L.A Weekly Pick of The Week
DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND
EXTENDED THROUGH NOVEMBER 17, 2012
Adapted by Rex Pickett from his novel (which also spawned the 2004 hit movie), their oenophilial odyssey makes an enjoyable debut in its stage incarnation at Ruskin Group Theatre.
Philip Brandes – LA Times
Amelia Mulkey directs the hell out of this romp
Jennie Webb – Backstage
The wine relaxes body and mind for laugh-out-loud comedy, preparing the way for Miles’ infectious and poetic praise of that most fickle and fragile of wine varietals, Pinot Noir, with which audiences will no doubt fall in love, too.
Barnaby Hughes – Stage and Cinema
Who would have ever thought that “Sideways,” the multiple award-winning film based on Rex Pickett’s book, could be adapted for the stage. Well in fact, Pickett has adapted his novel and turned it into a captivating World Premiere theatrical version currently on stage at the Ruskin Group Theatre.
Beverly Cohn – LASplash
Amelia Mulkey directs her professionally adept actors with a light hand, choreographing transitions nicely (the scene changes are very fun too). The actors are likeable, especially the quiet romantic interest, Maya (Julia McIlvaine), who seduces Miles with her wine expertise. Crowd favorite Jack is boisterously played by Jonathan Bray and very much a match for Thomas Haden Church in the film version (if we’re making comparisons).
Kate West – Kate West Reviews
With Pickett and company more than meeting the challenges involved in adapting a novel-turned-film into a two-act play, you can expect all 65 Ruskin Group Theatre Co. seats to be filled throughout Sideways’ scheduled 2-month run if not beyond. Wherever you live, a road trip to the Ruskin is well worth taking.
Steven Stanley – StageSceneLA
This production was done exceedingly well.
Geoff Hoff – LA Theatre Review
That’s why ‘Sideways’ The Play at The Ruskin Theatre was such a totally enjoyable experince. Amelia not only cast the play with really excellent actors, but she even made the set changes fun.
Joan Alperin Schwartz – LA Examiner
The results, in director Amelia Mulkey’s winning, funny and wise production, are more involvingly intimate than the movie.
Paul Birchall – LA Weekly
Famed Novelist Rex Pickett adapts his debut work and signature novel on wine, Sideways, for a World Premiere stage adaptation at the Ruskin Group Theatre!
Sideways the Play, adapted by Rex Pickett from his own novel, is the story of two friends - Miles and Jack – and their journey across the Santa Ynez wine country. On one last blowout trip before Jack gets married, Miles and Jack must face their uncertain futures, just as soon as they figure out how to survive their chaotic present.
SIDEWAYS THE PLAY opened May 18, 2012. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm thru September 22, 2012.
Tickets: $25 (includes a high-end Pinot tasting held before the show)
Reservations: (310) 397-3244 or Buy Tickets Now
Rex has this to say about adapting Sideways for the stage: