El Portal Theatre

Don't miss the fascinating show HEXEN! Check out the review below:

HEXEN a bewitching show about extraordinary women, created by enchanting Dreya Weber

MARGIE BARRON Jul 31st, 2024

Review: Hexen, An Ancestral Witch Play, written, directed and performed by Dreya Weber, is a bewitching journey into the world of free-spirited women who were deemed to be Hexen — Witches. “Hex is our word for witch,” Dreya informs as the magnificent one-woman show explores all the emotions and qualities held by those who were demonized for being extraordinary.

There are unexpected moments throughout, starting with a sweet old lady interacting with the audience before the show starts. Then as the lights focus on her, the German-accented Cron sits on a swing in the center of the stage and starts telling her story which begins in the 1500s. A spell is cast in the theater that lasts about 75 minutes without intermission.

It is easy to say that Hexen is enchanting, but it’s more than an entertaining show. It is a history lesson using story, song, and aerial dance to weave the narratives of three women representing witch archetypes: The Crone, a healer living in the forest; The Bewitcher, a temptress with a destructive darkside; The Daughter, who searches for the wisdom learned from mothers and grandmothers over hundreds of years.

Back in less educated times women/girls were blamed for everything from male impotency to manipulating weather. Offering amusing tidbits of history, Dreya informs her audience that a witch was always to blame for “weather making” if there was a drought and crop failure. Likewise if a man could not perform in bed, the only reasonable explanation was that a witch had cast a spell on him. The accused witches, guardians of wisdom and precious treasures which included the secrets of healing plants, were then burned at the stake.

Like the women who are the topic of her show, Dreya Weber is seriously gifted. Not only is Dreya a storyteller, but she is an aerialist who flys above the stage during the show to further her narrative with a mesmerizing aerial dance. It is akin to ballet, fluid and poetic movements. She is so skilled and beautiful at expressing emotions, it left me wishing there were more of the aerial displays.

Dreya Weber enchants

It is interesting to note: Weber is considered the world’s foremost aerial choreographer. She has conceived and choreographed stunning aerials for Taylor Swift, Madonna, Cher, and Michael Jackson as well as P!NK’s celebrated Grammy Award performance of Glitter in the Air.

Hexen, An Ancestral Witch Play, written, directed and performed by Dreya Weber, to honor ancestors. It is co-directed and a collaboration with Rose Bonomo, with original music by Weber, and recordings of Mahler and Dvorak sung by Jenny Trier.

Hexen is at The El Portal Theatre, located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood CA 91601. All performances are on Saturdays at 8 pm: August 24, September 28, October 26, and November 23, 2024. For tickets visit ElPortalTheatre.com or call 818-508-4200.

Tags: An Ancestral Witch Play, Dreya Weber, El Portal Theatre, Hexen, witches
MARGIE BARRON
Margie Barron has written for a wide variety of outlets including Gannett newspapers, Nickelodeon, Tiger Beat and 16 Magazine, Fresh!, Senior Life, Production Update, airline magazines, etc. Margie is also proud to have been half of the husband & wife writing team Frank & Margie Barron, who had written together for various entertainment and travel publications for more than 38 years.

The Honorary Mayor is in!! Thank You The Tolucan Times!!

Fritz' one year anniversary coming up August 18th!!! Don't miss this special performance of his hilarious show, UNASSISTED LIVING!!!!

The Honorary Mayor is in!! Thank You The Tolucan Times!!

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA! This one is going to sell out. It's always an ad-lib frenzy when I play AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO on my home turf. Featuring the spectacular Gerald Sternbach on the keys. Sunday, September 29 at 3PM at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre. Always appreciate out of towners making the effort to support. See you there. And tell your pals. For tix: https://elportaltheatre.com/groucho.html

Los Angeles: THANK YOU for once again selling out the shows this week at El Portal. Cinderella's Castle premieres tonight and Fritz Coleman has another sold out show on Sunday. WE LOVE YOU and can't wait to see you back at El Portal!!!

Can't wait for the world premiere of CINDERELLA'S CASTLE tonight!!!

Check out our favorite, FRITZ COLEMAN, on KCBS channel 2 right now!

GET READY LOS ANGELES!!!

Preview: CINDERELLA'S CASTLE at the El Portal Theater A dark, musical retelling of the classic damsel-in-distress fairy tale, Cinderella's Castle—which was funded by Kickstarter after a massive buzz online—features an original 80s-esque 'synth-pop' soundtrack, elaborate puppetry, and a cast of 10.

THANK YOU for ANOTHER sold out weekend at El Portal. Over 1500 people saw Legally Blonde by the Conundrum Theatre Company!!! That production is so fun and exuberant! And Fritz Coleman delivers another sold out show in the Monroe (his 11th straight!)

Still tickets left for this fascinating show! Get out of the heat and join us tonight at 7 and tomorrow at 2!

Buddy Ebsen Had a Strange Career After Television You might know him best as Jed Clampett, but Buddy Ebsen was a jack of all trades in the entertainment industry. Starting In the era of the Great Depression,...

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Actor Buddy Ebsen of Barnaby Jones and Beverly Hillbillies Ebsen also was an accomplished dancer who shared some of his steps with co-star Lee Meriwether

Don't miss this wonderful show! Celebrate all dads June 15-16!!

You can't imagine how time has flown until you page through a scrapbook that someone has lovingly assembled for you for 'those days in the future' when you want to look back and reflect on your youth. When I was growing up, time with my Dad was at a premium as he already had older children who were off and living their lives with careers and I was anxious to find out who I was rather than explore who he was. Natural for the days of impetuous youth. This Father's Day weekend, I'm honored to present my last two performances of "My Buddy" at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood before I bring this show to an appropriate ending, Sat., June 15, 7pm; Sun., June 16, 2pm. Thanks to all for your support over the years in joining me on my journey.

Fun stuff coming your way this summer and fall!