Friday, November 19, 2010
Le Tick Tock at Edgemar Center
John Bobek and Emily Amezcua
Photo: Alexandra Guarnieri
Photo: Alexandra Guarnieri
When Edgemar Center for the Arts originally opened, one of its first attractions was an evening of French-style cabaret entitled The Night of the Black Cat that ran for over a year. They describe their follow-up production, Le Tick Tock, as an all-new evening of provocative and sensual cabaret-style entertainment, a place where time moves in all directions – backward, forward, anywhere at all.
The time collage is a collective creative project developed by the group of performers, with a mistress of ceremonies (Tracey Sayed) acting as timekeeper and narrator. Additional cast members pay homage to a variety of celebrities like Marlene Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Josephine Baker and a number of other characters, in song, dance and specialty numbers that unfortunately never quite come together to make up a rewarding show.
The confusing plot highlights a story in which Buddy Holly look-a-like Joe LeMark (John Bobek), returns to the same table in the same night club at the same time every night to rendezvous with a dancer who agrees to meet him but never comes. The reason why makes little sense when finally revealed, as does the moral of the story, “Don’t waste your time living someone else’s life.”
Choreography by Ashlee Thomas is at times entertaining, especially a mechanical doll ballet featuring Emily Amezcua accompanied by an urban version of "La Vie en Rose." Director Deborah LaVine has also created some interesting staging in the small space, however the limited vocal abilities of the cast prevent this lackluster showcase from delivering anything close to a dynamic cabaret experience.The time collage is a collective creative project developed by the group of performers, with a mistress of ceremonies (Tracey Sayed) acting as timekeeper and narrator. Additional cast members pay homage to a variety of celebrities like Marlene Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Josephine Baker and a number of other characters, in song, dance and specialty numbers that unfortunately never quite come together to make up a rewarding show.
The confusing plot highlights a story in which Buddy Holly look-a-like Joe LeMark (John Bobek), returns to the same table in the same night club at the same time every night to rendezvous with a dancer who agrees to meet him but never comes. The reason why makes little sense when finally revealed, as does the moral of the story, “Don’t waste your time living someone else’s life.”
Joel Daavid’s set & lights and Rachel Weir’s costumes effectively create the look of the French cabaret world. Daavid's abstract clock design was quite lovely.
Le Tick Tock runs through December 18 at Edgemar Center, 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica, 90405. Tickets are available at www.edgemarcenter.org/ or by calling 310-392-7327.
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