This review of Astoria Performing Arts Center's production of Follies was written by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg and published in Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!
Follies
Book by James Goldman
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Dev Bondarin
Choreographed by Sara Brians
Musical Direction by James Higgins
Set Design by Ann Beyersdorfer
Costume Design by Jennifer Jacob
Lighting Design by Annie Wiegand
Sound Design by Caroline Eng
Props Design by Andrew Short
Casting Director: Jason Styres, CSA
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
30-44 Crescent Street
Astoria, New York 11102
Reviewed 5/5/18
Follies was originally produced on Broadway by Harold Prince on April 4, 1971. Although the show ran for over 500 performances and won seven Tony Awards, it ultimately lost money because it was the most costly production Broadway had ever witnessed. Nevertheless, it has been revived several times, and a few of its musical numbers such as "I'm Still Here" and "Could I Leave Her?" have become Broadway standards.
I was transported back in time as I observed the dancing and enjoyed the singing. The story concerns a reunion of the chorus of Weismann's Follies in a crumbling Broadway theatre scheduled for demolition. We wander through the memories of two couples and some of their companions in 1941 and 1971. We alternate between two casts playing the characters in different stages of life set thirty years apart. The plot focuses on Buddy and Sally Durant Plummer, and Benjamin and Phyllis Rogers Stone who are attending the reunion. Behind the facade of joy expressed regarding their attendance is the barely hidden truth about how joyless their marriages are. Although I enjoyed the performance, I was somewhat disappointed by the book because it simply was not made clear why two of the characters did not marry their true loves in 1941. The song, "The Story Of Lucy & Jessie," did not clear things up. Nevertheless, the perfect casting by Jason Styres, and the direction of Dev Bondarin made the musical work.
The choreography of Sara Brians was outstanding. The performances of the two casts shadowed one another and seamlessly advanced the plot. The dancing styles of the 1920s/1930s, and the 1970s are perfectly represented. Dev Bondarin brought out the best in the actors as they emoted the story of their lives ranging from the apogees of young love to the perigees of lost love. James Higgins directed the music to match the emotion of the characters and the mood of the plot. In the second act, several of the performers present the back stories of their lives - some happy, some unhappy. A number of the songs are homages to Follies performers of the past.
I was most intrigued by the costume designs of Jennifer Jacob. The clothing of 1941 and of 1971 worn by the characters set the sensibilities of each era. One could tell at a glance when you were in 1941 and when you were in 1971. This helped to set the mood of each era and advanced the story. I could clearly distinguish the clothing once worn by my parents when they were young in 1941. What was even more astonishing to realize was my recognition of the clothing styles I once wore in 1971.
Follies takes place in a wonderful space at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Astoria, Queens. Ann Beyersdorfer has designed a simple set that acts as a time machine that transports one back between 1941 and 1971 as the action takes place in the theatre where Weismann's Follies (a fictitious musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies) was once hosted and celebrated. Andrew Short's props welded flawlessly into the performances of the stars. Annie Wiegand's lighting design highlighted the changing of eras and locations. Caroline Eng's sound design was most pleasing. We clearly heard all the performers emote their dialogue and song.
Although the original book's plot is somewhat thin and slightly flawed, APAC's production of Follies is flawless. You are in for a treat and will see great dancing and even better singing. The Astoria Performing Arts Center has done a most excellent job!
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Monday, May 14, 2018
Applause! Applause! Review of The Silver Chords' Spring Concert entitled Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens
This review of The Silver Chords' Spring Concert entitled Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!
Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence
Performed by The Silver Chords
Director/Conductor: Carl J. Ferrara
Accompanist/Pianist: Karl Schwarz
Stage Manager: Lee Jacknow
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
30 Brooksite Drive
Smithtown, New York 11787
Reviewed 5/6/18
If you are looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon, attending a free concert performed by The Silver Chords might just be the event you have been looking for. General Seating, $1.00 concessions, and a huge selection of gift baskets individually raffled off are just the cherries on a beautifully layered multi-flavored cake. You will experience an eclectic mix of some generally delightful and entertaining songs. During this year's Spring Concert entitled Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence, I was particularly impressed with "As Long As I Have Music" (Lyrics by Don Besig & Nancy Price; Music by Don Besig), "Frere Jacques" (Traditional French Folk Tune) (Arrangement by Maurice Gardner), "The Thing" (Music & Lyrics by Charles R. Grean; Arrangement by Jay Althouse), "One Small Voice" (Music & Lyrics by Jeff Moss; Arrangement by Roger Emerson), "When I Grow Up" (from Matilda, the Musical) (Lyrics & Music by Tim Minchin; Arrangement by Simon Foxley), and "Go With A Song In Your Heart" (Arrangement by Jay Althouse). The same concert will be performed on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church located at 16 Browns Lane, Bellport, New York. No reservations required. A pleasant time guaranteed!
