Last Chance

Theater

Monster--Derek Nguyen’s new play begins as a contemporary noir narrative but ends as something quite different--a subtly spooky script that casts aside realism to become a poignant reflection on the haunted psychological journey faced by Vietnamese Americans and other veterans of America’s blighted experiences in Vietnam. The first part of “Monster” includes some apparently clumsy moments--but that impression is somewhat mitigated later when you realize what Nguyen is up to. The second half takes such an imaginative leap that the play becomes, on balance, one of East West Players’ most successful premieres since the company moved to Little Tokyo. It’s also the company’s first play by a Vietnamese American. By the time the play’s biggest twist takes place, however, it’s clear that Nguyen has many things on his mind besides fidelity to a genre or to objective facts. We won’t discuss the details of that twist; just be prepared for some mind-bending.

Don Shirley

*

Ends Sunday at the David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., downtown L.A., (213) 625-7000.

Also closing this weekend:

Tape--Stephen Belber’s play about two high school buddies who clash 10 years after graduation over a long-kept secret sprains its creative integrity turning through plot twists. The New York’s Naked Angels production ends Saturday at the Coast Playhouse, 8325 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 856-4200.

Love’s Labour’s Lost--Director Michael Winters and his actors understand the challenges inherent in Shakespeare’s early wordy comedy but can’t quite overcome them. Ends Saturday at A Noise Within, 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, (818) 240-0910.

Richard III--Shakespeare’s drama about the villainous Duke of Gloucester, who lusts for the throne, with George Almond in the title role. Ends Sunday at the Secret Rose Theatre, 11246 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 754-4439.