Carey’s partial credits include producing and directing over 300 productions locally and nationally, receiving the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award and the Hollywood Arts Council Theatre Award. Cary is also the president of Shire Entertainment Group. He received his MFA in Theatre Management from Cal State Long Beach, and he was on faculty from 1997 to 1999.
All the Rage Is Under Way
Currently The Attic Theatre is staging the West Coast premiere for its 20th season finale. A highly unusual dark comedy, ”All the Rage” was written by Keith Reddin, and originally won 3 Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago. East Coast Director Brian Shnipper put the cast through its paces for a 6-weekend run that started last Friday. Shnipper, modest about his reviews, received raves for his East Coast production. Respecting Brian’s modesty, I will be brief. “Brian Shnipper’s terribly swift staging…” praised The New York Times. “Every performance is beautifully realized,” the Newark Star Ledger. “All the Rage explodes at 12 Miles West Theatre with a bang…to the taut, well-paced direction of Brian Shnipper,” said the reviewer for the Montclair (N.J.) Times. “All the Rage” is following the Patrick Marber serio- comedy “Closer,” which just completed a highly successful eight-week run at The Attic (including a two- week extension). Theater critic Jose Ruiz , of ReviewPlays.com, wrote, “Closer…remarkably well acted and imaginatively staged.” Hoyt Hilsman of Backstage West wrote, “With strong performances and intelligent direction, this production captures the provocative tenor of the text….Director James Carey understands that casting is everything in this piece and lets the actors strut their stuff. He also weaves the piece together skillfully, playing the light and dark shades with a subtle hand.”
Both “Closer” and “All the Rage” have savage bites to them. They are cutting-edge, designed to make an audience prick up its ears and listen. Both have been made into movies with all-star casts. I asked James if he chose the two plays for that reason. He replied, “No, he said. I chose them because they’re high quality plays with good, quality roles for my actors.” The Attic has a repertory company with 30 members. Carey double-cast “Closer,” which has four characters. “All the Rage” has 10 characters. Says Carey: ”At its core, All the Rage is a modern-day revenge tragedy.”
One-Act Plays
The One-Act Marathon is a marvelous tradition at The Attic. Each year, The Attic solicits and receives dozens of one-act plays. They can be up to 40 minutes long and must be adaptable to The Attic’s stage. The top three are chosen by committee and produced on the main stage. The next one- acts are scheduled to be staged in the summer. There is also a cash prize for the winner. A new program is in the works for youths-at risk. This is one busy little non-profit theatre that would greatly appreciate the interest of new members and patrons to participate in these worthwhile endeavors.
Recently some celebs have been gracing The Attic’s audiences. Chris Noth of “Law and Order” and “Sex in the City,” was seen watching his friend Tara Wilson in “Closer.” Tyne Daly of “Judging Amy” and CCH Pounder of “The Shield” attended closing night of the last one-act marathon. No telling who next weekends performances might lure.
Postscript
”All the Rage,” which opened this past weekend, plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8, through Dec. 16. Tickets are $20. Student and senior discounts are available.
The Attic Theatre & Film Center, 5429 W. Washington Blvd. 323. 525.0600, ext. 2.