Laughter is Good! (LAArtsOnline.com)

Immediate Family (Directed by Phylicia Rashad) plays at the Mark Taper Forum

Laughter is Good!

By Ken Werther
Graphics Courtesy of CTG

Back in 2007, Immediate Family by Paul Oakley Stovall had its West Coast premiere at LA’s venerable Celebration Theatre under a different title. Back then the play was called As Much As You Can. Eight years later, with a new title, what is not different is the level of comedy the show brings. If you’ve read other stories of mine here on LAArtsOnline.com you know I’m a big proponent of laughter. For me, the sound of 750 people laughing together cures a lot of chills.

Immediate Family takes us to the Bryant Family reunion where race, sexuality, religion, evolving ideas of marriage, long-held beliefs, and long-kept secrets collide, setting the scene for a hilarious family showdown. Lots of dysfunction — something we’ve all experienced! Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune said Immediate Family “… bursts with life …” and called it “a timely and important American play.” Add in “high stakes, fast-paced, and with rich comic characters” — what more could you ask for?

Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad will direct Immediate Family at the Mark Taper Forum. Did you see her work as an actress in Gem of the Ocean or her incredible direction of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone both at the Taper? In describing Ms. Rashad’s remarkable talents, all known superlatives have been used up. Remember, laughter is a good thing, so get on down to the Taper and have some fun.

“Immediate Family” plays the Mark Taper Forum April 22-June 7.