this downtown is perfect for a night out. Along with casual street performers, restaurants and shops, downtown is home to some pretty decent entertainment -- aside from the street entertainment, that is. Slightly off the main drag is a quaint little playhouse, the Santa Monica Playhouse. The cozy theater is currently playing Susan Damante’s autobiographical piece titled Life… Death… And Entertainment.

Downtown Santa Monica is a popular spot for nighttime weekend goers. Many people fill the lively streets to sip lattes and watch the happenings. The retailer stores bustle about with “browsing” shoppers. Fancy eateries dish tantalizing treats for hungry diners. Audiences line the road to watch bold street entertainers perform interesting talents.

Whether you are on a date or out with a group of friends,

Damante has been an actress for years. Her career began shortly after earning runner-up in the Miss California Pageant. The play, however, does not begin with Damante’s entrance into Hollywood. It starts out in childhood reliving her dysfunctional family nucleus. Her father is a miserly man, her brother a drug-addict.

The play was birthed out of a friend’s apartment five years ago in New York City. Damante was hesitant to publish her deep and intimate stories for fear of rejection. But after many years of perfecting the biography’s framework, Damante found a team to help produce the script. The Santa Monica playhouse and director, Sue Hamilton became the backbone for her autobiography. Hamilton said she feels Damante’s story is profound and insightful.

”It’s not easy being an adult,” said Hamilton. “It’s much easier to remain a child. It’s much easier to blame other people for any wrongdoings. Much easier to claim ignorance and glide blissfully through life.” 

In her play, Damante does her own song, dance and theatrical performances. Her only accompaniment is Matthew Park on keyboard. He plays back-up for several of her musical numbers. Each song is a cover song with a bit of personal flare. She covers tracks such as “This Masquerade,” “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” and “The Heart Of The Matter.” Her most powerful rendition is of Christina Auguilera’s “Voice Within.” The song is applied to her long-term battle with bulimia. Each track is used to convey her life story. Damante lived in a masquerade. She (and others, like ourselves) worked vehemently to please the people around her and, in the process, lost herself.

The one-woman monologue/musical captures life, death and everything in between. During the performance, the word “survivor” kept flashing through my head. The play is inspiring and encouraging. Her lack of self-worth, inadequacy and sacrifice are identifiable. I was especially moved by her courage. Women have this innate empathy for one another. There is an indescribable connection to her story. It’s exceptional. But do not be mistaken, Life… Death… And Entertainment is for everyone, not just us females.

Her life events are tragic but there are many lessons she has to impart. Damante was on the brink of death from severe bleeding, and then suddenly, phenomenally, resurged with… life. A voice told her,” You cannot die. Your life is for the sake of serving others.” She has overcome more hardship than any one of us could imagine. Her spirit, in lieu of these events, is most baffling. Life… Death… And Entertainment brings Damante one step closer to fulfilling her call of “serving others.” The woman is a survivor and a sage. She triggers vitality and teaches you more than your $20 theater ticket bargained for. 

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Life… Death… And Entertainment is showing through Sept. 1 at The Santa Monica Playhouse, which is located at 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica. 323/960-1052