The Hills of California

 The Hills of California
Broadhurst Theatre
November 16, 2024 

Photo courtesy of The Hills of California

Jez Butterworth’s The Hills of California is a heartbreaking journey through the shattered dreams of four sisters.  Director Sam Mendes explores the rhythm inherent in Mr. Butterworth’s writing to accentuate the poignant moments and delve into the truths of the story.  The large cast works beautifully together, evoking a genuine ambiance of Blackpool, England in 1955 and 1976.  The set spins and time seamlessly shifts, bridging the emotional correlation of past and present.

Jill (played by Helena Wilson) is having the piano tuned in the Seaview Rooming House as the nurse, Penny (played by Ta’rea Campbell), is giving her the latest update on her mother’s condition.  She can pass at any time from her battle with cancer, yet Jill is desperate for her mother to hang on until her oldest sister, Joan (played by Laura Donnelly), arrives from California.  Her youngest sister, Ruby (played by Ophelia Lovibond), is there with her husband (played by Bryan Dick).  When her older sister, Gloria (played by Leanne Best) arrives, she is ragging on her husband (played by Richard Short) and her two teenage children (played by Nancy Allsop and Liam Bixby).  She quickly turns her malice onto Jill and Ruby.  

Photo courtesy of The Hills of California

Time shifts back to 1955.  The four sisters (played by Nancy Allsop, Nicola Turner, Sophia Ally, and Lara McDonnell) are rehearsing their Andrew Sister’s routine with their mother, Veronica (played by Laura Donnelly).  She is a serious task master, and the girls are hard workers.  One of the boarders, Jack Larkin (played by Bryan Dick), arranges an audition for the girls with Perry Como’s manager, Luther St. John (played by David Wilson Barnes).  He informs Veronica that the material in the girls’ act is out of date, and only one of them has star potential.  The events that follow change the lives of the family, yet not in the way they hoped.

Leanne Best, Ophelia Lovibons, Helena Wilson, & Laura Donnelly
Photo courtesy of The Hills of California

Mr. Butterworth’s writing is honest and prolific.  The characters are distinct, truthful, and empathetic.  Each are brutally affected by the events that took place in 1955.  They are haunted by their past, and no matter how hard some of them try, they cannot escape.  Helena Wilson portrays Jill with optimism and hope.  She never left the family home and holds onto the joyful memories that bonded her to her sisters when they were performing together.  Leanne Best does not hold back in showing Gloria’s resentment and bitterness.  Her fire fuels the conflict between the sisters.  Ophelia Lovibond’s Ruby is both naive and knowledgeable.  She knows how to get what she wants, yet she wears her heart on her sleeve.  

Joan finally arrives during Act III, and the sisters must face the truth… and themselves.  Laura Donnelly is grounded and fully exposed in her portrayal of this character.  She weaves wild tales of success and failure.  Some are true and some are lies, yet they all emotionally engage her sisters.  What these four characters reveal and how they open up when they are finally united is riveting.  The final moment is simple and powerful. 

The Hills of California is playing at the Broadhurst Theatre through December 22.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza