Wine Culture

What wine goes best with an intense drama written by award winning Shem Bitterman and directed by the incomparable Steve Zuckerman set in Colombia amidst a raging war involving drugs, wealth, and idealism? An obvious choice would be a big, strong red to stand up to the mind blowing content of this bold play revolving around a high stakes game of life and death. Perhaps, a better choice would be a 2009 Wiens Family Cellars Pinot Noir to soften the electrifying effects of an evening at the Skylight Theatre in the Los Feliz district of LA. At least, that was the wine of choice by Steve Zuckerman (Everybody Loves Raymond, Murphy Brown, etc., etc.), and even The Winemaker’s Wench isn’t going to argue with such genius.

It was my pleasure and honor to attend this incredible play with such high caliber talent gathered under one roof. After a chance meeting with Mr. Zuckerman a week ago, I found myself traveling back to LA to attend, “A Death in Colombia.” Produced by Gary Grossman, co-owner of The Beverly Hills Playhouse Acting School, “A Death in Colombia,” is a must-see on everyone’s list. I was impressed that Zuckerman was so passionate about this play, that he would take the time to invite, nay, urge this Winemaker’s Wench to attend the show. How could I resist?
Don’t miss this chance to see live theatre that is superbly acted by Joe Regalbuto, best known for his role as Frank in the block buster TV series, “Murphy Brown.” Regalbuto is hauntingly creepy as a deranged CIA agent who has lost touch with reality and his own moral compass. Roxanne Hart plays Lisa with heartfelt emotional pain, tenderness, and anguish as doom looms apparent in the safety of her own apartment in Bogota.

Zuckerman makes a 180 degree turn around from his signature comedic history to expertly make the audience squirm in uneasy anticipation at every twist and turn in this thriller. You are left guessing what’s up next, sitting on the edge of your seat, and gasping until the very end.
This is theatre modified for today’s modern, impatient audiences. From start to finish, the tale unfolds in less than 90 minutes without intermission and with continuous action. Get in. Get on. Get out. I booked online (which gave us priority seating), made a quick Sunday drive into LA with friend and author, Sue Richter, (“Guide to Becoming the 60 Second Lover” www.serabooks@aol.com), easily found free street parking in a nearby neighborhood, enjoyed a meal with plenty of eclectic sidewalk cafes to choose from, hit a Broadway caliber show, and was home in bed by 10:45 pm. For tickets, go to http://www.katselastheatre.com/

Whether you live in the greater LA area, or a neighboring community throughout Southern California…don’t get caught up in a rut, doing the same old same old, going to the regular haunts, seeing the same people day in and day out. Southern California boasts incredible wineries here in Temecula Valley Wine Country, live theatre right in your own town, LA, or San Diego, horseback riding, a day trip to Catalina, scuba lessons, world-class restaurants, cooking classes with famous chefs, beaches, mountains, and the desert!! GET OUT and enjoy the abundance of where we live.