The hosts of the event beamed as they circled the main room of the old Masonic Lodge spreading word about an upcoming production of Three Sisters, enthusiastic guests chatted each other up over mulled wine, and the adventurous sampled delectable finger treats delightfully decorated for the holiday season.
Earlier, torrential rains that showered down on the big bad orange, originally posed an impending dilemma, though.
I was scheduled to attend the launch for the Chalk Repertory Theatre in Hollywood proper at 7:30 p.m. last evening.
But normally, I shy away from driving at night or in the rain.
So, I was hit with a double-whammy!
Finally after much dickering, I opted to leave the car parked in its stall and headed out on foot full of vim and vigor.
The soiree was being held at the infamous Hollywood Forever Cemetery - so, of course - enthusiasm for the night's festivities had heightened.
Locals are probably familiar with the burial grounds because a number of legendary Hollywood actors lay at rest here - Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Tyrone Power - for instance.
A few years ago, the cemetery fell into disrepair and the business end of the ghoulish enterprise ended up in the Bankruptcy court.
Two angels sauntered into picture and saved the hallowed grounds from an uncertain fate just in the nick of time.
Just recently, the owners refurbished the Masonic Lodge to its former glory.
Before the overhaul commenced, the turn-of-the-century architectural marvel stood in as a storage facility.
Now, it's primed and ready to serve as a sacred place of contemplation for loved ones wrenching their hands and holding back tears as those near and dear are ceremoniously laid to rest at the cemetery, among other things.
The beautifully-crafted ceiling crowning the upstairs hall is strikingly similar to one that is installed in the Clark Gable/Carole Lombard penthouse suite at the Roosevelt Hotel.
So, I surmise the handiwork reflects a style and design popular pre-war.
I arrived at the function early, so I was inclined to alight onto an elegant gold-leafed chair in the front foyer, which beckoned to me for some reason.
Maybe I'll pick up on the presence of a spiritual entity, I thought to myself.
A short while later, a young man scrambled down the stairs and was taken aback when he stumbled upon in deep trance.
"That's normally where the ghost perches," he exclaimed in near shock.
Didn't surprise me, one bit.
After all, the other evening when I awoke in the middle of the night, I flicked on the radio to encounter a host and guest in deep conversation about ghosts, troubled spirits, and the like.
So, there appeared to be some synchronicity here.
Upstairs, a tony crowd of theatre-enthusiasts, gathered to support the five inspired young ladies who recently formed the Chalk Rep Co.
All graduates of the University of California (San Diego M.F.A. Theatre Program), the visionary founders include actresses Jennifer Chang, Amy Ellenberger and Hilary Ward; director Larissa Kokernot; and playwright Ruth McKee.
In a brief talk center-stage as the party was in full swing, a spokesperson for the group noted that "Chalk Rep" will be dedicated to producing classical and contemporary plays in unconventional spaces.
In fact, their first production will be a premiere of Susan Coyne's adaptation of Chekhov's celebrated play - Three Sisters - which boasts an opening night on February 1st (2009) at the Masonic.
The classic Russian tale will feature an Asian-American family - and a diverse cast - including Desperate Housewives’ Ricardo Chavira in the role of Vershinin.
Ultimately, it is the hope of the creative team at Chalk to "work with a diverse group of artists", "create work designed to reach a non-traditional audience", and - in the process - stimulate a meaningful dialogue in the community.
"We believe in investing in people whether it is our artists or our audience. By using alternative spaces we avoid traditional production costs which allows us to use our resources toward providing employment opportunities and keeping ticket prices affordable."
Hence, the venue at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is an inspiring space which resonates with "spirit", quite literally!
Following up "Three Sisters" at the Masonic, there will be a reprise of what is described as a "site-specific play" - titled "Family Planning" - which is allegedly an intimate portrait of a marriage strained by infertility.
"Family Planning" will be performed in a highly-novel venue: in private living-rooms around the city of Los Angeles.
Intriguing, eh?
The 2009 theatrical season will conclude with a world-premiere production of the Ruth McKee international adoption drama - "Stray" - performed in a school auditorium.
Chalk Rep is supported by private donations, tickets sales, and a partnership with Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Specifically, "Three Sisters" is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas (a non-profit arts service organization).
Info: http://www.chalkrep.com/
Founding "Mothers"?
