Carly Pandza launched her professional directing theatre career by getting the amazing opportunity to assistant direct “The Ugly One” alongside the extraordinary director, Gates McFadden and she will forever be grateful.

“The Ugly One Date” opened on February 15, 2014 and closed on March 31st, 2014 at Ensemble Studio Theatre in Atwater Village.

Synopsis: "The Ugly One" is a comedy that tells the story of Lette, a successful engineer who after decades of contentment is suddenly confronted with the news that he is, in fact, unspeakably ugly. He sets out to change his looks and finds out that nothing can be taken at face value. "The Ugly One" is a whip-smart social satire from one of Germany’s most exciting contemporary playwrights that lampoons our culture’s quest for beauty.

Praise For “The Ugly One”

“What an incredible stage experience. Gates McFadden has put together an amazing cast and staged this theatrical gem in what some might imagine would be an impossibly small space for the amount of activity involved. But she imagined what could be done, and voila…..And with actors the caliber of Robert Joy, Eve Gordon et al, you’ll be well entertained!” – Hettie Lynne Hurtes

“One of the most outstanding theatrical productions I have seen in years. McFadden is a rare breed of director with taste, who consistently knows how to use video projections and get the most out of a seemingly empty room…. Best of all she has a wonderful sense of what she can do with a piece of writing, and her imagination is matched by her no-prisoners efficiency. This highly organic and inclusive production had me actually giddy by the turn-off-your-cell-phone announcement, certainly a new experience for me. The director works her excellent actors to technical precision in timing and physicality, and they more than meet her energy. They improve on an already thrilling script, which of course is why one hires actors.” - Jason Rohrer, StageandCinema.com

“Robert Joy anchors this cyclone with an everyman at once manic and reassuring. His character rides a line between Eros and Thanatos, and this hapless pilgrim has a Bob Newhart quality that makes him simultaneously likable and pathetic, someone you want to slap and cuddle both – very much in tune with a show that seduced me utterly.” Jason Rohrer, StageandCinema.com

“a cornucopia of visual treats and fantastic performances” with an “über-talented ensemble.”- ArtsinLA.com

Review: https://www.stageandcinema.com/2014/02/16/the-ugly-one-est-la/

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