Darlings, What A "Scare" We Had Wednesday Night!!!!!!!!!

Girls, I am telling you, the LPA Playreading Group is setting new standards for itself, with Wednesday night's captivating reading of Charles Busch's "Red Scare On Sunset." Venturing into comedic terrtiory hitheto unexplored, the capable group proved themselves adept at Busch's special brand of humor. With a few surprises along the way.

Wendy, our congenial hostess and Casting Director for the project, made some brilliant and inspired choices. Charlie--he of the stentorian voice--proved to be an accomplished leading man in the role of Frank Taggart, one of the most imbibing lushes ever. John Barrymore and Christopher both would have been impressed. The company's own Amy Adams, Miss Daisy Pommer, brought her own radiance and an Eve Arden-ish quality, to the role of Pat Pilford, while the dulcet tones of Miss Tynisha Jones (no relation to Grace Jones, darlings!!!!) concealed brilliantly the true steeliness of her character, Mary Dale. One of the evening's favorites turned out to be Steve Massa, whose Uncle Sven was skillfully played as a Scandanavian Uncle Joe from "Petticoat Junction" on the make, and his portrayal of Russian acting teacher Yetta Felson would have blown the babushkas off both Maria Ouspenskaya and Blanche Yurka!!!!!!!! And the company's REAL Amy, Miss Schwegel, did a deliciously nasty rendering of Marta Towers, with a brilliant Soviet accent when exposed for the true villain she was. Resident ingenue Emily Currie shined in the role of "Salesgirl" and assorted others, demonstrating she is someone to keep an eye on for larger and meatier roles. I for one, hon, cannot wait to see her do Jean--the teenage durg addict in Tracy Letts' "August:Osage County.

Making his group debut that evening, in the role of Mitchell Drake, was John Calhoun, whom rumor hath it is related to Rory Calhoun, star of such film classics as "Motel Hell," and the legendary "Night Of The Lepus." Displaying a malevolent qualilty enabling him to weasel and worm his way into the role, Mr. Calhoun tossed off one liners about hisute testicles with the panache of one who has seen many in his time, with the best maniacal sneer I have heard this side of Basil Rathbone. Tall and willowy in a manner suggeting the early Shelley Duvall, Mr. Calhoun is an accomplished addtion to the group roster, and it will be interesting to see how he is used, as he shows every indication of becoming the group's Beatrice Arthur!!!!!!!!!!

And whay of Wendy? Still in hostess mode, which suggested a carryover from her triumph of M'Lynn in "Steel Magnolias," she dispensed announcements, food and drink, which flowed freely. Special mention must be given to Mr. Calhoun's Red Vines, and Charlie's tantalizing salsa. Daisy proved herself wine operner supreme; if only I had not been on antibiotics so I could drink just the way Judy (Garland) tauight me. Well, aaybe not THAT much, but nevertheless the evening was a comic triumph for all, including yours truly, who, channeling my Comic Muse, Miss Rue McClanahan, found an audacious way to portray Malcom and come off with a performance to satisfy even this severest critic.

Girls, this group is on its way! Just wait till it does "Mourning Becomes Electra!" That should be a hoot and a half, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you next month on the Rialto!