Review: The Charming CELADINE

Los Angeles theatergoers, if you haven't been to the Colony Theatre in Burbank, please go. You're in for a real treat. Located right next to the Burbank Town Center on 3^rd street, walking distance away from all the restaurants and stores, it is the perfect stop after an afternoon of shopping and a nice dinner. The complex itself is enchanting. From the adorable trellised concession stand to the spacious lobby decorated adorned with an impressive history of productions and familiar faces of stage and screen to the theatre itself with its plush red seats and thrust design that gives the space a roomy, yet intimate feel. It's all very homey and comfortable, yet impressive.

The Colony's current production, Celadine, a bawdy comedy set in 17^th century London seems the perfect complement to this delightful space. The first thing one notices upon taking your seat is the richness and intricate detail of Stephen Gifford's scenic design. Grainy woods, antique lighting fixtures and décor, really give an authentic feel to this 17^th century tavern in which the show takes place. It demonstrates a tremendous amount of pride, attention, and care invested into the feel of this production. The costumes of designer A. Jeffrey Schoenberg are equally as elaborate.

The first performer to make an entrance is, in this critic's opinion, the stealer of the show and the most relatable of a lively bunch of characters. Holly Hawkins is both poignant and adeptly comical as Mary, the bemused and befuddled innkeeper who is always chasing after the free-spirited leading lady Celadine. Stage and screen veteran Larry Cedar leads the male pack as Rowley, Celadine's former lover, who frequents the tavern to escape a rather notorious other life. Giselle Wolf is enjoyable as the title character Celadine, a notorious playwright and temptress and Will Barker is endearing as the mute handyman Jeffrey. Michael A. Newcomer rounds out the cast as Elliot, an actor who comes to admire Celadine for more than just her work, and whose deception is more than just a profession.

The show itself, written by Charles Evered, is fun and makes for an overall charming and entertaining night of theatre. The only downside is that the story is a extremely bipolar . Switching in a split-second from raunchy sex gags, to heart-wrenching drama, then farcical scene-chewing, then an attempt at torrid romance, then comical sword fighting, finished off with a bittersweet finale...it all makes for a script that's undergoing either violent mood swings or a troubling identity crisis. But take heart. As previously stated, the bottom line is that the show is, as a whole, quite enjoyable and certainly all-encompassing tonally.

Celedine runs at The Colony Theatre (555 N. 3^rd St. in Burbank) through March 7^th. Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2 and 7pm. Tickets range from $37-42. To purchase, call the Colony box office at (818) 558-7000 or at www.colonytheatre.org.

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