United States Love Actually Live (after the movie by Richard Curtis, adapted by Anderson Davis): The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills, 17.12.2023. (JRo)
True to its claim of being a ‘multimedia concert celebration’ and a ‘theatrical cinematic experience’, Love Actually Live plunges headlong into the experience of the film, leaving narrative coherence behind. For fans of the film (and I am one) who are familiar with the characters, overarching theme and subplots, the jukebox musical reads as a series of vignettes celebrating Richard Curtis’s movie. However, if you have not seen the film two or three times, there is no telling what to make of the onstage shenanigans since there is no story to follow.
Rather than projecting the film in its entirety and proceeding with the assembled fifteen-piece orchestra and onstage singers, the production selects moments in the film to enhance with live performance, either mimicking the film clip or complementing it.
Anderson Davis, who adapted and directed the piece, has created a production that draws crowds during the holiday season, in no small part due to the celebratory atmosphere onstage. Video projection and a handsome set evoking a London cityscape set the scene for a cast of enthusiastic actors, each one resembling his or her cinematic counterpart.
The production has become a seasonal staple at The Wallis, drawing crowds year after year, and I cannot deny its festive spirit. Actors pour down the aisles celebrating the wedding scene, and Aurelia, the Portuguese house cleaner, disrobes and mimes a jump into the river. The office Christmas party is reenacted, and the tune, ‘Christmas is All Around’, is a laugh-out-loud highlight, as it was in the film. Unfortunately, everything feels a bit frantic and forced.
Bill Nighy was unforgettable in the movie as Billy Mack. Rex Smith, the well-known pop star and actor, who was memorable back in the eighties in the stage and screen production of The Pirates of Penzance (along with Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt), was a perfect choice for the role. He brought the same exhausted energy and charisma to the character. Also up to the task was Austin Lesch as the Prime Minister, David. His voice and stage presence approximated Hugh Grant’s charm.
What was missing was involvement in the lives of the characters that real drama and comedy can engender. Still, for the Love Actually obsessed, if it is a revue you are after with a dose of holiday spirit, this is the show for you. For all others, sweeten your season with a production of The Nutcracker.
Jane Rosenberg
Production:
Director – Anderson Davis
Music director and Conductor – David Lee
Sets – Matt Steinbrenner
Video – Aaron Rhyne
Costumes – Steve Mazurek
Lighting – Michael Berger
Sound – Brian Hsieh and Mike Tracey
Choreography – Sumié Maeda
Cast:
Karen – Tomasina Abate
Joanna – Madison Taylor Baez
Mark – James Byous
John – Chris Cockrill
Natalie – Grace Kinstler
Harry – Doug Kreeger
David – Austin Lesch
Sarah – Ruby Lewis
Daniel – Chris Mann
Judy – Jordan Ann Martone
Peter – Brian McKnight, Jr.
Aurelia – Nina Nelson
Collin – Spencer Schaffer
Jamie – Drew Seeley
Billy Mack – Rex Smith
Sam – Alkaio Thiele
Juliet/Mia – Cheyenne Isabel Wells