Key Largo at Geffen Playhouse

Theatre review

PHOTO: Jeff Lorch | South Pasadena News | Andy Garcia as Johnny Rocco in Key Largo at Geffen Playhouse

On a slow, hot, summer day in post WWII Key Largo, Frank McCloud arrives at the D’Alcala’s hotel looking for the family of one of his fallen men from the war. McCloud is disillusioned by all he has seen and seems to be seeking to not only comfort the family but some sort of redemption for himself. He finds Mr. D’Alcala, the blind father, living at the closed for the off-season hotel with his daughter-in-law, the beautiful widowed Nora. But he’s also stumbled into an unforeseen situation in which a group of strangers have basically hijacked the hotel for nefarious reasons that get played out when a hurricane traps them together overnight.

PHOTO: Jeff Lorch | South Pasadena News | Joely Fisher and the cast of Key Largo at Geffen Playhouse

Key Largo at the Geffen Playhouse is a stage adaptation of both the original play and screenplay of the classic film noir starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall that is an homage to the genre that reminds us of the merits of an old-fashioned, good story.

PHOTO: Jeff Lorch | South Pasadena News | Andy Garcia and Rose McIver in Key Largo at Geffen Playhouse

Andy Garcia leads a strong cast and the electricity kicks up a notch the moment he takes the stage. At turns charming, funny and dangerous, Garcia infuses gangster Johnny Rocco with an unpredictability that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The sultry Joely Fisher is pitch perfect as Gaye, a sexy songstress whose time has passed. She poignantly walks that line of being a drunk while still hanging on to the beauty and talent she once possessed. Rose McIver is an earnest Nora who has nice chemistry with the handsome and mysterious Danny Pino as McCloud.

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PHOTO: Jeff Lorch | South Pasadena News | Andy Garcia and Danny Pino star in Key Largo at Geffen Playhouse

The cast is rounded out by a feisty Tony Plana as Mr. D’Alcala, a stalwart Louis Mustillo as Curly, the kinetic Stephen Borrello as Toots, the always authentic Richard Riehle as Sherriff Gash, and an intriguingly chilling Bradley Snedeker as Ziggy.

The Arturo Sandoval music along with the gorgeous John Lee Beatty set and Peter Kaczorowski lighting supporting this stellar cast, all culminates in whisking you away to the Keys for an evening you won’t soon forget.

Key Largo runs through December 10, 2019 at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse. 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Tickets currently priced at $30.00 – $145.00. Available in person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, by phone at 310.208.5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org.

Rush tickets for each day’s performance are made available to the general public 30 minutes before showtime at the box office. $35.00 General/$15.00 Student

COLLEGE AUDIENCES
Through a variety of events and other opportunities, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes college students to experience the live storytelling presented on our stages. We are proud of our association with UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, and open our doors to all college students throughout Los Angeles. More information is available at www.geffenplayhouse.org/college.