“Beyond Sight” Review by Rose Desena
This Week in Theater
“Beyond Sight”
Review by Rose Desena
Greg Shane, artistic director for CRE Outreach, an organization that supports the visually impaired though theater, surprises us with a nicely crafted musical. Jack Carter (Robert Smith) is a distraught soldier suffering from PTSD and dealing with loss of his sight when he returns to the States from Afghanistan.
The love of his life, Lily (Ginger Lawrence), struggles to save their now severely damaged relationship. This creative love story is a mix of great characters, some of whom are portrayed by veterans. Smith, who is totally blind, does a masterful job navigating around the stage and adds a hard-core reality to this interesting and honest tale. All the actors are just so lovable — even General McCord won me over, and he was a meanie.
The music by Mark P. Leonard and Colin Simson is quite pleasing, as is the choreography by Allison Bibicoff. Even Greg himself had a hand in the production, pitching in with some of his own lyrics.
If you go and see it, which I think you should, stay around afterwards, ask for Greg and meet the cast; they’re such an inspirational bunch. Wine and soft drinks served in the lobby before and after.
I did a Q and A with Greg, so if you’re interested in learning more: http://www.thelosangelespost.org/qa-greg-shane-theater-blind-rose-desena/
Beyond Sight
Book: Nick Sivakumaran and Jeremy Aldridge
Directed by Jeremy Aldridge
Cast: Tristan Bailey, Graig Churchill, Geoffrey Dwyer, Sean P. Gorecki, Monica Green, Ginger Lawrence, Chayce Lee, Christopher Loverro, Cj Merriman, K.J. Middlebrooks, Anne Montavon, Raufel Muhammad, Shannon Nelson, Robert Smith, Dan Woren
Through May 25: Fridays at 8 p.m: May 9, 16, 23
Saturdays at 8 p.m: May 10, 24 (dark May 17)
Sundays at 3 p.m: May 11, 18, 25
Stella Adler Theatre
6773 Hollywood Blvd., 2nd Floor Hollywood, CA 90028
(310) 902-8220 or www.creoutreach.org
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/creoutreach
Follow us on Twitter @creoutreach
