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STAGE REVIEW : ‘A . . . My Name Is Alice’ Fits Itchey Foot Well

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

The Itchey Foot restaurant is a hospitable venue for the five-woman musical revue “A . . . My Name Is Alice.” A production of “Alice” has moved there following a successful run at Theatre 6470 in Hollywood.

This spirited but hardly incisive show fits the Itchey Foot better than much of the weightier material that has been seen there. Its structure of songs and skits, assembled by Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd from the work of a multitude of contributors, allows audience members to briefly pay attention to their spaghetti, in between numbers.

Dating from 1983, “Alice” no longer seems fresh (a sequel has already appeared, at the Old Globe Theatre earlier this year). As a feminist statement, which is how it’s often billed, its edges are fuzzy. But parts of it remain funny, and Hans Tester’s cast delivers them with gusto.

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Michele Mais is a scream as Honeypot, a blues singer who’s trying to learn how to change her double-entendres into single ones, courtesy of her therapist (Jane Seaman). Mais and Seaman are strong performers throughout the evening.

Ursula Burton displays notable versatility across genders and ages. Maria Burton and Shelley Robertson complete the cast, which is ably supported by pianist Tom Griep.

“A ... My Name Is Alice,” Itchey Foot restaurant, 801 W. Temple, Los Angeles. Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Ends Sept. 17. $10. (310) 859-2221. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

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