Arcadia at Sierra Madre Playhouse

Arcadia

Sierra Madre Playhouse
87 W Sierra Madre Blvd Sierra Madre

The title of the play "Arcadia" does not, in this instance, refer to one of the cities adjacent to Sierra Madre, but rather to a classical ideal of pastoralism and harmony with nature that originated in Ancient Greece. The play "Arcadia" is set at the English estate of the Coverlys, a family of the nobility, and bounces back and forth between 1809 and the present day.

Thru - Jul 31, 2010

Price: $12-$20

Show Type: Comedy/Drama

Box Office: 626-355-4318

www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Arcadia Reviews

Average Rating based on 4 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

LA Weekly - Recommended

"...The cast is uniformly good, though the frequent shouting matches repeatedly reach a decibel level that quickly overwhelms such an intimate theater. Regardless that they skip so nimbly through the fascinating maze Stoppard's constructed is a relief, and reason enough to go."

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- Rebecca Haithcoat

Backstage - Highly Recommended

"...The dozen actors in this production beautifully capture the essence of Stoppard's ideas while giving them the necessary humanity and humor. In the modern story, Paul Romero is excellent as Valentine Coverly, a researcher who is working with Thomasina's mathematical theories. He and Bermingham deliver fine nuanced performances. Marchbank and Goodman have great chemistry, and Kendra Chell plays a lady of the manor with delightfully earthy overtones. John Combs, Phil Apoian, Aaron Michael Jackson, Mark A. Cross, Felicia Tabrizi, and Liam Swan enthusiastically flesh out the supporting cast."

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- Melinda Schupmann

Stage Scene LA - Somewhat Recommended

"...For the most part, performances could not be better. 1809 standouts include Alexandra Goodman as the precocious Thomasina, T.J. Marchbank as her dashing tutor Septimus, and Kendra Chell as the flirtatious Lady Croom. In the present, in addition to the divine Bermingham as investigative author Hannah, there is excellent work by Benjamin Burdick as the flamboyant loose cannon Bernard, Paul Romero as the serious, analytical Bernard, and Felicia Tabrizi as the flighty Chloe. Completing the cast in smaller but well-delineated roles are John Coombs (Jellaby), Phil Apoian (Chater), Aaron Michael Jackson (Noakes), Mark A. Cross (Captain Brice) , and Liam Swan (as 1809 Augustus and 2010 Gus). Accents are mostly excellent, despite a mispronounced "understand" or "progress" here and there, though a dialect coach (none is credited) could have helped a couple of actors essaying minor parts."

- Steven Stanley

ReviewPlays.com - Highly Recommended

"...Arcadia is one of the blue chip plays that requires a clear understanding of Stoppard's intent and a cast that can embrace the gentility of the manor, together with the human foibles that motivate the characters. This production shimmers with those qualities, set against a functional set that embraces both epochs and costumed with authenticity and care. While the Sierra Madre Playhouse is not exactly on the beaten path of Santa Monica's Theatre Row or NOHO's Theatre District, it is certainly a venue that deserves some scrutiny by theatre aficionados. This production is top caliber and the actors more than do justice to the play."

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- Jose Ruiz

Arcadia at Sierra Madre Playhouse

Arcadia

Arcadia Reviews

LA Weekly - Recommended

Backstage - Highly Recommended

Stage Scene LA - Somewhat Recommended

ReviewPlays.com - Highly Recommended

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