by Mary Mallory
Filled with biting one-liners and heartfelt moments, Rachel Bailit’s entertaining one woman show reveals the absurdity of the Hollywood actor’s life: constant struggle for one moment of success. What will she pursue: excitement in creating art, or settling down in the role of wife and mother?
Presented in a three act structure, “Sugar Happens” reveals nice Jewish girl Bailit’s misadventures while looking for work and love in Hollywood as a struggling actress. She dreams of possible scenarios: staid contentment as a stay at home wife and mother, or career stagnation as a blowsy, over the top lounge singer.
The production demonstrates Sherry Coben’s strong writing talents that combine good storytelling with detailed character development. Honest and brutally raw in her presentation, Bailit successfully balances the show between hilarious, acerbic zingers and poignant, emotional moods.
Director Phil Ramuno deftly choreographs the action of Bailit dressing and disrobing onstage to complement her emotionally revealing scenes. This reiterates the point that life is one giant preparation for the stage.
A passionate, hysterical portrayal of Bailit’s search for career and family contentment, “Sugar Happens” shows a sexy, passionate young woman chasing her true desires in superficial, materialistic Los Angeles.
The Whitefire Theatre and Bryan Rasmussen present “Sugar Happens: a One-Girl Show” Wednesday, July 18 and August 15 at 8:00 PM at the Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. Tickets cost $20. To make reservations, call 310/403-5436.
—Tolucan Times