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Apparently, you can never have too much good stuff.
The critically praised production of Charles Busch’s “The Lady in Question” has re-opened at the Asylum Theatre in Hollywood. The original cast has reunited in full for the encore round of performances to run through Sept. 2.
The play, set in 1940, tells the story of a glamorous and absurdly self-absorbed concert pianist, Gertrude Garnet, who meets a handsome American professor, Erik Maxwell, while on tour in Bavaria. Garnet’s usual aloofness succumbs to Maxwell’s charisma as they collaborate to rescue Maxwell’s mother from a Nazi prison.
Directed by Lilly Thomassian, the melodrama contains outrageous dialogue, slapstick, and of course acclaimed countertenor R. Christofer Sands cross-dressing as Garnet. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $15 for pre-sale, students, seniors, and 4-A Union Members. The Asylum Theatre is located at 6322 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.
A New York state of body
The Tarryn Teresa Gallery in Santa Monica will display New York-based artist Rachel Kohn’s work through Sept. 18. Kohn’s exhibit, entitled Existing Caves, offers the viewer “a way to explore the internal landscapes of the body,” according to the gallery. Kohn employs a specific color palette as well as many tactile materials including plaster, gauze, foam, paper mache, plastic, wire and glue to generate a sense of decay. The entrance of the gallery contains Kohn’s drawings, the main space features her sculptural pieces, and the back room was transformed into a cocoon-like cave as the finale of the artistic journey.
Kohn has a BA from Skidmore College and is currently completing the final year of her MFA at Hunter College.
The Tarryn Teresa Gallery is located at 2525 Michigan Ave. in Santa Monica. Please call (310) 453-4752 for more information.
Stand-up gal
Nadine Rajabi, comedian and radio personality, will speak on Aug. 27 as a part of the Santa Monica College Academy of Entertainment and Technology’s lecture series. Rajabi has established herself in numerous appearances on TV, national commercials, and comedy clubs. She was once the Hollywood IMPROV’s youngest paid regular. Rajabi currently appears daily on XM Radio Channel 154 and discusses celebrity pop culture gossip.
The lecture series is free and held at 7 p.m. on Mondays in the Academy’s Screening Room at 1660 Stewart St. in Santa Monica.
Moving out, moving in
TeAda Productions, Santa Monica’s cutting-edge theatre group, is tackling the issue of Santa Monica’s gentrification in its latest show, “OUTFLOW.” The performance work will feature a collection of personal and public oral histories from the residents of Santa Monica to highlight this racially and culturally shifting community. Artists to participate include Joy Anderson, Jessica Gudiel, Marcus Kuiland-Nazario, Mitsu Salmon, and more. The production will be presented at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St. Friday and Saturday shows (Aug. 24-25) will be at 8 p.m., and the Sunday show will be at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15-20. For more information and reservations, call (310) 315-1459.
Creative solutions for Sudan
When the fundamentalist government in Khartoum raided southern Sudan, they burned the villages, poisoned the water sources, made the young girls slaves and massacred 2.5 million. Another 4 million were displaced. Among these are a group of boys who escaped because they were away from the villages tending sheep. Like Peter Pan’s cadre of lost boys, they formed into roving groups and started walking 1,000 miles to Ethiopia. UN examiners have said these are the most badly war-traumatized children ever examined.
926, The one thing the children ask for is to be able to go to school. Over 25 percent of the money from this art sale will help the dream of education come true. Just $25 feeds, houses and clothes an orphan for one month. Just $100 buys shoes and uniforms for one year. Another $250 covers tuition and board for one term.
A group of politically-minded local artists have selected pieces to display at this show. A highlight of the day promises to be the bargain tables of artist’s work aptly names “Scribbles and Scratches." Stop by for a glass of lemonade and chat with the artists. This event takes place Saturday at Saint Augustine’s by the Sea, from 12 to 6 p.m. St. Augustine’s is located at 1227 Fourth St. in Santa Monica.
Emily Skehan
Tune in
Lovers of literacy should put an ear to the radio today, Aug. 23 at 2:30 p.m., for KCRW’s program Bookworm. Hosted by Michael Silverblatt, Bookworm this week features Michael Ondaatje’s novel “Divisadero.” The show explores the mysterious convergences in this novel — convergences that link a family ranch in contemporary California with the life and works of a forgotten French poet and novelist. KCRW, which broadcasts from Santa Monica College, can be found at 89.9 FM or streaming online at kcrw.com.
Boys’ shorts
The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre will take a lighthearted look at the hilarity and terrors of gay childhood on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Six short films — four American, one Canadian, and one Indian — will begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude with a discussion with four of the filmmakers. The Lloyd E. Rigler Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 466-3456.
Clinebell rising
John Clinebell, a Santa Monica-based singer/songwriter known to most as an artist frequently crooning his original songs on the Third Street Promenade, will play at the Genghis Cohen club on Tuesday, Aug. 28 to promote his new album, “Stomping Grounds.” A tenor, Clinebell lists John Mayer, Ray LaMontagne, and Joseph Arthur as some of the influences in his acoustic rock sound.
The show will begin at 9:30 p.m. on the Music Room stage. The Genghis Cohen is a combined restaurant and music venue, located at 740 N. Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles. For more information, contact Clinebell personally at (310) 254-6896.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2007. Read the original PDF.