The star of the Play With Your Food production of, “Andi in the moment,” is producer/director/playwright/star Michael Tennant’s script

Producer/Director/Playwright/Star (in the role of Rick)-Michael Tennant, Alysia Albeck-“Andi,” Laura Cherland-“Carrie Benson.” Levi Hand-“William Wentworth,” and Alexandra Miller as “Dash”

Let me start off by saying that you will not find a stronger cast in any production anywhere than as can be found in Michael Tennant’s newest offering of his Play With Your Food production of, “Andi in the moment.”

Spoiler Alert: I think the world of Tennant, though we’ve never worked together, but I have worked with every one else in the cast with the exception of relative newcomer Alexandra Miller who shines as the somewhat ditzy non-blond, Dash. Dash becomes more and more central to the proceedings as the play unfolds. Miller has an expressive face and delivers her lines more than capably. She easily gets laughs without trying, which is a wonderful skill: too many times, especially in local theater, actors “mug” upon delivery of a line, when it’s not needed. Not Miller, she’s confident in her ability and it shows.

This might sound like gloss, but it isn’t: Michael Tennant is always Michael Tennant. I’ve never seen Tennant in any production where he wasn’t solid and dependable and where he didn’t perfectly underplay when needed, and bring on the ham when needed as well. The story with Michael Tennant isn’t that he can act-that’s a given-it’s that he’s a musician, director, producer, and, as you will read later, one hell of an author and playwright.

Laura Cherland is, well, blond dynamite. With her irascible, brassy, comical New Yawkah “Carrie,” Cherland somehow manages a “Bette Davis”: the best actors and actresses can do very much with very little and Cherland manages to turn her natural beauty into Andi’s somewhat frumpy, business-savvy agent a la Bette Davis in a dozen different roles. That Cherland does so with ease is not a surprise for those of us who have worked with this incredibly talented women. One patron whispered, “She’s so beautiful, yet so…dumpy!” That’s acting ma’am…and Laura Cherland is one hell of an actress.

Levi Hand just has to be seen to be believed. Hand deftly manages to evolve as the play unfolds, yet never tips his hand (Sorry Levi, no pun intended). Hand has a way of inhabiting a part like very few actors in this valley. Hand’s personality shines through: I don’t know that it’s possible to dislike the guy unless he…I don’t know, bit your ear off…and it’s that “likeability” that sells Hand’s “William Wentworth:” you want this guy to succeed. Hand’s talent, and his vocal projection are legendary, yet, I was surprised at how easily he handles an off-beat character such as Wentworth. Hand can play comedy, drama, pathos and he can play, well…you’ll just have to see the play to find out. Hand’s speech at the end had me shaking my head: he is that believable.

But let’s talk about the soul of the play: Andi. Having worked with Alysia Albeck, I thought I knew what to expect of her in this part. I didn’t, and neither will you. Sassy, but with just enough of a hint of vulnerability, Albeck’s “Andi” is an entertainment-world-weary trooper who’s “clock is ticking,” and who is trying to make her mark in film. Suddenly, her new agent (Cherland) gets her a shot on Broadway. Albeck’s reticence at her possible turn of good fortune is fully believable when handled by Albeck. Albeck’s pitch-perfect delivery makes every line a one-liner. When she squints her eyes and screws up her face, watch out: she delivers every line with the precision of an Eve Arden or Joan Blondell at their best. She’s that good. Vulnerable when needed, sad when tested, but ready to “put up her dukes” at the drop of a hat, Albeck is Andi, and you’ll never find one better. Simply put, Alysia Albeck is as good as they come, locally or nationally.

And now to the real star. Sorry cast: it ain’t you…it’s the script. Simply put, Michael Tennant’s play is the tightest, well-written locally penned play you’re ever likely to see. Yes, the cast is superlative, but how Tennant manages to weave together a goofy young lady who’s obsessed with a TV personality, the high-brow of a London stage debut, with a somewhat stardom-desperate talented actress, together with an erudite, slightly off-kilter playwright is truly beyond me. The play sizzles with tone, pace and dialogue. You may (and only may) find some nationally written script as tight, well-paced and well-conceived as this, but you’re not going to find anything like it in this valley. Having only been in Hemet for approximately a year, I do not know Michael Tennant’s oeuvre enough to guarantee to it, but I would hazard a guess that this play is the best thing he’s ever written. You honestly must go see “Andi in the moment.” With stage management by Kimberly A.R. (the cover art seen here is by Mattea Leigh), the play is a joy. When paired with a delicious meal created and served by Stephany Borders, owner of Party Planners Catering, you simply will not have an experience like this anywhere else. Don’t miss it! Remaining show dates are January 24, 25 and 26. For tickets call 951 663-8491 or visit playwithyourfoodhemet.com

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“A Tuna Christmas” promises a pleasant time of laughter

“A Tuna Christmas” belongs to a tetralogy of comedies (“Greater Tuna”, “A Tuna Christmas”, “Red, White and Tuna” and “Tuna does Vegas”) being the second in the series, written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard.

