LongBeach Playhouse: Mainstage Brings SHAW's Brilliant Play Arms the Man. This Play is as Funny as a Farce or Fable(Ultra Clever Comedy). But it's also so Smart & Philosophical, We not only Laugh, We Learn & Rethink Of In Our Own Life V

Theater Review: PATCH Entertainment Event: Long Beach, Belmont Shore, Naples, Los Alamitos/Seal Beach

LBPH: George Barnard Shaw’s Arms & the Man Probes Man/Woman Soul/Core of Love, Power, War, Money with Genius & Wit

Reviewer: Joseph Sirota sez: Brilliant Fable Ultra Clever Comedy.. Perfect Cast/Writer/Director/Backstage Fine Team- Don’t -Miss****

Long Beach Playhouse smashed its Amazing Opening 86th Anniversary Mainstage in October with a splendid opening play. Cast, Director & Crew handily supported the sharp/fun writers that won us over--nonstop. Guess What? I can positively say to Theatergoers within reach of LBPH’s new Brilliant Mainstage Play, will find another Knockout SHOW for the 2nd WOW gem of year 86. Arms & the Man is a fabulous dose of WISDOM, written by the grand-dad of live theater, George Bernard Shaw. This play is not only a tasty, joyful 2 hours of Genius Wit & Laughter, that starts you smiling in the first 20 minutes, but gets LARGER, FUNNIER & SMARTER & quite wonderful in both your “Laughs” & your “worthy Learning Understanding” of “Humanity”. The one of a his kind “super author” George Bernard Shaw who spanned 90+ years--from his mid 1800’s birth, to becoming a Young Reviewer of Plays & Music...A-Ha! ..see.. he musta’ be smart & sharp to be a reviewer--Hee, Hee). His Later wise/fun views in the “Plays About Life” Shaw’s Wit & universal Philosophy became a CORE of deep, indeed viewpoints of Key Musts for us to ponder about Man (& Woman) Kind. Shaw offers again & again re-thinking. What do we wish for, need, fight for & Sell our souls for?

Shaws’ plays are seen as ever more Super Grand Writing, includes Human centers Cores on Love, Sex, Money, Power, War, Pride, vs Helping/Sharing with Others. Shaw defines us all mankind as imperfect... including himself. In His super successful grandest play, Pygmalion (which turned into “The Broadway Musical” “MY FAIR LADY” he touchingly sees that looking down on others may become better if we MELT from our “Bigger Pride” to warm feelings of friendship & ultimately to Love. In other Plays like Man and Superman-- and the Truly SMART Long Beach Playhouse current November, Arms & The Man it’s been called a play that shows SHAW asking us all-”What Makes A Hero, or a Coward, or a Powerful Person, or a True Lover”(well-almost!). Shaw’s clever multifaceted story for Arms & The Man centers on the midst of a raging War between neighboring countries, men busily killing each other with pride, yet the women(& Men) also circling around choosing which Love Partners & which Riches or “High Society” vs. Poor “Low Society” they “Must Have”! Somehow the end up finding Best-fitting Loves & Best-fitting POWER & RICHES ... & rethinking who turns out what fits themselves after all is said & pondered. All this spins around a handsome, young- looking Swiss Soldier who hides himself climbing into the estate of the enemies(found by only the Beauty of Mother & Daughter). I’ll not tell more, as what surprises all people in the story, is exactly what YOU will find most Fun/Farce yet Oh So Wise.. Enjoy!!

=> Director Anthony Galleran merits Major Kudos! On his 1st full assignment as Director on the Mainstage. Galleran guides & handles Shaw’s complex farcical/yet very philosophical gem and couldn’t do better. A fine 1st Leading! BACKSTAGE Team: The always sharp/hard-working backstage LBPH Team here delivers the quite regal versatile estate of the rich Petkoff family. => The rest of the creative Back Stage team, once again stands to the challenge of a in this uniquely challenging show: Set Design-Greg Fritsche; Light Design-Daniel Driskill; Sound Design- SeanGray; Costume Design-Donna Fritsche; & a highly successful Stage Manager- Marissa Putnick

=>Truly Fine CAST --Each Has fine Comic ability/keeps us laughing, But, each also shows clear & movingly-their Wants/Needs

Michael Knowles: Perfect Handsome Young Captain in War-But Smart, Charming & Swiss Chocolate/ Beauty Lover (A++)

Hallie Mayer: The Sweet Young Daughter of the Rich Estate Family, Pretty, YES!, but more captivating by her Dear Heart!

Mitchell Nunn: Ah, the Husband/Father/Rich Society Central MAN of the Estate Setting. Bellows Like a Bull, But Likable Indeed!!

Sara Greene: Mrs/Wife & Mother of the estate..Obeys Husband (But quietly/wisely/warmly/Smilingly Gets Whatever She Wants)!

Alex Bennett: Seemingly a mean, nasty kind of character; But as Looser HE turns to having us Laughing to the roof Mr Comedic

Charlotte Williams: Sizzling Hi-Energy from 1st entry, represents the Non-Rich of Money or Societal Power, At End Finds Love!

Doyle Smiens: Can deal with more than one character, but far more impressive, via outstanding feelings sad-to-clever-dreams!

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Don’t Miss Seeing this absolutely outstanding classic voyage throughout Human’s Life paths Especially so well Done!!!

Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage Theatre, 5021 E.Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA. Sched: Fri & Sat 8:PM. Sun matinees @ 2:PM. Close: Dec 5, Tkts: $24($21 Senior,/$14 Student). Call: (562) 494-1014-option-1 Website: www.LBPlayhouse.org

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