BY LAURA ANN TULL
“A Reason to love” at Magicopolis in Santa Monica that held its final performance this run last night, is a Theater production with a great deal of heart and raised $30,000 including donations that followed the day after its opening performance.
“It was a very successful evening and we will be able to expand our programming,” director Greg Shane told the Mirror.
It is truly changing lives and making a difference; the two joint organizations producing the show, Theatre by the Blind, and Rex and Friends, both involve individuals challenged by special needs, yet not accepting their handicaps as disabilities preventing dreams.
The ticket price for this performance has a triple value. First the performance consists of almost two different shows interwoven. There is Theater by the Blind who tell the story of “Kitty’s and Curls,” a hair salon, and its employees and customers. It is a heartfelt tale of family and love and acceptance. There is a father and barber, Blake (Kenny Lee) and his two sons Scott and Sam (David Sandoval and Julio Hoyos). There is the blind receptionist Betsy (Leela Kazerouni). A transvestite manicurist Tammy (Connor Head) and her un-accepting mother Peggy (Willie Ruth “Cookie” Cook). A friendly cop Sabrina (Melanie Hernandez). Jeremiah (Arnett Coates), a customer with a fetish for Yoga. Finally there is Blake’s sister tiffany (Sheila Waler) and her dance partner fiancé Joe (Ernest Pipoly), who may or may not get married. According to director Greg Shane and Writer Pelita Dalalla Feldman, the stage play written by Feldman grew from a joint effort between writer, director and the improvisation and personalities of the performers.
Second in between each change in scene the audience is entertained by commentator McKinely (Mathew Saracho) and the musicians of Rex and Friends. Saracho acts as a narrator and guide into the world of “Kitty’s and Curls” and a source for deep and witty observation. Rex and Friends inspires the audience to heartfelt heights with inspiring modern tunes, like “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” and “Fight Song.” Rex and Friends consists of two pianists, and seven vocalists. Rex Lewis-Clack leads this incredibly powerful group of songster. The other pianist Laywood Blocker plays in duet with Rex, accompanying the singers, Alan Davis, August, McAdoo, Brendan Montegue, Jonetta Ward, Patrick Storey, and Igor Zaninovich.
The third added value consists of the knowledge that the price of the tickets assists these 19 performers be seen and heard, who might otherwise not have the opportunity. These tickets change lives. The members of Theatre by the Blind due to sight issues might otherwise never cross a stage let alone perform on one. Rex and Friends consists of performers who work to overcome being blind or autistic.
The cast in “Kitty’s” ranges from Kenny Lee, whose background is professional acting, but is losing his sight due to a brain tumor, to born-blind Connor Head who performs as a musician and comedian in addition to his performance in this show. Some of the performers not only have overcome their sight issues but confidence and speech issues as well. Ernest Pipoly lost his sight at 50, yet credits the Theater for helping him with a stutter problem.
Founder Rex Lewis-Clack represents the genius of Rex and Friends, having been born blind and diagnosed with autism as a toddler, he was labeled a musical genius at age 7. This genius permeates the performances of the group. Several of the singers suffer from Asperbger’s Syndrome. All eight performers perform professionally, not only as musicians but most are also professional actors, so it makes sense that these two groups would collaborate. One forgets that these eight performers suffer setbacks, and instead the audience experiences extraordinary musical craftsmanship.
For information about Theater by the Blind go to their parent organization CRE Outreach at CreOutreach,org. For information about Rex and Friends Charity, go to RexAnd Friends.org.
