When Rogue Artists Ensemble gets together with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and Contemporary American Theater Festival, you know that you’re in store for an explosion of all of the above in HAPPY FALL: A QUEER STUNT SPECTACULAR. Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring with Rogue Artists Ensemble and directed by Sean Cawelti, HAPPY FALL makes its world premiere at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Renberg Theatre in the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center.
Tiana Randall-Quant, Kelsey Kato, and Kurt Kanazawa – Photo by Bryce Darlington
It’s hard to describe the “hyper-theater” experience in this original, immersive, multi-dimensional show, a combination of romance, stunts – and even puppets. Sandwiched between some creative and sometimes mind-blowing scenes, a story begins to emerge about the rise and fall of two queer, closeted stuntmen in the Hollywood world of faux masculinity. When Clay (David Ellard) meets Felix (Kurt Kanazawa), some “Harry meets Sally” shenanigans explode onto the stage. Hosted by Amir Levi, HAPPY FALL follows the star-crossed lovers through a maze of live video, cinematic illusions, miniature puppetry, and heart-pumping physical acts. Based on true-life stories and direct testimonies, HAPPY FALL tears into hot-button issues like racial and cultural identity and what it takes to survive – and be true to oneself – in an industry based on faking it on a grand scale.
The Ensemble – Photo by Bryce Darlington
To quote director Cawelti, “As a lover of cinema and how movies are made, I’ve had a life-long fascination with stunt shows…their mix of humor, strong men, and audience participation was a formative theatrical ingredient in my youth, perhaps one that also titillated my dormant queerness…For me, the daring fearlessness of the stunt performer is akin to what it felt like when I was navigating coming out and understanding my own authenticity.” Before casting was complete, Cawelti took on the job of interviewing over a dozen stunt performers – several closeted – who shared intimate stories about the challenges they faced in an industry that few know much about.
David Ellard and Kurt Kanazawa – Photo by Bryce Darlington
HAPPY FALL’S cast does a fascinating job of demonstrating how some of Hollywood’s illusions become reality. Featuring original music by composer Adrien Prevost with choreography by Cody Brunelle-Potter, fight direction by professional stunt performer Celina Lee Surniak, HAPPY FALL lets the audience in on some of Hollywood’s best kept secrets. Keith Mitchell’s scenic design, Cawelti’s and Sam Lopez’s video designs, Andrew Jordan’s costumes, Amber Shift’s lighting, and M. Glenn Schuster’s sound design pull together the entire HAPPY FALL package. Lots of post-show “special events” (like the history of “drag”) are planned to entertain the audience. Check the schedule for specific dates and times.
Gavriel Croom – Photo by Bryce Darlington
If you’re interested in what makes Hollywood tick – especially for a particular group of gay performers – then HAPPY FALL is for you. It’s fun. It’s entertaining. And it’s brilliantly creative and original.
Amir Levi – Photo by Bryce Darlington
HAPPY FALL runs through September 8, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (dark 8/24), and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. The Renberg Theatre is located at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038. Tickets range from $45 to $78. For information and reservations, go online.
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