Splendora
CELEBRATION THEATRE
Appropriately titled, Splendora is a splendid musical receiving a very good production at the Celebration Theatre, L.A.’s sole gay theater company. As the show, set in the 1970s, opens, the ladies of the East Texas town of Splendora are amusingly mourning the loss of Jessica Gatewood, a lady who has clearly left her mark on the town. And, traveling back in time one year, we meet this alluring, oddly refined woman—and her traveling companion, Timothy John—as they arrive in the sleepy town with a determination to wake its citizens up. But things are not as they seem—in fact Timothy John seems not to be seen at all—and soon both Jessica and Timothy John find themselves in love with the local assistant pastor, Brother Leggett. Complications, naturally, ensue. Based on the novel by Edward Swift, the show boasts a delicious score, bursting with captivating melodies (from the opening “How Like Heaven” to the heartbreaking 11 o’clock number “Grateful”) and sharp lyrics. As Jessica, Adriana Róze is the strongest of the cast, managing to embody Jessica’s eccentric refinement without forcing it into caricature. Her comic timing in act two is terrific and unfortunately illuminates the shortcomings of some of her costars, particularly Ben Hensley’s Timothy John who fails to find the self-effacing humor built into his character. The show’s other standout is Elizabeth Green as would-be sheriff Sue Ella—she manages to balance her character’s schticky humor with sincerity. I wish Celebration had been able to throw a little more money at the production. I understand the limited budgets of small theater, but having just three instruments in the orchestra only confirms how much Stephen Hoffman’s rich score cries out for more musicians, and the set, while efficient, looks a little cheap. That said, Splendora is absolutely worth seeing, and Celebration deserves much credit for premiering this gem on the West Coast. (Through December 3)
Jeffrey Epstein
Celebration Theatre
7051B Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
Ticket Info (323) 957-1884
