Her mood swings are deadly and her behavior is unpredictable. As her son, Dennis Bendersky, a young man caught in a spider's web of torment, who desperately tries to escape from a house that's not a home, shines in an intensely grip[ping performance. If, in his later life, he emerges as a total failure, he can certainly blame it all on mamma. Robert Mackenzie is the estranged husband attempting to make a new life for himself and as an absentee father, he still tries to bond wit his son. He has our complete sympathy and is thoroughly credible in the role. Directed with a sure hand by Jeff G. Rack, the story keeps our interest through both the turmoil and the momentary calm periods.

Theatre 40. Reuben Cordova TheAtre, Beverly Hills High School, 241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. July 16 at 8 p.m., July 17 at 2 p.m.; July 18, 19,20,21,25,26, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m., July 31 at 3 p.m. (Plays in repertory with Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers. $20 - @22. Free pArking in adjoining garage. (310)346-0535 or www.theatre40.org. - 7/31

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: Less than five minutes away is SILK, which doesn't look like any Thai restaurant in MY neighborhood. It has Beverly Hills elegance, silk cushions, silk covered menus and exotic wall hangings, but not Beverly Hills prices. And the food is wonderful. Larb. a spicy salad with rice powder onions and fresh basil, can be had with chicken, pork or beef for $7.95 and makes a nice starter to share. Now try the Pad Woon Sen, glass noodles mingled with fresh tomatoes, chicken, beef or tofu for $7.95, with shrimp or scallops for $10.95. Prik King, chicken, beef or tofu sauteed with red curry sauce, is another hot number but they cAn tone down everything to your own S.Q. (spice quotient). It also has fresh, crisp string beans and superb flavor, $7.95 with chicken, beef or tofu, $10.95 with shrimp or scallops. Service is excellent and you can bring your own wine.

Silk, 9907 1/2 Little Santa Monica Boulevard. (310) 553-1011. BYOB no corkage charge. Street parking can be tight but it's close enough to walk (about two blocks). Closed Sunday

Serious Foodie alert! On Saturday September 27th, Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff are hosting their annual AMERICAN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL, a truly sensational affair, held outdoors at Universal's Back Lot. Flying in from all over the country are celebrity chefs like Dean Fearing, Michael Mina, Paul Prudhomme, Jimmy Schmidt and Lydia Shire. Plus our own stars, Lee Hefter (Spago), Joachim Splichal (Patina). Nancy Silverton (Mozza) and dozens of others. The jovial Puck Himself circulates prodigiously, chatting up the nibbling and sipping crowd. AT least sixty-five guest vintners will be on hand, ready to keep your glass filled and you can expect to sample tidbits of the calibers of caviar, Kobe beef, lobster and abalone.

In order to savor this extravaganza, you have to not only be a devout foodie but also a well-heeled one. Tickets are sky-high but proceeds go to a good cause, St. Vincent;s Meals on Wheels, which supplies food for the elderly and house-bound. Related festivities are scheduled for Friday September 26th At the Pacific Design Center and Íunday the 28th at Spago,Beverly Hills.

American Food & Wine Festival, Universal Studios Back Lot, 3900 Lankershim Blve., Universal City. September 27, 2008, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Outdoors, casual dress. Free parking. Must be 21 years of age. $300 in advance, $350 at the door. Tickets and info: (310)574-3663 or www.awff.org.

Summertime Freebie: All Around the Southland, there's music under the stars. Most of the concerts,unfortunately, happen on the same night - Thursday. One of the least publicized series is the CULVER CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL in the courtyard of City Hall. Zydeco tunes are on schedule July 24th, followed by the group Venice, classic rock and vocals. The Iguanas from New Orleans play Mardi Gras Music, Tex-Mex And Latin/Caribbean sounds on August 7th. On the 14th, it's Bluegrass with the Infamous Stringbusters. It all ends with a double bill on August 28th, with appearances by The Ruthie Foster Band, with gospel, roots and folk music with whose music you may be familiar from the Austin City Limits programs on PBS as well as the duo Baldorf & Stanley, featuring acoustic rock and pop.

