Back in 1978, while stationed at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, I began my college education at Oxnard College. As a lover of theater from an early age, I jumped at the opportunity to study with the amazing Doc Reynolds. I had the privilege of doing two plays and two musicals during my tenure at Oxnard College.
Friday night, March 15, I had the privilege to attend the new play at the Magic Mirror Theatre in North Hollywood, which just coincidentally is the same play in which I made my acting debut. That play is The Curious Savage.
Julie Raelyn has directed an impressive cast - no small undertaking, considering that her lead actress had to be replaced a mere 24 hours before opening. But her amazing cast of Kate Kennedy, Mark McKeown, Poonam Basu-Ruston, Nicholas Anthony Reid, Eugenia Care, Grafton Doyle, Jason Hamilton, Alaina Whitney, Ericka Zepeda and Carlos J. Echevaria made it easier for new cast member Laura Rosas to step into the lead character.
Considering Rosas was forced to have a script in front of her throughout the entire show, the rest of the cast were so prepared that they never missed a step. Although the entire cast was great, I was truly impressed with the acting of Poonam Basu-Ruston as Fairy Mae, Eugenia Care as Mrs. Paddy, Ericka Zepeda as Miss Willie and Jason Hamilton as Samuel (the same role I had back in 1978).
This is a play that does not get enough stage time. Many thanks to Raelyn and her cast for bringing back this classic and doing it justice. I highly recommend seeing this play - it will make for an evening very well spent.
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