By: Judy Shields
Laguna, California (The Hollywood Times) 1/18-17 – “A need for championship, a slice of life for all, I just fell in love with this play and I know you all will too.” Ann E. Wareham, Artistic Director told the full house before the play.
Laguna Playhouse presents the Third Show in their 2016-2017 Season! CHAPATTI, written by Christian O’Reilly, Directed by David Ellenstein, based on the Direction of Judith Ivey
Limited Engagement Opened Sunday, January 15th at Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach
What do you get when you mix an Irish tale with 19 cats, one dog named after a pancake, and two eccentric animal lovers? Annabella Price and Mark Bramhall star in this humorous and heartwarming tale about two animal lovers in Dublin, and their unexpected spark as they re-discover the importance of human companionship. This second-chance comedy celebrates these unforgettable characters who still believe in love.
This wonderful, charming and entertaining play starring Mark Bramhall as Dan and Annabella Price as Betty is worth the price of admission. From the opening act of Dan narrating and speaking to his beloved dog Chapatti about life and the loss of his dear Martha, fondly remembering when Chapatti would bark and how Martha would laugh and laugh, how much he misses her, especially her laughter. To Betty, who comes on stage and tells her story of a caregiver to Peggy, cold-hearted _itch! and all of Peggy’s cats, especially Prudence, a grey and white cat that Peggy is most fond of.
The actors do a fantastic job keeping you on the edge of your seat to see how their characters eventually meet. It sure is a humorous story with some sadness. The laughter of the actors was infectious to say the least, especially Betty’s laugh. Laughter is truly the best medicine for mankind and what a world we would have, if everyone could laugh more often. This play sure will delight all that come to see it, so you can add it to one of your favorite plays of the year.
Husbands and wives should surely go see this play and at any age. It is a great “date night” that both of you will be talking about for years to come. Also, high school kids should join their parents and/or grandparents to see this adorable two-person play.
The one line I truly remember from the play was “what matters is love, not being remembered.” How so, very true.
Getting to the playhouse: https://lagunaplayhouse.com/plan-your-visit/getting-here/
Parking and transportation: https://lagunaplayhouse.com/plan-your-visit/parking-and-transportation/
CHAPATTI will run through Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Performances will be Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm; Thursdays at 2pm; Saturdays at 2pm; Sundays at 1pm. There will be an additional performance on Sunday, January 22 at 5:30pm
Tickets range from $40 – $65 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling (949) 497-2787 ext. 229. Prices subject to change.
The box office is open Mondays – Saturdays: 12pm to 5pm (open until show time on performance days) Sundays: 11am – 4pm
About Mark Bramhall (Dan)
Mark Barmhall began acting professionally in 1966, in the original company of San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre. He has performed off-Broadway, at regional theatres nationwide and dozens of SoCal venues, including thirty-four productions while a Resident Artist at A Noise Within. He is a member of LA’s renowned Antaeus Theatre Company, and has recently starred at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, Sacred Fools Theatre, The Lillian Theatre, The Pico Playhouse and Actors Co-op. He won a 2012 Ovation Award covering three of the four principal roles in Center Theatre Group’s Waiting For Godot at the Mark Taper Forum, and was nominated again for that Award in 2013, for Beast Performance in a Leading Role, in 24th St Theatre’s Walking The Tightrope. Other honors and nominations: LA Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, Garland, LA Weekly and Dramalogue awards; Audie nomination (2013) and twenty-nine AudioFile Magazine “Earphones” awards for excellence in audiobook narration. Selected film and TV credits: “Star Trek” (2009), “Vanilla Sky,” “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Weeds,” “24,” “ER,” and “Alias”; also “Housecat” and “Emily Flutters,” both in post-production. He voices principal roles in “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” “Guild Wars 2,” “The Amazing Spiderman” and “Steamboy” (with Alfred Molina) Education/Training: Harvard (AB cum laude, 1965); UC Berkeley; LAMDA (Fulbright Scholar); American Conservatory Theatre; Classical Theatre Lab; Steve Eastin Studio. Mark is a proud lifelong member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.
About Annabella Price (Betty)
Annabella Price – Stage, selected list: Steven Berfoff’s Metamorphosis at Mark Taper Forum; Jane Martin’s Talking With and Len Jenkins’ The Five of Us at Taper Too; Stephen Metcalfe’s Strange Snow, Old Globe San Diego; Beyond Therapy, Empty Space Seattle and South Coast Repertory; Eric Overmeyer’s In Perpetuity Throughout the Universe, South Coast Repertory; Maria Irene Fornes’ Fefu and Her Friends, Padua Hills Playwright Festival; Julie Johnson, Sundance Playwright Conference; Brian Friel’s Translations, Doris Baizley’s Mrs. California, LA Stage Company; and Hugh Leonard’s A Life, Summer, Theatre 40. TV/Film, selected list: Series: “Christy” (director Michael Rhodes); “Gang of Four” (director Jan Egelson); Television Movies: “Good Night Sweet Wife” (director Jerrold Freedman)’ “Murder Ordained” (director Mike Robe); “Roe v. Wade” (director Gregory Hoblit); “Baby M” (director Jim Sadwith), and “Practical Magic” (director Griffin Dunne).
About The Laguna Playhouse
Laguna Playhouse is an historic Equity theatre located in the charming arts colony of Laguna Beach, California. Steps away from the Pacific Ocean, Laguna Playhouse is known for its year-round season of captivating comedies, dramas, musicals, stand-up comedy and family fare.
Named “Best in OC” in Live Theatre in 2016 and 2015 by the OC Register, Laguna Playhouse was founded as a community theatre in 1920, Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously operating, not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast.
A member of the League of Resident Theatres, Laguna Playhouse often features stage and screen stars who come to Laguna Beach for its upscale lifestyle, pristine beaches, fine dining, and numerous artistic offerings, all within minutes of the theatre. In addition to its theatrical offerings, Laguna Playhouse hosts a wide variety of performing artists on its Moulton Stage throughout the year. It is home to the annual Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Beach Music Festival and Laguna Concert Band. Laguna Playhouse invites children as well as adults to attend special productions designed for young audiences. Actors of all ages share their talents through Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre. Laguna Playhouse actors also visit local schools with educational productions, which have been honored by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education.
Many world renowned performers have appeared on the Laguna Playhouse stage, including Ed Asner, Leslie Caron, Gretchen Cryer, Bette Davis, Charles Durning, Mike Farrell, Hershey Felder, Harrison Ford, Davis Gaines, Julie Harris, Val Kilmer, Cloris Leachman, Linda Purl, Teri Ralston, Rita Rudner, Charles Shaugnessy, Sally Struthers, Toni Tennille, Dick Van Patten, and Stephanie Zimbalist.
