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Theatre
Inner Monkey - New Play Series
February 10, 2009
Lou and Leslie are prescribed a camping trip by their marriage counselor. Goaded by insights gained in the fresh mountain air, they confront each other through brutal drama therapy games. Leslie, who has always depended on men for happiness, falls for the affections of a lusty Forest Ranger while Lou, burdened by angst, speaks therapeutically to the trout. Leslie must choose between her marriage, the Ranger, or the strange new discovery of her own animal nature.
City Lights has a strong commitment to developing new, offbeat theater pieces. The New Play Readers Series gives promising new plays by local playwrights a workshop play-reading production, followed by an audience TalkBack session in which audiences can let the artists know what they think of the show. Potential plays are reviewed by our New Play Readers' Committee and are selected on a competitive basis. City Lights secures the actors and director for the piece, and the playwright is closely involved with casting decisions and rehearsals. The public play readings are one-night-only performances that occur on selected nights throughout City Lights' season.
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Ticket Info
Tickets: $10
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Dates & Times
Dates:
February 10, 2009Times:
8pm -
Venue Info
529 S. 2nd Street San Jose, CA 95112
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Accessibility Info
- Wheelchair Access
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NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However it's a good idea to visit the official website or call the venue to verify the information.
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Member Reviews
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Event Name: Smoke - A One-Woman Cabaret Performed by Lori Rivera
"Excellent Entertainment"
Review posted by: Tim from Capitola, CA (Santa Cruz), Feb 24, 2010
It's rare to find a one person show that combines great singing, an original score, compelling acting, with fine musicians.I've seen the show three times and will be there for more. I've recommended... Expand
It's rare to find a one person show that combines great singing, an original score, compelling acting, with fine musicians.I've seen the show three times and will be there for more. I've recommended this show to many friends and all were pleased. Collapse
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Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Deadman"
Review posted by: J & H from San Jose, Feb 17, 2010
We saw the show on a Saturday and were very disappointed. We thought that the blocking was interesting, but that was about it. The actor playing Mathew seemed to be an imitation of Penn's performance.... Expand
We saw the show on a Saturday and were very disappointed. We thought that the blocking was interesting, but that was about it. The actor playing Mathew seemed to be an imitation of Penn's performance. And a poor one at that. The play came across as preachy and we didn't have any sympathy for Mathew. When he said he'd been in jail for six years, it didn't ring true at all. It seemed thay lines were being said for no reason at all. There were however some good performances from some of the minor characters. The play was also too long. Collapse
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Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights."
Review posted by: LisaB from San Jose CA, Feb 13, 2010
Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights.
Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights.
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Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Do not miss this great production!"
Review posted by: Nicole from San Jose, CA, Feb 11, 2010
The scrip is very powerful and the cast carries it beautifully. The emotions are real. I exited the play thinking that the actors had really lived the situation. If you are not sure of your position... Expand
The scrip is very powerful and the cast carries it beautifully. The emotions are real. I exited the play thinking that the actors had really lived the situation. If you are not sure of your position regarding the death penalty, you owe it to yourself to see this play. It is very powerful! City Lights has outdone themselves one more time... Collapse
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Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"This show is about so much more than the death penalty"
Comment posted by: J.A. from Mountain View, CA USA, Feb 11, 2010
This play is worth your time and money even if you already saw the movie and you aren't particularly interested in the politics of the death penalty . The writing, directing, acting, and set design... Expand
This play is worth your time and money even if you already saw the movie and you aren't particularly interested in the politics of the death penalty . The writing, directing, acting, and set design are strong. You can't go wrong with a powerful story that is well told. I was flooded with memories, feelings, ideas, and questions about spirituality, religion, justice, crime, grief, shame, blame, personal responsibility, community, intimacy, loss, power, fear, forgiveness, healing, growth, acceptance, repentance, guilt, culpability, compassion, change... Prior to seeing the play I had an opinion about the death penalty. I thought some people deserved it. And now? The story swallowed up my opinion and spit out big questions about what it means to be human. Collapse
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Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"The best thing I have seen at City Lights"
Review posted by: Walter M. Mayes from San Francisco, CA, Jan 28, 2010
The staging is fluid and thoughtful--you can tell a choreographer directed. The set, while beautifully utilized, is NOISY, undercutting Amanda Folena's strong direction. Dialects were rarely from... Expand
The staging is fluid and thoughtful--you can tell a choreographer directed. The set, while beautifully utilized, is NOISY, undercutting Amanda Folena's strong direction. Dialects were rarely from Louisiana. Lisa Mallette does a fine job with a demanding role. Her best moments tend to emerge from nonverbal choices, with thoughtful pauses, gestures, and facial expressions that help us comprehend the spiritual journey of Sister Helen Prejean. Thomas Gorrebeeck's matinee idol looks and smile serve to underscore Poncelet's smooth, cool lies in early scenes with Sister Helen, making him dangerously sympathetic. But as his soul is stripped bare and as his myriad of ugly, racist tattoos are revealed, it becomes clear to the audience the wisdom of the actor and director's choices. There were several standout performances, including Karen DeHart as Poncelet's anguished mother; David Madwin as a murder victim; Michael Riley as his grieving father; Anne Younan as his seething, silent mother. Collapse
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Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Who's Side Are You On?"
Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, Ca, Jan 22, 2010
This "tough act to follow" was well received by a sizable audience for the preview and the production value as well as the challenging play choice is quintessential City Lights. This play which you... Expand
This "tough act to follow" was well received by a sizable audience for the preview and the production value as well as the challenging play choice is quintessential City Lights. This play which you may know starred Sean Penn and Susan Surrandon in the film version is a piece whose heavy dialouge comes quick and heavy at you. Don't blink and be ready. Legal Rhetoric, religious reference, empassioned poetic monologues, and many instances of multiple actors speaking andor moving at the same time make this a play to pay attention to beyond it's "controvertial" topic. There is a surprising amount of humor throughout as well, and those were some of the best moments I thought. Solid acting, nice fluid, consistent staging through a simple but functional and ambient set made this a play I was surprised I liked as much as I did. Get there early for a preshow drink and the center seats. On a cold night, this intimate theatre can get cold, so bring layers to be most comfortable. Collapse
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Event Name: Another Night Before Christmas
"A pre-Christmas holiday delight."
Comment posted by: Kathy and Gary Falk from Estes Park, Colorado, USA, Dec 12, 2009
First off, the City Lights provided a perfect venue for this 2 person stage production. We drove 1,100 miles to see Lisa N. and it was worth every mile. Karol Elliot, you performed a spectacular show... Expand
First off, the City Lights provided a perfect venue for this 2 person stage production. We drove 1,100 miles to see Lisa N. and it was worth every mile. Karol Elliot, you performed a spectacular show ( even with a sore throat). And to top the evening off, we were able to appreciate "Santa". who was so REAL. Sitting in the 2nd row provided wonderful opportunities to see and feel the emotions & hear the music of the evening. The message & the music were delightful to us. Bottom line, my husband and I would have loved to see the production more than once. It tapped into our magical childhood thinking...and that was a a while back. A huge "thanks to everyone' in the production. Keep up the super direction of your theater company. Collapse
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Event Name: Another Night Before Christmas
"Very enjoyable"
Review posted by: Andy from San Jose, CA, Dec 10, 2009
Different twist on the "traditional" Christmas themes. Overall a lot of fun.
Different twist on the "traditional" Christmas themes. Overall a lot of fun.
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Event Name: Another Night Before Christmas
"Good production, blah material"
Review posted by: CB from San Jose, Dec 03, 2009
I thought this production was well done and that the performances were good, particularly the man who played Homeless Santa. The staging was a little repetitive, but other than that, I think this... Expand
I thought this production was well done and that the performances were good, particularly the man who played Homeless Santa. The staging was a little repetitive, but other than that, I think this company did good work. I just don't know why they chose this script. It seems pretty weak, and while there were a few moments that were genuinely touching, it was pretty uneven. The jokes seemed dated and flat, and the songs were forgettable. I thought is was cute enough, but nothing really more than cute and I was ready for it to be over about 30 minutes before it was. Collapse
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