REVIEW: Crooked Road



Review by LaMonica Peters

Finding The Lost Studio on La Brea Avenue was like being on a treasure hunt. This quaint theater house isn’t easily noticeable from the street, but once I was inside the intimate space I knew I was in for something special.

Crooked Road, written by Erin Gaw, is a story about Anne Morris (played by Kristal Adams) and her journey to get her life and love back after spending eight years caring for her family.

The play opens with video vignettes uniquely displayed on the back wall of the set. Black and white images of a love found and lost between Anne and Erik Miller (played by Erik Snodgrass) sets up what’s to come. As fate would have it, Anne reunites with her college sweetheart Erik as the family decides to rent their home to save money. The family owns a boutique real estate firm and the failing economy forces them to downsize. Erik is now the lead singer of a successful local band and he unknowingly agrees to rent out the family’s home while back in town to perform.

Getting back to love is no easy task for Anne or Erik. While Anne’s overbearing father Walter Morris (played by Kabin Thomas) is trying to arrange marriage for her with a man she doesn’t love, Erik is pursued by fellow band mate Jane Harwell (played by Corissa Pacillas Smith). After some soul searching, Anne faces her fears of putting herself first and being in love again by letting Erik know that she still loves him. Ultimately they both discover that true love never dies.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that this cast was multi-racial and the couple who played the main characters was interracial. What was beautiful about watching this story unfold was that race was never an issue in the story line. It simply dealt with issues of family, friendship and love that all people experience in life. Maybe I’m an idealist, but I felt like I had a glimpse into the future where racial identity is a thing of the past and I loved what I saw.

Music is an important aspect of the plot and there was plenty of live music throughout the show with original pieces written by Ted and Thena Beam. Though the vocal performances weren’t strong, it was nice to see actors stretch their abilities. image

Kristal Adams and Erik Snodgrass are solid as the leads but I was most impressed by Sarah Morales (played by Anna Klein). From the moment she appeared on stage, it was like a new energy had been injected; she is a natural. In one defining scene, Sarah confides in Anne about the decisions she made in her past relationship, using the Shel Silverstein book The Giving Tree as an analogy. I felt authentic emotion between the two characters and I believe Anna Klein’s presence had a lot to do with it. Anne’s sister Mary Davis (played by Kelicea Meadows), reminded me of a younger Taraji P. Henson. She had great comedic timing and delivery, providing laughs whenever she appeared.

Crooked Road is a modern day, coming-of-age story that reminds you of how short life can be and how one decision can change everything. But it also reminds you that there are second chances in life if you have the courage to take advantage of them.

Crooked Road directed by Naisa Wong

Performances through Sunday, March 27, 2011

For more information, go to www.streetlampstudio.com

Read a blog on Crooked Roadby director Naisa Wong on LA Stage Times