Joseph Leo Bwarie, Eric Anderson and Daren Herbert star in the Troubadour Theatre
Company production of MUCH ADOOBIE BROTHERS ABOUT NOTHING
PHOTO: David Elzer
On a recent Friday night, my friend, Jeff (he actually requested No Last Name), and I went to Santa Monica to see “Much Adoobie Brothers About Nothing.” It was a spoof of Shakespeare, with Doobie Brothers music, which is always great. I think they changed the words, but with the acoustics at the Miles Playhouse, it was hard to make out what they were singing.
The inefficient box office staff put me in a bad mood to start off the evening. I’ve since heard similar stories from others.
So, this is one time that I’m bowing to the reaction of the audience, instead of mine. I barely laughed the whole time, but everyone else was constantly in stitches. (Coincidentally, it turned out that I knew half the audience, so I’m going with majority rule.) I think I’m just not a fan of silly.
But I adored the music and the voices of three actors in particular. I’ve seen Eric Anderson in two other shows this year and am definitely a fan. (With his long blonde wig and newly-grown moustache, I actually thought he was Bucky Covington from “American Idol!” It took me several minutes to realize where I knew him from.)
The other two, Daren Herbert and Joseph Leo Bwarie, were new to me, but I really enjoyed their singing. And having live musicians on-stage, who can really play, made the whole presentation special.
The musical was presented by a troupe that plays with the audience pre-show, a fact of which I had not been apprised. I hate people randomly touching me, especially strangers, (except of course Nick Lachey), and that seems to be their specialty, clown-style, of course.
When one of them tried to make Jeff clap by putting his hands together for him, he told the guy “Okay, dude, stop with the touching,” or something to that effect. They touched me so many times that I had to tell them to stop unless they were going to break out hundred dollar bills! Being struggling actors, they opted for a hands-off policy with me.
No one else seemed to mind and a good time was had by all. Jeff made a great point after--we didn’t laugh that much, but we were never bored. And he said he was mainly entertained. I guess I was, too, because I plan to catch their Christmas production. Maybe this time, they will have capable box office personnel, so I can enjoy myself from beginning to end.
“Much Adoobie Bothers About Nothing”
running through Sept. 24
Miles Memorial Playhouse 1130 Lincoln Blvd. SM
310-979-7196
www.troubie.com |
