Go See This

Really. You should. "I Oughta Be In Pictures" is a really interesting Neil Simon play being put on over at the Las Vegas Little Theatre, one of the community theaters around town. It's about 3 miles west of the Strip in the middle of Chinatown. This month they're putting on this dramedy about an L.A. writer whose long lost teen daughter shows up on his doorstep one day hoping to forge a relationship with him.

And, yes, there's a personal reason I'm shilling for this one. Not only is it a really well-done play, but one of its three stars is frequent Strip Podcast and Petcast guest host Amy Turner, in her first venture into Vegas community theater. Amy, at right being pawed by Gene Simmons, starred in many productions in Chattanooga, Tenn., including turns as Mama Rose in "Gypsy" and Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof." (Aside: Does that not just sound so, uh, special, "Fiddler" as played by Southern WASPs in the Deep South? I suppose it's no odder than Long Island Jewish groups who put on "Oklahoma!", eh?)

Anyhow, in this case Amy plays Steffi, the girlfriend of the L.A. writer whose long lost teen daughter shows up on his doorstep one day hoping to forge a relationship with him. I went with John Katsilometes to a full-dress rehearsal last Thursday and it's a very touching and funny show. The actress who plays the teen daughter, Rachel Lanyi, is a recent UNLV Theater School grad who is particularly gifted.

There are eight remaining performances, this week and next, at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. It's well worth your time.