Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
If you want to fill the theatre space with the legends, our true thespians in Los Angeles, produce one of the plays by Eugene O'Neill, an American dramaturg and the only playwright who won four Pulitzer's prizes for Drama, as well as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1936. Heavily influenced by Swedish writer August Strindberg, for his sincerity and true picture of the society in those days, O'Neill also brings into his writings the experiences of emptiness, disappointment, self-delusion, and loneliness. Subjecting himself to the liability of human conditions, and to escape from grief and despair, writers all over the world used alcohol as one of the easy escapes in those days. ***Some things never change!
O'Neill's last short play Hughie was written in 1941and first performed in 1959. The time is 3 am, and the year is 1928 in New York City. The musty lobby of the old hotel is occupied with slow movements of the new night clerk, Charlie Hughes played by Andy Forrest, who slowly but diligently goes over the charts of the occupants and makes the necessary adjustments to their stay at the hotel. What a detailed and fabulous job he is accomplishing! It was a pleasure to watch his every move and observe the state of mind he was in. The vibe changes when Erie Smith, played by Dan Frischman, arrives. It's been a few days since the former night clerk, who used to faithfully listen to Erie's success stories, translated from this world. Erie's huge monologue was now greatly listened to by Charlie Hughes, with a perfect example of what true listening looks like. We were easily transferred into the year of 1928 by watching Erie's distinguished look and manners. What a huge, powerful monologue done with such attention to details with voice and movements. Greatly done! Thank You to both actors for such wonderful performances!
'Over the years, Hughie has held hypnotic appeal to a variety of talented actors, including Ben Gazzara, Al Pacino, Brian Dennehy, and Forest Whitaker.'
Scott MacDonell is alternating for Charlie Hughes at the 2025 production of Hughie at Two Roads Productions. Produced by Heidi Appe and Allen Levin, and so magnificently directed by Bill Sehres, set design by Katherine Bulovic, tech design/graphics by David Garfield, the publicity by Sandra Kuker PR, and photos by Heidi Appe.
*Performance dates for the Role of Charlie Hughes are as follows; Scott MacDonell: 4/11, 4/12, 4/13, 4/19, 4/20 and Andy Forrest: 3/29, 4/4, 4/5, 4/6, 4/18
Hughie at the Two Roads Theatre on 4348 Tujunga Ave. in Studio City, CA runs through April 20th with the performances on Friday & Saturday 8:00pm and Sunday 7:00pm. Run time is around 65 minutes. General Admission is $35. Students and seniors are $25. (Use Promo Code: 410 for Student/Senior discount).
For tickets, please go to www.OnStage411.com/hughie