99 Impossible Things at Eclectic Company Theatre

99 Impossible Things

Eclectic Company Theatre
5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd. North Hollywood

World premiere play written and directed by Chelsea Sutton. Harold (Jason Britt) desperately wants to discover the next great invention - but the appearance of a human-sized sea monkey (Jillian Easton) is stunting his progress. While drinking away his days in the Magic Bean Coffee House, the down-on-her-luck proprietor Ellen (Tiffany Cole) urges Harold to recall a past he has buried away - while her brother (Mason Hallberg), his imaginary friend (Geoff James), an unwanted guardian angel (R.J. Farrington), the clumsy barista (Ashleigh Boiros) and a homeless woman (Barbara Scolaro) with a magical delusion make the act of moving on almost impossible. When a jaded stranger (Jessica Lightfoot) wanders in for a cup of coffee, she unwittingly proves that sometimes our greatest pains can help make our most impossible dreams a reality.

Thru - Feb 13, 2011

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00pm

Sundays: 7:00pm

Show Type: Drama

Box Office: 818-508-3003

www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org

99 Impossible Things Reviews

Average Rating based on 5 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

LA Weekly - Not Recommended

"...There's barely a plot, a story, dramatic stakes or a protagonist, and the central conflict (the soul of the drama) emerges sporadically. Most of the dialogue sounds like a college improv show in which someone said, "OK, you hang out in a coffee shop, you have an imaginary friend but you're not sure why, and nobody else is either: Go!" Sutton's serving as writer, director and producer suggests a reason behind the absence of a critical or collaborative eye. Even the performances, save that of RJ Farrington (who portrays the guardian angel), lack sheen. The highlight of the production is Bryan Forrest's authentically detailed coffee shop set."

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- Mayank Keshaviah

LA Splash - Somewhat Recommended

"...99 Impossible Things is nearly impossible to follow, unless you pay very close attention. There are so many characters, all with their special brand of neurosis; it's a bit much. There is no clear protagonist. Normally, I wouldn't automatically see that as a flaw. Except without a focal point amidst the piles of plots, we don't know who or what the play is about, or why we should even care. It's quite possible that different audience members will identify with different characters, but there has to be a point of entry for the audience to engage. Finally, the play is too long by about three scenes and the monologues felt out of place in general."

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- Keisha7

ReviewPlays.com - Recommended

"...Once you figure out than there is nothing in this story that resembles reality as you know it then the play makes a lot of sense. It's even funny in many places, although not the knee slapping kind of funny. It's more like the creep up on you when you least expect it and let out a loud giggle funny. That's because the characters in this whimsical tale by Chelsea Sutton, who also directs, are so far out in so many ways that you're sure you'll never meet anyone like that. The problem is that the more you think of it, you begin to get the queasy feeling that you actually may know someone like that and perhaps even (gulp) there may be a little of YOU in the characters. Perish the thought!"

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- Jose Ruiz

Examiner - Recommended

"...Chelsea Sutton's thoughtful and thought-provoking 99 Impossible Things is distinguished by well-written dialogue and engaging characters. Also directed by Sutton the play performs through February 13 at the Eclectic Company Theatre."

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- Candyce Columbus

Will Call - Somewhat Recommended

"...The cast, in varying degrees of competency, tries hard. Britt is interesting to watch with his spastic, nutty professor attitude. Scolaro gives a creditable portrayal of the tiresome hag. Boiros, a willowy, young woman with great hair, has an irritating, nasal little voice, James has excellent diction and knows how to play a loser. Farrington, as the angel, is mostly mute but is arresting when she does have something to say. All poor Easton as the sea monkey (whatever that is), has to do, is look graceful and she does. Hallberg would be better served by a more sympathetic costume designer (Virginia VanDenberg). At least, lose that hat! Lightfoot gives us a spirited interpretation of a woman who is presumed to be a psychiatrist but could probably use a few sessions on the couch, herself."

- Ingrid Wilmot

99 Impossible Things at Eclectic Company Theatre