Photo by James Rice
Much like the legendary “News on the March” segment in the film “Citizen Kane” Ted Turner was always news, much like the news that he defined in the way that the world would come to watch it for decades.
Businessman, philanthropist and much, much more, Ted Turner was, and still is, larger than life.
Mark Whicker’s fascinating portrait of the titular subject, “Ted Turner and the Last Roundup” is the Long Beach Playhouse’s inaugural offering of their Studio Collaborative 2025 season and it’s off to a stellar start.
Top row, L to R: Director James Rice, Playwright Mark Whicker
Bottom row, L to R: Noah Wagner as Ted Turner, Amanda Karr as The Interlocutor
Under the able and loving direction of James Rice, Producer Noah Wagner portrays Ted Turner himself and features Amanda Karr as the Interlocutor in the onstage duo.
Fans of Long Beach theater will no doubt recognize the ever-busy Noah Wagner, seen in countless shows at the Long Beach Playhouse as well as ICT and the Long Beach Historical Society. Wagner does a fantastic turn worthy of Lon Chaney as he practically channels Ted Turner, rather than simply essaying a role. The resemblance is so uncanny that’s it’s startling, from the slight, Southern drawl to the gap-toothed, sly grin situated just under his trademark moustache. His bombastic entrance and ultimate departure with excellent lighting (courtesy of James Callaghan) perfectly suits his powerful persona and alternates from the delightfully animated recollections of his life and career to his desperate moments trying to remember the smaller details as the ravages of Lewy Body Dementia takes its toll. Wagner knocks it out of the park yet again as he deftly demonstrates why he’s one of Long Beach’s busiest talents.
Photo by James Rice
Amanda Karr has the true character arc in her role as what is called “The Interlocutor” but becomes so much more than that by the plays conclusion. We won’t give anything away but rest assured that her performance is both empathetic and heart breaking as she proves to be the ultimately kind and all-knowing listener. While Wagner’s Turner is an extended monologue, Karr’s presence and emotional beats provides the sounding board of what the audience is hearing and feeling. She has her shoulder firmly to the wheel as this talented duo pushes the story across the finish line.
Photo by Sam Tanng
The technical talents of Alex Shewchuk (Sound and Projection Designer) and Dylan Boggan (Board Operator) add to a razor sharp presentation of one of histories most colorful and dynamic personalities.
Not to be missed, you can see “Ted Turner and the Last Roundup” upstairs at the Studio Theatre of the Long Beach Playhouse.
The Studio Collaborative:
TED TURNER AND THE LAST ROUNDUP
Company: Noah Wagner, Producer
Dates: Jan. 10, 11 @ 8pm, Jan. 12 @ 2pm, and Jan. 17, 18 @ 8pm, Jan. 19 @ 2pm 2025
Tickets: $20 over the phone or in person at our Box Office, $23 online including a service fee
ADDED DATES!
All Collaborative Shows do not have assigned seating, so it is first come, first serve.
PLEASE NOTE: The Studio Theater is on the 2nd Floor. Due to the age of our building, there is no elevator and the theater is only accessible by stairs
Description:
The man who brought satellite television and 24-hour cable news to the world, and who devoted his late life to environmental causes, spends his waning days in Montana, trying to remember it all and wondering what it meant, all while dealing with a degenerative mental condition. His interlocutor guides him along.
The LBP Studio Collaborative Season offers outside, local theatre companies and performing arts organizations the opportunity to produce their own shows in our Studio Theater
