Las Vegas Little Theatre to feature competition-winner ‘Swisters’

Las Vegas Little Theatre recently announced the winner of its second annual playwrighting competition.

After reviewing 38 submitted entries, the judges decided on a thing called "Swisters" by Stanley Toledo (from Richmond, Calif.). It's about the adult lives of two women who were "switched" shortly after birth. Toledo will be getting a cash prize, as well as a production of his work May 14-23 at the LVLT Fischer Black Box.

If you feel you've got a play in you, you've got until the end of the year to submit for next year's competition (check out the requirements at lvlt.org). Board President Walter Niejadlik said the playhouse is hoping to do readings of the second- and third-place winners as part of a monthly series at their newly opened Studio Theater. ...

The Stage Door has shut down its operations at Town Square shopping center due to "the current economic outlook." Founder Terrence Williams had been presenting a variety of entertainment, from comedies, musicals and improvisations. But ever since the 300-seat venue opened in May 2009 -- with the interactive murder-mystery comedy "Shear Madness" -- the place has been hurting for audiences. There was hope that Insurgo's well-received "Cannibal! The Musical," which took the stage in August, would become a long-run hit with tourist support. Nothing, though, seemed to click. It was an honorable try and I hope Williams doesn't give up on Vegas quite yet. ...

The Clark County Library on Flamingo Road recently hosted Opera Las Vegas' production of Gaetano Donizetti's "The Elixir of Love," complete with English subtitles, chorus, orchestra and a pre-concert lecture. Next up is Charles Gounod's "Faust" in November. Opera is a rarity around these parts, so "Faust" might be worth a notation on the calendar (operalasvegas.org). ...

Signature Productions' "All Shook Up" -- a hilarious and musically exuberant loose adaptation of "Twelfth Night" set to Elvis Presley hits -- continues its run at Summerlin Library through April 24. I've already fawned over it in a review, but what surprises me is that this is the first time all the mail and comments I've gotten are in agreement. Is it possible to not like this show? (Check out signatureproductions.net.) ...

Now, time for some tough love. Do the actors who make a habit of going onstage stoned really think they're helping themselves as actors?

Two performances I saw recently struck me as "aided" by pharmaceutical influences -- something I confirmed with reliable sources who were there watching the actors "prepare."

If theater performance is about control and discipline, how can being out of control onstage add to a performance? It's worth noting that stoned actors tend to throw themselves into roles so intensely and monotonously, that you want to take cover. But I suppose to them, they are being "really into it." In film, a sober editor and director can fix things, but the theater requires sharp command of body and mind. Yeah, some famous actors have been addicts, but it seems to me you're stacking the deck if you're serious about wanting to be an actor and you're letting drugs do the performing instead.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas NV 89125.