Culver City City Hall, 9770 Culver Blvd. at Duquesne, Culver City. Every Thursday at 7 p.m. Free. Complimentary parking in underground garage, enter on Duquesne. Info: (310)253-5716 or www.culvercitymusic.org. Chairs provided but you could bring cushions.

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: There are dozens of restaurants in this neighborhood but the most fun is to come early, spread out a blanket or sit in your low chair and have a picnic. My favorite take-out is about a ten minute drive, another "sleeper", called X'OTIK, whose intriguing cuisine is downright addictive. Try the lemon grass shrimp with Indonesian rice, $13.95. Same price for grilled Nebraska skirt steak or fresh fish in a slightly sweet coconut-cilantro sauce. Ribs, chicken, salads, sandwiches and home made desserts. You'll love it all, guaranteed!

X'otik, 6121 Washington Blvd.. Culver City. {phone orders)310)280-3961

The Voice of the Prairie by John Olive
This is a slice of Americana, a backward glance at the birth of radio, both of which have historical value. Personally, I could live without television but I could never enjoy life without my radio. That said, I wish I would have liked this play better. The dozens of scenes shift back and forth in time, some too quickly, others at snail's pace. Three accomplished actors play multiple parts. Tom Dugan, the "Voice' of the title, possesses the prefect instrument for the role, a deep sonorous voice, a prerequisite of radio work then as now. As Poppy, his father, he sports an authentic Irish brogue. As the love interest, Frankie the Blind Girl, Ashley Bell masters the moves and intricacies of a sightless person beautifully. She is also cast as Miss Emily, the Dear Abby of her day and she squeaks and giggles her way through the character of Susie in a decibel I found hard to digest. Marshall Matthys is Leon Schwab, the entrepreneur who launches the career of story teller David Quinn (Dugan), whose homespun tales enthralled radio audiences across the country, from his humble beginnings to major network star. Matthys doubles as young Davy as well as an asthmatic minister who also courts Frances, the real name of the Blind Girl, a young woman who captures the imagination of listeners with her mysterious persona. David Potts designed the all-purpose set, Cricket S. Myers the sound and Terri Lewis the appropriate costumes. Director David Rose, a regular at the Colony, has been responsible for some marvelous shows, Billy Bishop Goes To War, The Nerd and Fuddy Meers among others, all more enjoyable than this production.

The Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street at Cypress, Burbank. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m.. (Additional performances Saturday 7/2 at 3 p.m., Thursday 7/17 at 2 p.m., , 6/28 and 7/12 at 3 p.m., 7/17 and 7/24 at 8 p.m.) Dark July 4, 5, and 6. $37 -$42, student and senior discounts available. Free parking in building garage. (818)558-7000 ext. 15 or www.colonytheatre.org. -7/27

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: Among the plethora of dining possibilities along San Fernando Boulevard, please zero in on GRANVILLE. They call themselves a Casual Gourmet Cafe to which I would add, with really tasty food and decent prices. The place is gigantic but so well designed, it doesn't look barn-y, with whimsical lamp shades, glassed in exhibition kitchen and an artistically lit mural on the back wall. Starters include cheese quesadilla $8/95, home made hummus $6.95, lobster lettuce cups, salad, soups pasta, pizza and gourmet burgers. In the mood for something light, we perused the Big Plate entree list, debated between ahi tuna $19.95 and roast chicken $16.95 but settled n the Taco Trio,a sun innovation, three little soft tacos piled with sliced rib eye and barbecue sauce, yummy chicken bits and the favorite, lobster bites topped with crisp slaw, only $9.95 for a real winner. They also know how to prepare fresh fish, Rainbow trout, pan seared, not a bone in sight, sprinkled with pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and sitting atop mixed, grilled veggies, $16.95. Steaks, New York and filet mignon go for $24.95 and $27.95, respectively. This establishment runs as smooth as though lubricated with virgin olive oil, has a huge staff, all cheerful and efficient, a suitable wine list and good vibes all around. They've just opened another branch at the new Glendale Americana. Wish they'd come to MY neighborhood.

