By Harrison Held
I saw two terrific shows this weekend…. First up Saturday night was the opening of the mind-blowing Danny and the Deep Blue Sea starring Tanna Frederick and Robert Standley directed by Carl Weathers at The Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica. The serious two-hander is about two very lost and damaged souls who meet in a dingy bar and try to make a relationship work which is no easy feat. The well-written piece is very well acted and a real emotional rollercoaster from start to finish – Tanna Frederick (Roberta) and Robert Standley (Danny) push the pedal to the metal and practically blow the roof off the theater in this volatile very emotionally charged play. It is very intense and gritty and both actors take a lot of daring chances and succeed. Presented by The Rainbow Theater Company, reservations can be made by calling 310.392.7327.
On a more gentler note the next day I caught the 3 p.m. performance of I’m Not Famous. Veteran versatile actress/singer Barbara Minkus serves up a very delightful and entertaining one-woman show about her life on stage and off with her funny & poignant stories and anecdotes – she’s really terrific and a great story teller; she sings beautifully as well. The classy show is very inspiring and well put together with director and co-writer Susan Morgenstern. Musician Ron Barnett does a great job accompanying the very talented and very likable Ms. Minkus in I’m Not Famous playing at Santa Monica Playhouse through July 22, reservations can be made by calling 310.394.9779 – I highly recommend both shows!
