Harold and Maude
Colin Higgins
Los Altos Stage Company
Maybe fifty-two years ago the film was a flop according to both critics and audiences. Maybe in 1980 as a stage play, it closed on Broadway after only four nights. But somewhere along the way the screenplay that was originally written by Colin Higgins as his master thesis became a cult film favorite, turned a profit, and was named in 2000 by the American Film Institute as Number 45 of the 100 funniest films of all time. Judging from the laughs, tears, and sustained rounds of applause of Los Altos Stage Company’s sold-out, opening night audience, Harold and Maude even as the stage version still has a half-century later a loyal, loving fan base. When that fact is coupled with a production as well-cast, well-conceived, and well-executed as LASC’s, then this dark dramedy about living, loving, and dying is nothing less than a do-not-miss charmer.
Please continue to Talkin’ Broadway for the rest of my review.
Rating: 5 E
A Theatre Eddys Best Bet Review
Harold and Maude continues through May 7, 2023, at the Los Altos Stage Company, 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos, CA. Tickets are available online at https://losaltosstage.org/ .
Photo by Christian Pizzirani
