Lives unravel in Playhouse's 'Side Man'

LONG BEACH - "Side Man," a drama by playwright Warren Leight, opens tonight at the Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre.In jazz vernacular, a sideman is a dependable musician-for-hire who merges in with the band or, as the gig requires, stars as its solo performer. Leight wrote "Side Man" through recollections of his father, Donald. This play tells the story of Clifford Glimmer, the only son of a talented but self-absorbed jazz trumpeter, Gene, and his alcoholic wife, Terry. Through three decades from the 1950s into the 1980s, Clifford tracks the hit-and-miss career of his father as well as his parent's tumultuous relationship. Clifford's memories recreate the telling events surrounding the unraveling of three lives. The production includes mature language. "Side Man" opens tonight with a preview performance at 8 p.m. Tickets for tonight's showing are $12 each or two for $20. "Side Man" will continue until Aug. 15. For more information on tickets, call the box office at (562) 494-1014. The Long Beach Playhouse is at 5021 E. Anaheim St. in Long Beach.

********** Published: July 10, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 12

EventsEric Pierce