• About Us
      • Submissions
      • Advertise
      • Support
      • Subscribe
    • ColoradoBoulevard.net
    • Front Page
    • News & Headlines
      • News
      • Editorials
      • Interviews
      • Tips
    • Events
      • Highlighted Events
      • Submit an Event
      • Event Categories
      • Locations
    • Environmental
      • Gardening
      • Organic
    • Arts
      • Reviews
      • Cartoons
      • Poetry
      • Knitting
    • Science, Tech, Biz
    • Food, Health, Education
      • Food
      • Health
      • Education
    • Benjilock in Pasadena Among 2023 Best of US Chamber of Commerce Small BusinessesBenjilock in Pasadena Among 2023 Best of US Chamber of Commerce Small Businesses
    • PUSD Special Meeting: A Survey To Be Shared WidelyPUSD Special Meeting: A Survey To Be Shared Widely
    • A Bold Stand Against Gun Violence in Alhambra – But Not TodayA Bold Stand Against Gun Violence in Alhambra – But Not Today
    • L.A. County Board Supports Film IndustryL.A. County Board Supports Film Industry
    • South Pasadena Unified Teacher of the YearSouth Pasadena Unified Teacher of the Year
    • Celebrate a Very Happy Halloween at Kidspace!Celebrate a Very Happy Halloween at Kidspace!
    • Introducing Pasadena Tournament of Roses 2024 Royal Court FinalistsIntroducing Pasadena Tournament of Roses 2024 Royal Court Finalists
      • Reviews

        All American Girl – Review

        • Staff
          • July 13, 2015
          • 2 comments
      597
      SHARES
      Share
      Annika Marks (L) and Jeanne Syquia (R), alternate actors in “All American Girl.” (Photos - Rick Friesen).

      Annika Marks (L) and Jeanne Syquia (R), alternate actors in “All American Girl.” (Photos – Rick Friesen).

      “All American Girl,” written by Wendy Graf, produced by InterACT Theatre Company and now playing at the Lounge Theatre, is in the top 5 plays I’ve seen this year.

      By Carol Edger Germain

      We were greeted with a “newspaper” on entering, the “InterAct World News Herald,” filled with stories of of terrorist killings and activities around the world. I could hardly find words when it finished, immediately after which we went to the lobby for a wine, cheese, and cookies reception, which further intensified the contrast of “All American” and “Overnight Terrorist” portrayed in the play.

      “All American Girl” chronicles the transformation of sweet, average, suburban girl Katie (alternately played by Jeanne Syquia and Annika Marks – the night I saw it Annika Marks played Katie, but I’ve heard that Jeann Syquia is just as compelling in the role, so see it at your convenience, you will be riveted by whoever is on stage). It is difficult to pull off a solo show, but Annika Marks not only played her part, but also spoke for others, sliding into quotes by others in Katie’s life, including accents, without a hitch, and you heard the others speaking through her. The combination of the actress’ talent and dialect coach Adam Michael Rose was perfect.

      All American Girl

      All American Girl

      Production designer Joel Daavid’s use of revolving black chalk boards, with Katie writing frantically on them with screeching chalk, documenting dates of important events in her story, Joseph “Sloe” Slawinski’s dramatic sound design and original music, Eric Babb’s minimalist but effective props, Carol Doehring’s lighting design, and Amanda Antunes’ costume design were all right on key.

      We are given insight into Katie’s perception of life through various impactful incidents in her life, with those incidents being presented by Katie as a young child, Katie as a teenager. Her transformation to those other stages of her life were believable, I felt the younger versions of Katie clearly. From an enthusiastic child to a teenager breaking her own moral code, to a love interest, to a grown woman appalled on a trip to India by the violent deaths of children perpetrated by the Hindus on the Muslims, to a radicalized terrorist, the audience was along for the transforming ride, and although intellectually it’s still hard to accept the extreme position of being willing to bomb perhaps innocent people (although Katie and her Muslim-Indian husband did alert the police to clear the area before the bomb is set to go off.), I really was feeling her journey, and by the end felt I had great insight into how someone could go this direction as a response to the hateful and intolerant world we live in today. Although her acts may be unforgiveable, this skillfully produced play gave us a way to comprehend where the journey brought her.

      Director Anita Khanzadian and Producer Alan Naggar, round out the talented team that brought this first class production to the stage.

      All American Girl
      Through July 26
      The Lounge Theater 2
      6201 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., CA 90038
      (be sure to grab some great Thai food at Nat’s Thai around the corner on Vine before or after the show)
      Tickets – $30
      Purchase tickets here.
      (Discount tickets available here).


      We hope you appreciated this article. Before you move on, please consider supporting the Colorado Boulevard’s journalism.

      Billionaires, hedge fund owners and local imposters have a powerful hold on the information that reaches the public. Colorado Boulevard stands to serve the public interest – not profit motives.

      While fairness guides everything we do, we know there is a right and a wrong position in the fight against racism and climate crisis while supporting reproductive rights and social justice. We provide a fresh perspective on local politics – one so often missing from so-called ‘local’ journalism.

      You can access Colorado Boulevard’s paywall-free journalism because of our unique reader-supported model. People like you, informed readers, keep us independent, beholden to no outside influence, and accessible to everyone.

