Michael Learned and Granville Van Dusen Shine in "Southern Comforts" at the Falcon Theatre - Herbie J Pilato

There39s a certain elegance that steps on stage with Michael Learned and Granville Van Dusen in their duet performance of Southern Comforts at the Falcon Theatre in BurbankWhether it39s the physical grace and agility with which both actors move the innate talent and sincerity they bring to their lonely widowed roles of Southern belle Amanda and the New Jerseyborn Gus the immediate likeability factor they exude or a combination of it all Either way the grandeur is clear as a belle and a handshake words that fittingly describe their opposing characters in this solid charming pensive and romantic comedyAmanda and Gus are lonely but only she owns up to the fact at least initially His machismo and overt pride keeps him from this inevitable truth His ways are simple he can39t bare to clutter up his thoughts amp8211 or his home amp8211 with the likes of any fresh perspective no matter how sincere But Amanda39s many charms and matteroffrankness prove to be an unbeatable opponentUnder the careful guidance of director Jules Aaron Learned and Van Dusen deliver writer Kathleen Clark39s words with such aplomb and truth the audience is flawlessly brought into their world without missing a beatBeloved for years on television by way of her thrice Emmywinning role of Olivia Walton on the heralded classic The Waltons CBS 19721982 NBC 199497 Learned is perfectly paired with Van Dusen an accomplished thespian of the stage and screen whose countless performances include classic TV appearances as the voice of Race Bannon on the animated favorite Johnny Quest and groundbreaking gueststar roles like Darwin Jones on the Biofeedback episode of The Bionic Woman ABC NBC 197578As Gus in Comforts Van Dusen apprehensively invites you into his hushed world right along with Amanda Seemingly and seamlessly the magic of live theatre somehow teams the audience with her to bring the two together We root for them and they don39t disappoint amp8211 on any levelGifted and poised Learned and Van Dusen literally play into each other39s arms amp8211 and into the hearts of the audience whose hopes are never dashed but only paired with hers and ultimately his in what we can only pray becomes a warm embraceA play on words and emotions Southern Comforts is presented at classic TV giant Garry Marshall39s beautiful and intimate Falcon Theatre with a topnotch and unwavering production in every aspect Composer Max Kinberg39s sweet sounds set the melancholy yet cheerful tone The music carries us along in between the appropriately jarring sounds orchestrated by the clearly capable sound master Claudio Radocchia as a blaring TV and a commanding thunderstorm ultimately helps to ignite Amanda and Gus39 mutual love Keith E Mitchell39s set design is finally cozy although initially stark and to the point perfectly signifying the transition that Amanda brings into Gus39 life Kim DeShazo39s tasteful earth tones for Gus and bright pretty colors for Amanda add the stylistic balance of salt and pepper that again so pristinely represents each character A clever blur of character and stage management conducted by Learned stage manager Brigid O39Brien and production team players Oliver Melendez and Katie Witkowski at intermission plays into the welcoming hands of the audience who on this night amp8211 and assumingly every night applauded with rousing joy at so sweet and daring a presentation that exuded the endless charms of Southern ComfortsSouthern Comforts plays through Sunday November 13th at Garry Marshall39s Falcon Theatre in Burbank CA See this link for more detail httpfalcontheatrecomPhotos Chelsea Sutton

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Michael Learned and Granville Van Dusen Shine in "Southern Comforts" at the Falcon Theatre - Herbie J Pilato

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Michael Learned and Granville Van Dusen Shine in "Southern Comforts" at the Falcon Theatre - Herbie J Pilato

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Herbie J Pilato

Empowering Women in Media: Insights from Industry Leaders (Video) - By E.B. Moss

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