Little Fish

The Blank Theatre Company and Michael John LaChiusa have a history together. Together they have produced some of Los Angeles’ best theatre. In my mind THE WILD PARTY was one of the best productions I have seen locally.

     Currently LaChiusa and the Blank are collaborating on the west coast premiere of LITTLE FISH. Unfortunately I don’t find the current offering as stirring or satisfying as THE WILD PARTY or even other of LaChuisa’s shows that I Have seen. This is primarily due to its subject matter.

     LITTLE FISH concerns the story of a Charlotte a young writer of short stories as she begins a voyage of discovery as she tries to fill a void in her life when she quits smoking and joins the YMCA. She examines her life, her yearnings, her friends, her lovers, but mostly she deals with the decision of whether or not to join the stream of people and like a little fish find protection in the midst of the school. The New York Times described LITTLE FISH as an answer to Sondheim’s COMPANY. It’s a smart sassy piece and well observed.

    My basic problem with the musical was not the music (the usual superb LaChuisa score) not the cast headlined by the winning Tony-Nominated Alice Ripley. But the shows decidedly New York bent. Stopping smoking and finding refuge from the strains of the city may be important in New York but in California Smoking is becoming much less of an issue and as for swimming, look around at all the swimming pools. The whole thing reminded me of a certain claustrophobic feeling I had when living in New York.

     The cast is quite good. I felt Alice Ripley was charming though she seemed o strain sometimes when she was singing. Whether this was smoke related (not Benson and Hedges but our own home grown fires that have ravished the southland), the fact there was no microphone. or merely the range of the songs, I couldn’t say. I particularly liked Dina Morisita as Charlolote’s friend Kathy, and Gregory Jbara as her boss Mr. Bunder. German Santiago had some sexy flashy dance moves, and Chad Kimball some needed humor. Chad also has a wonderful singing voice. Robert Torti was terrific as the cad.

THE BLANK THEATRE 2nd stage through Nov 18. 6500 Santa Monica Blvd 323 661 9827