For the Record’s “Love Actually Live,” now playing at the Wallis Annenberg Center for The Performing Arts, pairs live performances from the movie’s soundtrack with lots of clips (watch for a gyrating Hugh Grant and a young, pre-Walking Dead Andrew Lincoln) from Richard Curtis’ hit 2003 movie.
This year, The Wallis is also offering two special cocktails in celebration of the holiday film’s 20thanniversary. Guests can enjoy the “Love Actually” with mezcal, prickly pear, lemon and agave and the “You are Perfect” with whiskey spiced apple cider, citrus and ginger beer.
A huge beautiful Christmas tree centers multiple screens that move in and out of Matt Steinbrenner’s wood, brick and stone set creating a unique multidimensional experience.
The nine storylines from the film, dealing with heartbreak, new and unrequited love, are enhanced by the live performances by the cast of songs “The Trouble with Love Is, “Here With Me,” “Both Sides Now” and “White Christmas.”
The cast includes Tomasina Abate, Madison Taylor Baez, James Byous, Chris Cockrill, Audrey Cymone, Anthony Fedorov, Brayden Gleave, Grace Kinstler, Parissa Koo, Doug Kreeger, Austin Lesch, Ruby Lewis, Chris Mann, Jordan Ann Martone, Brian McKnight Jr., Darrell Morris Jr., Nina Nelson, Spencer Schaffer, Drew Seeley, Rex Smith, Alkaio Thiele and Cheyenne Isabel Wells.
Director Anderson Davis does a stellar job of melding the movie and live music mediums, especially by positioning performers all around the audience. Rex Smith steals the show with a surprise ending, reminding us, just in time for Christmas, that love is all around us.
Love Actually Live
Wallis Annenberg Center for The Performing Arts
9390 N. Santa Monica Boulevard
www.thewallis.org
