Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Egomaniacal Divas Make You Laugh?
()
For some it might be hard to imagine an industry where you’re washed up by 35, where the car you drive is just as important, or in some cases more so, than what you are bringing to the table and where you can routinely hear you boss use the word “fuck” about 100 times a day just for the hell of it. Oh people, we’re so jaded here in Lala Land. And if you’re looking for a dead-on recap comedy of just such a place, then you should head to the Pasedena Playhouse before this Sunday (2/19) to see Diva.
The name dropping is at times a bit forced - Candy Bergen and the Marlon Brando tampon story an exception - words possibly never put together in that context before.
Starring Annie Potts as Deanna Denninger, a somewhat washed up but absolutely ego-fueled "I want the last line in every scene" actress who gets another shot at acting outside of Kansas City Dinner Theater. She has the opportunity to come back with a hit sitcom about a Senator's wife who takes her husband's seat on the Hill after he dies. Her savior is Todd Waring who plays Isaac Brooks, the writer who is also cold but can somehow get this idea with Deanna as the star to the network. Along the way what happens is the usual but satirical Hollywood story. Actress seduces writer to get better lines, writer leaves wife and his agent/friend ends up representing the actress over him after a quarrel. What makes Diva unique is that it goes back in time instead of forward. The play starts at taping of a scene and proceeds to go back one week earlier, four weeks earlier and so on until in the second act you're a good sixth months back. What this does is actually show the absurdity of what people will say to "Yes ma'am" you but how those words, at least in entertainment aren't worth the paper they're written on.
Support for LAist comes from
Patrick Fabian plays the Agentand does a spot-on performance, and let's face it, there's lots of material to work with there. Ian Lithgow plays the costar that's getting the better lines and the better laughs than the star. Heaven forbid. There's lots of talk of what a slut the star is and many a name is dropped to make that point. Oh and of course that they throw in a little SJP, how could they not? There is an Emmy scene after all.
During intermission people were either talking about how many people they knew that were each of these characters and laughing about it or saying there is no way and no amount of money that could ever get them to put up with that amount of bullshit. Regardless, the beautiful Pasadena Playhouse is worth the trip alone. Tickets run $36-48.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist