Upon entering the theatre space, the first thing wee see is the beautiful and charming stage design. We are immediately taken on a journey of experience; where light and beauty find their bond
Then the pay brings us two longtime friends, who are going through life-changing experiences, where both parties benefit from it greatly. We realize how much the choices that we make throughout our minute-to-minute existence on this physical plane mold the next phase of our lives.
Olivia (Meeghan Holaway) invites her old friend Maggie (Julia Manis), to help her with at-home medical abortion over the weekend, while her alcoholic musician husband is away having a gig. As we know, life throws unexpected surprises at us now and then. Even though we think that things that happen to other people would never happen to us, when that reality hits us we experience mood swings, fear and tension. Olivia has been trying very hard not to get pregnant during all the years of being married to a busy musician. At the moment when she decides to distance herself from her husband, because they grew apart, she is facing the reality of her future not to be exactly what she imagined. As an aging middle-aged woman, having a morning and an evening sickness is truly not fun. In addition, being a mother is such a huge responsibility, and she was never ready to jump into such an adventure, especially not now at an older age. Having an abortion by taking certain number of pills, in and around the clock, was her plan - to escape the reality of a deep physical and emotional lifechanging experience.
Playwright, Lisa Kenner Grissom chose carefully every word while writing 'Here Comes the Night', and manages smooth dialogue with interwoven saddle humor, within the tragedy of the situation. 'Featuring two complex female characters, this riveting two-hander is a dark comedic drama that offers a fresh take on the topic of reproductive rights and explores female friendship in the digital age. How far can female friendship go to bridge the abortion divide?'
Maggie, with her light personality and healing capability, playfully at first but later with excitement and then with profound pain, sets an intention for Olivia to take another course of action and keep the baby. There is a moment when both women, different in generations, reach the culmination in riding on two different trains. The emotions and intentions were so powerful, both women became the pure, unforgettable burst of emotions, to the final stage of expression. I closed my eyes at times, to feel that open faucet of emotions through my closed eyes. By unifying the understanding what really needs to happen, with preconceived notion of inner peace, they make the transition to just do a ritual.
The friendship and care for each other won and the good friends manifest what the next part of their lives should be. They both alter their state of consciousness to a higher level and the radical honesty emulates both of them. Strong performances from both actresses keeps the audience on their toes throughout the play. The "radiating," of actors to each other's energy produces the naturalistic performances, exploring both physical and intellectual choices to deliver truthful realities. Truly a powerful and enjoyable performance. Bravo!
Director, Dana Schwartz shows us how a play about the abortion divides, and how far the female friendship can go. To bridge their lives, the energy sessions - an extension of yoga teaching lights their hearts and the belief, 'Dream big and the dreams will change'. Great job in filling every moment with compelling choices!
The TEAM players are Amanda Knehans (Set Designer), Annika Hoseth (Stage Manager), Andrea Allmond (Sound Designer), Carolyn Mazuca (Costume Designer), Nita Mendozahe (Lighting Designer), Kiff Scholl (Graphic Design), Jonathan Josephson (Marketing Consultant), and Publicity is successfully done by Sandra Kuker PR.
Produced by Darin Anthony (the Artistic Director of Moving Arts in Los Angeles) and the Moving Arts, this production is thrilled to present the World Premiere of Here Comes the Night at the Atwater Village, 3191 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles, CA 90039.
The award-winning theater company Moving Arts is dedicated to the creation, promotion and production of original works by Los Angeles artists. Founded by Lee Wochner and Julie Briggs in 1992, Moving Arts has produced many world, national, West Coast and Los Angeles premieres. Moving Arts began as a 22-seat venue in the Silver Lake area and quickly grew to become a resident artist company that includes actors, directors, producers, designers, and playwrights.
'Moving Arts has now taken up residence in its new home the larger Moving Arts Theater in Atwater Village. This play takes place in LA and mentions the impact of wildfires.'
The show opening on January 25th at 8PM, after being postponed due to the raging fires in LA. The last performance will be on February 23rd. The show runs Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 4 pm and Mondays at 8 pm. The play is approximately 90 minutes without an intermission. General admission is $10-$30 and the tickets are available at: movingarts.ludus.com
More Information: movingarts.orgis
Production Still Photographer is Mae Koo.
*** A must-see show - highly recommended.