(Attended 11/11/16 F @ 8:00pm): A full-use studio during the day; a fly-by-night theatre during the…read moreevening!
Thanks to the discount entertainment service, Goldstar, I went high-brow for a performance of "Hamlet" at Studio Buckman. Always willing to experience, experiment, and support local theatre, would this multi-use facility aid in my love/hate relationship with the Bard!?:
Refreshments (FREE) - I'm not sure what the usual protocol was for performances, but in this particular case there was complimentary beer https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=_Nrqu7dPFgA8IXGFRtHJnQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, soda, water, and wine. Although I'd eaten beforehand, I was taught not to turn down FREE stuff so I imbibed as much as they were willing to serve - cheers!
Seats (FREE + $8.00 service fee; regularly priced between $17.50-$35.00) - General seating first-come first-serve. All sightlines were unobstructed but depended upon where the stage was placed. You sat on rental-style white wooden folding chairs with padded seats with sufficient passing room in front of each row of seats so you were not required to stand up. Since the studio space/theatre was tiny, you were figuratively and almost literally on the stage with the performers if not at least part of the set design!
The Show (10/07/16-11/12/16) - [Provided synopsis] While something might be rotten in the state of Denmark, Hamlet is a classic masterpiece that stays fresh with an urban twist from the Inner Circle Theatre. Visited by his father's ghost and tasked with avenging his murder, tech-savvy Prince Hamlet descends into madness and homicidal rage in this epic tale. In Shakespeare's immortal words, Hamlet meditates on the nature of life versus death, fate versus choice and art versus reality in an eloquence that has yet to be matched. So get ready for a psychological thrill ride of revenge, sex, greed and the supernatural when this riveting production takes on a modern spin at Burbank's Studio Buckman. Here were additional tidbits:
1. The set design consisted of a black chalkboard-like floor surface with drawings, a metal loading bay door that allowed for the actors to enter and exit during scenes, and a white wall used for visual projections. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4kg_0jiP7RvSAcUMeKPcNg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
2. Costume design was completely contemporary compared to the formal decadence of the Elizabethan Age during Shakespeare's time.
3. The script had very minor contemporary tweakings while I enjoyed the musical moodiness of Big Black Bugs (a mix of Delirium, Enigma, and Jane Siberry).
4. Tanya Gorlow, who played the lead of Hamlet, did an admirable job, but it took me awhile to warm up to a female in this strong male roll. Unfortunately, the rest of the ensemble cast was decent with no particular standouts as each role held equal weight for me.
Service - The easy-peasy play-by-play: I walked through the front door where I was met by a lovely young woman with the guest list, she found my name, gave me a program which acted as my ticket, I was offered a glass of wine, took said libation to a seat of my choice, and settled in until intermission - faerdig!
Parking (FREE) - No private lot, there was plenty of street-signed parking (2-hour limit enforced daily 8am-6:00pm) along the main drag of Hollywood Way and all surrounding streets. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=aj9vOTPA-dqe3_Kbhl9hTA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Atmosphere, décor, ambience - A "blank space" of a place, this was a mix-used studio where everything was a constant change based on the project. Otherwise, this long rectangular room was nothing but one stark white wall, another with multiple doors that probably led to offices, other rooms, or storage, the "lobby" area, and the loading dock. Nothing hung from the walls, and soul-sucking fluorescent ceiling lighting reigned supreme here while any natural lighting was kept out. The basic sound system was fine for this facility. There were no stage monitors but music played in the background before and during intermission. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=81JYdosa1D_UpdX06xOfWg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Attire - As I've always said, "it's the performing arts in a theatre so show respect for the craft and medium and dress at minimum business casual." Sorry, no t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops this time around.
Overall, I couldn't say whether or not I would see another "staged" performance at Studio Buckman simply because it wasn't suited for such performances. In all fairness, Shakespeare's heavy "Hamlet" as my first play here certainly didn't help its cause although I felt the acting was good. However, if you were looking to rent out a studio this was a good option to consider. I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was $8.00; no tip required). And, my credit card of choice was accepted...AMEX! 3.0 STARS