By Virginia Schneider
Photos by Julie Fowells
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 02/22/2025 – If we only had an articulate take-no-prisoners friend who would speak up for us, voicing our deepest feelings and forcing us to move ahead with our lives. And what if that friend could be a hysterical, in your face goat, who gives you an attitude along with tremendous unconditional love. That is a good friend–and a heck of a brilliant storyline.
In Fountain Theatre’s new play, “Alabaster,” by Audrey Cefaly, that friend is Weezy the goat (a brilliantly funny and powerful performance by Carolyn Messina) the dearest companion June (Virginia Newcomb) has had since her family was killed in a horrific accident. Covered in scars because of the accident, June has hermetically sealed herself off from the world, trapped in her pain and anger on her family’s small farm, tending her goats and painting beautiful artwork onto her canvas of choice—broken pieces of wood from her barn. The barn wood is a symbol of June’s splintered past, full of “flaws and history,” like June herself.
Enter Alice (Erin Pineda) a high-end photographer from the big city who has come to shoot June as part of her new book—about women with scars. And both women have a lot of scars as we discover from their rapid fire, explosive interrogation of each other throughout act one. Dear Weezy (who June can converse with quite well) goads June into telling the truth, to stop being such a stubborn pain and let Alice be the friend June so badly needs. The tragic truth of both women’s physical and emotional scars comes to light during stunning reveals using video designs by Ly Eisenstein with nuanced and penetrating lighting design by Alison Brummer and sound design by Andrea Allmond. The extraordinary dialogue of playwright Audrey Cefaly and masterful direction by Casey Stangl, shines through the poignant performances of Pineda, Newcomb, Messina and Laura Gardner. Gardner plays the mama goat Bib, whose side-splitting hisses and bangs have us laughing—until she too leaves her mark on the world and on our broken hearts.
Award-winning playwright Audrey Cefaly has crafted a gem of a darkly comic Southern drama making its Los Angeles Premiere at the Fountain Theatre. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, named to “The Kilroy’s List” of excellent new plays by women, and winner of the Calicchio Prize, Alabaster is an irresistible drama about women, art and healing. As part of a record-breaking, 11-theater National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, Alabaster has gone on to productions and rave reviews across the country. Director Stangl says, “I love the play’s edgy theatricality and deft mix of comedy and drama. It attacks some very complex subjects — trauma, grief and the healing power of art — with a complete lack of sentimentality that is filled with humor and humanity.”
Prop Design and terrific paintings are by Jenine MacDonald (who should have an Etsy account.) The rough, folk art scenic design is by Frederica Nascimento. Sound Designer Andrea Allmond also contributes lovely compositions, and Rebecca Carr provides costume design. Witty, creative themes told in a bold modern voice with heart wrenching acting portrayals and top-notch design elements make this a magnificent piece of Southern women’s storytelling at its best and brightest.
Alabaster opens on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m., with performances thereafter on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 30 (dark Monday, Feb. 17).
Monday nights offer regular seating ($40) and Pay–What–You–Want seating, which is subject to availability.
The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Patrons are invited upstairs to relax before and after the show at the Fountain’s café. For reservations and information, call (323) 663–1525 or go to FountainTheatre.com.
Secure, on-site parking: $5
Street parking available in the neighborhood only north of Fountain Ave.