The sets by Robert Brill evoke California's gorgeous sky, power lines, palm trees, and the San Gabriel Mountains. The costumes and lights are all good and the makeup by Michael Westmore (who also did the movie) is very effective for the stage and doesn’t seem to interfere with Rockie’s performance, though it did evoke unfortunate comparisons to Beauty and the Beast. Director Richard Maltby keeps everything moving, and the book by Anna Hamilton Phelan, who also wrote the movie, is well written and even has quite a few laughs.
If bikers are your bag and you can buy the idea that they have found the way to a free life full of warmth and camaraderie, then Mask may be for you. Go see the performances, hear the terrific singing, see a star-making performance by Allen E. Read, and be once again moved by the story of this courageous young man. At the Pasadena Playhouse through April 13.
Article comments
1 - Mary
Michael Lanning did not sing Look At Me. He sang Close to Heaven.