Theatre Review: 

“Nacho Ate Spiderman” Entertains at the Ruskin Playhouse

Lady Beverly Cohn

If you would like to escape the national drama for just 90 minutes, consider spending a lovely afternoon or evening at the beautiful Ruskin Playhouse.  Why am I suggesting this?  Well, I just saw their latest production – the West Coast premiere of the delightful “Nacho Ate Spiderman.” Performed on the impressive outdoor garden set designed by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz and enhanced by Brandon Baruch’s lighting, the action takes place in the gardens of two adjoining neighbors.  Servicing Michelle Kholos Brooks’ amusing, well-written script, director Casey Stangl unfolds the story of a shaggy Mexican rescue dog named Nacho who accidentally kills the neighbor’s prize-winning rabbit named Spiderman. 

When the owners of the dog - Brad 1 (Jamie Pierce) and Brad 2 (Matthew Scott Montgomery)  discover the murder, they are at their wits end to decide what to do with the corpse.  Brad and Brad decide that they simply cannot confess that Nacho did the deed, so they decide to bury the remains in their backyard in an old Stetson Hat box to act as the coffin.  Just as they were about to proceed with the burial, their next-door neighbor, Xander, (the fabulous Dann Florek) emerges from his home to enjoy his garden and the beautiful weather. 

Matthew Scott Montgomery, Jamie Pierce, Sharon Lawrence, and Dann Florek. Photo by: Jenny Graham

He begins a friendly neighborly chat and on seeing the Stetson Hat box is curious as to what they are doing. The nervous couple explain that the box is a time capsule that they filled with an assortment of current mementoes.   Xander thinks that is a grand idea and wants to contribute to its contents but the boys explain that the box is already sealed.  Joining her husband, Dvorah (Sharon Lawrence) enters bearing a plate of cashew cheese which she kindly offers to her neighbors who are basically frozen in place so she puts the plate on the adjoining fence mentioning the disappearance of Nacho. To compound their guilt, she and her husband invite their neighbors over for drinks to which they first decline but reluctantly acquiesce and cross over to the other side of the fence. 

Matthew Scott Montgomery, Jamie Pierce, and Dann Florek.  

Photo by: Jenny Graham

Xander does a healthy pour of his seasoned whiskey into Dvorah’s “heirloom” glasses and a friendly toast is made.  She is distracted about her Spiderman’s disappearance but although worried, she calms herself by saying that her precious rabbit must be off on some adventure around their beachfront, upscale neighborhood and will be returning home by and by.  Their conversation revolves around the neighborhood and the guilt-ridden boys casually mention that they are real estate agents and own a property leased out to a tenant named Steve.   

Matthew Scott Montgomery, Jamie Pierce, and Dann Florek.  

Photo by: Jenny Graham

More back and forth banter when suddenly they hear gun shots and immediately take cover.  It turns out that their unseen tenant has shot himself and when it was safe, slowly they emerge from their hiding places.  As you might suspect, the boys finally come clean that their neighbor’s dearly beloved rabbit has been offed by their precious Nacho.  After some very unpleasant exchanges and derisive remarks about Nacho’s Mexican roots, peace is declared and Xander pours a celebratory glass of whiskey into Dvorah’s “heirloom” precious glasses when suddenly…..OMG.  You’ll  have to see the play to find out what transpires next.  

Director Stangl keeps the action moving at a brisk pace so there is never a dull moment.  Although the acting styles may differ, some broader than others, that in no way detracts from this entertaining production as the ensemble created believable characters who interacted well with each other and collectively created a most entertaining theatre experience.

NACHO ATE SPIDERMAN

Ruskin Group Theatre 

2800 Airport Avenue

Santa Monica, CA 90405

Playwright: Michelle Kholos Brooks

Directed by:  Casey Stangl

Scenic  Design:  Stephanie Kerley Schwartz               

Lighting Design:  Brandon Baruch:                               

Costume Design:  Hannah Owens-Bender:                        

John Ruskin:   Artistic Director        

Michael Myers -  Producing Artistic Director

Running Time:  90 Minutes – No Intermission

Run:

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays: 8:00pm

Sundays:  2:00pm

Closing:  Sunday, December 20, 2026   N

No performances on Nov. 14, 19; Dec. 3, 12

Added performances at 8pm on Nov. 16; Dec. 7, 14

Tickets: $45

Reservations:

www.ruskingrouptheatre.com 

or 310. 397.3244.