'California Suite' reflects real-life drama
Daniel Welling
Issue date: 2/1/06 Section: News
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To kick off 2006, Glendale Community College's (GCC) theatre department has decided to showcase a production of Neil Simon's "California Suite". "California Suite," Director David Seitz explains, " is a 'if these walls could talk' play. A story of four groups of people and the trials and tribulations they experience within one room, in four playlets."
Set in Suite 203 and 204 of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the play follows the story of four groups of people from four different places and the conflicts that they have to deal with.
The visitors are: a divorced couple from New York, fighting over the custody of their daughter, a middle aged man who is trying to cover up his infidelity before his wife arrives. A couple from London, and two couples from Chicago who are vacationing together.
Ben Pitts, who plays Sydney Nicholas, Stu Franklin and Billy Warren, feels that GCC students will be able to relate to the characters because they are searching for themselves and who they are and who they are suppose to be.
Cast member Amber Crow agrees with Pitts, adding that to her the message is, "No matter where we come from, or who we are in the world, everyone deals with the same issues and has to deal with them."
"Take life for what it is. In life there are relationships that need to be treated as more than face value and those are important," said Mario Peña, who plays Mort Hollender, Marvin Micheals and is the make-up and hair designer for the show.
"It is a smart comedy full of quips, zingers and smart replies," Crow continues, explaining the humor in "California Suite".
"Subtext really comes into play in the show," Pitts says, "It's more about what the characters are saying then what's being said. It is very funny and easy to watch. But to get the meaning, the audience is going to have to pay attention to what's going on."
"I think people will walk away realizing that everyone is trying to deal with problems and finding themselves," Pitts says. "The characters are at crossroads in their life, just as many college students are."
Peña agreeing with Pitts states the characters are all in a "pressure cooker that's about to explode" leading to personal revelations that will help both the characters and the audience.
"California Suite" opens on Feb. 24 and 25 at 8: p.m., Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
Set in Suite 203 and 204 of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the play follows the story of four groups of people from four different places and the conflicts that they have to deal with.
The visitors are: a divorced couple from New York, fighting over the custody of their daughter, a middle aged man who is trying to cover up his infidelity before his wife arrives. A couple from London, and two couples from Chicago who are vacationing together.
Ben Pitts, who plays Sydney Nicholas, Stu Franklin and Billy Warren, feels that GCC students will be able to relate to the characters because they are searching for themselves and who they are and who they are suppose to be.
Cast member Amber Crow agrees with Pitts, adding that to her the message is, "No matter where we come from, or who we are in the world, everyone deals with the same issues and has to deal with them."
"Take life for what it is. In life there are relationships that need to be treated as more than face value and those are important," said Mario Peña, who plays Mort Hollender, Marvin Micheals and is the make-up and hair designer for the show.
"It is a smart comedy full of quips, zingers and smart replies," Crow continues, explaining the humor in "California Suite".
"Subtext really comes into play in the show," Pitts says, "It's more about what the characters are saying then what's being said. It is very funny and easy to watch. But to get the meaning, the audience is going to have to pay attention to what's going on."
"I think people will walk away realizing that everyone is trying to deal with problems and finding themselves," Pitts says. "The characters are at crossroads in their life, just as many college students are."
Peña agreeing with Pitts states the characters are all in a "pressure cooker that's about to explode" leading to personal revelations that will help both the characters and the audience.
"California Suite" opens on Feb. 24 and 25 at 8: p.m., Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.