The Silver Chords, previously named the Senior Citizens Chorus of Suffolk County, hasn't been exclusive to Senior Citizens for about a decade. There is no minimum age requirement. The misleading name, though, remains the same. There were soloists and The Minor Chords also made an appearance, especially during the performance of "Homeward Bound" (Music & Lyrics by Marta Keen; Arrangement by McKay Crockett). The first half of the program was stronger than the second. Obviously, you may like different songs than I did but the good news is that there are over sixteen (16) numbers for you to choose from as your favorites. My selection of the three biggest clunkers were the medley of songs from Rent, the selection of Old American Songs (arranged by Aaron Copeland), and the couplet of "Lamiya's Song" with the angrier version entitled "My Name Is Lamiya (Don't Call Me Refuge)" based on a poem written by Lamiya Safarova, an Azerbaijani Refugee, who fled her home and village during the Nagomo-Karabakh War with Armenia. When other Azerbaijani children called her "Refugee" (the Azerbaijani word which also means "one who runs away"), she objected and wrote a poem where she begs to be called by her given name. I was not persuaded. Karl Schwarz, the pianist, made a number of errors, and Carl J. Ferrara, the conductor, could have selected a more inspiring and challenging musical program.
There are a few negatives associated with this group. First, the members do not memorize the lyrics. Second, no one seems to be in charge of minor "wardrobe malfunctions." Some shirts were untucked, some neckties weren't properly tied, and some suspenders appear to have become unclasped. There is also a great gender imbalance in favor of women. I also observed choral members complain about the heat, and the second the air-conditioner was turned on, others started complaining about the cold and the breeze. Another choral member confronted me saying I was speaking too loud for her comfort (after the concert was over), and during the post-concert dinner, there were more complaints than I could possibly detail here. Taking everything into consideration, I recommend The Silver Chords change its name to the Peconic Peacocks.
With all that said, you can't go wrong attending the free concerts performed by The Silver Chords. After all, they are free and come with a money-back guarantee! To discover the dates of upcoming concerts, try-out dates, or to join their mailing list, visit their website at www.thesilverchords.com. You can also visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SilverChordsChorus or on Twitter @TheSilverChords. For more information, you can e-mail them at SilverChordsChorus@gmail.com
Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence
Performed by The Silver Chords
Director/Conductor: Carl J. Ferrara
Accompanist/Pianist: Karl Schwarz
Stage Manager: Lee Jacknow
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
30 Brooksite Drive
Smithtown, New York 11787
Reviewed 5/6/18
If you are looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon, attending a free concert performed by The Silver Chords might just be the event you have been looking for. General Seating, $1.00 concessions, and a huge selection of gift baskets individually raffled off are just the cherries on a beautifully layered multi-flavored cake. You will experience an eclectic mix of some generally delightful and entertaining songs. During this year's Spring Concert entitled Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence, I was particularly impressed with "As Long As I Have Music" (Lyrics by Don Besig & Nancy Price; Music by Don Besig), "Frere Jacques" (Traditional French Folk Tune) (Arrangement by Maurice Gardner), "The Thing" (Music & Lyrics by Charles R. Grean; Arrangement by Jay Althouse), "One Small Voice" (Music & Lyrics by Jeff Moss; Arrangement by Roger Emerson), "When I Grow Up" (from Matilda, the Musical) (Lyrics & Music by Tim Minchin; Arrangement by Simon Foxley), and "Go With A Song In Your Heart" (Arrangement by Jay Althouse). The same concert will be performed on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church located at 16 Browns Lane, Bellport, New York. No reservations required. A pleasant time guaranteed!
The Silver Chords, previously named the Senior Citizens Chorus of Suffolk County, hasn't been exclusive to Senior Citizens for about a decade. There is no minimum age requirement. The misleading name, though, remains the same. There were soloists and The Minor Chords also made an appearance, especially during the performance of "Homeward Bound" (Music & Lyrics by Marta Keen; Arrangement by McKay Crockett). The first half of the program was stronger than the second. Obviously, you may like different songs than I did but the good news is that there are over sixteen (16) numbers for you to choose from as your favorites. My selection of the three biggest clunkers were the medley of songs from Rent, the selection of Old American Songs (arranged by Aaron Copeland), and the couplet of "Lamiya's Song" with the angrier version entitled "My Name Is Lamiya (Don't Call Me Refuge)" based on a poem written by Lamiya Safarova, an Azerbaijani Refugee, who fled her home and village during the Nagomo-Karabakh War with Armenia. When other Azerbaijani children called her "Refugee" (the Azerbaijani word which also means "one who runs away"), she objected and wrote a poem where she begs to be called by her given name. I was not persuaded. Karl Schwarz, the pianist, made a number of errors, and Carl J. Ferrara, the conductor, could have selected a more inspiring and challenging musical program.
There are a few negatives associated with this group. First, the members do not memorize the lyrics. Second, no one seems to be in charge of minor "wardrobe malfunctions." Some shirts were untucked, some neckties weren't properly tied, and some suspenders appear to have become unclasped. There is also a great gender imbalance in favor of women. I also observed choral members complain about the heat, and the second the air-conditioner was turned on, others started complaining about the cold and the breeze. Another choral member confronted me saying I was speaking too loud for her comfort (after the concert was over), and during the post-concert dinner, there were more complaints than I could possibly detail here. Taking everything into consideration, I recommend The Silver Chords change its name to the Peconic Peacocks.
With all that said, you can't go wrong attending the free concerts performed by The Silver Chords. After all, they are free and come with a money-back guarantee! To discover the dates of upcoming concerts, try-out dates, or to join their mailing list, visit their website at www.thesilverchords.com. You can also visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SilverChordsChorus or on Twitter @TheSilverChords. For more information, you can e-mail them at SilverChordsChorus@gmail.com