Local talent shines on stage this weekend

(L to R) Jalynn Steele (Tanya), Christine Sherrill (Donna Sheridan), and Carly Sakolove (Rosie) dance to ABBA music. (Photo by Joan Marcus)

From starring on stage to being the writer behind the play, talented locals are showing off their craft at all levels of theater productions. Here is a look at how to support San Diego artists this weekend!  

“Man and Moon” at Moxie Theatre 

Local playwright Siena Marilyn Ledger has their work “Man and Moon” showing at Moxie Theatre in the College Area through Dec. 3. This opening weekend, audiences can expect a touching two-person play directed by Desireé Clarke Miller that takes place entirely in the waiting room of an oncology unit. The 90-minute play without an intermission stars nonbinary actor MG Green as Aaron, a transitioning man with breast cancer, and Tirzah as Luna, as 12-year-old girl waiting for her mother to leave the oncology unit.  

Grouchy adult meets precocious child and both are changed is a common enough storyline. But in the liminal space of the waiting room, the pair’s uncommon articulation of the significance of life and death makes an old story feel fresh. As Luna overshares about space and Aaron deals with loneliness, the pair’s poetic conversations about cancer, gender, growing up and fear keep the play engaging.
“This play explores in the most poetically honest way the struggles of that not only for the folks experiencing breast cancer but also for how it affects the people around them,” said Desireé Clarke Miller, the Executive Artistic Director of Moxie Theatre and director.  

The play is especially significant for her because her sister is a breast cancer survivor. Trans people are also excited about the play that stars an actual trans actor and gives the wider community an empathetic look Aaron’s gender journey.  

Beyond the excellent script and the talent of the two lead actors, Eliza Vedar’s sound design stands out. As headphones and shared music are key to the play, the soundscape Vedar creates uniquely expresses the characters’ separation and connection. The waiting room set from scenic designer Yi-Chien Lee will certainly look familiar to anyone who has visited a doctor. The lighting design from Annelise Salazar makes the (intentionally) drab set emotionally poignant as light, as well as costumes from Claire Peterson, communicate the passage of time and emotions.  

More information at moxietheatre.com.  

“Mamma Mia!” at Broadway SD 

National tours of Broadway shows are typically full of up-and-coming stars and well-established actors. With the entirety of New York City to pick from, a San Diegan must be something special to get hired, let alone placed in a starring role.  

Carlsbad native Alisa Melendez stars in the 25th anniversary production of “Mamma Mia!” as Sophie Sheridan, the center of the wedding hijinks on a Greek island meant to unite her with her unknown father. Before a stint on Broadway in “Almost Famous,” some may recognize her from shows at the Old Globe. Locals can see her once again through Nov. 14 at the Civic Center as she sings and dances her way into her father(s?) heart.  

The child-friendly show filled with ABBA music balances sentimental moments with delightful physical comedy in a celebration of female friendship, family and true love.  

Visit broadwaysd.com for more information.  

“DanceLand” in City Heights Performance Annex 

Another local playwright, Tyler Tafolla of Ocean Beach, is bringing his writing to life with his own production of his musical “DanceLand.” The script, composition, lyrics and direction are all done by Tafolla, who has previously had his work shown at Diversionary Theatre.  

He brought on a cast of 20 professional dancers for the dance-centered musical. Pre-recorded vocals will accompany the dancers as they save DanceLand from a villainous tyrant with a robot army to restore their dreamy, scifi home before it’s too late.  

The show is performing at the City Heights Performance Annex (3795 Fairmount Ave.) in San Diego on November 12, 18 and 19. All productions are free to the public. Reserve tickets at tylertafolla.com.