Engaging, surprising, clever and funny The Psychic which is having its world premiere at the Falcon Theatre offers audiences everything they could ask for in a comedy mystery. Veteran playwright Sam Bobrick has another winner on his hands. Directed by a savvy Susan Morgenstern the show features one of the most talented ensembles currently onstage in L.A.
Jeffrey Cannata plays an aptly hapless mystery writer wannabe Adam Webster who desperate for inspiration and cash places a hand lettered sign (in crayon no less) a sign advertising psychic readings $25 in the window of his basement apartment.
The sign attracts a series of colorful and oddly interconnected seekers of information from "beyond" first being the lovely damsel in distress Dana Green as Laura Benson who fears her gambling husband wants to do her in. As that no-good husband Roy Benson, Cyrus Alexander is sufficiently slick to convince the audience he might, indeed, be up to no good.
Other seekers of occult information include Bridget Flannery as Rita Malone charming as a floozy with two lovers and more cents in her purse than sense in her head. One of those lovers is Johnny Bubbles played to perfection by Richard Horvitz as the quintessential 1940s wise guy.
No mystery would be complete without a cop and Phil Proctor serves up Detective Norris Coslow as a mind bogglingly erudite and verbose representative of law enforcement.
The Psychic is filled great dialogue and fun scenes, but one of the best between Green and Horvitz in Act II is particularly delightful.
Jeff McLaughlin's intentionally shabby set is perfect and Nick McCord's severe "where were you on the night of the third" lighting was effective especially in the shifts from dark stage to bright. If David Beaudry is responsible for the music before, during and after the show he, too, did a marvelous job.
The Psychic has a short run unless they extend and this is one not to be missed. It performs 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday through April 18. Tickets are $27.50-30 previews, $50-$55 opening night, $32.50-$35 Wednesday and Thursday and $37.50-$40 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call 818-955-8101.
The Falcon Theatre is located at 4252 Riverside Drive in Burbank.
For a related article: http://www.examiner.com/x-5326-LA-Theater-Examiner~y2010m3d11-World-premiere-of-comedy-The-Psychic-at-the-Falcon-Theatre
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Photos by Chelsea Sutton—(top right) Laura Benson (Dana Green) and Johnny Bubbles (Richard Horvitz); (left center) Adam Webster (Jeffrey Cannata) and Detective Norris Coslow (Phil Proctor).
For more information: www.falcontheatre.com
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