The Book of Liz: Wacky Comedy by Amy and David Sedaris at Costa Mesa Playhouse
Costa Mesa Playhouse (661 Hamilton Street Costa Mesa, CA 92627)
- Full Price:
- $16.00 - $23.00
- Our Price:
- FREE - $12.50*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for The Book of Liz have expired.
The last date listed for The Book of Liz was Sunday February 27, 2011 / 2:00pm.
Goldstar Member Tips
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Goldstar Member on Where to Park
Large lot
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Goldstar Member on What to Wear
Nice jeans are fine. This is a small community theater.
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Goldstar Member on Where to Eat
A small snack bar is available.
11 Goldstar Member Reviews
Goldstar Member
I like Amy and David Sedaris very much, and would like to give 3 stars for their writing. Unfortunately, the production and performances were so notably amateur that I just can't do it. In fact, it pained me to see their work poorly produced. There were some moments, but overall I essentially couldn't believe I had paid money to see this. Lines were fumbled, sometimes badly. The sets and lighting not far off from a high school production. The theater and stage are very small and located in an older elementary school in Costa Mesa. In their defense, I had never been to the CM Playhouse and did not realize that it was a tiny community theater of non professionals. They are trying hard, but I likely would not pay to see a play here again. On the best note, my guests enjoyed it and were able to overlook the level of acting due to the many jokes about AA, of which they are members.Written on Mar 01 2011
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David Raber
With such a wacky description of the play, one has to wonder what to expect. It really turned out to be an excellently written and executed play. Each character was very well developed. The writing was clever and thought provoking. Turned out to be a great evening.Written on Feb 08 2011
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Goldstar Member
Loved the play! It was absolutely original and delightful. I wasn't expecting too much from this little theater and its cast, but I was really surprised. The 90 minutes without intermission flew by.Written on Feb 07 2011
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Mark Johnson
The playhouse facilities were great. The staff was helpful. The play was "wacky" but fun. The cast was excellent and did a great job. Very enjoyable evening.Written on Feb 07 2011
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More Information About The Book of Liz
Website
http://www.costamesaplayhouse.org/
Description
When one of the wittiest satirists of our time and his comedienne sister write a play together, you know it can’t be anything short of hilarious. Sister Elizabeth Donderstock has spent her entire life in a cloistered religious community called the Squeamish, where she created and single-handedly makes their famous cheese balls, both traditional and smoky — but when a sanctimonious new arrival convinces the sect’s leader to let him take over the cheese ball operation, Liz, feeling frustrated and unappreciated, leaves the compound for the first time to try her luck in the “real” world. Culture shock ensues — in the extreme.
Director Mike Brown says, "I was looking for a comedy to fill an open slot in the season's schedule, and I have read very few scripts that made me laugh out loud as much as this one. The dialogue is hilarious and, while the play's wackiness is somewhat over-the-top, I found an endearing truthfulness to the characters and their dilemmas. It should also be noted that, although the play pokes fun at the cloistered lifestyle and might be considered irreverent, it does not criticize religion at all. It is about people, extremely eccentric people, the kind of people I like the most."
As the play's authors give no background for their fictional religious community, Brown has created his own history of the Squeamish as an aid to the actors and in defining the look of the play. It deals with witch hunts, magic mushrooms and a visitation by an ethereal being in a strange ball of orange light, somewhat resembling a cheese ball. Of course, none of that history is actually in the play except as visual reference, but will be detailed in the program for anyone interested in reading it.
Originally written to be performed by four actors playing 15 characters, Brown has expanded the cast to six and assembled actors he has worked with before. "I needed people with specific skills, Brown says, "and fortunately I knew actors who had them."
About the Ticket Supplier: Costa Mesa Playhouse
The Costa Mesa Playhouse is a 73-seat, not-for-profit, Community Theater that has been serving greater Orange County for over 40 years. The Playhouse is dedicated to presenting affordable, quality, live theater in a comfortable and intimate setting, and to offering the talented actors, singers, dancers, and stage craftspeople of Orange County a welcoming environment in which to practice their craft. With a season running from September through June and five productions per season, the Playhouse offers a diverse array of plays and musicals to our theatergoing public.