Willy Russel's Blood Brothers at the Whitefire Theater

This is a review by guest critic, Jeremy Lake.

Willy Russell’s BLOOD BROTHERS, continues to live on despite the 25 year span from its London debut. Bryan Rasmussen, directs this version of the Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated musical, at the Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks.

Rasmussen, successfully integrates a complicated testimony of the battle between British social hierarchies while using a talented, multi-ethnic cast of Los Angelenos . It’s an eerie correlation between the economic clash in the play to our country’s current financial crisis with this American cast.

This is the story of a struggling lower class mother, Mrs. Johnstone (Pamela Taylor) who burdened by financial strains gives up her newborn twin boys, Mickey and Eddie, to her barren upper class employer, Mrs. Lyons (Judy Norton). The twins, played by Eduardo Enrikez and Ryan Nealy, are raised in separate social classes despite growing up in the same neigborhood but through fate, become best of friends. Over the years, their bond is tested by economic stresses and the rivalry over the love of a woman named Linda (Sita Young).

The era of the play is noticeable in dialogue and musical style. However, it’s a bit like drinking a fine wine with new grapes from an old vine. One must note its history to appreciate the flavor.

The Whitefire production is well cast with plenty of musical talent. The set design of the stage is simple and open, with the musicians tucked away in the upper corners of the catwalk. The lighting arrangement is useful in dividing the stage into smaller sets for various scenes and the props are minimal so as not to distract the audience with the scurrying stage hands.

It’s definitely a smaller budgeted version of the play, nevertheless, the heart behind the performances is enough to keep the audience engaged. Of particular note, Eduardo Enrikez’s portrayal of Mickey is commendable. He captures the carefree joy of a young boy growing up on the inner city streets as his playground. He beautifully transitions this emotion into tragic hopelessness, as he ends up a broken and downtrodden man.

As it was the musical’s opening weekend, there were some kinks in the production such as issues with sound.  Some of the actors were mic’d and others were not, therefore at times it was difficult to hear the dialogue. Be careful though, if you lean forward to hear the actor’s interchange, the use of firearms in some scenes are very loud and can cause you to jump out of your seat, if you aren’t expecting it.

Overall, I expect this rendition of BLOOD BROTHERS, to be successful despite its opening weekend jitters. The play is long, with a 2 1/2 hour running time, but if you allow this powerful story to slowly boil and come to life, the payoff is a wonderful tear-jerker which will leave you emotionally satisfied as it has for audiences around the world for over two decades.

The play will run through November 23rd, with evening performances at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, along with matinee showings at 3pm on Sundays. The tickets are $25 dollars per seat and can be ordered at (866)811-4111.  The theater is located at: 13500 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, 91423.

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