Granvile, 121 N. San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank. Full bar,(818) 848-GRAN

Shel Silverstein Uncensored! by Shel Silverstein
The late Shel Silverstein (1930 - 1999), is known for his many talents, among them as a folk-style composer (The Irish Rovers' Unicorn Song, Johnny Cash's A Boy named Sue), playwright, cartoonist for Playboy Magazine, composer of film scores and author of children's books. His forte has always been humor - irreverent, slightly risque but never downright vulgar. And that's what you get here. The songs performed by the actors on stage on various instruments, are all original and mostly funny and the short skits have bite, ferocious enough to warrant a tetanus shot. Among my favorites is one about a bind musician (James MacDonald) and his talking dog (Daniel Zacapa), who is so believable a a pooch, you half expect him to wag his tail. Another unforgettable bit takes place in a laudromat with Tony Pasqualini as an owner who would never mAke Angie's List for great service. Keep an eye out for the comic skills of the hilarious Coleen Kane, especially as a ten year old birthday girl whose daddy has a few surprise gifts up his sadistic sleeve. The entire, versatile case is terrific. Sarah Brooks as a compulsive recycler-klepto, Martha Gehman, demonstrating her many talents as she is being auctioned off, in short - expect the unexpected, the quirky and the satirical coming from the fertile brain of a true renaissance man. The expert direction is by Dan Bonell, the smart black and white set by Charles Erven. There's no intermission but you won't even notice that eighty minutes have elapsed.

Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, West Los Angeles. Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. Dark 7/4. Wednesday performances on 7/2 and 7/9 only. No matinee on 7/6 And 7/9. Students and seniors $5 off except Saturday nights. (310) 477-2055 or www.odysseytheatre.com - 8/10

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: Ten minutes away is LA BOTTEGA MARINO, the little conjoined sister of Il Grano, one of the Westside's poshest dining rooms. We are right next door, in a cute, little Italian deli-restaurant, just the thing for a pre-theatre repast. Pasta and pizza naturally but check out the antipasto trays in the glass case. At the same time you might want to cast an eye in the direction of the adjoining display of spectacular desserts, $4.95. This visit occurred during one of L.A,'s infamous heat waves and nothing fills the bill like a selection f chilled, marinated carrots, stringbeans, rapini and spinach or mushrooms. There are several varieties of eggplant, a seafood salad of calamari and little rock shrimp, artichokes vinaigrette and more. Choice f five $9.75, four only, if you pick the seafood salad. Should you crave sterner stuff, all entrees and the daily special are around $14 to $17, a delightful anachronism these days. A true original is their spezzatino Genovese, a sort of cousin to Hungarian pork goulash. It comes with sauteed vegetable for $12.75. Unbeatable! La Bottega employs my favorite waiter, Gregory, a real professional. He is a graduate of a Belgian Hotel School, speaks several languages and also handles their catering department. Say hello!

La Bottega Marino, 11363 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Los Angeles Beer and wine. Street parking. (310) 477-7777.

Where's My Money by John Patrick Shanley
Here we are, at a time of year when people are either attending a wedding, planning one or celebrating an anniversary and the sound of music heard tends to be Here Comes the Bride... Enter this play with its harsh, or shall we say, disastrous take on the whole wedded bliss myth. Renowned playwright Shanley, who won an Oscar for his tender screenplay of Moonstruck and a Pulitzer for his provocative play Doubt, must have been in a romantic funk when he penned this one.

It opens comically enough, when two former co-workers, the kinky Celeste (Kindall Kolins) and the pragmatic Natalie (Jaimyse Haft), in a chance meeting, dish about their current love lives. But things darken considerably from then on. Natalie, unhappily married to Henry (Dayton Knoll), is haunted by the ghost of a former boyfriend to whom she owes $2,700.00 and who makes regular, threatening appearances, demanding "where's my money?" There's a misogynistic lawyer, Sydney (Corbin Timbrook) in a marriage from hell to shrewish Marcia Marie (Lisa London) with whom he engages in matrimonial warfare without end. In spite of some sharp dialogue, solid direction by Sal Landi and first rate performances by this newly formed company, I thought the story was hard to swallow. (120 minutes, no intermission).

