Heartbreak Help - Theatre Review



By Harrison Held

Teresa Ganzel, Stan Zimmerman, Sarah Gilman,
Melissa Peterman and Marissa Jaret Winkour
Photo: Adam Southhard
Opening night of Justin Tanner's comedy "Heartbreak Help" at The Dorie Theatre at The Complex on Santa Monica Boulevard was a total blast! This revival of the popular acclaimed play well produced and well directed by Stan Zimmerman ("Roseanne," "Gilmore Girls," "The Golden Girls") features an incredible all star cast starring Melissa Peterman ("Reba"), Marissa Jaret Winokur ("Hairspray"), Teresa Ganzel ("The Toy") and Sarah Gilman ("Last Man Standing").

The play is incredibly funny and these ladies are pure comedy gold. The fast moving non-stop action takes place in a small somewhat bland, low-rent hotel room with two double beds. Feisty and hilarious Margo (comedy pro Melissa Peterman) and prissy, polite Paula (the always funny Teresa Ganzel) have ride-shared to a women's spiritual retreat in the desert through a Craiglist's ad.

They are pretty much polar opposites and comedic madness and magic ensues. Joining them are the hysterical mother-daughter duo of Andromeda (Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur) and Sage (super talented Sarah Gilman) resulting in even more comedic madness and magic! Andromeda is a sincere and loving new-age healer who is excited to meet her guru Brynn Masters who is leading the retreat.

Rebellious young daughter Sage has been dragged along because Mom won't trust her on her own at home and she's not a big fan of her Mom's practice. Lots and lots of laughs. "Heartbreak Help" marks Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur's non-musical theatre debut and she is terrific.

A few years ago I attended the hit comedy "Meet and Greet," which was another great production directed by Stan Zimmerman starring Teresa Ganzel. Memories of that play still make me laugh to this day and when I heard they had teamed up for Heartbreak Help I knew I had to attend and I'm so happy I did. It is definitely a must-see and plays for just two more weeks. Kudos to co-producer/assistant director Starina Johnson too.

"Heartbreak Help" is a Pop Up Playhouse production playing through Oct 1. Visit the website for tickets. Enjoy!

Posted By Discover Hollywood on September 18, 2017 01:16 pm | Permalink