A review by Suzanne Birrell.
Annie Abrams, Troy Metcalf, David Babich and Dennis Pearson, Photos by Ed Krieger
Going... Going... Gone!, a new play by Emmy Award winning writer Ken Levine (
M*A*S*H*, Cheers, The Simpsons) and directed by Andrew Barnacle now playing at the Hudson Theatre, is a fast paced witty commentary of our times. You don't have to know baseball to appreciate the humor as every witty reference is ultimately explained.
Going... Going... Gone! features four people in the press box - three regulars played by David Babich, Dennis Pearson and Troy Metcalfe and one very beautiful Annie Abrams as a substitute TV reporter. Every topic of current events seems to be hit upon with clever one liners; nothing is sacred-everything from race to ethnicity to weight to politics (What would any timely comedy be without a Trump reference) and also the trials and tribulations of trying to compose with spell check. But the continuing reference is the question: how will someone be remembered? Will Arnold Palmer be remembered for the drink or his golfing ability? Will George Foreman be remembered for his grill or his accomplishments in the boxing ring. (Personally, I remember he made a comeback by chopping wood-I lived in the Ozarks at the time and one of my sons followed his example with great success in wrestling tournaments)
The writing is smart-very TV styled which makes perfect sense since all the action takes place in the tight confines of a press box (complete with incoming foul balls) The story starts out as a series of one liners, but it quickly takes a dramatic turn and becomes personal for the characters. That's when we the audience are drawn into the story wondering what will happen next. As the ball game goes on and on into overtime, a sudden twist of events cause the characters discuss whether a short lived sports writer will be remembered for his novel or not. With the wisdom that the "nameless nobodies in the stands who live into their 90's are the lucky ones" because they are living life in the moment, we realize that it's not important to finish the game as much as it is that we were there.
The ensemble cast is supported by the vocal talents of Harry S. Murphy, Howard Hoffman, and Darlene Koldenhoven (who may not want to be remembered for this hysterical role, but it's really hard for a trained singer to go outside the box as she did).
Going... Going... Gone! is a fly ball over the fence. Don't miss it. Catch it at the Hudson Theatre thru Nov 6, 2016.
WHEN:
Performances Thru - Nov. 6, 2016
• Fridays at
8 p.m.: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4
• Saturdays at
8 p.m: 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5
• Sundays at
3 p.m: Oct. 2, 9. 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6
WHERE:
Hudson Guild Theatre
6539 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
HOW:
• (323) 960-5521 or online at www.plays411.com/gone
• Visit us on facebook:
TICKET PRICE:
• General Admission: $30