WTF is Point Break LIVE you say? Well PBL is an exaggerated play adaptation of the 1991 Keanu Reeves/Patrick Swayze blockbuster movie that follows Johnny Utah in pursuit of the surfing, bankrobbing, skydiving, bare-hand-fighting adrenaline-junkie-cum-Zen-master Bodhi Sattva. I checked out an LA performance at The Dragonfly last week. Going in, I wasn t sure what to expect, but I left with a poncho covered in water and fake blood and a huge smile.

Quick Point Break synopsis for those unfamiliar: A group of bank robbers terrorize banks and wear masks of former presidents while calling themselves the Ex-Presidents. The FBI believes this gang could involve local surfers and send young agent Johnny Utah undercover to infiltrate. The FBI hopes Utah can join this gang in order to gather information about it and ultimately, take it down.

To recreate the magical acting that Keanu brought to the movie, Point Break LIVE selects its main character from the crowd to read off cue cards. 8 or so regular Joe s audition for this life-changing role by giving their best Johnny Utah impression, which results in the crowd picking its main character via applaus-o-meter. This method produces a different Point Break experience every time, which causes people to come back several times to see it. The night we saw the play, the audience wisely chose a chubby John Lennon who nailed the Keanu-isms.

You usually don t see a play and describe it as being crowd-interactive. Point Break LIVE defies this myth. In addition to picking Johnny Utah out of the crowd, it is recommended that you pick up a survival kit, which includes a poncho. During the play, there is a live, indoor monsoon scene and a shootout which conclude in the audience being drenched in water and fake blood and enjoying every minute of it.

Point Break LIVE captivated our group; it followed the movie s storyline but performed it over-the-top (in a good way). The acting was hilarious and the overall production was pretty damn good. I d recommend Point Break LIVE to not only anyone who has seen the film, but anyone who enjoys laughter and exaggerated antics. And yes, The Dragonfly has a bar, which may have influenced this critique.


"The ride is over." Johnny Utah
"Oh no, no. I say when the ride is over." Bodhi


Point Break LIVE: Fridays & Saturdays at The Dragonfly
6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA
http://www.pointbreaklive.com