Pan Andreas TheAtre, 5125 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. Thursday - Saturday 8 p.m.. $15. (323)960-1052 or www.plays411.com.mymoney. Valet parking available. -6/14

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: The theatre is hidden just behind a new Colombian restaurant , La Fonda Antioqueña, (will try next time) but a fine dining experience awaits you at LARCHMONT GRILL, less than ten minutes west of the theatre. Formerly called The House, this charming, vintage two-story building reeks of hospitality - and the cooking smells good, too. The average entree price is $25, for example, perfectly seared scallops with sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes. They come with a creamy, sweet orange sauce. We asked for it on the side and I saved it to spoon up for dessert. For $24, there's seared ahi tuna, not quite as rare as I would have preferred but nicely crusted with peppercorns, perched upon baby bok choy, sliced shiitake mushrooms and sensational, wasabi-flavored mashers. It's topped with pickled ginger and seaweed salad, my current passion. Portions are ample and presentations artistic. Hot, fresh bread and complimentary caper pesto keep you culinary company while checking out the wine list. By the glass from $9, including a fruity Viognier from Santa Ynez. Service is exceptional and this elegant spot is exactly what that area needs.

Larchmont Grill, 5750 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. (323)464-4277. Full bar. Valet parking $5.50

The Hiding Place by Jeff Whitty *
This play takes a candid and somewhat cynical look At the self-absorbed, artsy set in the Big Apple, who feed off each other for inspiration. It was written by the man who won the 2004 Tony Award for the book of the hit play Avenue Q. There's an opening monologue by Karl (the excellent Brian Schnipper) but we are unsure of exactly what he is narrating, leading to a convoluted first act, which eventually includes a play within a play. Sparks fly between a successful, married author, Leon (Jan Munroe) and a young waitress, Myra (on my night very well portrayed by the understudy, Kasey Wilson), who is also an aspiring writer. It results in a one-night-stand but develops into an epistolary romance that flourishes for a number of years. I found it very difficult to follow the scenario until the second act, when all is finally illuminated and reaches a satisfying conclusion. Perhaps it takes someone a lot smarter than I am to separate the various personages "on stage" and in reality, right from the outset. Are you up to the challenge?

Attic Theatre, 5429 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles. Friday and SAturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $20. (323)525-0600 ext 2. Street parking. - 6/14

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: This area is a gastronomic desert, so turn south on Washington, off Freeway 10 and head towards Culver City and the first restaurant, on your right, will be BRUNELLO TRATTORIA. This friendly place is not yet afflicted with the über-hipness of the newer Culver City hot spots. Papa hosts, mama cooks. The food is homey and straight forward, the plates look as though they came out of your own kitchen, no speared herbs, dots or squiggles in sight. Tilapia, in simple lemon-butter and white wine is delectable and sits next to cubed, oven roasted potatoes and fresh spinach which is co-mingled with chopped garlic, $18.50. There are a few chicken entrees, an ossobuco and lots of pasta and pizza choices. You'll love the fresh bun made of pizza dough. Wine by the glass from $6. An altogether pleasant experience, food, price and service-wise.

Brunello Trattoria, 6001 Washington Boulevard, Culver City., one block west of La Cienega. (310)280-3856. Beer and wine. Street parking.=

More of Ingrid

Danielle Van Beest, Girard Marzilli and Gina Yates explore the nature of image and reality in Dupe.

Educating Rita by Willy Russell
Here we have the familiar Pygmalion theme or,how to mAke a silk purse out of a sow's ear, in an updated version by the author of the film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. It earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay in l980.

Into a jaded professor's (Bjorn Johnson) study, a magnificent set designed by Victoria Profit, comes a brash, young woman (Rebecca Mozo). She struts in wearing a black leather jacket, black leggings, net stockings and oversized , dangling earrings - you get the punk-y picture - shouting at the top of her lungs, her fervent desire to be "educated". This is a two person play in which you hear every word spoken by one of them, the professor. Which brings me to my major complaint, Moza's accent. It sounds like part Yorkshire, part Cockney and part Scottish but is mostly incomprehensible from the left orchestra section She faces mostly the other way and the audience on the right laughed a lot more than the people on the left, myself included. So be guided by that when you buy your seats and, be prepared for an exceedingly long first act. Moza is a talented artist, having admired her most recently in the Colony's production of Trying and Johnson gives an impassioned performance as the alcoholic academician whose life is considerably enlivened as the tutor of a pretty, little working class girl, who needs to elevate her self-esteem as much as slake her thirst for worldly knowledge. If director Cameron Watson could center the action more toward the entire audience, at least most of the time, and tone down the exaggerated accent, this could be an enjoyable play.

Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street at Cypress, Burbank. Friday and Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 & 7 p.m. Additional performances are Saturday 8/30 and 9/6, Thursday 9/11 and 9/16 at 8 p.m. $37 - $42 (818)558-7000 or www.colonytheatre.org
Free parking in building garage. - 9/21

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: If you're arriving via Interstate 5, just off the freeway, on the way to the Colony, is a BLACK ANGUS, a popular destination for carnivores. They seem to always have special bargain coupons in the newspaper, so clip before you make the trip. For a total of $33.98 for two, you get to share an appetizer. We took the potato skins, six crisp ones lined with cheese, bacon and scallions, plus choice of soup or salad for each of you. Next the main course, steak or prime rib, the latter served au just, with rice pilaf, baked, garlic mashed or french fried potatoes, horseradish cream and very tasty, buttery, mixed veggies. Two good portions, some of it destined for the doggie bag and next day's lunch. Did I mention dessert? One, too is included. There was a little "discussion" over the famous mud pie versus the apple crumble a la mode. The latter won and we shared it before waddling out. There are some nice wines starting at $17 for a bottle of Copper Ridge Merlot or Chardonnay. A good deal, all Around plus we had an outstandingly friendly and obliging waitress. Eight minutes away from the theatre.

Black Angus, 235 S. First Street, Burbank. (818)848-8880. Full bar. Parking lot.

Desert Sunrise by Misha Schulman
We are in the desert of the Israeli occupied West Bank. You can feel the tension rising up from the pit of your stomach, when an Israeli soldier named Tsahi (Oren Dayan), encounters an Arab shepherd, Ismail (Dominic Rains) beside his campfire. At first hostile, the two young men eventually exchange stories about their love lives, smoke a little hash and reluctantly experience a kind of bond. They are surprised by Ismail's Palestinian girlfriend Layla (Miriam Isa) who is seething with rage, passionately patriotic, yet who resents her inferior station as a woman in the Arab world, repressed and dominated by her mae countrymen. She carries a dark secret which will not be revealed in this review. Directed by Ellen Shipley and written by an Israeli army veteran, the timely story is, by no means, one sided. It will affect you depending who you are and where your sympathies lie. It does strengthen the idea of people to people diplomacy and the reality that most human beings long for love and peace regardless of their place of birth. Performances are strong, Dayan, who plays a jolly, fun-loving fellow, is especially likable. Rains is in turn serious and sullen but fair minded and idealistic. Isa's fiery Layla is thoroughly focused, her eyes ablaze and her voice, as she claims to possess the weapon most universally feared, Muslim loins that can produce an Army of warriors, sends a shiver through the audience. There are some belly-dance interludes and also a narrator behind a scrim who, I feel, adds very little to the proceedings. This is a play that can stand alone, conveying a mixed message of part pain and part hope - just like life itself.

The Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, one block west of Vine, off Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thursday - Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. $25 - $30 . Street parking. (323)960-7784 or Plays411.com/desert sunrise - 8/9

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: A ten minute drive brings you to the lovely XIOMARA, a top notch, white tablecloth dining establishment, specializing in modern Latin haute cuisine. The food is not just unusual - it's unusually good. Also known as La Casa del Mojito, you might want to sip this wildly popular, rum-infused cocktail while dipping assorted breads into the black bean sauce, along with your amuse bouche. There's also a nice selection of wines, not overpriced. Do share the appetizer of duck ropa viejo with a hint of spice, that's unbeatable, $12. The nuovo Cubana style chicken is wonderful, served over risotto, not the usual mush I intensely dislike but firm, flavorful and studded with veggies, $22.50. It's accompanied by a guacamole "sandwich" made with twice fried platanos, a dead ringer for a crisp latke. The presentation of their spicy (not) lamb shank, is alone worth the price $23.50. It arrives table side in a little cast iron pot, completely sealed with what appears to be a baked, thick bread crust, is hammered open and served hot and aromatic with red and yellow marinated tomato halves, cubed carrots and pearl onions. The menu promises "malanga and mojo". Malanga is taro root, a vegetable that looks like a fat, dark-skinned carrot, here served mashed and better than potatoes. As for mojo - who couldn't use a little extra of that? A nice experience, excellent service, elegant atmosphere.

