By Daily Press staff
The financially struggling Santa Monica Playhouse is going solo this month. As part of the “Save-the-Playhouse benefit series,” the theater presents the world premiere of Clare and Tom: One Woman Show!
The play is described as a positive, surreal, and silly look at growing up, finding yourself and being in relationships. The show opens Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. Clare and Tom marks the fifth Playhouse collaboration with comedian Tom Konkle, a founding member of the acclaimed comedy troupe, Lester McFwap.
In this solo outing, Konkle teams up with fellow funny-meistre and co-author Clare Salstrom in a semi-spoof of the one-woman show. Ably aided and abetted by director Michael Neill, Clare and Tom: A One Woman Show!, journeys through a progression of visuals and parables that are said to entertain all audiences.
Clare Salstrom was a California arts scholar, and received her BA from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Filmand Television. She has performed with various theatre ensembles in LA, including a recent stint with Buffalo Nights in the play “JB.” On television, she has appeared on “Providence” and “7th Heaven,” and most recently in the film “The Advanced Guard.”
Konkle got his undergraduate degree from American University’s School of Theatre and Film in Washington D.C. He also studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Director Neill received his BFA in theatre from Southern Methodist University before receiving a graduate diploma in acting from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
The show plays for three weeks only, Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 23-24, Jan. 30- 31 and Feb. 6-7 at 8 p.m. All seats are a $15 donation with proceeds going to the “Santa Monica Playhouse Save The Playhouse Campaign.” Reservations are necessary. For more information about the show or the campaign, visit SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.
Santa Monica Playhouse, celebrating its 41st year of service to the community, is located at 1211 Fourth St.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 6, 2004. Read the original PDF.