      Please consider supporting Colorado Boulevard today. Thank you. (Click to Support)

      597
      SHARES
      Share
      Tagged: All American GirlTheatrePlanners

      Post navigation

      “Thoughts for Pennies” Cartoon
      Thu, July 16 – SHIV Play for $10 (Plus Beer & Pizza)

      Recommended Articles

      • Three guys sitting on a couch talking

        Review | "How It's Gon' Be"

      • actors on stage rehearsing a play

        Review | "Measure STILL for Measure" at Boston Court…

      • 5 women in period costumes singing on stage

        Review | "The Right Is Ours!" at Sierra Madre Playhouse

      Contributor

        • Author
        • Recent Posts
        • Staff

          Colorado Boulevard is your place for enlightening events, informative news and social living for the greater Pasadena area.
          We strive to inform, educate, and work together to make a better world for all of us, locally and globally.

        • Latest posts by Staff

          • September 11, 2023
            'The Sound Inside' at Pasadena Playhouse: A Love Letter To Writers and Authors
          • September 8, 2023
            Pasadena Settles Lawsuit With Jerry’s Billiards
          • September 8, 2023
            Glendale Tech Week 2023

          See all articles

      Comments

      1. Alex Nodopaka says:
        July 13, 2015 at 12:10 pm

        Alex! I just read myself (again) and wow! I say you’re full of bull… lol

        Reply
      2. Alex Nodopaka says:
        July 13, 2015 at 12:08 pm

        I ditto the feelings and wording in this article about the theatrical performance. In addition I have the following if not philosophical opinion then a moral one. This play is an excellent portrayal of the transformative thinking that takes places from the opposing perspective of being in someone else’s shoes. I address this from my own experiences of speaking, by necessity of life, 5 languages and understanding another 10 in either their sounding or their reading having lived in those countries and experienced each one’s philosophy of life. We, the USA, cannot go around the world, especially since the Korean War (1950) bombing nations to the tune of numerous millions with unaccounted collateral deaths by other millions and not expect some retribution, intellectual or moral or empirical revengeful consequences.

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Thank You! (Click Photo Below)

      A ribbon with 10th Anniversary writing on it and fireworks behind it

      Print Edition

      In Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel and Alhambra.

      Live Memories

      coloradoblvd

      A top from one of our readers, a major back up on A top from one of our readers, a major back up on the 210 near Lake Ave the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023
      #fall is here. Cordova and Hill in #Pasadena #fri #fall is here. Cordova and Hill in  #Pasadena #fridayevening
      Nick Ariondo in #Southpasadena #paris #italy in #s Nick Ariondo in #Southpasadena #paris #italy in #socal
      Artist, singer, dancer, poet and writer Toti O'Bri Artist, singer, dancer, poet and writer Toti O'Brien @altadenalibrary #Collage #art #exhibit
      Load More... Follow on Instagram

      Events by Date

      <<September, 2023>>
      SMTWTFS
      27 28 29 30 31 1 2
      3 4 5 6 7 8 9
      10 11 12 13 14 15 16
      17 18 19 20 21 22 23
      24 25 26 27 28 29 30

    Latest from our contributors

    • Science, Tech, Business

      Benjilock in Pasadena Among 2023 Best of US Chamber of Commerce Small Businesses

      Briony James
    • News & Headlines

      PUSD Special Meeting: A Survey To Be Shared Widely

      News Desk
    • Editorials

      A Bold Stand Against Gun Violence in Alhambra – But Not Today

      Melissa Michelson
    • Arts & Entertainment, Cartoons

      Thoughts for Pennies: "Personal Preference"

      Glenn Storm
    • Environmental Impact

      Are You Suffering From Climate Change Trauma? You’re Not Alone!

      Thom Hawkins
    • Arts & Entertainment, Reviews

      Review | "How It's Gon' Be"

      Carol Edger Germain
    • Education

      CIS Recognizes Star Students

      Scott Phelps
    • Editorials

      Childhood Memories in Pasadena

      Guest Author
    • Science, Tech, Business

      100 Year Anniversary of Hubble… on the 100 Inch Telescope

      Jerry Friedman
    • News & Headlines

      San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce and City Council: Part Trois

      Cheryl Cabot
      • ColoradoBoulevard.net
      • Home
      • About Us
      • Submissions
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe
      • Privacy and Cookies Policy
      • Terms of Use

      © ColoradoBoulevard.net - By Coloradoblvd.net and WMF

    • ColoradoBoulevard.net logo

      Categories

      • Arts & Entertainment
        • Cartoons
        • Knitting
        • Poetry
        • Reviews
      • Environmental Impact
        • Deals
        • Gardening
        • Organic
      • Food, Health, Education
        • Education
        • Food
        • Health
      • Highlighted Events
      • News & Headlines
        • Editorials
        • Interviews
        • Tips
      • Science, Tech, Business
      • Who's Who
      • Front Page
      • About Us
      • Submissions
      • Advertise
      • Community Events
        • Highlighted Events
        • Event Categories
        • Event Locations
        • Submit an Event

      Join Us

      • Subscribe
      • Support
      • Newsflash

          • Loading...
          • You're all caught up!
          • Oops something went wrong!

          See all newsflashes

          Back to articles