This production illuminates the hearts of four women seeking answers to life's biggest questions including death, men, life and marriage. .
When Rebecca, played by Valley favorite Robyn Allen, looses her husband in a tragic accident, her friends and family come to her aid. None of them, however, can see past their own problems. Cathy Dresbach, also a favorite in the Valley, plays Alberta, Rebecca's former stepmother. Athena Hunting plays her neighbor, Sylvie and Francis Rivera plays Rebecca's younger sister.
Moonlight and Valentino is a must-see evening of captivating and moving theater directed by Karla Koskinen. Koskinen most recently directed Picnic on the Phoenix Theatre stage.
"It is my hope that the audience will experience a group of women who confront those things which are holding them back from moving forward and understand how life does (and must) go on,"Â Koskinen said. "Pain is a part of everyone's life but how we process it, and how we live with it and move ahead is the key."Â
Valentino, played by Rick Estrada, a newcomer to Phoenix Theatre stage, quietly draws the women together with laughter, love and fantasies.
"Valentino represents a new beginning. He is a dark, handsome stranger who offers the possibility of life after death. He is part of the romantic reclaiming that Rebecca needs to undergo,"Â Koskinen concluded.
Simon is the daughter of comic playwright Neil Simon. The story is based on her own experiences following the accidental death of her husband who was killed while jogging in New York City. In 1995, the stage play was adapted to the silver screen under the same name. The hit movie starred Gwyneth Paltrow, Whoopie Goldberg, Elizabeth Perkins, Kathleen Turner and Jon Bon Jovi. -- www.phoenixtheatre.com
Posted March 17th, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
