June 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

‘By The Way, Meet Vera Stark’ On Stage At The Geffen Playhouse:

Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage has written a fascinating play about Vera Stark, a mostly unknown, legendary African American actress who defied the color barrier during Jim Crow America and went on to become a famous Hollywood actress in the 1930s. “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark,” which takes us through the life and times of Stark, premiered at the Second Stage Theatre in New York and makes its West Coast debut at the Geffen Playhouse.

The more solid, breezy Act I opens with Amanda Detmer’s delightfully flamboyant Gloria Mitchell, who had been dubbed “America’s Little Sweetie Pie,” rehearsing for an audition for the lead role in the “The Belle of New Orleans,” a new movie to be directed by the fiery director Maximillion Von Oster, appropriately played by Mather Zickel, who also plays Peter Rhys-Davies, a guest on Brad Donovan’s talk show in Act II.

Running lines with the aging, gin-guzzling diva is Gloria’s far-from-humble maid, confidant, and aspiring actress, Vera Stark, played to sheer perfection by an amazing Sanaa Lathan. Vera spots the part of a slave and sets out to get cast in that role. Later, at a party hosted by Gloria, Von Oster quite passionately locks horns with the studio head, Frederick Slasvick, appropriately played by Spencer Garrett, over a differing opinion on the story line. Garrett does a good job as both the studio head and talk show host Donovan in the problematic Act II. In a very funny scene, Von Oster is explaining how he wants the “Negroes” in his film to be authentic, with true-life tragic experiences. Vera hilariously assumes the beaten down, bent-over posture and tone of a person from a tormented background and tells a fictitious sad story about her childhood that ultimately results in her landing the role.

Helping out at the party is Lottie, one of Vera’s roommates, hysterically played by Kimberly Hebert Gregory, whose crack comic timing got laughs with her sometimes deadpan, biting delivery. The third aspiring actress/roommate, excellently played by Merle Dandridge, shows up at the party with Von Oster disguised as a Brazilian actress willing to bed down with anyone in a position to launch her career. The relationships between the three women crackle with the delight borne out of living together in somewhat cramped quarters and having the same career goals.

Act II opens with promise as the final scene from “The Belle of New Orleans” is actually screened with Gloria in the lead role of the dying woman. Vera is her devoted slave/maid along with the other slaves played by Vera’s roommates. The film ends with Vera saying to her dying owner “Stay awake and together we’ll face a new day.” Prophetic? Perhaps.

From that most inventive opening, the play moves to a scene from Donovan’s talk show with an aged, alcoholic, drug-dependent Vera slurring her words and exhibiting the ravages of her addictions. Downstage is a live discussion on Vera’s legacy by panelists Carmen Levy-Green (Kimberly Hebert Gregory) and a stereotypical militant, Afua Assata Ejobo, played with just the right amount of predictable stridency by Dandridge. However, it’s here that the play begins to fall apart and becomes a forum for political expression. It went on way too long and diminishes the brilliance of Act I.

“By The Way, Meet Vera Stark,” is well directed by Jo Bonney who helped guide and shape the excellent performances given by this sterling cast which also includes Kevin T. Carroll who plays Vera’s love interest, Leroy Barksdale the chauffeur who actually helps her get the audition that ultimately launches her acting career.

Technically, this production is a visual delight starting with Set Designer Neil Patel’s kitschy living room furnished with the requisite white divan and bar area, contrasted with Vera’s small apartment. Projection Designer Shawn Sagady fills the upstage wall with fabulous stills depicting the time line of Vera’s journey using the static vertical lines familiar on old films signifying the opening or ending of a movie. Jeff Croiter’s Light Design, John Gromada’s Sound Design, and ESosa’s Costume Design all work together to create a visually authentic look.

For all intents and purposes Vera Stark vanished around 1973 and despite all kinds of speculations, no one seems to know what actually happened to her. So, a special thanks must go to Lynn Nottage for introducing us to this unsung hero in her fascinating, although somewhat flawed play.

The Geffen Playhouse

10886 Le Conte Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Run: Tuesday – Sunday Through Oct. 28, 2012

Tickets: 310.208.5454

www.geffenplayhouse.com

in News
<>Related Posts

Lane Closures Return to PCH in Malibu for Fire Recovery and Emergency Repairs

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Traffic Will Be Impacted as Caltrans and the USACE Conduct Cleanup  The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced updated...

Palisades Council Demands Accounting of FireAid Concert Funds

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

The FireAid concert, held on January 30, at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, raised an estimated $100 million, with...

Historic Venice Building Envisioned by Abbot Kinney Hits Market for $2.29M

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Kinney envisioned the building as part of an institutional foundation to rival Renaissance Italy, focusing on education and culture A...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Malibu Moves to Ease Business Burden After Wildfire and Pacific Coast Highway Closure

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

City Pauses Minimum Wage Hike, to Review Event Rules to Aid Local Businesses To alleviate economic strain on local businesses...

Criterion Mobile Closet Arrives in L.A. for Two-Day Stop at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

More Than 1,000 Classic Titles June 6–7 During American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week  Following its successful appearances at SXSW and Vidiots...

Waymo Faces Escalating Tensions in Santa Monica Over Noise Complaints: REPORT

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Some residents have resorted to blocking Waymo vehicles from entering the lots using cones, cars, and even themselves—a tactic locals...

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

Westside Ballet to Present Spring Showcase and Gala Featuring NYCB Stars This Weekend

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Community Service Award will go to first responders from Los Angeles and Santa Monica in...

Salt & Straw Unveils Summer Pie Series with Five Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Five New Flavors Inspired by Classic Summer Pies Will Be Introduced Salt & Straw is giving summer a scoopable twist with...

Palisades Village to Reopen in 2026 with Revamped Retail, Dining, and Community Spaces

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Elysewalker Set to Return With Park Reconstruction, Holiday Events, and Streetscape Upgrades Palisades Village, the open-air shopping and lifestyle destination...

(Video) Signs That Your Aging Loved Ones Are in Need of Caregiving

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

To Find Out More, Go To Safelyhomeagain.com To Find Out More, Go To https://t.co/ZcOduvaP03 pic.twitter.com/9E2uPzzZO6 — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror)...

(Video) Last Thursday Concert Series Kicks off at Venice Boardwalk

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

The shows happen at Dudley Ave. at the pergolas on the north end of the boardwalk The shows happen at...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Summer Reading Program to Promote Literacy

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Running from June 14 through August 16, the program encourages participants of all ages to track their reading progress and...

Film Review: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

FILM REVIEWJANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFERated R98 MinutesReleased May 30th Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a refreshingly simple and...