tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47066341948109693352024-03-08T09:27:21.722-05:00Rising Action Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.comBlogger812125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-63527593545093343562018-06-24T19:33:00.000-04:002018-06-25T19:57:22.478-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of The Jackie Mason Musical: Both Sides Of A Famous Love Affair at Manes Studio Theatre by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of The Jackie Mason Musical: Both Sides Of A Famous Love Affair at Manes Studio Theatre was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Jackie Mason Musical: Both Sides Of A Famous Love Affair</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Starring Sheba Mason</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Composer/Playwright/Director: Ginger Reiter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Orchestrator/Arranger: Ike Reeves</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Manes Studio Theatre</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">141 South Wellwood Avenue</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lindenhurst, New York 11757</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 6/24/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Jackie Mason Musical </i>has played in Off-Broadway Theaters and Comedy Clubs in Manhattan and in Florida over the past few years, and now, it has finally come to Long Island. It does not star Jackie Mason but does star Sheba Mason, his daughter. The musical was written by Ginger Reiter, Sheba's mother, who slept with Jackie over many winter seasons whenever he was playing clubs in South Florida. Jackie Mason was a bit of a rascal back then, lining up women to sleep with, and giving them very little in return. Ginger Reiter held out hope that she was special. Perhaps she was one of his favorite "girlfriends" but he made it clear he had no interest in marriage or having children. Ginger used a diaphragm "most of the time," which eventually led to her having Sheba, who plays her mother in this production. Jackie met his daughter a few times but he had to be sued in order to get him to pay child support. They have been estranged ever since.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This is a very interesting musical I am certain you will enjoy. I highly recommend you see it especially if you have not seen any prior incarnations, which were produced under the name, <i>The Jackie Mason Musical: 702 Punchlines & Pregnant</i>. It tells the true story of Jackie and Ginger's "love affair" from Ginger's perspective but it also incorporates Jackie's viewpoint and is fair and balanced, in my opinion. The songs are catchy and fun to listen to. You probably will want to buy the CD. I am still trying to get a copy of the CD myself and Ginger caught me singing one of the numbers ("The Early Bird Special") even after the curtain call. A few new songs have been added in this version of the show and they have been incorporated seamlessly. Tickets cost $27.00 each and can be purchased by visiting <a href="http://www.studiotheatreli.com/" target="_blank">www.StudioTheatreLI.com</a> or by calling 631-226-8400. Get your tickets while they last. The show I attended was very close to being sold out. Ginger and Sheba hang out in the lounge after the show to meet the audience, answer questions, and sign autographs. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This production had a few negatives associated with it. The first was that during Act I, there was a problem with the spotlight. The actors were standing off mark and their faces were not fully illuminated. This was not corrected until Act II. Second, there were some inappropriate anachronistic references in the musical that were thrown in for some cheap laughs. They included a reference to cell phones, <i>The Vagina Monologues</i>, and to Nancy Pelosi. I personally feel the play would have been better off without them. Finally, I want to make it clear that if this is the first time you are seeing the musical, you will probably enjoy David R. Gordon's impersonation of Jackie Mason. Your mind will adjust for his insufficiencies in timing and cadence and you will hear Jackie Mason in your head. However, if you have heard many Jackie Mason impersonators over the decades, you will be forced to conclude that Mr. Gordon falls in the bottom 10% of them. Listening to him was pure torture but then, that is only my opinion. You may disagree. Perhaps I am being hard on him because I saw Ian Wehrle play the part in previous productions. Mr. Wehrle falls in the top ten percent of Jackie Mason impersonators and looks the part as well. I strongly urge Sheba Mason to use her influence to bring Ian back as soon as possible. The show needs him and if he does come back before the run ends on July 8, 2018, I will return a second time just to see him perform the part. I should add that all the remaining actors in this musical exhibited extraordinary talent and superior singing ability. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As of last night, Studio Theatre Long Island changed its name to Manes Studio Theatre due to a generous contribution it received from Dr. Harvey Manes, M.D., an orthopedic surgery specialist whose practice is Wellwood Orthopedics located at 256 North Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst. Dr. Manes specializes in sports medicine, pain management, arthritis, and arthroscopic surgery. He is a well-known patron of the arts on Long Island. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-8154310414482703062018-06-04T19:44:00.000-04:002018-06-04T21:12:33.628-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of The Exonerated at The Secret Theatre by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of The Exonerated at The Secret Theatre was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Exonerated</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written by Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Executive Producer: Richard Mazda</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director: DeMone Seraphin</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Assistant Director: Krysta Hibbard</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Fight Director/Dramaturg: Meron Langsner</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Associate Fight Director/Dramaturg: Cristina Ramos</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Manager/Sound Design: Jessica Fornear</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Production Manager: Justin Hsu</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Design: Joe Cabrera</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Scenic Design: Melissa Anderson</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Projections Design: Alexis Achilles</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Movement Coordinator: Tamrin Goldberg</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Secret Theatre</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">44-02 23rd Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Long Island City, New York 11101</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 6/2/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Exonerated </i>opened Off-Broadway on October 10, 2002 at 45 Bleecker Theatre and ran there through March 7, 2004. It was written by Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen based on interviews they conducted with 40 former death row inmates who had been freed by the state after having served as much as 22 years in prison. The original production, which ran for 608 performances, won the 2003 Lucille Lortel Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, the 2003 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, and the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play. It has also won the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Champion of Justice Award and Court TV's Scales of Justice Award. The work combines first-person narrative and dramatic recreations to tell the stories of six wrongfully convicted inmates and the impact that had on their lives and the people who loved them. Those featured include Delbert Tibbs (James S. Washington), Kerry Max Cook (Tommy Norton), Gary Gauger (Mark A. Keeton), David Keaton (Greg K. Warren), Robert Earl Hayes (Alphonso Walker, Jr.), and Sunny Jacobs (Laura Lockwood). Also in the cast are Chelsea Davis, Ruby Littman, Tyler Waage, and Sean Jarrell.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This is an emotionally riveting play with an extraordinarily talented cast. In turn, we hear the stories of six wrongfully convicted individuals. One gave a coerced confession while another provided a "vision statement" that was used as a confession. There is a woman who was in a car with a man who shot two police officers and a young man, who worked as a bartender in a gay bar, who was railroaded with little evidence and charged with murdering a young woman he once slept with. There is no doubt that a lack of knowledge regarding one's rights combined with aggressive police tactics have led to false confessions. It is also true that circumstantial evidence has led to the wrongful conviction of many innocent people. The tragedy of a wrongly convicted individual is something every person of good faith wishes could be avoided. However, as long as juries continue to convict people based on eyewitness testimony and circumstantial evidence, mistakes will happen. There is a delicate balance between trying to avoid incarcerating innocent people and allowing guilty individuals to walk free. It is also true, as related in this play, that the cost of being wrongfully convicted is extremely high, not only for the inmate but also for those who love the man or woman incarcerated. This play shows how a wrongful conviction can not only destroy the life of the person convicted but also of that person's family and friends.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The play is very dramatic and moving. We are warned that if something like a wrongful conviction can happen to some of the characters in this play, it can happen to you as well. The reality of being in prison is also explicitly shown. For example, three men "pulled a train" on a young man in prison and the rape scene was vividly depicted. That straight man, who was widely thought to be gay, once aspired to be "all that plus a bag of potato chips." He is now horribly humbled and will never be able to reclaim his innocence. <i>The Exonerated</i> has a substantive book that follows the characters from the time of their arrest, through their conviction and time in prison, to their exoneration and adjustment to life after their release. I discovered only two errors in the book. One was when a Judge was ruling on an Objection and on an Application made by defense counsel. Objections are "sustained" or "overruled." Applications are "granted" or "denied." This play has universal appeal, no matter what one's political ideology may be. For that reason, I thought it unnecessary to have a character, who played an attorney say, "I was conservative and also very stupid." Perhaps it would've been better for her to say, "I was naive and also very stupid" because any intelligent conservative would be aware of the injustices that currently exist in our criminal justice system. The problem that remains is how we can reform it to make it more just for all who are caught up in it and the answer can't just be to let criminals walk free or to not arrest them in the first place. That only results in worse consequences down the line.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">James S. Washington was brilliant as the poet Delbert Tibbs. He really held this production together and his poetry moved me. An example was the line, "It's not easy to be a poet here, yet I sing." The ever optimistic Sunny Jacobs, refusing to be a victim, stated, "If you rub two sticks together and keep crying on them, you are never going to make a spark." <i>The Exonerated </i>runs through June 9, 2018. Tickets cost $18.00 ($15.00 for students) in advance and can be purchased at <a href="http://www.secrettheatre.com/" target="_blank">www.SecretTheatre.com</a> or by calling 718-392-0722. Tickets are $20.00 each if purchased at the door. I highly recommend you see this play!</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-20720678502671897222018-05-31T19:55:00.000-04:002018-06-01T19:52:38.751-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of Astoria Performing Arts Center's production of Follies at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Astoria Performing Arts Center's production of Follies was written by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Follies</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book by James Goldman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Dev Bondarin</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Choreographed by Sara Brians</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Musical Direction by James Higgins</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Set Design by Ann Beyersdorfer</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Design by Jennifer Jacob</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Design by Annie Wiegand</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sound Design by Caroline Eng</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Props Design by Andrew Short</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Casting Director: Jason Styres, CSA</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Good Shepherd United Methodist Church</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">30-44 Crescent Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Astoria, New York 11102</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 5/5/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Follies</i> 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.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Follies</i> 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. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Although the original book's plot is somewhat thin and slightly flawed, APAC's production of <i>Follies</i> 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!</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-22312838128225968152018-05-14T14:51:00.001-04:002018-05-18T19:33:19.189-04:00Applause! 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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Performed by The Silver Chords</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director/Conductor: Carl J. Ferrara</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Accompanist/Pianist: Karl Schwarz</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Manager: Lee Jacknow</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">St. Andrew's Lutheran Church</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">30 Brooksite Drive</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Smithtown, New York 11787</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 5/6/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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 <i>Young At Heart: Songs Of Youth & Innocence</i>, 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 <i>Matilda, the Musical</i>) (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!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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 <i>Rent</i>, 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.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">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 <a href="http://www.thesilverchords.com/" target="_blank">www.thesilverchords.com</a>. You can also visit them on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SilverChordsChorus" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/SilverChordsChorus</a> or on Twitter @TheSilverChords. For more information, you can e-mail them at SilverChordsChorus@gmail.com</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-28290969960761258852018-04-29T16:23:00.000-04:002018-04-30T17:13:45.155-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of Chess at The Gallery Players by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Chess at The Gallery Players was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Chess</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book by Richard Nelson</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lyrics by Tim Rice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music by Bjorn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Based on an idea by Tim Rice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Executive Producer/Director: Mark Harborth</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Assistant Director/Choreographer: Ryan Graytok</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music Director: Benjamin Jacob</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Scenic Designer: Grenville Burgess</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Designer: Antonio Consuegra</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Production Stage Manager: Roxanne Goodby</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Designer: Scott Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Props Designer: Gabrielle Giacomo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Gallery Players</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">199 14th Street</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Park Slope, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York 11215</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 4/21/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Chess</i>, a musical involving a Cold War-era chess match between American and Russian Grandmasters, opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on April 28, 1988. It closed on June 25, 1988 after 17 previews and 68 regular performances. Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of the pop group ABBA wrote the music, and Tim Rice wrote the lyrics. When you play chess, you must be extremely careful to select only the most strategically advantageous moves. This play highlights the fact this is also true in matters of the heart and regarding issues of statecraft. For those who are fans of the musical (whose soundtrack has an almost cult following), you will not be disappointed with this 30th anniversary revival. Producing and directing this complicated musical is not an easy task but The Gallery Players is to be congratulated for pulling it all together in a manner that will please most people. The superior vocals will enable you to bask in the perfection of the presentation of such songs as "Nobody's Side," "Someone Else's Story," I Know Him So Well," "You And I," "Pity The Child," "Heaven Help My Heart," and "Anthem." The remainder of the numbers presented are equally enjoyable. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The star of this production is Carman Napier, who played Florence Vassy, the second, and former lover of Frederick Trumper, The American Grandmaster. While her charisma, beauty, and emotional conflict are clear, there is no reason provided as to why she would ever have loved Mr. Trumper. While Anatoly Sergievsky, the Russian Grandmaster played by Doug Chitel, has a beautiful voice, his acting leaves a lot to be desired. His performance is one-dimensional and the thought that he and Florence would have fallen so deeply in love in such a short period of time is completely unbelievable. Anatoly should have been played by a much younger and more attractive man. Joey Donnelly does a fine job as Freddy and brings his own unique perspective to the role. His rendition of "Pity The Child" brought me to tears (For those unfamiliar with this musical, though, I urge him to better enunciate "who" - the last word in the song). Mr. Donnelly has a very strong stage presence, and he and Ms. Vassy captivate the attention of the audience throughout the play. Jennifer Walder is brilliant as Svetlana, Anatoly's wife, who is brought to Budapest, Hungary by the Russians, to add to the pressure on her husband to reverse his decision to seek asylum in the United States. John Gibson, who plays Ivan Molokov (KGB), and Jan-Peter Pedross, who plays Walter Anderson (CIA), are quite convincing as rival spies who find common-ground to the extreme detriment of Florence Vassy, who has a great interest in finding her father, who sent her to America during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">During the World Chess Championship of 1988, the American and Russian sides seem to fight over everything. including whether Swedish or Finnish chairs should be used, and whether the Russian Grandmaster is receiving illegal signals by the changing flavors of the yogurt he is eating during the match. The first round takes place in Bangkok but, without a clear winner, the second round moves to Budapest, which is also the site of Arms Control Negotiations between the two counties. Pressure mounts on Anatoly to return to the U.S.S.R.. Svetlana, his wife, now has no car and no apartment (she stays with friends). Her brother was kicked out of medical school. His brother and wife had to find a smaller apartment, and his nephew's well-being has been threatened. The Russian Chess Federation has now charged him with embezzlement, and he has been told no one stood up in his defense. Finally, he has been led to believe that if he returns to mother Russia, the KGB will release Florence's father and reunite him with his daughter. Pressure mounts on both Freddy and Anatoly, which threatens the concentration of both Grandmasters. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">With the exception of miscasting Doug Chitel as Anatoly, the remainder of the cast is quite strong. There is some confusion when an ensemble member (Dennis Wees) who clearly played a Russian ("Please pass the salt.") later shows up in a prominent role as an American, but that is something most audience members may not catch. The production of the song "One Night In Bangkok" didn't bother me because it was too "white" as has been mentioned by some. However, I did feel it was a bit too "vanilla." Mark Harborth should've directed the cast to portray a greater sensuality and aggressive sexuality (e.g. perhaps a little bit more skin) to better contrast with Freddy Trumper's abstinence. The set and the costumes were period appropriate and The Orchestra (Conductor/Keyboards - Benjamin Jacob; Guitar - Alex Sadosky; and Drums - Miranda Siffer) sounded as if it was much larger than just three members.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Chess</i> plays at The Gallery Players through May 13, 2018. Tickets cost $30.00 for adults, and $20.00 for Senior Citizens and Children 12 & under. You can make reservations by calling Ovation Tix at 212-352-3101 or by visiting <a href="http://www.galleryplayers.com/" target="_blank">www.galleryplayers.com</a>. Florence, the eternal optimist, says at the end of the play, "If only we can begin again. Be human again!" But perhaps the machinations depicted in the play are what it means to be human. This recognition, might in time, cause you to become cynical, until you see disappointment all around you as was reflected in Freddy's observation that "The Danube isn't even blue!" (e.g. "Nobody's On Nobody's Side").</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-55326143963931240972018-04-19T19:38:00.001-04:002018-04-19T19:38:16.376-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of The Billboard Players' production of Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men at The Community Church of East Williston by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of The Billboard Players' production of Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men at The Community Church of East Williston was written by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg and published in Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Twelve Angry Men</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written By Reginald Rose</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Louis V. Fucilo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Community Church of East Williston</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">45 East Williston Avenue</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">East Williston, New York 11596</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 4/14/18</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I recently saw an outstanding production of <i>Twelve Angry Men</i> at The Community Church of East Williston. Louis V. Fucilo, the director, and the producers, Mark Danielson and Bob & Charlene Eckhoff, chose a most able group of actors that truly personified men of the 1950s. The ensemble of players included Joseph Anfora, Jonathan Baker, Nathan Bischoff, Al Carbuto, John Carrozza, Robert Hertz, Andy Minet, Joseph Montano, Joe Pepe, John Rowe, Joseph Schweigert, Raymond A. Tallercio, and Michael Wolf. Virtually everyone wore a tie, which was customary in 1954. Fucilo, the director, brought out the best in each of the actors. It was easy to believe that each of the jurors were passionate citizens of the era, not button-down calm conformists. They each became real people with all the faults and imperfections of human beings, not godlings, who have to determine the fate of the accused. Reginald Rose has written a play that encapsulates the true spirit of New Yorkers living in the 1950s - an honest portrayal and not an idealized perspective borne of nostalgia. <i>Twelve Angry Men</i> is a true diamond in the rough.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I am reminded of <i>Fiddler On The Roof</i>, the movie directed by Norman Jewison. When he was asked why he picked Chaim Topol over Zero Mostel, he explained he wanted an ensemble production, not a star vehicle dominated by Zero Mostel. No names were used in this play to highlight one man's use of reason to built consensus towards a not guilty verdict. Reginald Rose wrote toward the end of the Golden Age of Television when live drama was coming to an end. He was able to produce a highly engaging, emotionally taut, high stakes drama: guilt or innocence for a man charged with murder. If found guilty, the accused would be executed. The deliberations held our interest with very few gimmicks with the one exception of Juror #8 producing a switch blade knife he purchased at a local store in the slum where the accused lived with his father. The prosecution had made the point that the knife used to kill the boy's father was somewhat unique. Juror #8 bought the exact same knife to show that someone else could easily have purchased a similar knife. This drama, written by Reginald Rose, has aged well and still holds up needing no tricks to remain interesting.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All the actors in this production perform well and make their characters come alive with energy and emotion. Each of the ensemble players performed their roles without overwhelming the other actors. Jonathan Baker as Juror #11 was very believable as a "New American" who believes that the American dream - even justice - applies to everyone. His European accent made him appear very authentic. Michael Wolf, Juror #10, played rough-at-the-edges garage owner who, depending on your mood, you might or might not want to sit next to. He expresses thoughts you usually keep hidden from yourself. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Louis V. Fucilo's set design and decoration, aided by Mark Danielson and Bob Eckhoff, succeeded in transforming the stage into a courtroom, an intimate space where people could view the action and hear the performance from three sides. Lighting highlighted the jurors as they spoke and signified the passage of time. Unfortunately, given that the jurors were seated around a Board Room table, depending on where you sat, the jurors were not always visible to the audience when it came their time to speak. Although total perfection was not attained, we still have here a most excellent production well worth seeing.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Thanks to fine writing and to the skilled acting, at no point does your interest drift off. You are drawn in and don't want to miss the action. This is a great play that is performed very authentically. This is American drama at its best. Don't miss it! Especially since refreshments are a most reasonable $1.00 for each item!</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-80763377692122432012018-04-15T19:44:00.001-04:002018-04-19T18:55:13.054-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of The Billboard Players' production of Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men at The Community Church of East Williston by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of The Billboard Players' production of Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men at The Community Church of East Williston was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Twelve Angry Men</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written By Reginald Rose</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Louis V. Fucilo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Community Church of East Williston</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">45 East Williston Avenue</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">East Williston, New York 11596</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 4/14/18</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Twelve Angry Men</i> was first made as a 1954 teleplay for the Studio One anthology television series and was aired live on CBS on September 20, 1954. While Reginald Rose re-wrote<i> Twelve Angry Men</i> for the stage in 1955, it didn't make it to Broadway until, in 2004, the Roundabout Theatre Company produced it at the American Airlines Theatre, where it ran for 328 performances. The play concerns the deliberations of a jury in a case involving a slum-residing, economically deprived, 16-year old boy with a prior criminal record accused of stabbing his father to death with a switchblade knife. While, at the beginning of jury deliberations, an initial vote reveals a nearly unanimous decision of guilty, Juror #8 votes not guilty simply because he would like the jury to discuss the evidence before condemning the boy to death, which we are told is the mandatory sentence in this case. Pleas for mercy will not be considered by the Judge.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The facts are quite interesting and the play reflects how a real jury might, in actuality, weigh the evidence presented to them. Some of the jurors enter the jury room with personal prejudices while others couldn't care less what the verdict is so long as they're not stuck there for too long. Some jurors complain about the heat while others are hungry. A number of them bring into the discussion facts not in evidence while others question whether the defendant's Court-appointed attorney did a good enough job cross-examining the witnesses. Many of the men demand that each juror justify why they are voting the way they do while others are willing to pre-judge the boy based on stereotypes they hold and that the criminal defendant may be predisposed to violence given his past criminal record, and the physical abuse he has suffered at the hands of his father. The main question is not whether the boy committed the murder but whether "reasonable doubt" exists based on the evidence. This makes for quite an enjoyable journey before the ultimate decision is made.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I went into this production concerned whether a 1950s teleplay would still ring true and resonate sixty-four years later and I am happy, but also sad, to report that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Many like to idealize the 1950s and argue that today, people are too easily "triggered" and "offended" by politically incorrect speech. Young kids are taking challenges to eat Tide pods and snort condoms. But those same people forget that in the 1950s, frat boys accepted challenges to swallow live goldfish. As for being easily offended, many of the jurors in this play take constant umbrage at what someone else says to them or some inference that is make, and a number of the jurors are even ready to engage in fisticuffs to confront the perceived insults. Upon reflection, very little seems to have changed over the years. Prejudice against foreigners, unpopular political opinions, and stereotypical views of slum-dwellers are all expressed and appear to be a constant in all societies and cultures.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The two most impressive actors in this production are Michael Wolf (Juror #10) and Raymond A. Taliercio (Juror #3). Mr. Wolf captivates the audience during his racist rants ("if you know what I mean") and Mr. Taliercio, whose character is estranged from his own son, is responsible for the most dramatic moments in the play. John Rowe also stands out as Juror #7, the guy who really couldn't care less which way the verdict goes so long as he can make the Yankees game on time. John Carrozza is strong as Juror #8 and reveals that even his character has the potential for violence in him. The remaining jurors each carried their own and all did a fine job. Those jurors were Joseph Anfora (Juror #1/Foreman), Andy Minet (Juror #2), Joe Pepe (Juror #4), Joseph Schweigert (Juror #5), Joseph Montano (Juror #6), Al Carbuto (Juror #9), Jonathan Baker (Juror #11), and Robert Hertz (Juror #12). Louis V. Fucilo, the Director, played the Judge, newcomer Nathan Bischoff, played the Guard. All should be very proud of their contributions to the success of this production.