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Hang Ten at LA's Point Break Live

Where: 6510 Santa Monica Blvd. [map], Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90038
September 25, 2009 at 4:03 PM | by | Comments (0)

"If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price." So says Point Break's sage surf philosopher Bodhi, played by the late, great Patrick Swayze. In the case of Point Break: Live, the ultimate price means being sprayed by water guns, splattered with fake blood, and maybe forced onto the ground during robbery reenactments. Oh, but don't worry, you can purchase a poncho for $1 to shield your clothing.

If you're not familiar with the Los Angeles theater phenomenon that is Point Break: Live you're probably a little confused, so allow us to fill you in. The long-running show is exactly what the title states: a live reenactment of 1991's FBI thriller-meets-surf adventure, with Swayze's Bodhi playing opposite Keanu Reeves' rookie agent (and rookie surf dude).

Campy, high energy, and a theater must if you live in or are visiting LA, Point Break: Live is not so much a paltry imitation as it is a hilarious homage to Katherine Bigelow's seminal action film. Bigelow herself—played by a peppy brunette shouting stage directions into a megaphone—makes a few appearances, while tanned, blonde, "hang ten"-types play Bodhi's wave catching bank robbers.

You'll notice one glaring omission from the program, though: no actor is cast as Johnny Utah, the character Keanu played with the best vacant stare he could muster. So instead, an audience member is chosen to fill his shoes, reading from cue cards the entire time and usually throwing in a bit of his Bill and Ted accent in the process. Just think, it could be you screaming "I am an F-B-I agent!" for a theater full of Point Break devotees.

Like we mentioned, prepare for audience participation, and maybe a little bit of playful harassment, too. Warnings are posted in the theater: you will get wet, but thankfully the fake blood doesn't stain. The $1 spent on a poncho is probably the best investment you'll make all evening.

"Live radical" by purchasing tickets here.

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