One thing Culture Clash makes abundantly clear early on in their latest effort, “American Night: The Ballad of Juan José,” is that any and all expectations must be abandoned—just as troupe scribe Richard Montoya dispenses with the rules of playwrighting.
Christopher Ashley, artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse (where the show runs through Feb. 26) describes it as “an immigrant’s fever dream of American history” and “the best kind of civics lesson—one you won’t find in any textbook.” I’m inclined to agree on both counts. Jo Bonney’s outstanding direction is a crucial element is making it work; how did Culture Clash manage without her until now? Call 858-550-1010 for tix.
Looking for a clever way to enliven a cast party? That’s how Rick Miller first devised “MacHomer: The Simpsons Do MacBeth,” during a summer Shakespeare in the Park stint in Montreal. Since its modest beginnings in 1994, this one-man show has evolved into a worldwide hit, seen by more than half a million people on four continents; the show was completely revamped to mark its 10th anniversary, with new songs, new characters and enhanced sound and video design.
“MacHomer,” which has been seen at such prestigious venues as the Edinburgh Fringe and The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., makes its way to La Mirada Theatre on Feb. 16. The solo performance features impressions of over 50 voices from TV’s “The Simpsons”—with Homer in the title role opposite Marge as Lady MacBeth—in a parody of the classic tragedy that promises to be both educational and entertaining. Call 714-994-6310 or 562-944-9801 for tix.
Time magazine wasn’t exaggerating when it called “I, Claudius” one of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time."John Hurt, who plays Caligula in this epic BBC series that spans the history of the Roman Empire from Augustus through Claudius, once told me in a London bar that the show was so popular people used to plan parties around it.
The Emmy-winning tale of ambition and debauchery is being released Mar. 27 on DVD by Acorn Media, in a 35th Anniversary Edition packed with bonus material. Based on the novels by Robert Graves, it stars Derek Jacobi (as Claudius, a stuttering scholar who learns early to play the fool and stay alive), Siân Phillips and Patrick Stewart.
More from Jordan:
“Elemeno Pea” at South Coast Rep, Culture Clash in La Jolla & LA http://www.examiner.com/arts-in-los-angeles/elemeno-pea-at-south-coast-rep-culture-clash-la-jolla-la
“Clybourne Park” at Mark Taper, a guide to black Old-Time Radio http://shar.es/flwqq
Mamet's 'Buffalo' loose in Fullerton http://shar.es/fWAUp
Bill Bryson, RSC explore Shakespeare; Monty Python doc on DVD
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