“Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers” at Skylight Theatre

unwed-mothers-1.jpgSkylight Theatre Company launches the World Premiere production of resident writer Louisa Hill’s “Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers,” recipient of the Mark Twain Award for Comic Playwriting from the Kennedy Center American College of Theatre Festival.

The story starts out in the early ’60s way before Roe vs Wade was passed in 1973. This was a time when unwed women who got knocked up basically had no choice but to give their baby up for adoption, and that’s exactly what teenager Dee (the fantastic, Corryn Cummins) is forced to do when she becomes pregnant.

In the first act, Dee gets a major ‘girl crush’ on Eddie (Adrian Gonzalez), has wild sex with him and discovers to her shock and dismay that she’s going to have a baby. Her rigid and religious parents send her to a home for unwed mothers where she remains until it’s time to give birth. That’s what parents did in those days. The scene where Dee is forced to hand over her child is absolutely heart wrenching.

In the second part of the play, we meet her daughter, Corie (Michaela Slezak), who is now 25 years old, into death metal, and wants nothing to do with Dee. She also happens to be pregnant, but this being 2017, has  much different options available to her.

The play is a look back into history and shows us the effect that our choices have on us.  The actors, including Amy Harmony, play many different parts, as well as making up the ‘Chorus’ throughout the show. Adding to the experience is the musical score written and performed on a solo cello by Marylin Winkle. Director Tony Abatemarco does an excellent job keeping the action going and making this a thought provoking night at the theatre.

“Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers” plays Friday and Saturdays at 8:30 and Sundays at 3:00 until May 14, 2017. The Skylight Theatre is located at 18161/2 North Vermont, Los Angeles 90027. Ticket prices are $15-$39.00. For reservations call 213-761-7062 or go to SkylightTix.com.

Joan Alperin

About Joan Alperin

Joan was born in Brooklyn and spent many years working as an actress in New York City. Even though she traveled extensively, Joan couldn't imagine living anywhere else.. Well one day, she met someone at a party who regaled her with stories about living in L. A. specifically Topanga Canyon. A few weeks later she found herself on an airplane bound for Los Angeles. Joan immediately fell in love with the town and has been living here for the last twenty years and yes, she even made it to Topanga Canyon, where she now resides, surrounded by nature, deer, owls and all kinds of extraordinary alien creatures.. Joan continued acting, but for the last several years (besides reviewing plays and film) she has been writing screenplays. Joan was married to a filmmaker who created the cult classic films, (way before she knew him) Faces of Death. As a result of his huge following, they created a funny movie review show entitled Two Jews on Film, where Joan and her husband, John would review movies and rate them with bagels You can see their reviews by going to youtube.com/twojewsonfilm. Although it's now only one Jew - Joan is occasionally joined by her beautiful Pekingnese and Japanese Chin.
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One Response to “Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers” at Skylight Theatre

  1. John Linesch says:

    impossible to buy tickets for skylight theater why?

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