Show at Barre is a dinner entertainment experience located in Los Feliz area at the Rockwell. The evening provided me with an amalgam of feelings. Let's start it off...
I purchased my tickets online. Since it's a spectacle/musical show, the tickets cost around $20, but through a Goldstar discount, I got my seat for $15. When I arrived, I had to pay $10 for valet, as well. I arrived to the table where my friends were seated. The layout of the restaurant is as follows...booths, stools, tall tables, dining tables, and a large square-shaped empty space in the middle for the actors (though they do weave in and out amongst the tables). We had a table situated right behind a large column, so sometimes it was hard to see, but all the tables had blind spots.
Once I got there, I was given a menu, and apparently there were specific items you had to purchase, which was not advertised clearly in the ticket sales. I understood that since it was a dinner show, that dinner would be available, but I didn't know that it was mandatory (and the selections were specific - for example, you couldn't get two appetizers, you had to get one entree ($20 each) and one other item). This was also true for drinks. Luckily and not so luckily, none of us at my table knew about this rule, and each asked the waiter individually to explain the rules. Because we are all outspoken independent females, I think he was frustrated and put off, and he even told me that I didn't have to get anything if I didn't want to...so I didn't. I ordered a sprite, and that was it. The whole show was a bit uncomfortable because he kept coming to the table to see if we wanted to order more, and I had to ignore him so as not to indulge in the discomfort. On the bright side, I didn't have to spend any money on food I wouldn't eat (I stupidly had dinner before the show!).
So that's a summation of the environment. As for the actual show, most of the performers had beautiful singing voices, some even awe-inspiring. My personal favorite was Von Smith, who was just on the TV Show Opening Act, opening for Lady Gaga. He also has a ton of other musical notches on his belt, as did the rest of the cast. This evening's show was a PT Anderson revue. The performers acted small scenes from Anderson's movies including There Will Be Blood, Magnolia, and mostly focusing on Boogie Nights. The show consisted of small scenes and many musical numbers from the soundtrack of these movies. It was very fun, lively, and well-performed. It was, however, extremely sexual (since it focused on Boogie Nights). The evening consisted of humping the air dance-moves, faux blow jobs, and fake sex...to name a few of the "interesting" stunts.
What disturbed me the most was discovering that one of the lead female performers was only 16 years old. As soon as I learned of this minor (pun intended) detail, I could not forget it. Juliette Goglia, though extremely talented, would be a sophomore or junior in high school, and yet she was dancing around in booty shorts and a bra, saying phrases like "don't cum in my mouth", and having fake sex in front of dozens of on-lookers. I scanned the crowd during some of her dance scenes, and noticed the older gentlemen in the crowd ogling her body. It was really disturbing. I just didn't think it was appropriate for someone that age to be involved in this kind of show. It seemed like poor judgement. When I was 16, I only cared about getting my driver's license, giggling and prank calling with my girlfriends, and the shy boy in class who I would pass notes too. It just seemed like this girl was going to grow up too soon and become the next Lindsay Lohan - downward spiral.
If I hadn't known her age, I would have been less distracted by my moral stances and more able to fully enjoy the show. I'd recommend it only if you have ample money (because it turned out to be an expensive night), and want to enjoy a different theatrical experience with talented performers. The downsides, in my opinion, include the price, the neck craning (around the columns, etc.), and the crudeness. Show at Barre presents other directors and I'm wondering if the cinematic subject matter would alter the performances, as well. Overall, I enjoyed the show, but the experience in totem was a little uncomfortable.
You can buy tickets here: http://showatbarre.inticketing.com/events and learn more about the venue here: http://www.rockwell-la.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment