How Cissy Grew: World Premiere Drama Stars Desperate Housewives' James Denton
El Portal Forum Theatre (North Hollywood, CA)
Rated 3.0 by 36 members who went.
The El Portal Forum Theatre hosts the world premiere of Susan Johnston's How Cissy Grew. In West Virginia, a baby girl is abducted, but swiftly returned to her parents. This intimate drama follows the twenty-year aftermath of the incident. Starring James Denton of TV's Desperate Housewives.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
All dates for this event have expired.
The last event was Sunday November 23, 2008 / 3:00pm. (view all dates)
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27 Member Reviews
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- Barbara Barrielle
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Barbara Barrielle
Member since 2007
4 Reviews
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Fabulous acting from entire cast! Small intimate theatre that brings the audience into a story that is disturbing while still having brilliant comedic moments. Did not know James Denton was married to Erin O'Brien - and they played married redneck couple in the play - and both were sensational. Liz Vital also owned the role of Cissy throughout all of her years of growth. I may even go back again!
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- Helaine Cummins
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Helaine Cummins
Member since 2008
2 Reviews
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I saw the play with my husband and daughter. Although I had a rough day and was really over tired, I enjoyed the play. My husband and daughter thought it was GREAT!!! We were really impressed with the acting and the "flash backs" in the story. Oh, and the way the 4 actors changed the simple scenery to make us BELIEVE they were in a store, the house or a train . . . very cool. It was our first at the El Portal Forum Theatre (North Hollywood, CA) and loved the intimacy of the small size. It almost felt like we were a part of the story.
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- Ben Harding
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Ben Harding
Member since 2005
1 Reviews
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The play was fine. It was fun to see James Denton do a play in an intimate theatre. The actors were great.
My issue was with the sound from the other larger theater space at the El Portal. They were doing a taping in the adjacent space -- It was INCREDIBLY loud and disruptive to the play I was trying to watch. I could hear other loud voices the entire time. I think the El Portal should be more aware of their building's noise issues. I do not know how the actors in "Cissy" held their concentration. It was very hard to stay focused on "How Cissy Grew" with all the noise from the other stage. Very very disappointing. I will think twice before I attend anything at El Portal again. It was a very disrespectful situation for both the actors and the audience.
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2008
1 Reviews
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I loved the small intimate theater experience and seeing the actors up close and personal. I am actually thinking of seeing this again with other friends and family members. All the actors were outstanding, although, I must admit that James Denton was the original draw for me.
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- Betsyboogle
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Betsyboogle
Member since 2007
1 Reviews
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A phenomenal new American play. It affected me more than any play I've seen in years; provides lots of food for thought. Highly recommended.
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- Michael Smith
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Michael Smith
Member since 2005
9 Reviews
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Great acting and staging in a theatre where you are close enough that you feel like you are part of the story. Definitely recommend seeing this engaging drama that has a sharp comedic edge.
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- Annette
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Annette
Member since 2007
3 Reviews
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Oh my goodness, I loved the acting, I loved the story, I loved the lighting of How Cissy Grew! I also loved the simplicity of the stage props and how effortless the actors moved them around for different scenes. My money that night was so well spent. What a wonderful intimate theatre experience.
Annette
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- John F. Beckmann
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John F. Beckmann
Member since 2007
5 Reviews
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This was an interesting and gripping drama, with a few lighter moments as well. Well acted, interesting presentation with frequent flash backs and fast forwards, which worked well and were not confusing. Only dramatic flaw, in my opinion, was the ending, which was anti-climactic. By the time of the last scene, we already knew what had happened in considerable detail. A more unexpected ending with an unanticipated twist or outcome would have made this a more memorable show.
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- Genevieve
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Genevieve
Member since 2007
4 Reviews
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Always love the up close and personal seating. The storyline of the play was apparent, but the storyline did not flow as smoothly as I would hope. The timeline of the story jumped back and forth, so you get pieces of the story out of order from past to present to some time in the middle. Hard to keep up as to where you are at what time.
James Denton's performance was great, especially for a screen actor doing live theater.
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2006
5 Reviews
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It was a very interesting play, and well acted.
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- Kitty Cat
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Kitty Cat
Member since 2007
5 Reviews
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Some strong acting in pieces but the bouncing about from scene to scene, back and forth (for me) upset the flow of things.
Not bad, but not great either.
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2005
1 Reviews
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This is a very interesting and emotional tale. The actors bring it to life in this intimate setting...I was very moved...I lived the story as it was told...
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- Christie
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Christie
Member since 2004
16 Reviews
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The acting was wonderful, but the language depressed me.
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- david geist
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david geist
Member since 2007
1 Reviews
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THIS EVENT WAS VERY WELL ACTED AND VERY TRUE TO LIFE. REALLY MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN LIFE IF IT HAPPENED TO YOU. VERY TOUCHING AND HEARTFELT. MENIFEE VALLEY CA
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- Barry W.
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Barry W.
Member since 2003
4 Reviews
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Great show! 4 great actors with a serious and well written script.
The intimacy of the theater enhances the experience.
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2008
2 Reviews
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The acting was very good but the play needs work, primarily augmentation. I wanted more resolution of their future lives at the end. The flashback sequences were done well. The play ends too abruptly; the audience did not realize that it was over for over a minute. It should be fleshed to a two act play.
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- Heather
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Heather
Member since 2007
5 Reviews
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This play was very well done. After reading the synopsis, I was intrigued to see how they would make it work. They did an amazing job of pulling you into the story and unraveling the events. The play was fast paced, so you have to pay attention. The set, although bare, was successfully transformed into many locations, ie. car; bus; train; bar; grocery store; court room,etc. The theater was itimate and made you feel like a fly on the wall.
There are only four actors. Each one did an excellent job, but "Cissy" stole the show. I enjoyed the life transitions between Darla and Butch, which hit a little too close to home. Well done! Worth the price of the ticket. We really enjoyed this one.
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- Eleanor Hudson
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Eleanor Hudson
Member since 2004
3 Reviews
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Really great acting with quirky, but real, characters. The story focused on people and their interactions rather than on plot. It was realistic in that people's changes were consistent with real life, and while the ending was somewhat hopeful there was no magic moment. The sets were wonderful in their simplicity and the set changes were creative.
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2007
3 Reviews
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Performance was terrific. Great cast and script.
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- David Marvin Smith
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David Marvin Smith
Member since 2007
2 Reviews
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The best thing about it was the prop Table-Bench that was used - of course it was moved far too many times thus detracting from a extremely disjointed story with far too many F***s and S***s in the language. If there had been an intermission we would have left at that point. Perhaps you should give some sort of Rating system to your productions!
Dave Smith, Reseda CA
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More Details
James Denton (Desperate Housewives) stars in the world premiere of How Cissy Grew, written by Susan Johnston and directed by Casey Stangl.
In West Virginia, a baby girl named Cissy is abducted, and then swiftly returned to her parents. While she has no memory of those few terrible days, their ramifications haunt her family for the next twenty years. While her parents take sides in a battle that can't be won, Cissy becomes a sexually promiscuous, fearless and sometimes callous young woman with a penchant for her mom's stash and innocent boys. By turns tough and fragile, smart and foolhardy, savvy and naïve, Cissy is a complicated soul ... but is she a creation of a long-ago tragedy, or of her parents' inability to cope?
How Cissy Grew is a non-linear drama exploring defining moments in one family's life as they struggle to stay together in the face of guilt, blame and addiction. With moments from a life presented without respect to a traditional timeline,
How Cissy Grew engages audiences in a mystery, encouraging an objective viewing of the various characters, and ultimately brings new clarity to how people are controlled by their past.
