Onstage Playhouse Presents World Premiere of Knock Loudly! by San Diego-Based Playwright Anna Sandor
Ah, the “Golden Age of Cinema,” those black and white movies full of sass, drama, and good-looking people…There’s the same effect in Mexico with “El Cine de Oro”, same thing.
Onstage Playhouse’s latest production, Knock Loudly! Has the great Constance Crowne (Wendy Hovland), a former movie star who fills up on nostalgia from those precious and youthful moments. One day, Dee Dee (Isabella Turner), a neighbor from a few blocks down, knocks on the door to collect signatures for her school. Crowne sees the opportunity to take Dee Dee under her wing and teach the teen all about diction, intention, and soliloquies. Both Constance’s husband, Fred (Andy Jacobs), and Dee Dee’s mom, Eva (Cristina Gallo), are skeptical, but the mentorship becomes fruitful.
A natural disaster brings the neighbors together in Contance’s mansion shortly before her 80th birthday. Her Son, Hal (Markuz Rodriguez), makes a surprise visit that will stir up old feelings and untold truths.
Duane McGregor’s set design for Constance’s house is beautifully detailed, from the stairway to the wallpaper, all of which feature black and white colors that complement the theme. The movie star is an avid art collector, and the living room featured various works, also in black and white, that showcased Eric Ernst Albert and Herbert Siguenza’s plastic artistry abilities. Brad Dubois followed the same color palette for the starlet’s costumes, who even wears a Cruella-ish black and white wig.
Ginger Chody’s lighting kept each scene distinct with an added cool candlelight effect, as well as Jaden Guerrero’s sound that emphasized the natural disaster, prompting not just hearing, but also a shiver or two. Some of the transitions included clips of classic black-and-white movies that helped create the vibe. There were also some of Contance’s scenes on the golden screen, along with a talk show appearance courtesy of Michael Simpson & Vic Terry’s filming.
James P. Darvas’ direction brought each of these characters’ intentions to the stage with a nice and enthralling rhythm. Isabella Turner is sweet as Dee Dee and captures that youthful thirst essence that is signature at that age. Cristina is feisty and funny as the single mom, Eva. Andy Jacobs is the dream husband, exuding patience and logic (I’m not sure if such a thing exists), but Andy’s Fred has it. Wendy Hovland as Constance Crown portrayed complex feelings highlighted in the playwright‘s text, such as a woman’s insecurities due to societal pressure as she ages, gains weight, and grows older. Her Constance is very likable and very relatable. Markuz Rodriguez brought the intensity as Hal, delivering solid scenes with Wendy and Andy.
The play is new and needs some tightening. There is a need for a common thread and further scene resolution. Still, it is a very good first exercise.
See for yourself and get your impressions. Currently playing until April 27. For more information, click here.
The stage manager for this play is Denise Lopez, and the assistant stage manager is Rhae Ferrer.
