SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE in Sacramento!

I just wanted to let you all know about a wonderful new production of 'See What I Wanna See' opening this Friday, April 3, in Sacramento. It's being produced by Artistic Differences -- producers of last summer's production of 'bare.'

I'll be playing the Janitor/Priest...and yes, I played the Priest in 'bare' too. If you know both shows, though, then you know they're two very different priests.

More information can be found at the theatre's website, http://artisticdifferences.net/nowplaying.html.

Hope to see you there!

Um...whatever gets ya through the night! :)

Ok, I kinda have to brag, but only because I'm extremely proud of this show! Our first review came out in the Sacramento News & Review (http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=939949):


The opposite of Oklahoma?
See What I Wanna See
[5 stars]

By Kel Munger

See What I Wanna See, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays; $15-$18. Artistic Differences at the California Stage, 2509 R Street; (916) 708-3449; www.artisticdifferences.net. Through May 3.

Just when you think Artistic Differences can?t possibly maintain their doubly high standard of difficult material and fantastic productions, along comes See What I Wanna See. Based on three short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (one of which is familiar to many as the source of Akira Kurosawa?s famous film Rashomon), this musical is concerned with perception in its broadest sense. The stories are complicated and appear unrelated, but gradually we see?as do the characters?exactly what we want to see.

The talented and experienced cast members (Maggie Hollinbeck, Joshua James, Martha Omiyo Kight, Martin Lehman and Scott Martin) take on multiple roles in the various tales, often appearing and disappearing quickly, thanks to an extremely simple but versatile set that includes a rotating platform. Noteworthy turns include Hollinbeck?s multifaceted portrayal of a wife (Faithful? Unfaithful? We don?t really know) and Martin?s performance as an almost-manic priest struggling with his lost faith in the aftermath of a disaster.

On opening night, the orchestra?which shares the stage with the actors?had a tendency to overpower the vocals, a situation that will likely be quickly rectified.

True to Artistic Differences? mission, See What I Wanna See is not your typical musical-theater fare. Don?t expect a happy-go-lucky musical experience with memorable, hummable show tunes. These are dark stories: death, destruction, rape, murder, hopelessness. Underlying all is the urge to make sense?preferably in a way that enforces our identity?of a senseless world.


Michael John La Chiusa got wind of the review, and e-mailed our director:


Well this just made my day!

I'm so happy a theatre company exists that tackles challenging shows like SEE----if ever you need a word or two of support, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Give my very best to the company!

Yours,
Michael John LaChiusa



Um...YAY!! :)

Updated On: 4/9/09 at 12:10 PM

Younger Brother, I saw the show the other night and it was excellent!! You were fantastic too. I hope many other people will discover this show in your theatre. I certainly try to advertize it for you too.

FlyingMonkey, are you joking or talking about a totally different production?

I didn't see that. In which scene it happened??

I got it, you are just messing around.

I'll be seeing this on the 24th. I hope it's good. I've heard it is.