This production was originally filmed at The Rosendale Theatre. It is being shown here as a fundraiser for the Rosendale Theatre. Please Donate and help keep Rosendale Theatre alive.
Synopsis: Welcome to the Shiva Arms, the run-down apartment building that is home to the most dysfunctional group of tenants in all of Hollywood. Based on a true story, actor/writer Doug Motel’s tour-de-force brings us 11 colorful, 1980’s characters-from an angry GenX punk artist and a “B” movie actress to a crusty 86 yr. old retired negative cutter. This band of misfits winds up taking us on a hilarious and touching spiritual odyssey.
Shiva Arms – Recorded Live at the Rosendale Theatre from Doug Motel on Vimeo.
“The writer-actor takes us through a succinctly eloquent slice of low-rent-Hollywood life, creating 11 indelible characters. Nothing is lacking, nor is much extraneous in “Shiva Arms,” a work at once uproariously funny and poignant.”- DAILY VARIETY
“Motel goes beyond snagging the varied essences of his 11 characters from a low-rent Hollywood apartment complex, using the form for an aim loftier than showcasing his abundant performing skills. The story that unfolds through the affectionate impersonations is a sardonic and sometimes farcical portrait of flinty SoCal dreams, with poetical allusions to larger questions of life, death and spirit.”- Pick of the Week, L.A. WEEKLY
“In his one-man play Shiva Arms, Doug Motel demonstrates that he is an actor of incredible versatility and range. He inhabits the shows 11 characters…with such specificity that it’s hard to believe that the man doesn’t have a diagnosed multi-personality disorder. Each of the characters has a body language, a vocal cadence, mannerisms and tics, even breathing patterns, that are wholly his or her own…That all of these characters come from one man is nothing short of astounding…his performances couldn’t be any richer…go see him” – BACKSTAGE WEST