LA THEATER REVIEW: MASON MCCULLEY'S HEARTFELT HOLLYWOOD SERMON UPLIFTS IN CAROLE COOK DIED FOR MY SINS AT THE SKYLIGHT THEATRE

Mason McCulley's one man show Carole King Died for my Sins directed by Cameron Watson is a heartfelt dive into the pure glimmers of personhood as performer in recovery. At once a memory piece to the Mother who raised him and MOTHER who mirrored his passion and encouraged his star to shine brightly as she, legendary Carole Cook, herself, always did. Both Women loved Mason and left him to wander these boards into his truest, grounded, purposeful, connected, loving self. Director, Cameron Watson corrals the cracked open interactions born from lustful emotions in a beautiful dream within a dream set, carefully tendered by set designer Tesshi Nakagawa. Lighting designer Jared Sayeg crafts glows of grief and despair while illuminating an eternal light as spirit moves through the sermon. Cameron Watson's sure hand allow Mason McCulley to sing his song crystallizing a lyrical movement of grace presented as a sermon. A portrait of Carole Cook looms, like Otto Preminger's film Laura art encourages the action from the other side engaging the psyche's detective to solve the mysteries of what is left after losses.

Two Woman who meant the world to Mason McCulley are gone from the physical world as the sermon begins. Everything rises up, allows space for messiness, and as described by Mr. McCulley, a bare naked soul unfolds reaching out to the audience to connect. In this, truth stands strong revealing the nooks and crannies of a psyche's house of memories, moving through grief's hopeful partners, redemption and healing. Mr. Watson plays out the drama to heal and give us, the audience, a murder board of addiction, trauma and humility in printed out texts, emails, letters, artifacts from the past building a tapestry of love.

Reconciling Mr. McCulley's relationships with two important women in his life ultimately creates space for what will be his next great adventure, sobriety, loving himself and sharing his gifts. Performers ride a roller coaster through their careers, sustaining through the jobs, bookings and performance schedules.

Tesshi Nakagawa design brings a touching, solid, permanent life to the set. Meant to be comforting and full of life. At once lived in and full of the details of a well loved life. This production hits on a lot of levels. We loved the pre-recorded familiar voice opening us into the show. The lost beauty of another era of Hollywood lights the way through with a glow up of a 20th century star, where the stage performers scorched the boards, igniting and inspiring next generations to give their all to this art form.

With great risk comes great rewards. Carole Cook died for my Sins is a love letter to our soulmates. Those who lift us up when we need it most. Reach out as we are lost. Care when the world would tell us otherwise. Therein is the never ending grace of this sermon.

This work does magnificent honor to its namesake. We are grateful to have witnessed this wonderful show. Through grit, the hearts of those who experience it will remember, a career on the stage is a roller coaster. The profession is one of the noblest, an act of faith to reveal the truth to grateful audiences who receive the joy in the dark.

Runs

October 20th - November 10th

Skylight Theatre

1816 1/2 N Vermont Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90027

Please consider taking friends and heading to the Skylight Theatre. Tickets available https://www.carolecookdiedformysins.com/