All the comedies that belong to the series are set in the fictional city of Tuna, Texas. “A Tuna Christmas” is also set in the year of 1989 and its plot focuses on the city’s annual Christmas courtyard exhibition contest, which Vera Carp won 14 times in a row. A mysterious “Christmas Phantom”, known for destroying the exhibits in the courtyard, has all the contestants very nervous. Among the secondary plots are Stanley Bumiller’s attempts to end his probation and leave Tuna, Bertha Bumiller’s fight to keep her family together at Christmas, and Joe Bob Lipsey’s fight to successfully mount his production of “A Christmas Carol” despite the city controller of the power company who threatens to turn off the lights.

The work shows us in a friendly way, the life and attitudes of people living in small towns in the south, while reflecting a fulminating satire of these same issues. What makes these works remarkable is that only two men play the complete cast, which consists of more than twenty eccentric characters of both genders and multiple ages.

“A Tuna Christmas” debuted in 1989 with a tour that ended in 2012 after Sears retired from the Theater Company. The play was nominated for “Outstanding Non-Resident Production, Helen Hayes Awards Non-Resident Production” in 1990.

This time, the Ramona Hillside Players in Hemet will present “A Tuna Christmas” directed by Frank Siebke and starring Arles Struvie as “Josh Sommers” and Thurston Wheelis as “Brad West.” It is certainly a work that no one should miss, not only to enjoy a good time, but also enriching at a cultural level.

“A Tuna Christmas” will be presented in January on 17, 19, 24, 25 and 26. There are different options for making reservations and/or buying tickets, which can be done by calling (951) 658-5300, checking online at ramonahillsideplayers.org/tickets or you can show up in person at the Box Office every Monday (Started on January 6th) from 2pm – 4pm to buy tickets with cash or check. It is important to note that there are only 95 seats available per show so purchase or reserve yours today, and do not miss out on this wonderful comedy, while you will be supporting local artistic talent.

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Christmas Story

Yes.  Just about.  “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)” a comedy by Michael Carleton, Jim FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez, is directed by Hemet’s own Kami Martin.

How just three actors can keep the energy, laughs and action going for almost 2 hours is beyond me.  Shenn Sellers, Johnny Thunder and J. Kay Weldon are upbeat, hilarious and on-point in a Christmas play that is the epitome of the word “zany.”

Hemet’s own Kami Martin, director of this only slightly-organized mayhem, never lets the action lag.  The lines are delivered quickly, wryly and with as much humor as possible.

Shenn Sellers starts out as, well..Shenn Sellers.  J. Kay Weldon and Johnny Thunder do the same, but very quickly, a dizzying succession of Christmas icons from, well every Christmas story ever told, materializes onstage as if by magic.

Sellers hilariously attempts to stage his favorite Christmas play, “A Christmas Carol,” while Thunder and Weldon have other ideas.

In short order, Scrooge, Mr. Potter from “Its a wonderful life,” Yukon Cornelius from “Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,” Mr. and Mrs. Claus and at least a dozen more characters come to life, interspersed with the actors themselves…and all seem to instantly materialize, on-stage.  

Forget the fourth wall: forget any time-worn convention from any play you’ve ever seen: just sit back and get ready to laugh loudly and often.  You also might get pulled up to the stage as there’s audience participation a-plenty, just in case your attention might be allowed to lag for a second.

Speaking about “not lagging for a second,” technical director Jared Kramarsky is on-point with sights, sounds and gags that accentuate every nuance of this ballet of sight-and-sound extravaganza.  Stage manager Billy Stinnet has his hands full and handles it all with ease, as the perfect support for the on-stage talent.

Johnny Thunder’s “Mr. Potter,” Shellers’ vain-glorious attempts to finish his “Marley” speech and Weldon’s amazing energy, split-second character and costume changes are all worth the price of admission.  

You’ll see and hear every cliche and every Christmas cartoon and convention ever created, lampooned to total perfection.  

As someone who has worked with both Sellers (“The miss firecracker contest”) and with J. Kay Weldon (indirectly, in Martin’s November Cabaret, also at DVAC) I thought I knew their respective strengths, but I was wrong: both actors sing, act, joke and wise-crack like no one has ever seen them before, and both handle the action as though they’re seasoned stand-up comedians who have what it takes to drift in-and-out of characters with ease.  

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s this guy named, “Johnny Thunder.”

Johnny Thunder came as a complete surprise: his timing, his little vocal asides and his spot-on mugging add hilarity, pace and humor to an already-outized presentation that is directed with staccato pace by director Martin.

Be ready to revisit every treasured Christmas trope, presented as you have never seen them before in, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some).”  It promises to be the perfect note to kick off the Christmas season.

The show runs at The Diamond Valley Arts Center (DVAC), Friday, December 20 at 7p, and Saturday December 21 at 2p and 7p.  Find tickets online at www.thedvac.org

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