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">You can catch remaining performances of <i>Twelve Angry Men</i> on Fridays, April 20 & 27th at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays, April 21st & 28th at 8:00 p.m.; and on Sundays, April 22nd & 29th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for seniors. For reservations and more information, call 516-746-7356 or e-mail ccewplays@gmail.com. All concession items are $1.00 a piece. Extremely reasonable prices for soda and candy! They also served decaffeinated coffee. If you want coffee with caffeine, you will have to ask for it. I got my little cup of joy and had a wonderful time seeing this play. There is no better value you can get for your money! I highly recommend this production of <i>Twelve Angry Men</i>. It will give you much to talk about with your friends over dinner afterwards. </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-22858771864418842152018-04-06T23:40:00.001-04:002018-04-07T00:36:31.066-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of [title of show] at The Secret Theatre by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of [title of show] at The Secret Theatre was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">[title of show]</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book by Hunter Bell</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Executive Producer: Richard Mazda</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director: Scott Guthrie</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Manager/Tech: Jessica Fornear</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Design: Sophie Talmadge Silleck</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Set Design: TzuChing Cheng</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Production Manager: Justin Hsu</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Secret Theatre</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">44-02 23rd Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Long Island City, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York 11101</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 3/29/18 </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>[title of show]</i> is a one-act musical that chronicles the three-week creative process that went into the show's submission as a possible entry in the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and then continues to follow the trials and tribulations of the four actors as the show is produced off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre (2006) followed by their efforts to create buzz to get the show produced on Broadway (where it played at the Lyceum Theatre in 2008 for 13 previews and 102 regular performances). Determined to write an original musical rather than adapt an existing play or movie, Jeff Bowen (music and lyrics) and Hunter Bell (book) soon realized that their conversations about what to write were more interesting that what they were actually writing. As a result, the musical documents the creation of the show itself ("a musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical"). Bell and Bowen expanded the script and included their experiences with friends Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff, as well as Larry Pressgrove, their musical director. As a result, what you are watching is the actual dialogue spoken by the actors, which leads to one actor making the observation, "We have to get out of this scene because it feels a little long." After the script being submitted to the New York Musical Theatre Festival is in the envelope ready to be mailed, another actor observes, "If the finished script is in the envelope, should we still be talking." It's all very clever and entertaining.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This production of<i> [title of show]</i> at The Secret Theatre features a perfect cast of extremely talented actors with superior vocal abilities. Each and every one was a pleasure to watch perform. Jason Moody was amazingly quirky and authentic as Jeff, and Jeffrey Scott Stevens excelled as Hunter, the neurotic, ambitious playwright doggedly committed to seeing his play produced off and on Broadway. The audience witnesses his challenges as he considers bringing in an actress with more name recognition, changing the script to make it more family-friendly, and dealing with conflicts in the schedules of his original cast members. Chelsea Barker, who plays Heidi, is an absolute delight, and Jennifer Swiderski, as Susan, couldn't be better. They both mastered the unique personalities reflected in their respective characters, and together with the remainder of the cast, created magic on the stage that continuously impressed those lucky enough to be in the audience. Christopher Lengerich has a few lines as Larry, the Musical Director, but still makes an important contribution to the success of this production. Early on, Larry didn't speak but Jeff assured him, "We worked it out with the union - you can talk."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The dialogue is fresh and realistic. The relationships depicted and their conversations and conflicts are what you might observe if you were given the opportunity to see how friends interacted when they were not performing for public consumption. Discussions included whether audiences would like to see Paris Hilton play Mame and whether Wonder Woman should run for President. Two of the friends text each other possible Drag Queen names (e.g. Mini Van Rental, Lady Foot Locker). Hunter is interested in a guy wearing a red shirt who Jeff says is straight. Hunter's response, "so is spaghetti until it gets hot and wet." There are the usual challenges about working a steady job to pay the rent, and the disappointment when the success of the show doesn't change their lives in the way some had hoped it would. We see their struggles to promote the show using a video blog and performing a few numbers at the Pride Festival and the Actors Fund Black Tie Gala. At one point, in desperation, Hunter says, "Take your shirts off so we can sell some fucking tickets!" The show features no stars, four chairs, and no costume changes, yet it still was, and is, a smashing success. Larry, the Musical Director, accompanies the actors as they sing some extraordinary, memorable musical numbers, including "Untitled Opening Number," "Two Nobodies In New York," "An Original Musical," "Monkeys and Paybills," "Part Of It All," "I'm Playing Me," "What Kind Of Girl Is She," "Die, Vampire, Die!," "Secondary Characters," "A Way Back To Then," and "Nine People's Favorite Thing." There are also occasional homages paid to other musicals such as <i>Rent</i> and <i>Into The Woods</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The only minor negatives are that some of the references, such as to the actress Mary Stout being injured by a runaway hot dog cart careening down West 46th Street, are quite dated and will be missed by most audience members. An explanation of the references provided in the program would have been helpful. In addition, the continuity of scenes in the second half of the musical reflected by the "fast-forward" Montages Parts 1-3 were out of sync with the slower real life timing of the rest of the show. However, these minor criticisms have more to do with the play itself than this production, which is the very best it could have been. We learn about vampires (such as The Vampire of Despair) that can come between you and your creative self. We also learn there may be a glow in the dark poster of <i>Aspects Of Love</i> existent somewhere in the world. On the other hand, we never learn whether Jeff ever got a Photo Shoot in a "Homo Magazine." They say "a Drag Queen (who needs her protein just like everyone else) is fabulous at night - but in the daytime - not so much." I can assure you this production of [title of show] is fabulous no matter what time of day you see it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I give this show my highest recommendation and urge you to catch it during its current run at The Secret Theatre, where it plays through April 14, 2018. Tickets are $18.00 if purchased in advance and $20.00 at the door. For reservations and more information, you can call 718-392-0722 or visit <a href="http://www.secrettheatre.com/" target="_blank">www.secrettheatre.com</a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-15746484535700638252018-03-18T16:24:00.002-04:002018-03-18T17:21:43.252-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite at The Gallery Players by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite at The Gallery Players was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Plaza Suite</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written by Neil Simon</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Alexander Harrington</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Scenic Design by Robert Sebes</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Design by Jerry Mittelhauser</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Design by Heather Crocker</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Gallery Players</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">199 14th Street</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Park Slope, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York 11215</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 3/17/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Plaza Suite </i>opened on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on February 14, 1968, and closed on October 3, 1970, after 1,097 performances and two previews. Mike Nichols won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play. The three stories told all involve different characters, performed by some of the same actors, who are staying in Suite 719 of New York City's Plaza Hotel. In <i>Visitor From Mamaroneck</i>, we are introduced to Sam Nash (Robert McEvily) and Karen Nash (Alyssa Simon), a not-so-happily married couple. Karen suspects Sam is having an affair with Jean McCormack (Taylor Graves), his Secretary. Karen has rented the suite as a last-ditch effort to save their marriage. Jim deProphetis was hilarious as the bellhop. In <i>Visitor From Hollywood</i>, Jesse Kiplinger (Robert McEvily), a successful Hollywood producer who lives in Humphrey Bogart's old home in Beverly Hills, has invited the now-married Muriel Tate (Taylor Graves), his old High School girlfriend from Tenafly, New Jersey, to visit him in his hotel room. He has seduction on his mind while Muriel is doing her best to say and do what would be proper in those compromising circumstances. Mitch Tebo played the waiter in both stories. In <i>Visitor From Forest Hills</i>, the most hilarious of the three, Roy Hubley (Mitch Tebo) and his wife Norma Hubley (Alyssa Simon) find that their daughter, Mimsey (Taylor Graves) has locked herself in the bathroom minutes before she is set to marry Borden Eisler (Jim deProphetis). It appears nothing will get her out of the locked bathroom until her boyfriend Borden is called to the suite and mentions the magic words that resolve the crisis. No, not "I love you." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Visitor From Mamaroneck</i> reminds us how people, over time, can get on each other's nerves. Cute little idiosyncrasies and adorable habits can become intolerable points of torture whether we are talking about close friends or married couples. In Karen's case, she is cheap ("I don't usually give a dollar tip.); talks to strangers, like the waiter, about personal details regarding her family; annoys her husband by singing loudly in the background when he is on a business call; orders champagne and hors d'oeuvres when she knows her husband is on a 900-calorie-a-day diet; urges him to abandon his work to take her to a porn movie; deliberately doesn't pack his pajamas knowing he can't sleep without them; and constantly gets dates and facts wrong such as the date on which they were married, her age, and even the correct suite they stayed in on their honeymoon. Their marriage hasn't been a happy one for many years and Sam has become increasingly distant even to the point of being nasty. He even blows up at Karen's relatively calm reaction to his responses to her accusations. The funniest line in this otherwise serious story is when Karen surmises his affair may have started after he turned 50 years old, and suggests that if his secretary wasn't readily available, he might have even had an affair with the elevator operator in his office building. Sam's response, "It couldn't have been the elevator operator. He's 52 and I don't go for older men."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Visitor From Hollywood</i> reminds us that in the old days, a single or married woman, should not go to the hotel suite of another man, especially an old boyfriend unless she has sex on her mind. In this story, Jesse Kiplinger (Robert McEvily) has invited Muriel Tate (Taylor Graves), his old High School girlfriend, to meet him while he is in New York. Muriel has closely followed Jesse's career and fantasizes what her life would have been like had she not married Larry. Before the #MeToo movement, it was a man's job to try to seduce and sleep with as many women as he could, and it was a woman's job to avoid comprising situations and circumstances. In addition, many times "No" did not really mean "No" since women were expected not to give in too easily. In this case, Muriel says all the right things, such as "I can only stay a few minutes" and " I really have to go. I am parked in a one-hour zone." Yet she finally accepts two Vodka Stingers and rejects going down to the bar to drink them. Despite her objection, Jesse kisses Muriel on the neck and then says, "If you don't object too strenuously, I'm going to kiss you again." Her response starts to change and eventually she says "I have plenty of time." and "Don't bite my neck. It will leave marks." Jesse eventually figures out Muriel gets sexually turned on when he mentions the names of celebrities he has met. He then uses that bat to hit a home run. So much for feigned resistance.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Visitor From Forest Hills</i> was my favorite of the three. The reactions of the two parents, Roy Hubley (Mitch Tebo) and Norma Hubley (Alyssa Simon) as they try to get their daughter Mimsey (Taylor Graves) out of the locked bathroom are priceless. It involves pigeons, a gargoyle, a torn stocking, a ripped jacket, a broken diamond ring, a suspected broken arm, thunder, rain, and a possible lawsuit. With all the havoc Mimsy has created, you reach a point when you wish she'd just "cool it.' </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This production of Neil Simon's <i>Plaza Suite </i>is a must-see. The material holds up well and the acting is amazing. The entire ensemble cast is top-notch. You will have no complaints. I hesitate to point anyone out because I don't want to diminish the stellar, professional performances of the rest of the cast, but I do feel that Mitch Tebo as Roy Hubley in <i>Visitor From Forest Hills</i> was so exceptional that he deserves special mention. In my opinion, he could use a video of his performance in this show as a tape he can submit for his next Broadway audition. The show is extremely entertaining. I highly recommend you see this old gem while you can. <i>Plaza Suite </i>runs at The Gallery Players through Sunday, March 25, 2018. Tickets are $25.00 for Adults and $20.00 for Children 12 and under and Senior Citizens. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For reservations, call 212-352-3101 or visit </span><a href="http://www.galleryplayers.com/" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">www.galleryplayers.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-24387721312582310462018-03-11T16:59:00.000-04:002018-03-12T18:52:15.717-04:00Applause! Applause! Review of Theatre By The Bay's production of Beau Jest at the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Theatre By The Bay's production of Beau Jest at the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Beau Jest</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book by James Sherman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Patrice Valenti</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Set Design by John Baratta & Lila Edelkind</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Artistic Director: Cathy Chimenti</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Producers: Eli Koenig, Barbara Koenig & Martha Stein</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Theatre By The Bay</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13-00 209th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Bayside, New York 11360</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 3/10/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The underlying French phrase "beau geste" is defined by Dictionary.com as "a fine or noble gesture, often futile or only for effect." In <i>Beau Jest</i>, a comedy written by James Sherman, Sarah Goldman (Nili Resnick) hires Bob Schroeder (Stephen Kalogeras), a male escort from the Heaven Sent Escort Agency, to play Dr. David Steinberg, a Jewish boyfriend she made up to please her parents, Abe Goldman (Robert Budnick) and Miriam Goldman (Amy Goldman), who have been on her back to date "a nice Jewish boy." Sarah hires Bob to attend her father's birthday party in her apartment only to discover upon his arrival that Bob is not even Jewish. Bob qualified to be an escort because he spoke "good English" and owned a suit. This "jack of all trades" was also a bartender, a massage therapist, and luckily for Sarah, a part-time actor who is convinced he can play a believable Jewish doctor (i.e. a surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital) and complete the assignment. Cast aside in all this is Chris Cringle (Kyle T. Cheng), an advertising account executive at Leo Burnett, who Sarah has been secretly dating for six months. Sarah told her parents she broke up with Chris after they objected to his being Christian, and in this production, also Asian. Chris, of course, is not pleased Sarah feels uncomfortable introducing him as her current boyfriend but is also especially concerned after she doesn't tell him she loves him in the presence of Bob. Also in the mix is Joel Goldman (Robert Gold), Sarah's divorced brother, who is a therapist. