She Lights Up Well

Beautiful cinematography, (shot by Jess Dela Merced) fun character development within a charming story about a young woman who returns to her hometown and tries to save the local theater and its company by taking over direction of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado. Superb performances by the cast, and the satisfying experience of rooting for a bunch of theater-lovers who just want a home to keep acting. The door to the theater plays a part in the film: open/close/locked/open. We're treated to an accurate look at Small Town City Council goings-on, too.

Joyce Wu wrote and directed. Tsai Chin (The Joy Luck Club, Memoirs of a Geisha) plays the continually-skeptical Grandma. Philip Berns as Sol is particularly engaging - we need to see more of him.