Review: LADYBUG! LADYBUG! at Lakewood Theatre
One more chance to see this staged reading tonight.
If you love sitcoms, Hollywood nostalgia, and a good love story, Ladybug! Ladybug! is an absolute delight, and you still have a chance to catch it tonight as part of Fertile Ground, a City Wide Festival of New Works.
The premise is magic: Jilly & Bean was a beloved hit sitcom in the 1990s, but its two lead actors have been estranged for years. When wildfires engulf Bel Air and destroy Bean's home, he shows up on Jilly's doorstep at 2 a.m. searching for his dog and stumbling into her late-night sitcom marathon. What unfolds is a warm, witty, and surprisingly moving exploration of old grudges, second chances, and the question we all secretly ask ourselves: is it ever too late to reinvent your life and find love?
Margie Boule shines as Jilly, an aging actress who believes her Hollywood moment has passed, but still sneaking out to be "caught" by the paparazzi, even when the attention doesn't quite land. It's a beautifully layered performance full of heart and humor.
Todd Hermanson is a joy as Bean, a wonderfully chaotic, undiagnosed on-the-spectrum actor with a mind like a pinball machine. Think Robin Williams energy, with rapid-fire character switches, hilarious singing impersonations, and the revelation that he's been keeping much closer track of Jilly than of his own missing dog. He's a treat to watch.
Tom Walton anchors the reading beautifully as the Narrator, bringing a calm, steady presence that perfectly balances the delightful whirlwind of the two leads.
Writer C.S. Whitcomb draws on her Hollywood experience to craft something that feels both authentic and wonderfully entertaining. A story rich with sitcom references, industry history, and genuine warmth. The enemy-to-lovers dynamic crackles with charm, and the bigger questions underneath about reinvention, relevance, and romance in later life. All giving the play a real and satisfying emotional core.
Sweet, smart, and genuinely funny, Ladybug! Ladybug! is a wonderful addition to Portland's Fertile Ground Festival of New Works. Catch it tonight at Lakewood Theatre.
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