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Beau Jest </i>first premiered on November 16, 1989 at the Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. The play is set in Chicago with references to the now defunct Marshall Field's department store, Kaufman's Bagel & Delicatessen (in Skokie), Second City (where Bob took acting lessons), and to the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. The action takes place in Sarah's one-bedroom apartment in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, where parking is a nightmare. Sarah is a kindergarten teacher who has no idea what her end-game is. She re-hires Bob to attend the second night of Passover Seder, but he is becoming increasingly uncomfortable about deceiving Sarah's parents. Complicating matters further, Bob and Sarah are beginning to develop feelings for one another, setting up a classic love triangle, which pays off in the expected, confrontation near the end of the second act as the boyfriends try to out-do one another by expressing their willingness to convert and take other steps that will prove the intensity and sincerity of their love. The only thing not produced was a ruler, which was unnecessary since Sarah already slept with both men multiple times. In the end, the final decision has to be made by Sarah, who realizes she must live her life as she sees fit and not to please, or avoid displeasing, her parents. The play reflects universal themes regarding relationships between parents and their children. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Clues that Dr. David Steinberg (Bob) is not a surgeon and not Jewish are everywhere but no one seems to pick up on them. When Sarah's mother observes he doesn't look Jewish and asks if he is Sephardic, Bob responds, "No. Jewish." When asked by Sarah's father where "salmonella" comes from, Bob responds "it is caused by a very special bacteria that gets into the salmon." Sarah is very well aware of the fact that she hired Bob and knows what he does for a living. She asks Bob to help her set the dinner table and then after the family leaves, she invites Bob to give her a neck massage by telling him how "tense" she is and how when she tried out for the swimming team, "they used me as a diving board." The point of the play is to suggest that "the only person preventing you from living your own life is you!" Joel Goldman says that many of his clients "blame all their problems on their parents" and his advice to them is "Get Over It." In the end, Sarah tries to improve her relationship with her parents, and her mother eventually tells her, "Whatever you want to do, you do!" even if that means microwaving dishes instead of putting them in the oven.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The four main leads in this production of <i>Beau Jest</i> are all amazingly talented actors. I particularly enjoyed the performance of Stephen Kalogeras, who played Bob Schroeder/Dr. David Steinberg. Nili Resnick was very believable as the immature Sarah, making up stories as she goes along without regard for the consequences of her lies or who she hurts. Robert Budnick and Amy Goldman exhibited great rapport as Mr. & Mrs. Goldman often arguing like an old married couple. Robert Gold wasn't bad portraying Joel Goldman, Sarah's brother, but it wasn't clear from his facial expressions when he started to doubt whether Bob was really a doctor or even Jewish. The only sub-par performance in this production was that of Kyle T. Cheng, who played Chris Cringle. While I understand his character was supposed to be a more reserved, less exciting, account executive, I felt his acting did not convincingly portray his feelings for Sarah. Sometimes non-traditional casting works and can provide a whole new perspective on a role. In this case, it didn't work and detracted from my enjoyment of an otherwise delightful and engaging show. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I strongly recommend you make every effort to catch <i>Beau Jest</i> during its final weekend at Theatre By The Bay. Performances are on Saturday, March 17th at 8:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 18th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $22.00 for adults, and $20.00 for seniors ages 62 and over, and children ages 12 and under. For more information, or to purchase your seats, call 718-428-6363, or visit <a href="http://www.theatrebythebayny.com/" target="_blank">www.theatrebythebayny.com</a> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-59493680763943063912018-02-19T19:29:00.001-05:002018-02-19T20:18:40.520-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Theatre Out Of Bounds' production of The Flick at Studio Theatre Long Island by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Theatre Out Of Bounds' production of The Flick at Studio Theatre Long Island was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Flick </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written by Annie Baker</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Scott Johnston</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Manager: Natalie Dzienius</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Technical Director: Kevin Bertschi</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Studio Theatre Long Island</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">141 South Wellwood Avenue</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lindenhurst, New York 11757</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 2/10/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Flick </i>debuted Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons on March 12. 2013 closing on April 7, 2013. After it won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it was remounted at the Barrow Street Theatre and played there from May 18, 2015, to its closing on January 10, 2016. The Pulitzer Prize committee stated the play is a "thoughtful drama with well-crafted characters." It is set in a run-down movie palace called The Flick and features three movie ushers, Avery, Sam, and Rose (who also runs the film projector), who do the tedious work necessary to keep the theatre running. Sam and Rose are long-time employees while Avery is just passing through. Annie Baker was also awarded the 2013 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and the 2013 Obie Award for Playwriting for this unusual offering that gives the audience a glimpse into the lives, morality, and loyalties of individuals who they might not ordinarily encounter. In this Theatre Out Of Bounds production of <i>The Flick</i>, the audience is seated on the stage facing the empty seats where all the action of the play takes place. Theatre Out Of Bounds is dedicated to the craft and creation of quality theatrical productions with a focus on edgy, thought-provoking, and relevant conversations.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sam, who is 35 years old, has worked at The Flick for many years and lives with his parents. He is secretly in love with Rose, who runs the projector and resents the fact she was promoted over him even though he worked there longer. Because Rose has never shown an interest in him, Sam tells Avery, the new employee he is training, that Rose is a lesbian (Not unlike a woman calling a man gay if he rejects her sexual advances). Avery is taking a semester off from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts where he is getting "a free ride" due to his father being a professor there. Rose, on the other hand, has $20,000.00 in student loans. Avery is a shy, lying, depressed young man who would rather watch movies than engage in social interactions. His mother moved to Atlanta a year and a half ago after having reconnected with an old lover from High School on Facebook. He subsequently tried to commit suicide by swallowing a lot of pins and speaks to his therapist regularly. He has serious trust issues and comes across as a bit naive. When Avery confronts Rose about her being a lesbian, she denies it but confesses she's "been with girls a couple of times" but isn't gay. Rose shows an interest in Avery, which makes Sam jealous, and even teaches him how to use the projector, which is something Sam has wanted for a long time. The three workers make $8.25 an hour. Sam and Rose are taking 10% of the ticket stubs and re-selling them distributing the extra proceeds as "Dinner Money." Avery initially refuses to go along with the embezzlement but eventually agrees.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Theatre Out of Bounds promises the work they produce will be thought-provoking and will involve relevant conversations. That is certainly the case with <i>The Flick</i>. Some of the action in this play takes on new meaning given the current #MeToo movement. Rose, an older woman, tries to seduce Avery by engaging in sexually aggressive and inappropriate behavior. Avery rejects her advances and she responds to his rejection saying, "I feel like a fucking idiot now," which prompts him to apologize to her. Not finished with her predatory behavior, she slides up to him while they are watching a movie together and begins giving him "a hand job." Avery is disturbed and totally traumatized by this experience. She recognizes his reaction, stops, and apologizes saying, "I just went for it and you didn't give me the vibe." Given Avery's negative reaction, Rose actually gets angry at her victim saying, "I feel like I molested you or something." Good observation! I joked to those around me in the audience that Rose would not be coming back because she had been arrested for sexual assault and will be spending the next five years in prison. Avery blames himself and apologizes to Rose saying, "I felt I'd just be rather watching a movie." Rose then reveals how "fucked up" she is and how after four months in any relationship, she turns into a dead fish and then fakes it until they break up. Not exactly relevant to her molesting Avery without his consent but I guess she was trying to identify with him by confessing that she has problems too. Avery proceeds to lie to Sam regarding what took place but their friendship is severely damaged as a result of Avery being promoted to Assistant Projectionist and because he shared with Rose the fact that Sam had a retarded brother who was marrying someone similarly situated. Resentful of the lavish ceremony his parents provided for his brother and disappointed with the progress of his own life, Sam says, "The only really happy people here are retards. All the rest are just miserable fucks." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Flick movie theatre is sold and becomes The Venue. It goes fully digital and the old staff is kept on but the new owner discovers the embezzlement and, because of a letter in the strongbox, believes Avery is responsible. He asks Rose and Sam to explain the situation and how it was "a tradition" that the workers were doing this but they refused, hanging him out to dry. Avery is depressed and reflects on the fact that "the truth is you can't trust anybody" and "you shouldn't expect anything or for things to turn out well in the end." He reflects on the fact that the world has disappointed him and that everyone is acting as if they were in a sitcom." Woken up a bit more as a result of these experiences, Avery intends to return to school. Sam and Rose, on the other hand, eventually hook up, and life goes on.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Flick </i>features an extraordinarily talented cast. Joe Rubino shines as Sam, who may have a hidden desire to be a chef, but finds himself stuck in this low-paying job. He does a fine job portraying a man trapped by his circumstances but trying to find a little happiness where and when he can. Rosbel Franklin succeeds in making Avery a sympathetic character even though he can lie, be untrustworthy, and be non-reciprocal with friends just like everyone else. He describes himself as shitphobic because "other people's shit makes me feel like I want to puke." Callan McDermott brings Rose to life in all her erratic, frazzled, confused daily existence. She made Rose into a convincing sexual predator who may have reasons for her behavior even though those reasons don't excuse her conduct. Finally, John Dzienius makes a stellar appearance as Skylar, the new employee who replaces Avery. He has a strong stage presence and I very much enjoyed his performance. His character's desire to "kiss" the projector appeared to open a new chapter in the continuing soap opera of not only the lives of the workers at The Venue but also of our own lives, with new scenes being written every day! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Theatre Out Of Bounds will be producing <i>Bug </i>by Tracy Letts (May 18-20) and <i>Hedwig And The Angry Inch </i>by Stephen Trask & John Cameron Mitchell (July 13-21) at Studio Theatre Long Island. For artist inquiries, submission, and other information, you can e-mail TheatreOutOfBounds@gmail.com</span></span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-23133085715872852922018-02-14T20:33:00.000-05:002018-02-15T19:40:21.194-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of A New Brain at The Gallery Players by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of A New Brain at The Gallery Players was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 8 (2018) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A New Brain</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music & Lyrics by William Finn</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book by William Finn & James Lapine</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director & Choreographer: Barrie Gelles</span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Assistant Choreographer: Adrian Rifat</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director of Production: Scott A. Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music Director: Yi-Hsuan Chi</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Production Stage Manager: Dominic Cuskern</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Designer: Scott A. Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Designer: Hayley Zimmerman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Set Designer: Jason Pointek</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Props Designer: Gabrielle Giacomo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Gallery Players</span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">199 14th Street</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Park Slope, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York 11215</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 2/11/18</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>A New Brain </i>is a musical written by William Finn shortly after his having successfully undergone surgery to repair an arteriovenous malformation. It contains too many songs (32 numbers), too many scenes, and a particularly unlikeable, neurotic, sarcastic, disagreeable main character. That character, Gordon Michael Schwinn (Jesse Manocherian), is given a second lease on life and says I feel "so much spring within me" but the truth is he is still the same miserable person he always was. He recognizes this at some point and says, "I'm still the same as I was. I still complain. I hope I'm different." But he isn't. His mother, Mimi Schwinn (Anette Michelle Sanders) threw out his books while cleaning his apartment, and when he happened upon them being sold by a Homeless Lady (Laura Cetti) for $2.00 each, instead of being happy he found his books, which held great sentimental value for him, he refused to pay her saying, "I'm not paying for my own books." This gives you an example of what a cheap creep this guy is so the audience doesn't particularly celebrate when he's given the opportunity to continue writing more songs. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The cast is extremely talented. Anette Michelle Sanders (Mimi) sings a moving rendition of "The Music Still Plays On" and Laura Cetti (Homeless Lady) is equally impressive singing "Change." Samantha Schiffman is very charismatic as the Waitress who reminds us "Calamari" is not a fish even though it is listed as The Fish of the Day on the menu. The standout performer in the show is Jim Roumeles, who is Mr. Bungee, the director, producer, and star of his own children's television show, for whom Gordon writes mediocre songs such as "Frogs Have So Much Spring." I was particularly taken with Mr. Roumeles' frog costume, dance moves, and all the numbers he sang. The big production numbers, which included "Heart & Music," "Time," and "I Feel So Much Spring" were well-produced but there wasn't a song out of the 32 that, upon first hearing, made me say to myself, "I would sure like to buy the CD to hear that number again." That being said, I am certain there are a few gems in there you might like.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>A New Brain</i> was first produced Off-Broadway in 1998 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center. The musical was also presented, after multiple rewrites by Finn and Lapine, as part of the Encores! Off-Center stages concert series at the New York City Center in 2015. The show can now be seen at The Gallery Players through February 18, 2018. Tickets are $25.00 for Adults; $20.00 for Children 12 and under and Senior Citizens. You can purchase them by visiting <a href="http://www.galleryplayers.com/" target="_blank">www.galleryplayers.com</a> or by calling OvationTix at 212-352-3101. </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-33935991740584201212017-12-30T15:23:00.000-05:002017-12-30T16:07:46.449-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Mel Schwartz Sleeps With Mae West at The Cutting Room by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Mel Schwartz Sleeps With Mae West at The Cutting Room was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mel Schwartz Sleeps With Mae West</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book, Music & Lyrics by Ginger Reiter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music Arrangements by Ike Reeves</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Cutting Room </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">44 East 32nd Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York, New York 10010</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 12/28/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Mel Schwartz Sleeps With Mae West</i> takes place over the course of a single night in North Miami Beach, Florida in 1986. Mel Schwartz (Jef Canter), who is not Jewish, wears a wig and has an enormous penile implant. He is trying to convince Marla, the "skinny little boney-assed whore from Philadelphia" whose rent he pays, to visit him for a booty call on an off-night outside of his scheduled appointments. When she turns him down, he calls his two friends, Lester (Tony Rossi) and Milty (David R. Gordon) to see if they can set him up or be his wingman at bars. These three friends, who regularly meet for breakfast at Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House Restaurant on Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach, are past their prime. Milty is still married to a controlling, jealous wife named Ruthy (Danielle Nichole), who listens in on his calls and dominates his life, even to the point of having thrown his illegitimate son Mark out of their home 20 years ago. Lester, who has many prior marriages, eventually tries to set up his ex-wife Liz (Sheba Mason) with Mel. Fearing her Sugar Daddy may cut off her funds, Marla changes her mind and drops by Mel's apartment but Mel is no longer interested because he thinks he has a chance to hook up with Liz. When Liz eventually discovers her ex-husband is trying to set her up with Mel Schwartz instead of Mel Schneider, her reaction is so bad, Mel decides to commit suicide after watching <i>The Tonight Show</i> one last time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mel, now depressed, forgets the first rule of prostitution, which is that you are not just paying for sex but for unconditional acceptance. He gets into dangerous territory when he asks Marla for her honest opinion of him. In return, Mel gives Marla enough money to pay her rent for a year. Marla confesses she thinks Mel is "disgusting, slobbery, and old" and sometimes even "repulsive" but on the plus side, Marla told him he has a really nice nose and a good penile implant compared to the others she has seen in South Florida. She also said, "You're a Democrat - that's a really nice thing." Since Mel has no interest in sleeping with her anymore, Marla confesses she is seeing a therapist regarding why she feels more beautiful when she's in bed with ugly men. Other confessions follow until, at one point, Marla recognizes Ruthie's voice on the telephone. Many questions are raised including how Ruthie would have come to know a prostitute from Philadelphia and how Mel could have been so oblivious for the past five years. Eventually, push comes to shove and a lot of people are threatening to kill other people. At that point, there are only two available paths - tell your story on <i>The Jerry Springer Show</i> or sweep your dirty laundry under the rug and never speak of it again. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This musical has a number of songs that are very well-written and enjoyable to listen to. First Act songs included "A Good Night's Sleep," "Boney-Assed Whore," "Get Out!," "Loved You At The Salad Bar," "Shattered Ego," and "Song Of Bigots." Second Act songs included "Shtupping Your Daughter," "Big Boy," "What's Wrong With Me," "Like Climbing Uphill," "Call It Love," "Dirty Shame," and "Shake It Off." Even though the show is set in 1986, the book is relevant and touches on contemporary issues. The cast is talented and the play even has a happy ending. Just before Mel pulls the trigger, his ex-wife Jeanie (Ginger Reiter) calls looking for her own "no-strings-attached" one-night stand. Jeanie, who just left a costume party dressed as Mae West boosts Mel's self-confidence by reminding him that his kids adore him, that he once saved a family of four ice-skaters, and that she misses having his hairy arms wrapped around her. Reconciliation is impossible through since Mel is reminded by his ex-wife that he is a dirty, untrustworthy, philandering dog, which he is forced to admit.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">If you are looking for a light-hearted, amusing musical, I recommend you consider seeing <i>Mel Schwartz Meets Mae West</i>, which plays at The Cutting Room through December 30, 2017. Tickets cost $50.00 and there is a $20.00 food and drink minimum. Call 845-598-2850 for reservations. If you miss it this year, I hear the show may be back for an extended run in the Spring.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-87874240051345439572017-12-07T18:53:00.000-05:002017-12-07T18:57:31.111-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of It Shoulda Been You at The Gallery Players by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of It Shoulda Been You at The Gallery Players was written by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It Shoulda Been You</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book & Lyrics by Brian Hargrove</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music & Concept by Barbara Anselmi</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director: Mark Harborth</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director of Production: Scott A. Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Choreographer: Emily Clark</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music Director: Rachel T. Whorton</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Production Stage Manager: Traci Bargen</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Designer: Scott A. Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Designer: Antonio Consuegra</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Scenic Design: Matthew S. Crane</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Props Designer: Roxanne Goodby</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Gallery Players</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">199 14th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Park Slope, New York 11215</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 12/3/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This farce, with book and lyrics by Brian Hargrove and music and concept by Barbara Anselmi, was one big laugh riot from beginning to end. What seemingly starts out to be tensions revolving around the wedding of a single couple evolves into a romantic triangle involving three couples! And you are constantly surprised because you have no idea where the story is heading. In the end, the contradictions and dilemmas climax in a happy, romantic resolution for all three couples and their loved ones.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The endearing, emotional exuberance in <i>It Shoulda Been You</i> warms your heart and makes you glad to be alive to enjoy it. It is light-hearted, gracious, and enjoyable without being offensive. The story does use stereotypes to generate some of the humor but those jokes are smoothly integrated so they are part of the back story. I cannot single out any particular actor because I thought the entire cast was superb. Mark Harborth, the director, deserves credit for having brought out the best performances possible. The scenic design by Matthew S. Crane was impressive and made you believe you were in the midst of a glamorous location. Emily Clark's choreography was fresh and fun to watch. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Once again, The Gallery Players has produced another top-notch production that is a must see! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Tickets are $25.00 for adults, and $20.00 for Seniors and Children 12 and under. For more information and for reservations, call 212-352-3101 or visit </span><a href="http://www.galleryplayers.com/" style="color: #888888; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.galleryplayers.com</a>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-4815319852545998432017-12-06T22:50:00.000-05:002017-12-07T20:53:36.197-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of It Shoulda Been You at The Gallery Players by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of It Shoulda Been You at The Gallery Players was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It Shoulda Been You</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book & Lyrics by Brian Hargrove</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music & Concept by Barbara Anselmi</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director: Mark Harborth</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director of Production: Scott A. Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Choreographer: Emily Clark</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music Director: Rachel T. Whorton</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Production Stage Manager: Traci Bargen</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Designer: Scott A. Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Designer: Antonio Consuegra</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Scenic Design: Matthew S. Crane</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Props Designer: Roxanne Goodby</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Gallery Players</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">199 14th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Park Slope, New York 11215</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 12/3/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Even Albert (Joseph Peterson), the seasoned Wedding Planner who has seen everything before and anticipates all the needs of his clients, had to admit, "I didn't see that coming!" There are many surprises and reveals in <i>It Shoulda Been You</i>, performed to perfection in this hilarious production at The Gallery Players. The fun starts even before the show begins as Sam Laakso (who will later play a waiter and Uncle Mort) muddles through the pre-show announcements after having "lost his notes." This was a very clever and innovative way to get everyone in the mood to have a good time. Sam Laakso goes on to enjoy himself after his character, the Wedding Planner-in-Training, is successfully seduced by the sexually aggressive Aunt Sheila (Sonya Rice). It seems "the help" is on the menu as even Jenny Steinberg, the Co-Maid of Honor powerfully portrayed by Christine De Frece, grabs Sam's buns (without his permission) when she gets in a frisky mood. Since the wedding takes place in a hotel, this scenario harkens back to the days when maids and bellboys were expected to provide "extra services" for a tip.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The bride is Rebecca Steinberg (Elyse Beyer), a nice Jewish girl, who is getting married to Brian Howard (Robert Mueller), a Christian who comes from a family of significant means, even though he doesn't necessarily have access to it. Cultural differences and conflicts abound, especially between the two mothers. Judy Steinberg, the Jewish Mother impressively played by Luisa Boyaggi, is particularly strong and has some of the funniest lines in the play. Georgette Howard, the alcoholic Christian mother committed to being the only woman in her son's life until after her death, is convincingly portrayed by Lorinne Lampert. The hapless husbands are Murray Steinberg (Dave Konig), who got a good deal on the hotel, and George Howard (Francis Heaney), who tries to get his son Brian to get his wife-to-be to sign a prenuptial agreement on the day of the wedding. Rebecca's maids of honor are her sister, Jenny, and her very special friend, Annie Sheps (Rachel Gubow), who, unfortunately, is also not Jewish. Brian's best man is Greg Madison, enthusiastically played by Justin Liebergen, and one of two young men who get the opportunity to show off their body on stage by parading around in their underwear. Two unexpected and unanticipated guests include Marty Kaufman (Josh Kolb), who the Steinberg family wish Rebecca was marrying instead of Brian, and a little package of joy, which partially explains why Rebecca has decided to marry Brian in the first place.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The set and the costumes were impressive and perfect for this play. The musical numbers were well-performed and the direction was spot-on, with one exception. When Greg and Annie sing "Love You Till The Day" (lyrics by Ernie Lijoi) in lieu of a toast to the bride and groom, in my opinion, it works better if Annie directs the line, "I'll love you til the day you die" to Brian, and Greg directs it to Rebecca. But I recognize this is a directorial decision and it works fine just the way it is. There are many enjoyable musical numbers in <i>It Shoulda Been You</i>, including "This Day," "Nice," "Where Did I Go Wrong," "Whatever," and "A Little Bit Less Than." Maybe, in the end, you will learn that life and marriage is not the perfect happily-ever-after scenario depicted in old movies but the imperfect can still be quite good. For example, even if Marty loses his pants at the wrong moment, you still get to enjoy the show. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I strongly recommend you see <i>It Shoulda Been Yo</i>u at The Gallery Players. It plays there through December 17, 2017. Tickets are $25.00 for adults, and $20.00 for seniors and children 12 and under. For more information and for reservations, call 212-352-3101 or visit <a href="http://www.galleryplayers.com/" target="_blank">www.galleryplayers.com</a> </span></span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-47361691353390019952017-11-22T20:50:00.000-05:002017-11-22T21:38:45.237-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Theatre By The Bay's production of Little Shop Of Horrors at Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Theatre By The Bay's production of Little Shop Of Horrors at the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center was written by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Little Shop Of Horrors</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book & Lyrics by Howard Ashman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music by Alan Menken</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director: Cathy Chimenti</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Choreographer: Jenifer Badamo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Musical Director: Alan Baboff</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Theatre By The Bay</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13-00 209th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Bayside, New York 11360</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 11/19/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I was in for a treat when I decided to see <i>Little Shop Of Horrors </i>at Theatre By The Bay. I ended up enjoying a Broadway quality experience in my own backyard for a fraction of the cost of traveling to Times Square. This musical is a homage to the cinematic science fiction movies of the 1950s that often featured stories of alien invasion. In <i>Little Shop Of Horrors</i>, this takes the form of Audrey II, a plant named for the woman Seymour worships from afar. It turns out the plant speaks English and becomes the star of Mushnik's Flower Shop at which both work. The actors sparkled in their roles. Billy Marengo was perfect as the hapless Seymour, the discoverer of Audrey II, the mysterious plant from outer space. Nicole Intravia played the dumb blonde perfectly. Eli Koenig epitomized Mushnik, the much put-upon but devious flower shop owner. Michael Chimenti personified Orin Scrivello, DDS, the dentist from hell. Fern Nash, Veronica Picone, John Canning, Fran Geier, and Olivia Klansky were equally good in their lesser, but still significant, roles.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Cathy Chimenti did a marvelous job directing that brought out the finest performances from the actors - both veterans and first-timers. I thought all the actors were perfectly cast for their roles. I especially liked the doo-wop girl trio - Menyon Harrell as Ronette, Chantel Nicole as Crystal, and Steffy Jolin as Chiffon. They played an enhanced role in this production without overshadowing the other actors. They sang in accord with the musical style of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their harmonies enhanced the skid row atmosphere of the neighborhood where the action was taking place. The costume designs by Chery Manniello reinforced the feeling that you were back in the 1950s.