Charlayne Woodard in The Night Watcher at La Jolla Playhouse
Mandell Weiss Forum (La Jolla, CA)
Rated 3.5 by 23 members who went.
Charlayne Woodard has a wonderful husband, a well-dressed dog named Atticus Finch, and a glowing career as an actress and playwright. She also has 30 kids. As their beloved "Auntie," Charlayne shepherds them through the perils of modern childhood with an open heart and a ready ear in this high-octane, engaging one-woman show.
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The last event was Thursday July 17, 2008 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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16 Member Reviews
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- Glen D.
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Glen D.
Member since 2007
14 Reviews
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I suppose I would have to agree most with "critical eye" comments above. I found the writing to be basically a predicatable and self-serving puff piece to rationalize and justify the writer's life choices. I was most disappointed that this "page-to-stage" dialogue with the audience consisted mostly of the participants praising the work, rather than an insightful discussion of suggested improvements. My own comments would have recommended that the characters be imbued with even more distinguishable attributes, most specifically in the phone conversations. I also thought that she presented her decisions as if they were somehow superior to those made by many people, including those who could not bear children or who consciously chose to stop the continuance of their gene pools due to inherited disabilities, and even including glbt couples who might otherwise have wanted children. I found the title misleading despite the explanation. "The Village Watcher" might be more appropriate. What I liked were her use of Louise Hay-styled affirmations, and her unapologetic self-promotion. I have to say that I also agreed with the audience members who wished she would have included more music. I found myself wishing she acknowledged her husband's support and contributions at the end of the second act, for continuity's sake.
She has a wonderful energy and an incredible voice with a beautiful range of abilities. A stronger writer could help make this an important piece.
Lastly...at the end (spoiler here) I would have been more moved if her discussion with the elder had been more of an awakening to her blessings than just the affirmation of them. God truly Does bless us, (He or She is an irrelevant and limited perspective.)
But that's just me. I'm glad I went, and might even return to see what changes have been incorporated at the end of the run.
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- Emily Lukacz
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Emily Lukacz
Member since 2007
4 Reviews
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Love the page to stage productions with audience participation in the evolution of the work. As such, this was a little rough, but the story very thought provoking and a little out of the box. She provides reference and insight for those who can't understand why someone wouldn't want a family and gives validity to those who choose not to have children. She is a wonderful story teller.
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- Marty Dicker
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Marty Dicker
Member since 2007
6 Reviews
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Great Show!!! A wonderful theater experience.
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- Louise Rosenstein
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Louise Rosenstein
Member since 2007
3 Reviews
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Made me believe in the future of theater again. Modern woman's experiences dramatized by a master actor/writer.
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- Cynthia M.
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Cynthia M.
Member since 2007
5 Reviews
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This was an amazing one woman show!!! She is a true thespian!!!
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2007
2 Reviews
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Charlayne Woodard is a multi-talented actor, singer, performer but she can't write. The Night Watcher (why not name it Keeper of Secrets?) is filled with trite, simplistic, moralistic tales. I couldn't stay to give verbal feedback but suggest she work with a writer to develop some complexity and nuance with parts of that material: her ambivalence about children, perhaps, and then flesh it out with complexity and shades of gray. It's not enlightening to watch her "solve" all her godchildren's problems or provide simple solutions to each tale. I hope she rewrites it because her performance skills are awesome.
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2005
2 Reviews
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This is a must see! Very moving and emotionally gratifying.
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- janet lacey
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janet lacey
Member since 2007
1 Reviews
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excellent performance; funny, insightful, compleling, thought provking relection on life without children of one's own..
Would see it again and know this will go to Broadway...
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2005
1 Reviews
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Excellent! I laughed, I cried.
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- Alfred S.
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Alfred S.
Member since 2007
3 Reviews
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EXCELLENT, INTELLIGENT SHOW WITH GREAT PERFORMER. pOST SHOW DISCUSSION VERY HELPFUL. HAD GREAT SEATS. THANK YOU.
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- JC
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JC
Member since 2006
3 Reviews
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Wonderful to see a Page to Stage project. We had the opportunity to give feedback on the show, speaking to the director and the actress herself. That part was especially excellent, given that it was a solo piece.
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- Dr. Jax
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Dr. Jax
Member since 2008
1 Reviews
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Excellent one woman show that showcases a multi-talented performer and honors all women who play a role in enriching children's lives! This play represents real life insights...
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- Jesse
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Jesse
Member since 2005
1 Reviews
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I didn't think I was going to like this play with only one person on stage but all I have to say is wow. Great performance, great story!! La Jolla Playhouse hasn't disappointed me yet and this play is a great example of the excellent material that is brought to the stage there.
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- Gail Bowers
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Gail Bowers
Member since 2006
15 Reviews
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We have seen Charlayne Woodard several times before and she has always been terrific.
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- Debra
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Debra
Member since 2006
2 Reviews
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2007
2 Reviews
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Excellent production!- I couldn't find fault with either the writing nor the presentation. It is right up there w/my other favorites at the LPH
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More Details
As the beloved "Auntie," Charlayne Woodard guides her brood of 30 children through the dangers of modern childhood. Overloaded with information in a world that challenges them to grow up too quickly, Charlayne's kids find a safe haven in which to open up, give themselves a break and just be themselves. Meet these remarkable kids through Charlayne's delightful and touching stories of their greatest fears and personal triumphs. Acting as their confidant, number one fan and coach, Charlayne provides what all children should have in their lives: a loving mentor who puts dreams in their heads, keeps their secrets and protects them in an uncertain world.
Following in the La Jolla Playhouse tradition of presenting original and moving one-person shows, this solo work by Charlayne Woodard takes the audience on a magical, crazy and funny ride.
Award-winning actor and playwright Charlayne Woodard's first solo play Pretty Fire premiered in San Diego at La Jolla Playhouse in 1999 and received L.A. Drama Critics and NAACP awards for best play and best playwright. She has since garnered an an Obie Award for her performance in In the Blood and been nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her role in the original company of Ain't Misbehavin'. She is a guest teaching artist of solo performance at the California Institute for the Arts and has appeared in numerous films and television programs such as "Chicago Hope" and "Law & Order."
This is a Page to Stage Workshop Production.
