http://donloeslowdown.blogspot.com/2012/11/anna-‐lucasta-‐sparkles-‐at-‐latc.html The story of ‘Anna Lucasta’ is sad, tragic, romantic, amusing and even
triumphant. And, yet, those adjectives don’t even begin to describe this amazingly vibrant,
emotional, highly-dramatic and occasionally comical and sexy saga. The play was originally written in 1939, by Philip Yordan with a Polish family as
the focus. Rumor has it that the Polish population wasn’t keen on the story. When it debuted in 1944 on Broadway, the show opened with an all-Black cast.
Eartha Kitt and Sammy Davis starred in the 1958 film version. CAST OF 'ANNA LUCASTA' (standing l-r) Jennifer Sammons, Talmadge Talib, Kem Saunders, Tanya Lane, Carl
Crudup, Alvina Carroll Saunders, Sammie Wayne IV and Kaylon Hunt; (seated l-r) Nick
Gillie, Robert Clements, Ashlee Olivia, Cydney Wayne Davis and Dwain A. Perry Fast forward and director Ben Guillory’s version is lighting up a stage at the Los
Angeles Theater Center. The story centers on a young woman named Anna Lucasta (Ashlee Olivia) whose
family has cast her aside because of a sexual indiscretion – or two, or three. When she is thrown out of her Pennsylvania home, Anna ends up as a prostitute
in Brooklyn. KAYLON HUNT, NICK GILLIE & ASHLEE OLIVIA For reasons that can only be described as unethical, Anna’s brother and brother-inlaw want her to come back so they can marry her off to a moderately wealthy young
man, Rudolf Slocum (Dwain A. Perry), who also happens to be the son of one of her
father’s oldest friends. DWAIN A. PERRY and ASHLEE OLIVIA Anna’s greedy, scheming brother-in-law Frank, played aptly and convincingly by
Sammie Wayne IV, wants to separate Rudolf from his bankroll. Anna spoils his plans by
actually falling in love with Rudolf and seeing to it that no one gets the money. Only her mother, Theresa (Cydney Wayne Davis), and her sister-in-law, Katie
(Tanya Lane), seem to actually care about what happens to Anna. Additionally, one of Anna’s former ‘clients’ in Brooklyn wants to continue
exploiting her sexually. There is a lot going on in this melodrama however, the upshot is a rough-around-theedges story about love, family and redemption. Ben Guillory has assembled an impressive cast to bring this story to life. Ashlee Olivia, who plays the title role, is a breath of fresh air as she engulfs the
character. Her flirtatious gait and expressive eyes gives the wayward Anna her enticing,
yet insecure persona. SAMMIE WAYNE IV Sammie Wayne IV has full command of his character and the stage in a
supporting role that nearly steals the show. Frank is the scheming husband of Anna's
sister, Stella (Alvina Carroll Saunders). Cydney Wayne Davis gives a robust and genuine performance as Theresa, the
mother of Anna. The duality of softness and determination she displays throughout the
show, adds substance to the role. Dwain A. Perry is a joy to watch as he gives an even performance in the role of
Rudolf, a perceived hick from the sticks. He shows a vulnerability and a strength that
forgives Anna’s indiscretions. Jennifer Sammons brings a gritty and earthy authenticity to her role as a mature,
been-around-the-block-more-than-a-few-times streetwalker. The juxtaposition of
Sammon’s character’s grittiness and Anna’s arousing persona adds texture to their
scenes together. (l-r) SAMMIE WAYNE IV, ALVINA CARROLL, KEM SAUNDERS, TANYA LANE,
CYDNEY WAYNE DAVIS, ROBERT CLEMENTS and ASHLEE OLIVIA The remaining cast members shore up the engaging show. There are some unanswered questions in the production. For instance, why is
Joe Lucasta’s anger toward his daughter so explosive? Is there a back story that the
audience doesn’t know? His anger toward Anna is over the top and seems a bit extreme
even for the time period, given her perceived dastardly deed. The show works because the Lucastas, in all their glory and dysfunction, feel like a real
family. Good acting, good direction, good costumes, good set, good timing, good
lighting - all of the essentials come together to make this a good show. DIRECTOR BEN GUILLORY Under Guillory’s fluid direction, ‘Anna Lucasta’ comes together quite nicely. He
makes skillful use of the stage and allows the actors space to breathe. Tom Meleck’s set gives the family’s home a warm, inviting feel, while also giving
the waterfront bar a cold, clammy and even seedy quality. The show, written by Philip Yordan and directed and produced by Ben Guillory,
stars Alvina Carroll, Robert Clements, Carl Crudup, Cydney Wayne Davis, Nick Gillie,
Kaylon Hunt, Tanya Lane, Ashlee Olivia, Dwain A. Perry, Larry Powell, Jennifer
Sammons, Kem Saunders, Talmadge Talib, Sebastian Velmont and Sammie Wayne IV. ‘‘Anna Lucasta’ is presented by Robey Theatre Company in association with
Latino Theater Company. ‘Anna Lucasta,’ Los Angeles Theatre Center, Theatre 4, 514 S. Spring St., Los
Angeles, CA; 8 p.m. Thur.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., through Dec. 9. Running time: 2 hours, 15
minutes with one intermission. Mature themes. Suggested for audiences age 14 to
adult. For information: www.thelatc.org or (866) 811-4111. On the Donloe Scale, D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O
(OK) and E (exceptional), “Anna Lucasta” gets an E (exceptional). Posted by Donloe Entertainment Center at 9:18 AM