Homeward LA Honed in on Something Desperately Real

By TRILBY BERESFORD | Reporter

There was a distinct feeling of uncertainty in the audience at Pierson Playhouse on Saturday, April 21. In all fairness, the pretense of a one-night only “show about homelessness,” combined with a program that rattles off statistics about the homeless epidemic in Los Angles County, is enough to rock anyone’s boat. Still, that didn’t stop Palisadians getting comfortable in their chairs, removing their shoes and arming themselves with an open mind.

Once director Glenn Zoller kicked everything off with a personal introduction, it became very clear that the goal of the Homeward LA project was to present sincere, emotional and often humorous stories from people who have experienced the widest gamut of ups and downs.

One by one, 12 actors took to the stage to perform biographical monologues from someone who has been homeless (hereby known as the “Storyteller”). Their stories were shaped by a professional in the entertainment industry, such as “New Girl” writer Marquita Robinson and “Star Trek: Discovery” scribe Aron Eli Coleite.

A clear standout was “My Sister,” performed by Isaac J. Cruz and written by Channing Sargent, from Storyteller Sam Rivera. Sharing memories about his cancer-riddled sister who taught him to be a man, Cruz commanded the stage and gently invited audience members to reminisce about his time dealing drugs. He didn’t want to do it, but it was a means to an end.

“I Met the Devil Twice” introduced a promising basketball player who entered the stage dribbling a basketball. The monologue drifted between the abstract notion of meeting the worst facet of oneself, and the relatable situation of losing educational opportunities. Actor Phillip Bobo gave a sympathetic and soft performance of George West’s story. Even those who know nothing about basketball could easily forge a meaningful connection with him as he expressed frustration with losing the feeling of “flying” on the court. Because no matter if there’s a roof over our head or not, we’ve all lost something significant.

In “The Prison Waltz,” Marlon Russ performed Gregory Davenport’s story. With a generous dose of youthful energy, Russ talked about the old ladies who taught him to ballroom dance in prison. Ultimately, he learned how to express himself during these surprisingly fruitful encounters. The moment when he described waltzing with his daughter was incredibly moving and powerful.

Jason Lesner, who is responsible for launching the Homeward LA project, wrote that particular monologue. He’s worked with nonprofit organizations and individuals who have been homeless, in foster care, and on probation, for many years. “I want to see the community come together to end homelessness,” he said in a press release. “Homeward LA is designed to reach people all over the city and instill compassion that invigorates their desire to evoke change and take action.”

For anyone who witnessed the unusual monologue “Becoming Someone Else,” performed by Patricia McKenzie and written by Laura Huntt Foti, from Storyteller Dianne Clark, that desire to be proactive will surely be cemented. The story was about a Michael Jackson superfan, someone who danced like him for a living. Looking in the mirror, Clark saw the great pop star in her reflection.

The homeless are just like the non-homeless, intriguing characters muddling their way through life’s triumphs and pitfalls.

This spectacular theatrical event of Homeward LA ran for 10 days between April 13 and April 22: All of the 26 productions benefited the Midnight Mission in Downtown Los Angeles Skid Row. They shared a message worth taking home.