Long and Ruckman in "Welcome Home." Photo: Tanae Beyer.
Too many revivals and knock-offs on the boards for you these days? Dying to see something fresh and original? I finally made it out to the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills the other night for the So Cal premiere of Julie Marie Myatt’s “Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter”—playing through May 16--and I must say, it fills the bill.
There have been lots of plays and movies about returning from war over the years—few more potent than Hal Ashby’s 1978 film “Coming Home”—yet this quirky drama about a Marine journeying back from a tour of duty in Iraq doesn’t easily call comparisons to mind. Sgt. Sutter isn’t the only one “avoiding reality at all costs” as she wanders through the California desert community of Slab City; everyone else in this makeshift village of lost souls is doing the same thing. Or are they creating their own reality?
Oanh Nguyen, who served as associate director for Myatt’s “The Happy Ones” at South Coast Rep last year, directs with sensitivity and compassion. Most impressive among the solid ensemble cast are Jennifer Ruckman as Lou, a bright-eyed motormouth and recovering addict; and Casey Long as her ex-boyfriend Buddy, an unkempt preacher. A salute to the Chance for offering a pair free tickets to active duty military, veterans, and reservists (based on availability). 714-777-3033.
The Rogue Artists Ensemble gets my vote for the most imaginative theatre troupe in Southern California. If you saw their production of “The Gogol Project” last year, you know what I’m talking about. For me, that’s reason enough to show up at OC Performing Arts Center’s Samueli Theater May 7–9 and see what this award-winning UCI-hatched group has envisioned for the season’s closing entry in OCPAC’s Family Series.
The Rogues transport us to Cementland in “The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone,” inspired by Timothy Basil Ering's book of the same name. Just as “Gogol” was intended for adults but also made a great show for kids—the kind who like to read—I suspect this tale about the true meaning of friendship, among other things, will be rewarding for children of all ages. In any case, it’s certain to be wildly creative. Call 714-556-ARTS.
Hot tip: The Monkey Wrench Collective’s production of Mark Ravenhill’s “pool (no water)” is now slated to open in their new Fullerton venue May 14.
More from Jordan:
‘Acting’ and ‘Einstein’ offer lessons in art and life at Theatre West
Kino’s American Film Theatre set preserves great plays on DVD
Bill Bryson, RSC explore Shakespeare; Monty Python doc on DVD
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