From LA Cityzine

An Absolute Must See Play! ‘The Quality of Life’

Playing through this Sunday, November 18th at the Audrey Skirball Theatre located in the Geffen Playhouse!

Written and directed by Jane Anderson, ‘The Quality of Life’ is a controversial, heart-breaking, thought provoking story of how two families deal with grief on a personal and social level. Played by an excellent cast of actors, their stellar performance will literally move you to tears! Bill and Dinah, (played by Scott Bakula-Quantum Leap, and JoBeth Williams-Poltergeist) are a Christian Midwest couple who are reeling in pain from the first anniversary of their daughter’s death, decide to visit their left-tending cousins on the west coast in an attempt to distract themselves from their sadness.

Unfortunately they only find Neil and Jeannette (Dennis Boutsikaris-Boys on the side, and Laurie Metcalf-Roseanne) in very similar circumstances. Currently residing in a yurt on their land after their home burned down in a wildfire, Neil decides to take fate into his own hands after coming to terms with the fatal turn his cancer has taken. When the two couples meet for lunch, their worlds collide. The diversity in their upbringings and lifestyle choices ultimately fuels an explosive reaction between the two couples that gives them new insight on approaching and ultimately dealing with the devastation of losing a loved one.

Loosely basing her characters on friends and family going through similar hardships, Jane Anderson compels us to look at the true self that emerges when pushed to the edge by extremes, the choices we make, and the socio-political relevance and repercussions of such choices. As well this play begs the fundamental question of, “if we have the right to live our lives the way we see fit…shouldn’t we be able to die the way we see fit?”

© 2006–2007 La.CityZine.com

• Home • Up • Biographical • Theater • Media • Photos • Screencaps • Audio/Video • Resources • Downloads • Fan Fiction • Join In • Links • Site Map •