Xiomara, 6101 Melrose Avenue, corner of Seward, Hollywood. Full bar. Valet parking $3.50. (323)461-0601 :

Looped by Matthew Lombardo
A legend in her own time and beyond, may be a cliché but it rings true in reference to Tallulah Bankhead, brought to life by Valerie Harper on the stage of the Pasadena Playhouse. The title refers to "looping" which means re-recording lines which may have been blurred in the original filming of a movie. Our star arrives in a full length mink, late because of L.A. traffic, swearing like a drunken sailor on shore leave, to get the job done. Lucky for us, it takes a lot longer than planned. Her hapless "director", Danny Miller (Chad Allen). who has the demeanor of a bespectacled accountant and the sound engineer on duty (Michael Karl Orenstein), the latter perched in a booth above the stage, are faced with a session neither one will ever forget, nor will we. Harper is absolutely magnificent as the boozy Bankhead, her staggering walk, exaggerated gestures, the toss of her shoulder-length mane and her theatrical accent, are all a far cry from T V's Brooklynese Rhoda character. Here is this bawdy broad, whose multiple excesses probably led to her early demise at age sixty-six but whose recounting of same, As she does throughout the play, makes for an hilariously entertaining show. She claims that a Streetcar named Desire was written for her and, I bet, so was the song The Lady is a Tramp. And, among the laughter, there are a few life lessons to be learned. Asher foil, Allen, forced to deal with the outrageously vulgar primadonna, is at first reverentially polite, then visibly annoyed and eventually... well, you'll find out. The smart studio set is designed by Adrian W. Jones, the flawless direction is by Rob Ruggiero.

Pasaden Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino, Pasadena.Tuesday - Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 4 and 8 p.m., Sunday 2 and 7 p.m. (dark 7/23. Added matinee on Wednesday 7/23 at 2 p.m.. $32 - $65 (626) 356-PLAY or www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org -8/3

Pre-Performance Dining Suggestion: The space adjoining the Playhouse has been a veritable graveyArd for restaurants but the lAtest one, now re-christened BAZAAR (formerly Caravan Serai), is still there, a good sign. The Çasbah decor is intact and in the summer, it;s nice to dine outdoors, eight beside the theatre's patio, and people watch. The Middle-Eastern cuisine is really tasty and prices are right. I recommend the delicious Combination Platter, a Lucullan feast of skewers of beef tenderloin, marinated chicken cubes and perfectly seasoned ground beef, interspersed with grilled green pepper strips, a mountain of saffron-topped rice, broiled tomatoes and some shredded greens, all for $24, which you are encouraged to share. To start, we ordered a Greek salad $7, big enough to sate four hungry Olympians, with romaine, red cabbage, black olives, Persian cucumbers, tomatoes, pepperoncini and sprinkled with feta cheese. Hot pita bread and nice service included. A glass of the house Chardonnay is $6. The bar is open for intermission and aprês theatre imbibers. Add tothat the convienience of one-spot parking and you have the question of the ideal dining destination aced.

Bazaar, 39 S. El Molino, Pasadena. Full bar.

Dupe by Alex Austin
The play was inspired by a vintage photograph taken by George Hoyningen-Huene, which appeared in Paris Vogue Magazine in the Twenties and caused a sensation in the fashion world. The play's muse is the mysterious model therein, a long-limbed, young woman in bathing attire, actually a native Californian named Georgia Graves.

As the story opens, an aspiring dancer, here named June Coffin (Danielle Van Beest on my night, alternating with Lonni Silverman) auditions for the Folies Bergere in Paris, and, of course, gets the job. We immediately time-travel to a café in present day Los Angeles, where an intense photographer and collector, Leonard Mist (Gerard Marzilli), thinks he spots his current idol, rock star and singer, Carol Fitch (Gina Yates) at an adjoining table. She may or may not be an impostor, but she nevertheless captivates Leonard, who now owns the priceless photo and is obsessed by the recurring vision of the lovely bathing beauty in it. The plot thickens and will keep you guessing as adoring fan and femme fatale play a cat and mouse game to gain possession of the valuable photographic objet d'art. Marzilli virtually devours the role of the agitated, high strung Leonard and plays it with a very natural sounding, nervous stammer. As June, Van Beest is a serene goddess with alabaster skin and graceful moves, while Yates, as the reluctant celebrity, is convincingly cool and calculating in her hunt for the original image--not the dupe. Direction is by Bill Garrett. The effective set design of the itinerant bachelor's apartment cluttered with photographs, steamer trunks and chest is credited to David Goldstein.

Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Avenue, near Moorpark, Studio City. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. $14.50, at the door $17. Students $10. (866) 811-4111 or Theatermania.com.

Pre-performance Dining Suggestion: The theatre is located on a charming tree-lined street filled with cafes and boutiques. Across the street is VITELLO's, whose parking lot garnered brief and unwanted fame as the crime scene in the Robert Blake murder case. But now, no ghosts, only garlicky aromas fill the air. A spacious, two-story restaurant, with bordello red lighting, a giant mural of the port of Siracusa in Sicily and good, reasonably priced, Italian food. You can start by sharing some homemade caponata, a simmered mélange of tomatoes, zucchini, onions and capers, flanked by roasted red and yellow bell peppers and olives, $7.50. Since vitello is veal in Italian, it's only fitting to order some here. The saltimbocca, which means "jump into the mouth," sliced veal cradling prosciutto and mozzarella, keeps company with mushrooms and sautéed spinach, $18.95. The always reliable veal piccata, with lemon, white wine, capes and mushrooms , is $17.95. The meat is tender but a mite coarse, a sure sign that those kids have injested some grass, but since milk-fed veal involves cruelty to animals, we'll let it go. Both come with either perfectly al dente pasta topped with meat sauce or breaded zucchini which, what the veggie lacks in firmness, it makes up for in fine flavor. Desserts are $5.95, an excellent cup of coffee is $1.75. Superb service, melodious, taped music. Good Italian and California wine list. Vitello's, 4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City. Full bar. Valet Parking. (818) 769-0905.

School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan Getting away from the concrete and neon of the noisy city into nature's realm, is only part of the enjoyment of attending the bucolic Theatricum Botanicum, as this company again presents a summer full of excellent, classical theater. The author, Sheridan, had a checkered career, from playwright to theater manager to parliamentarian, only to die in ill health and impoverished. But his plays are immortal and this comedy of manners, which premiered at London's Drury Lane Theatre in 1777, is filled with irreverent wit, intrigue, mistaken identities and always brilliant dialogue. Think Gilbett & Sullivan without the music .

The first act is laden with exposition and given to ample doses of delicious, malicious gossip, which was the primAry recreational activity among the outrageously bewigged, upper class parlor set. Two hundred years later, we have The National Enquirer. Act two is by far more provocative and also introduces the dashing, much aligned young Charles (Jeff Wiesen). Among the uniformly talented cast, several stand out, especially Marc Lewis as his villainous brother Joseph, who steals every scene. Haven't the bad guys always had all the charm? Nothing's changed. Tim Halligan, in his various disguises embodies each of his characters with gusto. Frank Ross as the cuckolded (or so he thinks) husband, is a joy to watch and to hear and the infallible Melora Marshall as the Widow Snake, adds just the right touch of venom the role demands. Ben Waters as a servant with a bad case of osteoporosis does his comic best with nary a word to utter. Ellen Geer directs with a sure hand, as expected. The whimsical costumes and accouterments are designed by Shon LeBlanc.

Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga. In repertory with As You Like It, Macbeth, Long Day's Journey into Night and Midsummer Night's Dream, which closes the season on September 28. School for Scandal performances are Friday August 8 and 22 at 8 p.m., Saturday August 16, September 6 , 13 and 27 at 4 p.m., Saturday July 5,12 and 19 at 8 pm. and Sunday August 3, 17 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. $20 - $28, seniors and students $15 - $20, children five ttwelve $8, under five, free. Parking $5, seniors and handicapped free. Dress warmly (in layers), bring cushions and blankets. (310)455-3723 or www.theatricum.com

Pre-Theatre Dining Suggestion: We picnicked on the grounds before, which is fun but the bees were even hungrier than we. No shortage of them here. Therefore, this year, we chose ABUELITAS, five minutes' drive and the local Mexican favorite. Smart move. There's creekside dining on an elevated, rustic patio and a cozy interior for chilly nights. The Canyon crown is laid-back and casual, service most obliging and the food both generous and deliciioso. Their guacamole is fresh and chunky and we mixed in some of the salsa for extra bite, $4.95. There are all sort of combinaciones, if that turns you on, plus fajitas, chicken mole, carne asada and more. Plates are colorful, edible fiestas, garnished with a grilled, fresh pineapple wedge. Try the shrimp kabuelita, two long skewers of char-grilled shrimp interspersed with bell peppers etc., with Mexican rice and diced, crunchy veggies, $15.95. I can also recommend the empanadas del mar, three crispy turnovers filled with creamy Canadian snow crab, red snapper and shrimp, choice of black beans or veggies, the latter a dice of eggplant, zucchini, red and green bells and cArrots, really good for $12.95. A full glass of house wine is $6.

Abuelitas, 137 S. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga. Parking lot. Full bar. Reservations for six or more only but if you arrive pre-theatre, you'll get right in. (310)455-8788.

The Last Seder by Jennifer Maisel
It could well be Thanksgiving or Christmas, when the prodigal sons and daughters return to gather over a festive meal, for better or for worse. In this play, it happens to be Passover time in a Jewish household, where the pater familias (Joseph Ruskin, in a moving performance), is ravaged by Alzheimer's disease. The stage is decorated in Early Warehouse, laden with boxes and crates, as the house is about to be sold and dad placed in a nursing home. The four daughters, each carrying more emotional baggage than suitcases, cleave to their father and resent their pistol of a mother, Lily (spunky Jenny O'Hara), who spews four letter words in her quest to cope. The drama is smartly structured to allow the audience a glimpse into each of the girls; complicated lives. For good measure, the playwright has thrown in an inter-racial romance and a lesbian couple expecting a baby. Astute direction by Joseph Megel enables the play to move seamlessly into multiple scenes and Dan Weingarten's clever lighting and Adam Flemming's scenic design capture the various rooms and locations among the assorted rubble. The fine case, all members of the Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA is up to every challenge. The play really comes to life in the home stretch, when the extended family gathers around the make-shift, holiday table for the last time and several surprises take place.

Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles. Thursday - Saturday 9 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. $24, seniors and students $20. Parking lot. (323)655-7679 ext. 100 or www.greenwayarts.org - 7/27

Pre-Theatre Dining Suggestion: About a block's walk south, is ANIMAL, the brand new brain child of TV's colorful Food Dudes. To open a restaurant that feAtures bacon on Fairfax Avenue, where one might encounter yarmulkas more often than baseball cap[s, is tantamount to planning a kosher take-out in San Marino. It takes chutzpah. But they pulled it off and we'll undoubtedly hear more about Animal when the word spreads. It's Plain Jane of a place, no art, no flowers, poor acoustics but a rather interesting clientele and a friendly, well trained, young crew. There;s fried quail, a crisp, little birdie with a thick slab of bacon, mashed grits and authentically seasoned Southern greens, $24. Same price for the flatiron steak, a bit chewy but tasty, in a scrumptious, if slightly salty, bordelaise sauce studded with young corn kernels, sliced fingerling potatoes and heavenly nuggets of fried sweetbreads. I did not have the courage to try the bacon dessert. The menu is short but changes frequently. The wine list isn't large either but not overpriced. A small carafe of the house white is yours for $17. If you're foolhardy enough to B.Y.O.B, you'll be charged a $20 fee.

Animal, 435 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles. Beer and wine. Valet parking $4 (323)782-9225.