Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Thespian Archive for 2006

January 9: "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller

A gripping drama of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, with obvious parallels to 1953 when it was written, and to today.   Philip's Commentary

February 13: "El Jardin" & "Rancho Hollywood"by Carlos Morton

Two short plays by Carlos Morton giving a Mexican-American view of history: biblical and Californian. Philip's Commentary

March 13: "Born Yesterday" by Garson Kanin

A wonderful "feel-good" comedy about influence-peddling in Washington. If only today's Washington worked that way! Philip's Commentary

April 10: "Who is the Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard

Tom Stoppard does it again in this witty spoof of Christie's " Mousetrap", in which actors and critics are inextricably woven together. Philp's Commentary

May 8 & May 23: “A Shot in the Dark” by Marcel Archard, translated by Harry Kurnitz

The critics say, "A bubbling, saucy comedy... A light, tasty souffle" and "Naughtiness has rarely been so belligerently honest". What do you say? Philip’s Commentary

June 12 & June 27: “I Hate Hamlet” by Paul Rudnick

A young successful TV actor has a chance to go on the legitimate stage - playing "Hamlet", no less. He didn't bargain on having "help" from the ghost of John Barrymore. Philip’s Commentary

July 10 & July 25: Play it again, Sam by Woody Allen

Woody's masterpiece about the neurotic young man who is obsessed by Humphrey Bogart and "Casablanca"  Philip’s Commentary

August 14 & August 22: Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley

A comedy/drama of three sisters try to escape their past. Philip's Commentary

September 11 & September 26: The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder

The basis of “Hello Dolly”.  It doesn’t have the songs, but it’s got twice as many good lines. Philip's Commentary

October 9 & October 24: Hay Fever by Noel Coward

Mother, father, brother, sister each invite a house guest of the opposite sex for a country weekend.  The resulting match-ups are not what the inviters intended.  English drawing-room comedy at its best. Philip's Commentary

November 13 & November 28: On the Verge by Eric Overmeyer

Three Victorian Ladies explore Terra Incognito, a journey through space and time. They encounter various “natives” including a yeti, a troll, Mr. Coffee, and various weird characters. Philip's Commentary

December 11 (one performance only): Auntie Mame by Lawrence & Lee

After more than half a century, Patrick Dennis’ aunt is gradually taking her place among the immortals of literature, stage, and screen. Philip's Commentary

For more information contact thespians-info@uucpa.org

Philip Hodge, Chair