Review of Palm Springs Theatre of Play Yellow by Del Shores
Playwright Del Shores' new production, "This Side of Crazy," is another family related tale.
The story follows a former gospel music star trying to convince her three adult daughters, who were once the "picayune superstars for Jesus," to reunite and perform for the first fourth dimension in several years.
The Palm Coulee Theatre's product of the new play opens Th and runs through Sunday. Information technology's directed by Richard Marlow and features local actors Deborah Harman, Yo Younger, Denise Strand and Melanie Blue.
Shores, a native of Winters, Texas, also wrote the plays "Daddy's Dyin': Who'southward Got the Volition?" "Sordid Lives," and "Southern Baptist Sissies." There take been several productions of "Sordid Lives" at the Palm Canyon Theatre since the play premiered in 1996.
Shores will be actualization for the opening dark on Th and will do a Q&A after the show.
Marlow, who is hearing dumb, spoke to The Desert Dominicus through text messages on his feelings nigh the play and bringing the production to life at the Palm Canyon Theatre. The following interview was edited for length and clarity.
THE DESERT Sun: The Los Angeles Times said "Even for Del Shores, 'This Side of Crazy' gets a little too crazy." How do y'all feel about this play?
RICHARD MARLOW: I read the reviews, but then I read the play – and it's so funny, existent, poignant and deeply human. I knew we could exercise it justice. Not having seen the other productions, I may have an advantage to view information technology through my own filter. I even so express mirth out loud in rehearsal and cry like a baby at the end.
It's heavy subject matter. What do you love about the story?
Everyone has dysfunction to a certain extent in their family, but the Blaylock ladies may have cornered the dysfunction market place. Del Shores comes from a Southern Bible Belt background and he clearly has been a homo wiretap all his life. In that location is a quirky offbeat logic to the things his characters say and do.
The characters in Del Shores' plays are unique and take these interesting personalities. Is information technology difficult for cast members to transform into these characters?
The actors are having a nail with this. Everything the characters do is rooted in existent behavior, it'south merely most of us have the power to "check ourselves" earlier we overstep. His characters just "go there," but there is a lovely subtlety in this play that is both challengingly difficult and artistically rewarding for an actor. I think all four actresses would agree with me on that.
Is this the first Del Shores play you've directed?
This is the get-go play of Del's I've directed. I've been a fan of his since I first saw "Sordid Lives" almost 20 years ago and appeared as GW Nethercott in our product last month. I sympathize I'thousand the showtime director of "This Side of Crazy" who isn't Del Shores. This is only the third product e'er and he directed the other two.
Wow! Do you lot feel whatsoever pressure level in doing the first production he didn't direct?
Certainly, but I have a strong vision for the play, which was inspired by his script and I'm confident he volition exist pleased. I feel more pressure level from getting the set just right earlier opening night. I serve as ready designer under my "nom de scene" (stage proper noun) Toby Griffin.
What other plays take yous directed and what exercise y'all have coming upwardly?
I've been directing for over 40 years on and off. I was a realtor for most of that time and theater has e'er been a come-and-go mistress for me. Here at Palm Coulee Theatre, I've directed "Grand Hotel," "Meteor Shower," "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and "Pajama Game."
Do yous have a favorite you lot've ever wanted to direct?
Several. I'd love to direct "Long Twenty-four hours's Journey Into The Dark." My dream musicals are "Shenandoah" and "The Roar of the Blackface, the Smell of the Crowd," which I envision as an LGBTQ-themed parable. This summer I will direct "Godspell" at the Palm Canyon Theatre. It's an exciting revisit for me equally I played the lead in it 47 years ago. My big challenge as a director and actor is I'thou hearing dumb. A genetic disorder has been reducing my hearing all my life. I only have viii% in one ear and nix in the other. I've learned to recoup, and my theater comrades have been so agreement.
Why should people go meet "This Side of Crazy?"
First of all, this is a rare opportunity to see iv of our expanse'southward finest actresses working together. Each 1 could be a draw in a play, but getting them all for this projection was a dream come up truthful. As well, this is an opportunity to meet a time to come classic that provides genuine laughter, frightening pathos and soul-stirring emotions all in ane evening. COVID-xix starved united states for theater experiences, so I'm proud to exist office of the team bringing something this special to Palm Springs audiences.
If you go
What: "This Side of Crazy"
When: 7 p.thousand., Nov. xviii; 8 p.m., Nov. 19; 8 p.m., November. 20; 2 p.m. Nov. 21
Where: Palm Coulee Theatre, 538 Northward. Palm Coulee Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $15 to $30
More data: palmcanyontheatre.net
Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.
Source: https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2021/11/17/palm-canyon-theatre-takes-del-shores-this-side-crazy/8652195002/
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