SkyPilot Theatre Company Presents
“TAKING SIDES”
By Ronald Harwood

Starring: James Sharpe, BENTON JENNINGS (as Wilhelm Furtwangler), Enci, Rob Tepper, Eric Johnson, Bonnie Leigh, Brian Lennon, and Patrick Gwaltney.
Directed by Michael Brainard.

*Written by Ronald Harwood, the Academy Award Winning Writer of “The Pianist”.
*Based on true events.
*Produced by SkyPilot Theatre Company, www.skypilottheatre.com, who brought you last year’s critically acclaimed “HELLCAB” by Will Kern and “REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT” by Rod Serling.

“TAKING SIDES” is a powerful examination of the post-WW2 denazification investigation of Wilhelm Furtwangler, famed conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. While no-nonsense U.S. Army Major Steve Arnold investigates, Furtwangler fights for his freedom as Arnold dragnets for a high profile celebrity guilty of supporting Hitler.

“TAKING SIDES” runs October 19 thru November 18.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 7pm.
Preview on Friday October 19. Opening night on Saturday October 20 with reception afterwards.
Performances are at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Dr. Burbank, CA 91505 (2 doors East of Priscilla’s Coffee Shop). There is ample street parking available. Running time is 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Tickets are $20.
To make a reservation call 1-800-838-3006 or go to: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/20711

*Press and Industry comps, call Bob Rusch at 323-229-2753.

Some 1/2 Price Tix Available: www.goldstar.com, and www.lastagealliance.com

*View Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFjklOTKdcU

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to The Museum of Tolerance, dedicated to providing a unique and provocative experience that challenges visitors to become witnesses to history, confront the dynamic of intolerance and engages visitors' hearts and minds in a journey of discovery to inspire change. For more info, go to www.museumoftolerance.com

Review:
‘Taking Sides’ at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre by Beth Temkin, Tolucan Times.
" Taking Sides, by Ronald Harwood, is powerful, taking place in Berlin, 1946, with gut-wrenching performances by an extraordinary cast. Brilliant director, Michael Brainard, balances the heavy emotional tug of war between the two protagonists.
The plot concerns the de-Nazification trial of Wilhelm Furtwangler, (Benton Jennings) conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. While no nonsense and sadistic in nature, U.S. Army Major Arnold (James Sharpe) investigates, Furtwangler fights for his freedom. On his side are Lt. Wills (Brian Lennon) who has deep respect for the greatness of Furtwangler, and who acts deviant against the Major, and Enci (Emmi Straube) the quiet secretary transcribing the investigation who covers her ears so as not to hear the abuse leveled against Furtwangler and emitting a blood-curdling scream when she can’t take it anymore.
Making a strong impression is Bonnie Leigh as Tamara Sachs, arriving in a distraught state wanting to shake the hand of Furtwangler for saving the lives of so many Jews, and convinced he’ll be hanged. Another standout is Eric Curtis Johnson as Helmoth Rode, the sympathetic Second Violinist in the Berlin Philharmonic whom Arnold interrogates, slowing revealing his real identity.

Jennings gives a multi-layered portrayal of the great conductor, first appearing as a dignified and proud figure, and at the end, in a tremendously moving speech, has a complete emotional breakdown of his character in a stunning, unforgettable performance.

In the background, a recording of Furtwangler conducting Beethoven’s 5th Symphony adds pathos (Todd Fifield, sound engineer). Somber set design by Denuta Tomzynski.
Taking Sides is at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., ending Nov. 18. Tickets: $20.00. Reservations: 1-800-838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/20711
Ample street parking is available. "

"Ronald Harwood's "Taking Sides" tackles issues that are both historical and as timely as today's headlines. . . is an artist above politics? Does genius excuse immoral behavior? Can people be forgiven for the questionable measures they take to survive in a crisis? Michael Brainard and his talented, energetic cast at the Sidewalk Studio have done Los Angeles a service by bringing this gripping play to life."
- John Rubinstein; Tony Award winning actor, Emmy nominee, Composer, currently
The Wizard in L.A.s "Wicked"

"A terrific play, thought provoking and disturbing, with ideas and scenes that will stick with you for a long time. Everyone in the cast is excellent, but Benton Jennings is a standout. If you live in the Los Angeles area, by all means get over to Burbank to see this play while you can."
- Frank Thompson; author, screenwriter, producer, and historian.

“...this talented, committed group has produced one exceptional play after another: “Hellcab”, “Requiem For A Heavyweight” and “Sexual Perversity in Chicago”. Their latest production is “Taking Sides” by Ronald Harwood. It appeared first on Broadway a dozen years ago and is first-rate theater on a small, intimate scale but completely worthy of your attention...
...It's a powerful play, superbly directed by Michael Brainard who uses the small stage very effectively....always garnering our focus on the problem at hand. To alternately feel sympathy and angst, doubt and certainty, calm and agitation are signs of absolute attention to the action. And when the shouting or screaming takes place, you will feel the disgust and despair that any play dealing with this subject can produce. The intimacy of the SkyPilot adds tremendously to the stunning effect of the play...
... In Taking Sides, the door to one's disbelief is thoroughly challenged. See this show and make your own decision! Know that part of the proceeds will be going to the Museum of Tolerance. Nice!”
-- Joseph N. Feinstein, Entertainment Today

I think this play brought up a lot of issues but that religion needed to be addressed as well... I mean, artists have a tendency to worship themselves (case in point, Furtwangler) and believe that their genius is uber alles, and anything to promote that genius is of paramount importance... then again it was maybe better religion didn't play a role just in order to make it accessible to everyone.. but yeh, I wasn't so satisfied. blackdiamond13 @ Jemsite