“Golden Age” Thinking

Lights! Camera! Action! A Theatrical Double-Feature at the Pierson Playhouse Promises Two One-Acts Worth of Vintage Hollywood

By MICHAEL AUSHENKER | Pali Life Editor

The 1940s were exciting years for Hollywood. Against the backdrop of World War II, Tinseltown wallowed in the glitz and the glamour of movie stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Fred MacMurray, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth and Greer Garson, as Hollywood produced classic after classic: “Double Indemnity,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “White Heat,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Casablanca,” “Citizen Kane.”

Such is the backdrop for “The Golden Age of Hollywood,” a pair of one-act plays at the Pierson Playhouse beginning Aug. 7.

“Golden Age” is comprised of two mini-plays: Claudine Claudio’s “Original Win: The Early Days of Oscar” and “Lost in Radioland,” written by Ryan Paul James and directed by Joe Dalo.

In “Original Win,” two aspiring actresses and iconic star Victoria Burroughs chase their common dream: an Academy Award.

Meanwhile, Palisadians may recognize Dalo’s “Lost in Radioland,” which ran at the Pierson Playhouse back in July 2010. Set in the 1940s, “Lost” follows a group of Hollywood stars as they execute a suspenseful syndicated radio show. When an escaped killer unleashes a trail of carnage across Los Angeles, the on-set drama takes a back seat to this real-life, existential danger.

“He was just last seen in Brentwood, he’s getting closer and closer,” Dalo explained of the building tension once the prisoner has sprung the hoosegow.

The “Lost” actors have serious 1980s cred: Keith Coogan played in “Adventures in Babysitting” while Claudia Wells is best known as “Jennifer Parker” in the original “Back to the Future.” Dalo himself plays “Stan the Man,” a foley artist in the story’s radio broadcast.

“It’s a trip back in time,” said the North Hollywood resident, promising rip-roaring fun in the style of a 1940s live radio broadcast.

Previously, Dalo has staged similar productions at Theater 68, which used to be near Franklin and Western Avenues (where improv comedy powerhouse Upright Citizens Brigade now stands).

Dalo enjoys crafting what he calls “environmental theater,” interactive pieces taking advantage of having a live audience.

“There’s no fourth wall,” he said.

He adds that this production is a valentine to the films of yesteryear he consumed as a kid.

“Growing up in Philadelphia, on Sundays, I would come home from church and watch as many old movies as I can,” Dalo said.

Those films included Marx Brothers laffers, “Road to…” pictures, and silent comedies by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.

“I love the fast-talking slapstick,” he said. “I love that vaudeville, that basic comedy style.”

Past stagings of Dalo’s radio plays in Pacific Palisades have proved gratifying for the director.

“We always get these great audiences,” he said.

Among them, actors Dalo admired growing up such as Bernie Koppel and former Palisades Honorary Mayor Gavin MacLeod.

He believes Palisadians shall once again appreciate what he and Claudio, a colleague from his Theater 68 days, have in store next week.

“They’re very stylistic plays,” Dalo said. “We get a big audience, usually an older audience, that kind of gets that style. It’s not very complex.”

“Original Win” originally scored six sold-out performances at the North Hollywood Arts Center.

“I am very excited to get it back up!  Four out of five original cast members are back as well,” Claudio said.

Claudio came up with the concept for “Original Win” while waiting tables in Hollywood a few years ago.

“It was during the airing of the remake of ‘Mildred Pierce’ on HBO, and a young woman who must have seen it came in and spoke with an affected, 1930’s, fake, British accent,” Claudio recalled. “I found her commitment to this character she created very impressive.’”

For Claudio, who lives near the Hollywood Hills, this will be her first play at the Pierson.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I look at the Hollywood sign almost everyday [and think] ‘Living the dream…living the dream.’”

“Golden Age of Hollywood” takes place 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, August 8; and Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Rd., Pacific Palisades. Tickets: $10. 310-454-1970; ryanpauljames.net