Thespian Thoughts – Surfing DNA – Theatre Review by Sandro Monetti

SURFING DNA
Every performer has great stories but few have so many or tell them as well as actress Jodi Long.
– Theatre Review by SANDRO MONETTI

This one woman show about her life in showbiz is a delightful and often vulnerable journey down memory lane.

From early days on the Chop Suey Circuit – as the Asian American vaudeville was known – to Broadway, TV and movies while encountering great stars like Gene Kelly along the way, the entertaining anecdotes come thick and fast.

There’s also some welcome and surprising insight into her personal life – including Jodi’s tendency to become romantically involved with a succession of drunken, angry and self absorbed Scottish men!

With the excellent assistance of director Frank Megna, this talented performer – currently starring in TBS comedy series Sullivan and Son – has shaped a really entertaining, well delivered theatre piece which could maybe be tightened by trimming ten minutes from its 90 minute running time.

My only real criticism is the misleading title – as surfing has played a much smaller part in her life and story than the stage then something more show-bizzy would be better.

Nevertheless, with the thoroughly enjoyable Surfing DNA, Jodi Long is riding the crest of a wave.

SURFING DNA
Written and Performed by Jodi Long

Directed by Frank Megna

Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm until September 29.
At Working Stage Theater, 1516 N. Gardner St, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Tickets $30 from http://surfingdna.eventbrite.com/

Produced by Bob Ladendorf and Diana Ljungaeus.

Presented by Opening Minds and Working Stage Theater.

Thespian Thoughts is a theatre review article on Actors Entertainment, a channel on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.