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">John Baratta, aided by John Palmieri, did a fine job on the set design while Lila Edelkind did a good job providing the props. The troupers could walk through the walls to symbolize a change of location, which made the play transition from one scene to another very smoothly. Their biggest challenge was to bring Audrey II, as a puppet, to life. Erik Fiebelkorn manipulated the puppet while Julian Maultsby supplied the voice. Glenn Rivano, Peter Accardi, and Peter Zhong skillfully handled the lighting to emphasize the characters and changes in time and locations. Jenifer Badamo did an excellent job as choreographer aided by Menyon Harrell and Chantel Nicole. Fred Lederman on drums, David Rose on bass, and Alan Baboff on piano, who also doubled as the Musical Director, together sounded as if they were a whole Broadway orchestra. Megan Materazo and Jacob Koch artfully handled the sound system so that it enhanced the quality of performance by actors and musicians alike.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Producer/Stage Manager Barbara Koenig, aided by Eli Koenig, Martha Stein, and Helene Schwartz coordinated so well to bring this production to life. In a way, this community production personified America as different ethnic and racial groups were well represented in the performance and behind the scenes. This observation was prompted by a comment my friend, Dr. Tom Stevens, President of the Beaux Arts Society, Inc., said to an actor he had previously reviewed on another occasion. Dr. Stevens mentioned the high quality and diversity of the actors we get to see perform on Long Island - New York City and suburbia. He explained there are a large number of professional actors performing in community theater who decided to pursue other careers to support their families, who, with luck and sacrifice, might have made it big.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We are fortunate to have a community theater of such fine quality in our neighborhood. For more information regarding future productions by Theatre By The Bay, call 718-428-6363 or visit <a href="http://www.theatrebythebayny.com/" target="_blank">www.theatrebythebayny.com</a> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-25713772109104855392017-11-20T19:43:00.000-05:002017-11-20T21:39:58.200-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Theatre By The Bay's production of Little Shop Of Horrors at Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Theatre By The Bay's production of Little Shop Of Horrors at the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Little Shop Of Horrors</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Book & Lyrics by Howard Ashman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music by Alan Menken</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director: Cathy Chimenti</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Choreographer: Jenifer Badamo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Musical Director: Alan Baboff</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Theatre By The Bay</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13-00 209th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Bayside, New York 11360</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 11/19/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Little Shop Of Horrors</i> had its world premiere Off-Off Broadway on May 6, 1982, at the Workshop of the Players' Art (WPA) Theatre where it ran through June 6, 1982. It opened Off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre in Manhattan's East Village on July 27, 1982, closing on November 1, 1987, after 2,209 performances. Since it was not produced on Broadway, the original production was ineligible for the 1982 Tony Awards. The musical was based on a 1960 black comedy entitled <i>The Little Shop Of Horrors</i>. A second movie was released in 1982 that closely followed the plot of the original musical. On October 2, 2003, <i>Little Shop Of Horrors</i> finally made its Broadway debut at Virginia Theatre but in light of the show's success in film and numerous regional productions, it was classified in the "Revival" category for the purposes of the 2003 Tony Awards. The production closed on August 22, 2004, after 40 previews and 372 regular performances.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The musical is set on Skid Row in New York City where, after a total eclipse of the sun, Seymour Krelborn, finds, and purchases, an odd-looking plant at the wholesale flower market that feeds on human blood and flesh. Seymour is secretly in love with Audrey and names the new plant Audrey II. Seymour is a hapless, unfortunate orphan, who was taken in by Mr. Mushnik, the owner of Mushnik's Flower Shop, a struggling business that starts to boom as Audrey II (a "strange and interesting plant") starts to grow and draw media attention and curious customers. However, the price of this new prosperity is the requirement that Seymour "feed" the plant. First, he fails to save Orin Scrivello, D.D.S., Audrey's abusive boyfriend, who Seymour chops up into digestible pieces. Second, he tells Mr. Mushnik, who suspects Seymour killed Audrey's boyfriend and wants him to speak to the police, that he has hidden the flower shop's receipts in the plant, knowing that when he goes looking for them, he too will be consumed. Many financially lucrative offers start coming Seymour's way but when he learns Audrey would still love him even if he were poor, Seymour decides to end the human slaughter but before he has the chance to kill the plant, it lures Audrey in and eventually eats her too. Seymour shoots the plant, tries to poison it, and eventually climbs into it with a machete - only to be killed by the talking plant from outer space. Little Audrey II's start popping up throughout the country some with faces you may recognize. Whatever you do, don't feed the plant!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The music in this musical is in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop, and early Motown. You might be familiar with "Skid Row (Downtown)," "Somewhere That's Green," and "Suddenly Seymour." Orin Scrivello, D.D.S., brilliantly played by Michael Chimenti, is a "Leader of the Pack" character (think Fonzie from <i>Happy Days</i>), who wears a leather jacket and rides a motorcycle. The three black street urchins, Ronnette (Menyon Harrell), Crystal (Chantel Nicole), and Chiffon (Steffy Jolin) are named after and are reminiscent of girl groups of the 1960s (They weren't in school because they were on the split shift. "We went to school until the 5th grade and then we split."). All three have powerful voices and appear to prosper along with Seymour by introducing to him those with business propositions to offer such as Mrs. Luce (Fern Nash) who wants to put Seymour on the cover of <i>Life Magazine</i>; Skip Snip (John Canning), from William Morris, who wants to book Seymour on a lecture tour; and Patrick Martin (Julian Maultsby), who wants to take clippings from Audrey II to license them out to businessmen throughout the world. Veronica Picone, Fran Geier, and Olivia Klansky were all strong members of the ensemble, and Eli Koenig hit just the right tone as the sour, abusive, Mushnik, who adopted Seymour and made him a partner in the flower shop to ensure he wouldn't leave him for greener pastures. Special recognition needs to go to Julian Maultsby, the convincing voice of Audrey II, and to Eric Fiebelkorn, who sat under the puppet and brought Audrey II to life. Cathy Chimenti, the Director, deserves a lot of credit for making this production an unmitigated success. In my opinion, she did an amazing job and made the show thoroughly enjoyable.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Theatre By The Bay is a hidden gem that has been producing high-quality theater for many years. Concession prices are reasonable. The staff is friendly. Most importantly, the lead actors in almost all their productions are highly professional and just as good, if not better, than many of the actors who perform on Broadway. Two such actors in this production of <i>Little Shop Of Horrors </i>were Nicole Intravia, who played Audrey, and Billy Marengo, who was Seymour. I recently saw Ms. Intravia play Emily Webb in <i>Our Town</i> at Studio Theatre Long Island and I can attest to the fact that she is an extremely talented, high-quality actress with an excellent voice. She never disappoints! Billy Marengo was simply brilliant as Seymour. Always perfectly in character, he impressed me with every line he spoke and each song he sang. I look forward to seeing more of this rising star. He and Nicole made the perfect couple to lead this production, making it one of the best revivals of <i>Little Shop Of Horrors </i>I have ever seen. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I understand that the quality of community theater productions can vary widely. For that reason, I will make three recommendations. If you want to see consistent high-quality theater in Brooklyn, go to The Gallery Players in Park Slope. If you live closer to Suffolk County, I recommend Studio Theatre Long Island in Lindenhurst, and if you live in Queens, Theatre By The Bay will rarely let you down. For information on future productions, call 718-428-6363 or visit their website at <a href="http://www.theatrebythebayny.com/" target="_blank">www.theatrebythebayny.com</a> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-78788319657681549712017-11-18T20:21:00.002-05:002017-11-20T13:04:44.915-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Susan Gross' Ruby at The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios) by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Ruby at The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios) was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Ruby</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written & Performed by Susan Gross</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Jake Lipman</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Managed by Angeline Nortz</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Featuring Song "Hudson Ferry" by Clayton Colwell</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">244 West 54th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York, New York 10019</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 10/22/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Susan Gross is amazing in <i>Ruby</i>, a solo show which explores the emotional and intellectual reactions a woman may have after losing a baby. Many people have miscarriages but nobody talks about it. This show explores the topic from the perspective of the would-be mother. <i>Ruby </i>opens with Susan Gross sitting alone in an upscale restaurant eating a $15.00 salad. She is being annoyed by a baby who won't stop crying and eventually asks the mother to take the baby outside. When the mother resists and tells her she will understand when she has a baby, Susan loses it and calls the mother an "asshole" acknowledging to the audience her recognition that she is a bitch. But the problem, we learn, is that Susan has just had a miscarriage, losing a baby at 10-weeks she intended to call Ruby. This was an emotionally traumatic experience for her and she is hypersensitive to things her friends and strangers say to her. For example, it drives her nuts when someone tells her that her unborn baby is now "in a better place." Statements, actions, and situations that never bothered her before now get on her nerves. She finds it difficult to sleep and recognizes she is having thoughts and feelings she never anticipated having, such as her reaction to that crying baby.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Susan's character has a very petite frame. If she eats a big breakfast, she may show in a way others may perceive as evidencing her being pregnant. People have commented on this so many times, she is thinking of having a tee shirt made that reads, "Not pregnant but I shouldn't have had that everything bagel with cream cheese." Some people are even more aggressive placing the palm of their hand on her stomach and saying, "Are we pregnant?" What she wants to say in such instances is, "Take your fucking hands off me!" reflecting the rage she feels within. Instead, she just says no but warns the audience they should never, under any circumstances, "comment on a woman's stomach." Another thing that really bothers her is when a friend may ask her, "Susan, why don't you have kids? You'd make a great mother." What is she supposed to say besides thanks? Is she supposed to go into detail and tell everyone how hard she has tried?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Women who have babies now annoy her. As she said, "My neighbor just had a baby so I hate her!" At night, when she hears that baby cry, she fantasizes she might be able to hold and comfort that baby better than her neighbor but at the same time, is concerned that if Ruby had been born, she may have inherited whatever genetic disorders she suffers from - such as scoliosis. She also hates women who appear to "push one out after every episode of <i>Law & Order</i>" and gets especially angry when a friend tells her, "You just have to wait and see what God has in store for you." Instead of waiting, she sometimes has thoughts of snatching someone else's baby after which she will say, "Yes, Jesus, I'm blessed. He's now mine!" Intellectually, she realizes she is not the only woman to have had a miscarriage but she shares with the audience that recognition hasn't helped her adjust to the reality of her situation. As she reflects on the future, she believes she may try again. For now, she has locked the door but hasn't put a deadlock on it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Susan Gross reflects that "we all struggle but we live and move along - we keep going" so for now, she is going to have "a glass of wine and look at the city" through her apartment window. I was extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to see the very talented Susan Gross perform this show - and I did so while having a glass of wine myself. For more information about <i>Ruby</i> and Susan Gross, go to <a href="http://www.nycsusan.com/" target="_blank">www.nycsusan.com</a> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-44500799642570505642017-11-17T22:11:00.002-05:002017-11-20T13:14:33.940-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Valerie David's The Pink Hulk at The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios) by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Valerie David's The Pink Hulk at The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios) was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Pink Hulk</span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">One Woman's Journey To Find The Superhero Within</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written & Performed by Valerie David</span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Padraic Lillis</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Managed by Angeline Nortz</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">244 West 54th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York, New York 10019</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 10/22/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Pink Hulk </i>is Valerie David's autobiographical story about her journey to become a two-time cancer survivor. A serious, depressing topic, no doubt, but Valerie David retrospectively finds humor in the situation relaying her desperate struggle to get laid before she "loses the girls." In 1999, she beat Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Cancer free for 15 years, the experience gave her a "lust for life," which contributed to her ignoring a 3-month-old lump she felt in her breast. Encouraged by her friends, she went for a mammogram in 2014 only to learn she had breast cancer and would require a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. She faces friends who distance themselves from her, extreme loneliness (especially since she no longer had a boyfriend), and eventually comes to a point where she made a commitment to herself to go through this latest challenge stronger than she did the last time and on her own terms.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The funniest part of this one-woman show is when she describes the many men she contacted trying to get them to sleep with her prior to her going in for surgery. Her blunt honesty turned off a number of men and others she was attracted to, unfortunately, played for the other team. Valerie David finally found solace performing improv with the Cronuts at the Peoples Improv Theater, which allowed her to transform herself into anyone but her. Still, the horrible and painful consequences of the chemotherapy and radiation could not be ignored even though the lumpectomy was a complete success. She lost all her hair, prematurely went into menopause, and gained 30 pounds. She decided not to harvest her eggs, so she had to additionally deal with the fact she was never going to have children. She describes how breast cancer was a direct attack on her status as a woman. As Valerie David put it, "The results of the cancer treatment damaged my self-confidence as a woman and destroyed my ability to feel attractive."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Two months after the last cancer treatment, she decided to train for and enter a bike marathon, which she viewed as an opportunity to show she had prevailed over this latest attack on her body. She summoned her strength and focused all the rage and anger she felt within (just like The Hulk) to finish the race, after which she proclaimed, "I beat you cancer! I won." Of course, there still remained her insecurity regarding her attractiveness but that was resolved by a campsite encounter with a younger man who told her her breasts were beautiful. Confidence restored, Valerie David, who has the talent of a Broadway star, decided to write this show to share her experiences and empower those facing adversity in life, as well as help people understand and empathize with what their friends diagnosed with cancer may be going through. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Pink Hulk</i> began touring the country in 2016 and Valerie David began accumulating awards for this extraordinarily moving, candid, and insightful show. She was awarded the Queen's Medal For Valour by the SaraSolo Festival, and the Best Survivor Award in the Pittsburgh Fringe. I highly recommend you see this show when it comes to your city. <i>The Pink Hulk</i> is a 60-minute experience you will not soon forget. For more information, go to <a href="http://www.pinkhulkplay.com/" target="_blank">www.PinkHulkPlay.com</a> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-50932777131974705722017-11-17T18:01:00.000-05:002017-11-20T13:18:26.424-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Lizzie Sider & Friends at The Triad Theatre by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Lizzie Sider & Friends at The Triad Theatre was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lizzie Sider & Friends</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Starring Lizzie Sider</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Musical Director: Joe Vulpis</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Keys & Vocals: Joe Vulpis</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Acoustic Guitar: Jim Gateley</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Cajon: Tyler Killer </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Triad Theatre</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">158 West 72nd Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York, New York 10023</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 11/4/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lizzie Sider, a native Floridian who was born and raised in Boca Raton, was originally scheduled to perform at The Metropolitan Room but due to its closure in anticipation of re-opening at a new location, her show, <i>Lizzie Sider & Friends</i>, was hosted at The Triad Theatre. There was no cover charge and all monies collected or donated went to benefit Lizzie's Anti-Bullying Non-Profit Organization called Nobody Has The Power To Ruin Your Day, something said to her by her father when she was a young girl being bullied herself. Those who were lucky enough to be in attendance got the opportunity to see this wholesome, talented, charming, charismatic, 19-year-old rising star who is becoming increasingly well-known and already has a huge following worldwide. She sang an eclectic mix of songs including her debut single, "Butterfly" (written by Lizzie along with renowned artist and songwriter Jamie O'Neal, lyricist Lisa Drew, and Jimmy Murphy), which has received over one million views on YouTube. She was also named an "Artist To Watch" by Country Music Association's <i>Close-Up Magazine</i> and a "Top 5 Female Country Newcomer." She has appeared on <i>Entertainment Tonight</i>, <i>Access Hollywood</i>, <i>Fox News</i>, <i>Crook & Chase</i>, <i>The Better Show</i>, the <i>Queen Latifah Show </i>and <i>Hallmark's Home & Family. </i>Lizzie finished off the day performing at the 111th Annual Beaux Arts Ball held at Terrace On The Park, where she sang "Butterfly" and performed a duet with Charlie Romo, a local rising star out of Staten Island, who was recently named a Distinguished Artist of the Beaux Arts Society, a non-profit arts organization founded in1857.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lizzie has personally taken her Bully Prevention School Assembly Tour to more than 500 schools throughout the country reaching over 250,000 students. Her latest project is an on-screen video adaptation of her live assembly that is offered to schools for free and stresses the importance of everyone standing up to stop bullying. To date, more than 5,000 schools, representing over 3,500,000 children from all fifty states and beyond, have requested the video package. Lizzie is committed to being a positive role model for kids and is proud to be a spokesperson for organizations such as PACER Teens Against Bullying, GWEN (Global Women's Empowerment Network) and Hatebreakers.org from whom she has received the "Peter Yarrow Hatebreaker Award" for her work in bully prevention. In her spare time, she has performed over 20 National Anthems at Major League sporting events (including for the Nashville Predators, Miami Marlins, Florida Panthers, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers & Boston Red Sox), and her second single release and music video, "I Love You That Much" (music and lyrics by Joe Vulpis), charted in the Top 40 on Nashville's Music Row Chart. Because of the immense connection she feels towards young children, Lizzie has performed at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. In Nashville, she has performed at the famous Bluebird Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe, Bridgestone Arena, and City Winery.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Original songs and covers were featured during her extremely entertaining show. Joe Vulpis, her musical director, provided backup vocals and even performed himself during a costume change break. Lizzie Sider can sing in a variety of different styles and carried each off without a hitch. If you catch one of her shows, you will hear everything from <i>Ain't No Sunshine</i> to <i>Walking After Midnight</i>. She even added a medley of Carole King songs. Her love of country-western music came from spending her summers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Besides being a singer/songwriter, Lizzie Sider is also an actress and dancer. During the 2015 Summer Season at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, she played Martha in <i>Seven Brides For Seven Brothers</i>, and most recently, she closed out the 2016 Summer Season as Cat Ballou in the original musical adaptation of <i>The Ballad Of Cat Ballou</i>. Also in 2016, her original song, "Summer Love Song," also performed in this show, was featured as the opening track of the Hallmark Original Movie, <i>A Time To Dance</i>, starring Jennie Garth and Corbin Bernsen.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lizzie Sider was impeccably dressed and fed off the positive energy of the audience in this sold-out show. She utilized the small stage to great effect moving around on it and off it when appropriate. She played the guitar and the piano and sang solo and duets with Joe Vulpis, her supportive long-time musical director. Lizzie brought positive energy and an optimistic attitude into the room leaving everyone with a smile on their face and the belief that even you may be able to spread your little butterfly wings to achieve your own dreams. She reminded everyone that "we are all so beautiful and confident at our core." Never give anyone the power to ruin your day! To see where Lizzie Sider is performing next, visit her website at <a href="http://www.lizziesider.com/" target="_blank">www.LizzieSider.com</a>. For more information or to donate to her Anti-Bulling Charity, visit <a href="http://www.nobodyhasthepowertoruinyourday.org/" target="_blank">www.NobodyHasThePowerToRuinYourDay.org</a>.</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-37322013449012952402017-11-14T21:14:00.001-05:002017-11-17T13:21:20.532-05:00The Schoenberg Spotlight Review of Murder On The Orient Express by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Murder On The Orient Express was written by Dr. Philip Ernest Schoenberg and published in the online edition of The Schoenberg Spotlight.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Murder On The Orient Express</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Kenneth Branagh</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Screenplay by Michael Green</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Music by Patrick Doyle</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Edited by Mick Audsley</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Release Date - 11/10/17 (United States)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 11/10/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">On opening day, I watched the latest cinematic version of <i>Murder On The Orient Express</i>. I viewed the movie only to discover I liked the movie trailers better than the film itself. The only part of the picture I liked was the cinematic portrayal of the train in all its glory leaving Istanbul and speeding through the countryside. I asked myself why I was disappointed with the current motion picture. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">First, I ruled out that occupations and nationalities of some of the characters had been changed to reflect the more multicultural nature of the audience. Leslie Odom's logical connection to the Armstrong family was well-explained although he is an African doctor who was not original to the novel.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Rather, there was a major change of the interplay between the characters. Hercule Poirot lacked the doctor and director of the Orient Express railroad company at his side where he had interplay with them as he investigated the case and explained some of his findings. As a result, there was no tension as he interrogated his suspects.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The 2017 celluloid had as almost a distinguished cast as the 1974 film but alas their performances were not as convincing as their counterparts a generation earlier. The 2017 crew gave wooden performances in which you did not quite believe who they were in contrast to the 1974 actors who really gave smashing performances. Although Kenneth Branagh's version of the Belgian detective spoke a more understandable English and had a better mustache in the 2017 picture. Albert Finney gave the more credible performance in 1974. I felt that the 1974 cast of well-known international actors such as Ingrid Bergman and Sean Connery were far more believable than the 2017 roster of superstars headed by Johnny Depp and Judi Dench. I also felt that Sidney Lumet in 1974 had a better version of how to do the novel as a movie than Kenneth Branagh did in 2017. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I am not going to give away the ending but the 2017 resolution was different than that in the 1974 movie and Agatha Christie's novel. The 2017 ending simply does not work. You don't feel justice has been served or that the moral sensibility of Hercule Poirot has been satisfied. Although Roslyn Sulcus in her <i>New York Times</i> review praised the epic, she did write that English critics felt quite different from their counterparts in America. "Despite its credentials - and impeccable styling - this Orient Express never gets up a head of steam," Robbie Collin wrote in <i>The Telegraph</i>, adding, "a shade more playfulness would have gone a long way."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In short, you believed you were traveling on the Orient Express in the 1974 movie but not in the 2017 film. You simply aren't able to suspend your disbelief that you were on a train in the current version. In the end, I felt the 2017 <i>Murder On The Orient Express </i>was not worth watching.</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-2819305830195981522017-11-14T18:51:00.001-05:002017-11-20T19:44:39.913-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Valerie David's The Pink Hulk at The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios) by Christopher M. Struck<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Valerie David's The Pink Hulk at The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios) was written by Christopher M. Struck and published in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Pink Hulk</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written & Performed by Valerie David</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Padraic Lillis</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Bridge Theatre (Shelter Studios)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">244 West 54th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York, New York 10019</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 10/24/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Valerie David performed her frank, direct, and vibrant one-woman show excellently. As she discussed her path to beating a second bout of cancer, we are reminded of the major milestones of life and the importance of forging strong personal relationships. Unfortunately, in Valerie David's case, some of those relationships dissolved while others were strengthened as she transformed from a frightened, though defiant woman struck by cancer, into a strong, determined fighter who feeds off her anger like a "Pink Hulk."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Through a loose connection to Mark Ruffalo, the current Marvel green man, David gained strength to fight with her anger at having been struck with this deadly affliction a second time. She talks about the disruption that cancer caused, the damage it did to her physically and how it altered her life. When she once had a promising career as an actress and friends she thought were there for her, things changed drastically after the onset of cancer. Her career and friendships took an entirely different route. The physical parts were stark and real. The pain and loneliness were understandably striking and uncomfortable. Her story will move and inspire you.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">What resonated the most was her intense drive and desire to participate in a bike marathon even though her body was still suffering from the effect of her "cure." She made the decision to race as an "FU" to the pain and weight gain that came with the disease for her. She was determined to handle things better the second time around, and she definitely did. That moment when she crossed the finish line was a victory for her and for cancer patients everywhere. The courage it took was a testament to the strength of an individual.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Her vulnerability and ability to share and communicate clearly the worries of love and life associated with her struggles made this one-woman show a worthwhile venture. I would recommend it to anyone but especially to women. A large part of the show does seem to be more relevant to the opposite gender, but the struggle to become a cancer survivor is something all people can relate to. If you want to see how someone successfully transforms tragedy into metamorphosis, this is the perfect opportunity.</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-26352362867732641392017-11-11T22:08:00.000-05:002017-11-12T23:25:09.790-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of Arden/Everywhere: The "As You Like It" Project at Baruch Performing Arts Center by Christopher M. Struck<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of Arden/Everywhere: The "As You Like It" Project at Baruch Performing Arts Center was written by Christopher </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">M. Struck</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and published in Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Arden/Everywhere: The "As You Like It" Project</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written by William Shakespeare (As You Like It)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Conceived, Adapted & Directed by Jessica Bauman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Produced by Lico Whitfield</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Manager: Kristine Schlachter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Set Design: Gabriel Hainer Evansohn</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Design: Christina Watanabe</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sound Design: Matt Otto</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Design: Nicole Slaven</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Props Design: Zach Serafin</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Movement Director: Brandon Powers</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Fighting Scenes Director: Carmen Lacavita</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Casting Director: Judy Bowman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">55 Lexington Avenue</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York, New York 10010</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 10/20/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /><i>Arden/Everywhere: The "As You Like It" Project</i> appeared at first glance to be an original production about immigration, but it is, in fact, Shakespeare's <i>As You Like It </i>with some additional scenes involving refugees also living in the Forest of Arden. The classic comedy about people who find themselves exiled and living in the forest is expanded to take a broader look at the world of dislocation to discover resilience, reconciliation, and love. The immigrant experience is portrayed in sidebars taking place during scene changes. The eventual climax is a Tower of Babel "happening" at which time multiple immigrants tell their individual story in different languages at the same time. The ensemble cast of immigrant actors who play the refugees who live in the Forest of Arden, include Ali Arkane (Lebanese-American), Murodilla Fatkhullaev (Uzbekistan), Ale Mesa (Cuban-American), Denisse Jimenez (Columbia), Anton Kurdakov (Russia), Jorge Pluas (Ecuador), and George Tarr (Liberia). They bring to Arden a unique world that includes their own individual cultures (dress/music) as well as the international language of soccer. Their days are spent filling jugs at a water pump and checking a Bulletin Board in the hope that some country has decided to allow them entry. