Saturday, September 19, 2009
Follow Your Dreams at Secret Rose Theatre
 |
| Original Artwork by Sergio Vasquez |
Follow Your Dreams, a new play with music, is currently playing at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood. It tells the story of ten people brought together by their only point of connection – a telemarketing room where most are shilling a diet pill that may or may not actually work. Each has a secret and some are in search of the courage to follow a secret dream. The question is - who among them will actually reach their goal?
Book and lyrics are by Laurie Stevens and Ronald Jacobs and the show is directed by Stan Mazin and Chris Winfield.
Most enjoyable is Hector Hank who plays Richard, an ex-merchant marine conscious of his past mistakes, yet struggling with how to overcome his demons. His honest performance is filled with nuance and his storyline with Rebecca Jensen (Alicia) is a thought-provoking study. Your heart will go out to him.
Also enjoyable in a more comical turn is Lana Ford as June; a sweet middle-aged woman whose husband long ago stopped paying attention to her. Her friendship with Kamel Dickinson (Lil Pill), an aspiring hip-hop singer, allows for plenty of laughs and we find ourselves pulling for her with every decision she makes.
Making up the rest of the exuberant cast are Adreana Gonzales, Judy Ho, Lee Biolos, Dan Woren, Dennis Delsing and Sean McGee. As each explores their character’s desires in their own unique way, we alternately laugh with them or at them, depending upon the nature of their situation.
Ultimately, what is most interesting is what's left unspoken by the characters. The writers should continue to examine the relationships, grounding each one in a reality that acts as a foundation for the humor, as with Richard and June. As the words are allowed room to breathe, the characters’ stories will have even more meaning amid the frenetic pace of the show.
Follow Your Dreams runs through October 31st, 2009. Performances are at Secret Rose Theatre at 11246 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood, CA 91601. Tickets are available at www.plays411.com/followyourdreams.
