THE WALLIS: SCORSESE, DINNER AND DRINKS

REVIEW: SCORSESE AMERICAN CRIME REQUIEM

BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO

As one of the fastest growing new theatres in Los Angeles, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts continues to amaze and engage all audiences. With their most recent production Scorsese American Crime Requiem created by Anderson Davis, Shane Scheel and Jesse Vargas, The Wallis proves that it can meet the demands of modern audiences. If you are a fan of Scorsese’s dark, gritty and in your face storytelling then this show is for you—Scorsese brings cinema to the stage like never before, a potent cocktail of bold drama and high-octane music.

Coupled with this fantastic co-production with For the Record, The Wallis wants audiences to come and stay a while by offering so much more than just great theater.

STAY A WHILE, HERE’S WHY:

• Firstly, this weekend, prior to the show The Wallis has invited the Prince of Venice handmade fresh pasta truck to offer their delicious Italian pasta to patrons. I arrived an hour before the show and ordered the ravioli alla papalina which was made to order—warm, gooey and delectable.

• Secondly, the recently opened The Bar @ The Wallis located in the Grand Hall serves wine, beer and gourmet cocktails before and after the performances.

• Finally, after the show on Saturday nights, the cast of Scorsese hangs out in the bar, and there’s special post-show performance featuring one of the cast members. On this occasion cast member Jason Paige treated audiences to his new music immediately after performing as Frankie in the show—he’s stellar showman with energy to spare.

Scorsese is a unique show that is made up of a collection of vignettes featuring characters from six of Martin Scorsese’s most celebrated movies (Casino, The Departed, Goodfellas, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, The Wolf of Wall Street) what’s more; these characters perform songs that were featured in the films’ soundtracks. Scorsese is a rollercoaster hybrid concert-musical that takes audiences through the 40-year history of these films—it’s a must see for all.

Director/Co-Creator Anderson Davis has put together a show that is a fine blend of theater, cinema, raw concert atmosphere and optical splendor. All these elements work with each other to relate these stories, define these characters and keep audiences on the edge of their seat. Add to this the set design by Matt Steinbrenner and Kyle Courter and it’s as if audience are living these films on stage in a nightclub. The lighting design by Dan Efros and Michael Berger is the smoking gun of the show; it flawlessly excites the eyes and effectively communicates the story’s sense of time and place.

The cast in this show is dynamite—rarely do you get a group of people on stage that can perform iconic roles, sing on a high-energy concert level and work as a team. What immediately stands out in this production are the females in the cast, their musical and dramatic performances are a force to be reckoned with. Carmen Cusack (Ginger), Dionne Gipson (Diane), Olivia Harris (Teresa), and Pia Toscano (Karen) give audiences song after song of powerhouse vocals, each one a genuine showstopper. B. Slade (Stacks) offers the most stirring renditions in his vocal numbers leaving audiences completely overwhelmed with frenzy. Jason Paige (Frankie) is a raw and cutthroat as his character in the show, the guy you love, hate and fear, and vocally he proves that he on the level of rest of the vocal talent in the show.

WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR?

Co-creator, pianist, and music director Jesse Vargas holds down the show from the piano, keeping all the musical elements in line. With cast and musicians spread out all over that stage, he’s always in control and is never fails to give us some skillful piano licks.

There are so many reasons to see Scorsese at The Wallis—come early, leave late—either way you’re in for an incredible evening.

PERFORMANCES:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 at 8:00 PM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 at 8:00 PM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 at 8:00 PM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016 at 8:00 PM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016 at 2:00 PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016 at 5:00 PM

TICKETS: www.thewallis.org