Review: Taylor and Bologna's LOVE ALLWAYS Enjoys L.A. Premiere at Gray Studios

Director Gloria Gifford has moved her theatre troupe from the too small TU Studios to the much-improved Gray Studios in NoHo. As a way to celebrate the grand opening, two of her long-time supporters, Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, granted her the rights to direct the Los Angeles premiere of their comedy LOVE ALLWAYS, produced by Chad Doreck, Lauren Plaxco and Jade Warner and presented by Jamaica Moon Productions and GGC Players.

Comprised of 10 short plays in 2 acts about the follies and foibles of love and lovers, LOVE ALLWAYS addresses the subjects of love and romance which have long provided great source material for comedy, created from the pens of two proven masters of American comedy. With busy careers in film, television and Broadway, Taylor and Bologna have defied the Hollywood odds with a marriage that's lasted 51 years (so far). And no doubt, many of the relationship stories shared must be of a very personal nature to them, or perhaps some of their closest friends!

I know there were several times during the various vignettes that my boyfriend and I turned to each other, either with a chuckle or knowing grin after hearing a "discussion" onstage that resembled one of our many verbal interactions. No doubt the same thing will take place for you and whatever relationship partner you bring along to see the show as they range from two lonely souls sitting on a park bench, singles looking for love in a bar, to a swinging foursome dealing with jealousy. The evening is, by turns, as outrageous, hilarious, heartwarming and sexy as love itself. Above all, it is fun to laugh at ourselves!

Gifford's company of actors for LOVE ALLWAYS includes Hayley Ambriz, Michael Barker, George Benedict, Raven Bowens, Jeff Hamasaki Brown, Billy Budinich, Aaron Burriss, Marlin Chan, Leana Chavez, Heather Compton, Haile D'Alan, Nadeem Deeb, Yvette DeVito, Sonia Diaz, Chad Doreck, Justine Estrada, Joshua Farmer, Joe Filippone, Lindy Fujimoto, Dylan George, Irini Gerakas, Keturah Hamilton, Chris Jones, Genevieve Joy, Abigail Kochunas, McKenzie Kruse, Christian Maltez, Sam Mansour, Maya Moore, Kelly Musslewhite, Tracey Nelson, Benito Paje, Nakta Pahlevan, Kasia Pilewicz, Lauren Plaxco, Antonio Roccucci, Gershon Roebuck, Cynthia San Luis, Nevada Schaefer, Deidra Shanell, Danny Siegel, Tejah Signori, Samiyah Swann, Justin Truesdale, Andres Uribe, Nancy Vivar, Keith Walker, Lucy Walsh, Jade Warner, Teagan Wilson and Diva Yazdian. A performance-specific cast list is handed out inside your show program as you enter the theater.

As the scenes change, perfectly-matched music selections had the audience singing along in recognition of the love-themed songs, including "Stupid Cupid," "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "Oh Darling," "Knock Three Times," "Personality," "Cathy's Clown," "One Summer Night," "It Had to be You," "Bye Bye Love," "Come Fly With Me," and "Something's Gotta Give." The only drawback to the production is Gifford's somewhat over-the-top and stylized direction that has many actors constantly screaming their lines, which is often a bit distracting from the topic at hand.

The first act takes place in various bungalows with a king size bed at a Club Med/Poconos Resort somewhere in the world, with the simple between scenes changing of small props and bed coverings used to denote the change of rooms. In Bungalow 1, we meet Herb (Danny Siegel), Stuart (Chad Doreck), Erica (Lucy Walsh) and Joanne (Abagail Kuchunas), two fun-loving couples who often travel around the world with each other, in more ways than one. In fact, this scene involves Joanne complaining about not being satisfied after their lovemaking session and the roundabout way the four decide on who should assist her with her frustration. As the four jump around and change positions in bed to address the problem, the laughs abound!

Mario (Antonio Roccucci) and Yvette (Yvette DeVito in a form-sitting red dress) in Bungalow 2 are there contemplating an affair as they proceed to torture each other with tales of past conquests which resort to various spankings. In Bungalow 3 are Jimmy (Sam Mansour) and Evelyn (Hayley Ambriz) who met two days ago and seem to have spent the entire time in bed. Jimmy is a chauvinistic Italian who prides himself on his sexual prowess who yells too much as he makes poor Evelyn describe her past lovers in great detail without naming names. As he decides to leave the room, Evelyn undulates to lure him back in, admitting she lied about her escapades just to make him angry, which in turn made him even hotter for her.

Bungalow 4 is occupied by He (Justin Truesdale) and She (Nancy Vivar), two foreigners who drive each other crazy to the point of each developing a twitching foot. Both admit this first and only encounter allowed them to use each other as strangers, but we know better when she picks up one of his shoes and cuddles it like a baby, causing him to hid behind the bed. After she leaves, he pops up and blurts out "Meshugena!" leading to laughs of recognition at her craziness.

Bungalow 5 is occupied by Steven (Haile D'Alan, the incredible "Hairy Ape" at the Odyssey) and his overachieving wife Loretta (Katurah Hamilton) and a Woman (Tracey Nelson) who appears to function in the role of "wife" to both. This scene personifies the war between the sexes. When Loretta has finally had enough of his chauvinistic tendencies, she threatens to get a divorce, which of course makes him get needy. Her admonition that he needs to "want me to be my best," will ring true for most women attempting to succeed in both their marriage and business.

The scenes in Act 2 move into the living room, composed of a futon couch with two tables and chairs. Nick (Keith Walker) and Susan (Raven Bowens) attempt to work out their differences as she believes he is the love of her life and all he wants to do is get rid of her by letting her know all the things he does not like about her. When she agrees to change and he dismisses her, she leaves in a huff. After a few beats, his face drops, and with head in hands he utters, "I've lost her," proving you never want what you have until it's gone. Isn't that what every break-up is like?

Next we meet Biff (Danny Siegel), Dickie (Jeff Hamasaki Brown), Carmel (Lucy Walsh) and Roberta (Lauren Plaxco), all dressed for a luau. These four have traveled together for years and poor Carmel just wants to spend some alone with her husband while compliant Roberta laughs and goes along with whatever the men want to do. But since this is their second honeymoon, there are good reasons for her frustration and laugh-generating snorts. It becomes apparent the two men suffer physically when pulled apart, both of them scared to be alone with their wives.

Additional scenes include Benny and the Woman, Eleanor's Magical Moment, and Tony & Madelaine which unites Chad Doreck and Lauren Plaxco onstage again after their fire-generating partnership in FOOL FOR LOVE at TU Studios. Kudos to costume designers Kasia Pilewicz and Gloria Gifford for dressing Ms. Plaxco in the most amazing evening gown of the evening and to Doreck for his comical candlestick crooning which ends the evening in great style.

The Los Angeles premiere of LOVE ALLWAYS written by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna runs through April 23, 2017 on Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 7:30pm at Gray Studios, 5250 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91607. Tickets are $30, with reservation by calling (310) 366-5505 or visiting www.tix.com

Photos by Mathew Caine @Studio Digitrope

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