Friends Like These, an Emotional Modern High School Drama
The Sherry Theatre (11052 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91610)
- Full Price:
- $15.00
- Our Price:
- $7.50*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Friends Like These have expired.
The last date listed for Friends Like These was Saturday January 30, 2010 / 8:00pm.
Goldstar Member Tips
7 Goldstar Member Reviews
Goldstar Member
Exceptional production. Written with clarity and caring. A breath of fresh air in this genre. All performances are wonderful.Written on Oct 05 2009
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Liz
In a word: Excellent. Excellent writing, excellent acting, excellent costumes and an especially excellent sound design.Written on Jan 27 2010
The writing was smart, heartfelt and real. There were many scenes where I could just hear those words coming out of my friends' mouths when I was in high school. And the story kept me interested and wanting to find out what happened next... the show did not drag a bit.
The portrayal of each of the characters was powerful and true-to-life. This was especially true for the actors who played Garrett and Diz (right down to the way Diz carried herself! Major kudos!!!).
And I must add that the sound design was especially apropos - kept me in the moment when the scenes changed and helped set the mood quite nicely.
My only criticism is a bit of a nitpicky one, but with a show that is as detail-oriented down to the authentic LARP costumes, it bothered me that the "hospital blanket" was yellow. I would suggest a blue or green sheet, something more of what I would really expect to see at a hospital, since everything else is so true-to-form.
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MJ
Matthew Scott Montgomery's portrayal of 'Garrett' was charming and candid. Sari Sanchez's physicality as 'Diz' was particularly inspired and masterfully articulated. Ryan J. Hill was simply adorable! My one major complaint would be that the 2nd act seemed so much longer than the first. Perhaps it was just the slow rebuilding of momentum and energy. I think the first act should have a peaked a few scenes later rather than where it did at such a clichéd, expository moment. Otherwise a good story. The end scene was disturbing (in a good way) and very effective. Great choice of blocking!Written on Oct 22 2009
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Mike Shapiro
Touching, gripping, funny, and - despite the dark subject matter - not as relentlessly bleak as the synopses would suggest. A standout cast brings to life an already powerful script about the caste system of the American high school, and the experience of defying it. A jewel in the rough of local theater, well worth checking out. (And RPG nerds take note: a key sequence takes place at a LARP!)Written on Sep 25 2009
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More Information About Friends Like These
Website
http://www.theatreunleashed.com/joomla/
Quotes & Highlights
- “Understated from the top, (Matthew Scott) Montgomery's performance deepens and expands as his character gradually undergoes changes.” --LA Weekly (Go!)
- “(Playwright Gregory Crafts) has thrown in surprising details and created authentic characters who give us a fresh twist on teen angst... the performers are always right on target.” --Backstage
- Nominated - Artistic Director Achievement Award for "Best Ensemble" by the Valley Theatre League
Description
A Theatre Unleashed original by Gregory Crafts, Friends Like These takes a candid and poignant look at the staggering issue of violence in our high schools. Garrett is an outsider who spends most of his troubled existence in a fantasy world called Haven…that is until he meets Nicole, the popular cheerleader with a curious mind. As quickly as things begin looking up for Garrett, they come crashing down, forcing him to face both his past mistakes and his harsh present reality while he struggles for redemption. This gut-wrenching piece will unswervingly explore the emotional trauma brought on by social mores during high school, forcing a confrontation with the causes and tragic consequences that left us staggered as a nation during Columbine and other high school shootings.