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For the most part, this was a straightforward production of Shakespeare with little deviation, except at the end, when only the nobility gets visas to return to Court. This being my first viewing of this particular Shakespeare Comedy, I was interested given the fact that this is the play that features the soliloquy which includes the famous "All the world's a stage" line. This was delivered effectively and enthusiastically by Tommy Schrider, whose character otherwise didn't seem to play a significant role in the play. Unfortunately, his lamentations as one of the "parade" of interesting characters living in the forest are undercut to some extent by the influx of refugees that interrupted the natural fluidity to that particular aspect of the play. Fortunately, this cast included a number of talented actors, even though some of the performances were lackluster.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The acting duo of Helen Cespedes as Rosalind and Liba Vaynberg as Celia was fun to observe. The two of them made this play worth watching as they laughed with each other and interacted wonderfully. Basically, the play is about Helen's Rosalind (the daughter of a banished Duke) running off to the Forest of Arden dressed as a man with her childhood friend Celia after being banished by Celia's father, the "New Duke." Similar to <i>Candide</i>, the play makes fun of the way leadership changes often took place without the death of the rival leader leaving opportunity for rebellion. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Complicating things is the character and parallel story of Orlando (Anthony Cason Jr.) who defeats the New Duke's champion fighter and coincidentally follows them into the forest when he must escape his brother's wrath. I wasn't as enthused by Cason's performance as Orlando, but he enunciated clearly and performed adequately. Part of it was that beside the fantastic Cespedes, he just didn't shine. Having fallen in love with Orlando, Rosalind, dressed as a man, convinces the infatuated Orlando to act like he is winning her hand while believing she is a "he." The whole "love affair" captured the audience, because Cespedes did a fantastic job lamenting on the travails and trials of love. Even more so during her cross-gender portion, Cespedes raised the level of this production. However, Cespedes and Vaynberg weren't the only actors giving impressive performances. Dennis Kozee played the role of Touchstone, the fool, very well, and Kenneth De Abrew made a convincing impression as Corin, a merchant in the forest. The combination of these two balanced out the cast which otherwise seemed overshadowed by the strengths of Cespedes and Vaynberg. Additionally, Dikran Tulaine made a fun combination of New and Old Duke. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">From my perspective, <i>Arden/Everywhere: The "As You Like It" Project </i>was worth the time to see. The set and lighting were of the highest quality and the revised play made important points regarding refugees and their collective experiences. Jessica Bauman has been developing <i>Arden/Everywhere: The "As You Like It" Project</i> for almost three years. For more information about The "As You Like It" Project, visit <a href="http://www.ardeneverywhere.com/" target="_blank">www.ardeneverywhere.com</a> </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-46069118728374202392017-11-11T19:14:00.001-05:002017-11-11T21:34:28.890-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of The Elephant Man at The Gallery Players by Christopher M. Struck<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of The Elephant Man at The Gallery Players was written by Christopher </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">M. Struck</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and published in Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Elephant Man</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written by Bernard Pomerance</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Mark Gallagher</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Executive Producer: Mark Harborth</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Director of Production: Scott Cally</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Production Stage Manager: Katelyn Kocher</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting & Video Designer: Heather Crocker</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Designer: Joey Haws</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Scenic Designer: Matthew S. Crane</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Props Designer: Roxanne Goodby</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Original Music Composition: Jacob Subotnick</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Gallery Players</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">199 14th Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Brooklyn, New York 11215</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 11/5/17</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />The Gallery Players strikes the right note with this production of the recently successful Broadway revival. <i>The Elephant Man </i>originally premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in London on November 7, 1977. It opened on Broadway at the Booth Theatre in 1979 where it ran for 916 performances and won the Tony Award for Best Play. A Broadway revival at the Royale Theatre in April 2002 ran for 57 performances. A 13-week run of <i>The Elephant Man</i> starring Bradley Cooper opened at the Booth Theatre on December 7, 2014, earning Cooper, who appeared as John Merrick, a Tony nomination for Best Actor. The story is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, referred to in the script as John Merrick, who lived in the Victorian Era and was known for the extreme deformity of his body. The role of John Merrick in the play is a challenging and emotional one as the actor is tasked with contorting his body, throwing his voice, and delving into a character whose deformities have left him devoid of meaningful human contact. M. Rowan Meyer excels in the role, shining amongst an impressive cast.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Elephant Man, John Merrick, a horribly disfigured man, was found by Frederick Treves, a promising young doctor, at a freak show. Adam Unze was simply awesome as this internally torn individual who finds himself both Merrick's only champion and protector but also put into a morally compromising position by the fame Merrick later gains (for both Treves and himself). After enduring being cast out and savagely beaten, Merrick is eventually reunited with Treves and after a successful fundraising campaign is allowed to live a life of comparable peace in the London Hospital with Treves as caretaker.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Dr. Treves has difficulty finding someone who will assist in helping him take care of Merrick who despite being cleaned up, even scares off a nurse who has worked with plague victims across the world. It is up to the wonderful, loving actress, Mrs. Kendal, brought to life by the equally talented real-life actress, Elisabeth Preston, to bond with Merrick. This is really where the emotional toll of the earlier sequences of the play develop further as Preston, Merrick, and Kendal pontificate on the construction of identity, the search for meaning in life, and the stark reality of Merrick's impossible search for normalcy. Perhaps most moving is Merrick's discussion of selflessness and love as he contemplates his own loneliness compared to the vanity of youth in Shakespeare's <i>Romeo & Juliet</i>. Eventually, the story comes full circle with the unavoidable death of Merrick in 1890, only four years after his return to the hospital. The afflictions he has borne since birth eventually kill him through suffocation as his head collapses his neck.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The three actors already mentioned were supported by the talented group of Daniel Damiano, Alfred Gingold, Christopher Romero Wilson, Brooke DeAnna Robinson, and Jesi Mullens. Most memorable of these characters is, in my opinion, Gingold's representation of Francis Carr-Gomm, Treves' employer, the chairman of the London Hospital. Carr-Gomm is such a key character at every moment that he joins the stage because he appears at key turning points and simultaneously creates a perspective of respect for life and contriteness about death. Despite these positive attributes (including his having led the fundraising campaign that allowed John Merrick to live out his days in the safe environment of the London Hospital), the cast, during the after show talk-back, gave him (the character) a hard time for his efficient (though not emotional) letter written on behalf of Merrick after his death. I am not certain I understood their perspective, but Gingold plays the role well. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">If you get a chance to see this or any play put on by The Gallery Players, I am sure you will enjoy it. Tickets, $30.00 for adults, and $20.00 for seniors/students can be purchased online at <a href="http://galleryplayers.com/box-office/" target="_blank">http://galleryplayers.com/box-office/</a> or by calling 212-352-3101. </span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706634194810969335.post-33587652213024403692017-11-08T11:47:00.003-05:002017-11-09T17:36:31.904-05:00Applause! Applause! Review of The Mecca Tales at The Sheen Center For Thought & Culture by Christopher M. Struck<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This review of The Mecca Tales at The Sheen Center For Thought & Culture was written by Christopher </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">M. Struck</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and published in Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Mecca Tales</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Written by Rohina Malik</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directed by Kareem Fahmy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Set Design by David Esler</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Costume Design by Teresa Snider-Stein</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lighting Design by Devorah Kengmana</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sound Design by Fan Zhang</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Technical Direction by Anthony Ross</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stage Managed by Keri Landeiro</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Choreography by Theara J. Ward</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Sheen Center For Thought & Culture</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">18 Bleecker Street</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">New York, New York 10012</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Reviewed 10/29/17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /><i>The Mecca Tales </i>shares the five very divergent, diverse, and humanizing perspectives of unique, but representative Muslim women participating in a Hajj Pilgrimage. While the tensions among them rise and each woman came to this holy journey for a significant and particular purpose, nothing was beyond normality. These were five very normal stories of five very normal women from around the world who just happened to be Muslim. I think that was largely the point of the entire project: to show people that Muslims are just people too. What was nicer about the play was that it was relatable and entertaining to watch. Yes, there were some moments when the actors were limited by the boundaries of unrealistic or uncreative dialogue. Regardless, they were thoroughly convincing to the point that I believed all the actors must be doing this play out of a religious desire to absolve the religion of the misconceptions of secular evil. It turns out only one of the cast members was actually Muslim or of Islamic origin. Kudos to everyone for being a serious actor and acting the part.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The five women included Grace (Kimberly S. Fairbanks), the group's New York-based organizer and guide; Maya (Mariam Habib), a refugee from an undisclosed Middle Eastern country; Malika (Jade Radford), a medical student from a single-parent household; Alma (Cynthia Bastidas), a woman from Argentina whose husband is British; and Bina (Gulshan Mia), a well-off Pakistani housewife married to a successful neurosurgeon. Each of these women has their own reasons for having decided to join this travel group, which the audience learns about through flashbacks. They all hope to return "purified" from this "pilgrimage" and while they are no doubt devout Muslims making the journey for religious reasons, it doesn't prevent them from sporting "2017 Pilgrimage Tote Bags." From being turned away from their pre-paid tents by Saudi Arabian authorities to the final gesture of having a believer cut a lock of their hair and burying it in the sand, <i>The Mecca Tales </i>projects an air of authenticity as the group struggles with emotional issues of grave concern to them.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Hajj Pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and is meant to be performed once in the life of every Muslim. Every year, millions make the annual trek to see Mecca, which can be physically and financially demanding. Obscurity about the event and the required religious elements exists only because the specifics of the significant aspects of the trip are rarely highlighted in a brief summary of Islam. </span><i style="color: #29303b; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Mecca Tales </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">does a good job of describing or at least highlighting the various religious traditions that are meant to be completed while undertaking the Hajj. The actresses also emphasized that there should be both a purpose for undertaking the Hajj as well as a focus on the purity of one's intentions and faith for it to be "accepted."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The main dramatic arch of the play focuses on the acceptance of the ladies' Hajj. Their guide on the trip, Grace (Kimberly S. Fairbanks) is tasked with helping the women find their way while undertaking her own Hajj for the 10th time. While the women work through their various challenges, it becomes clear that Grace has some unfinished business on the Hajj. Her own business is probably the most "painful" given that it is the main one that dwells on death. Still, while most of the women's experiences are not excruciatingly painful, they are still important life challenges. Things such as never kissing a truly significant loved one or whether life will go on if one accepts her husband's divorce proposal are for some characters as serious as losing one's lover after the end of a three-hour armistice.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Grace, on the other hand, never finished her first Hajj, because she lost her son on the trip. He died giving her a message to carry on, and it took the other women on this particular trip to make her realize that she could set aside those demons of the past by completing the pilgrimage. If nothing else, it was a touching moment. The cast had me convinced that they were serious and devout Muslims, but the definitive best performance was put in by Gulshan Mia as Bina. She played a tough character very well and brought a lot of needed energy to the early scenes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #29303b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In the end, I would hope that this play continues to be performed. I think even as a piece of contemporary women's fiction, it provides a platform for engaging conversations as exemplified by the discussion panel afterward. Otherwise, it is a very easy way to learn just that little bit more about Islam. The Sheen Center is great at consistently bringing together solid performance pieces. The set and costume designs for this play were phenomenal. Keep on the lookout for more information about <i>The Mecca Tales</i>.</span>Dr. Tom Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508602897776516598noreply@blogger.com0