HEART SONG Extends Through 8/25 at Fountain Theatre

Heart Song, the newest comedy/drama from Stephen Sachs (Bakersfield Mist, Cyrano), will extend at the Fountain Theatre through August 25.

The story of Rochelle, a middle aged Jewish woman struggling with a crisis of faith who finds herself unwillingly dragged to a flamenco class for out of shape women, Heart Song celebrates the joys of friendship and the healing power of dance. That message, and what the Jewish Journal heralds as the "transformative power" of the play, strikes a resounding chord with the sold-out audiences at the Fountain.

"The audience response has been extraordinary," says Fountain producing artistic director Deborah Lawlor. "People are laughing one moment, crying the next. When it's over, they want to share with us and others about what a deeply meaningful and powerful experience they've had."

Theater critic-at-large Steven Leigh Morris of the LA Weekly agreed,"After the play, one audience member sat shell-shocked, and told her seatmate, 'I asked my father to tell me something about my mother... It was just like in the play.' There's no arguing with that."

"A few in the audience... were wiping away tears at play's end," observedStage and Cinema's Tony Frankel.

Yet the joyous Heart Song remains "a genuine delight" (Hollywood Reporter) and "a celebration of life you won't want to miss" (BroadwayWorld).

Heart Song is directed by Shirley Jo Finney. Deborah Lawlor, creator/producer of the Fountain's acclaimed Forever Flamenco! series, served as creative consultant, and choreography is by internationally renowned flamenco dancer Maria "Cha Cha" Bermudez. The cast includes Pamela Dunlap (Mad Men) as Rochelle, Juanita Jennings (Fences at South Coast Rep) as Daloris and Tamlyn Tomita (Glee, The Joy Luck Club) as Tina. Also featured are Denise Blasor as fiery flamenco teacher, Katarina, and Andrea Dantas, Mindy Krasner, Elissa Kyriacou and Sherrie Lewandowski as her students.

Performances of Heart Song continue through August 25. Tickets are $34 (reserved seating). On Thursdays and Fridays only, seniors over 65 and students with ID are $25. The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call 323-663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.

Photo by: Ed Krieger