Scene: August '13
(photo courtesy of show website)
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(photo courtesy of show website)
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UNBROKEN CIRCLEWhat? From the show website: "Set in 1970 Galveston, Texas, a family is brought together for the first time in years on the day of its patriarch’s funeral. As the day turns into night, the impact of the man on his family unfolds in surprising ways leaving each member grappling with the truth.
"Unbroken Circle", written by James Wesley, is at turns hilarious and disturbing as it explores how family secrets affect every person in each generation differently." When? August '13 Where? St. Luke's Theatre, NYC Why? Family dramas hold so much potential for the stage; the fact that this one is based on real life makes it even more compelling. I'm glad to see Eve Plumb on stage again (I last saw her in "Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage"), but I would want to see this show no matter who was in the cast. It just interests me on its face. Well? This was another small show whose reach extends beyond the stage on which it's played. The cast was so, so good; and the audible gasps from the audience as the layers of deception and pain were peeled back, is a tribute to both the playwright and the cast (which includes the playwright :)). There's such a universality about the unique issues our family situations present. I walked out of the theater wanting to sit down and talk to people about it, and then go back and comfort all the characters too. |
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NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812What? From the show website: "Based on the scandalous slice of War and Peace, THE GREAT COMET is a heartbreakingly gorgeous and wickedly sharp theatrical event. It is a performance like none other, blending romance, cabaret, comedy and vodka. Come experience the elegance and allure of Tsarist Russia, when lovers spoke by letter and the night sky was set ablaze by The Great Comet. Prepare yourself, the comet is coming."
When? August '13 Where? Klub Kazino pop-up performance space, New York City Why? I don't quite know what to expect from this show, and that's just the way I like it! Well? Talk about immersive theatre! There isn't a bad seat in the house ("tent"); no matter the table, there's sure to be an actor passing within inches of you, and action taking place all around. The show is a rock-style opera, but I hesitate to categorize it that strictly. The music is lovely, exciting and beautifully sung by the energetic cast, and it felt old and new at the same time. I also loved the costumes, which were elaborate without stealing focus from the wearer. Dinner was tasty, and the service was attentive, but unobtrusive. There are reports that the show may move to Broadway for a limited engagement (that will require a fairly extensive physical adaptation of a theatre space), which would give a very different option for Broadway audiences. |
(photo courtesy of show website)
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SHIDA THE MUSICALWhat? From the show website: "SHIDA, an original musical created and performed by Broadway veteran and gospel music artist Jeannette Bayardelle (The Color Purple; Hair), will receive its World Premiere production Off-Broadway this summer as an Ars Nova Summer Fling – 511 W. 54 St. in Manhattan. Directed by Andy Sandberg, SHIDA is a one-woman musical with book, music, and lyrics by Jeannette Bayardelle.
Set to a soulfully contaegous score of rock, jazz, R&B, and gospel music, SHIDA is based on the true story of a young African-American girl who aspires to become a writer, tracing the ups and downs of her family, friendships, and love life – from the double-dutch court at St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Bronx to a scholarship at NYU. Her dreams become sidetracked by hardship and loss until her faith and those closest to her combine to restore Shida’s hope and give her a second chance. SHIDA is a tour-de-force for Jeannette Bayardelle, who takes us through Shida’s powerful, funny, and inspirational story, portraying multiple different roles. Ms. Bayardelle performed a sold-out one-night-only concert version of the musical at Birdland as part of the Broadway at Birdland series, and SHIDA subsequently received a workshop at Ars Nova as part of the Project Residency Initiative, both under the direction of Mr. Sandberg.". When? August '13 Where? Ars Nova, New York City Why? A new musical that offered a performance at 5:00pm! A great chance to experiment :). Well? What an incredible 70 minutes of talent!! Jeannette Bayardelle's storytelling prowess is mighty; she can sing like nobody's business and backs it up with the remarkable ability to create multiple characters with only a shift in her posture, tone of voice and the occasional prop. I fully believed I was watching Shida and her mother together on stage; or Shida and Jackie, her loyal best friend, despite there being only one actor in front of me. The structure of previewing where the story would be going at the beginning, and then going back in time worked well. But I was especially pleased that we had not been shown the ending of Shida's story; there was more to find out, and what had seemed to be certain despair turned to hope. The character of Jackie was used particularly well to add humor and a bit of "Greek chorus," to the mix; and the unseen, but sadly very present, "Uncle Steve," was surprisingly menacing even through mere suggestion. I will definitely keep my eye on Ms. Bayardelle's future projects, and hope to see her on stage again soon! |
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THE DESIGNATED MOURNERWhat? From the show website: "THE DESIGNATED MOURNER is a monologue-triptych in which three artist-intellectuals recount their experiences as their once-liberal country sinks into political crisis. A famous poet-intellectual, his daughter, and her husband—people made of very different moral fiber despite their shared highbrow interests—witness the subtle and flagrant transformations of everyday life, public affairs and personal relationships until they finally are dragged into the middle of things themselves. This searing and disturbing drama, prescient of much that occurred during the Bush/Obama years, has been called Shawn’s masterpiece."
When? August '13 Where? The Public Theater, NYC Why? I could not miss a theatrical "event" such as this. I am familiar with Wallace Shawn but have not yet seen his work on stage. I'm very much looking forward to it. Well? If something can be delightfully loopy and painful and profound all at the same time, this show falls into that category. As with any show that is not strictly linear, I wasn't always sure I knew what part of the story the characters were relating; but it's a great exercise in just letting my mind go, listening to the words without judgment. Wallace Shawn is a naturally funny, fearless storyteller, and it somehow seems easier to hear something hard or biting in his voice. This 3 hour commentary on privilege and pretension, and the failure of living an inauthentic life was fascinating; and since those issues are limitless as sources of material, 3 hours merely skates the surface, but changes your mind with its design as well. I was not surprised to hear Wallace Shawn, who waited at the door to the theatre to greet, thank and shake hands with audience members after the show, mention how sad he would be to have the run end. I could have listened to Mr. Shawn provide commentary on most anything for several more hours! I'll be seeing another collaboration between he and director, André Gregory, at the Public in October, "Grasses of a Thousand Colors." About that, Mr. Shawn said to me, with a smile, "well, that one's just indefensible; I'll let you make of it what you will." And so I will. |
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FETCH CLAY, MAKE MANWhat? From the show website: "In the days leading up to one of Cassius Clay's most anticipated fights, the heavyweight boxing champion forms an unlikely friendship with the controversial Hollywood star Stepin Fetchit. With a rhythmic script by award-winning performer and playwright Will Power, who received rave reviews for his hip-hop productions of Flow and The Seven at NYTW, and direction by Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (The Who's Tommy, Jersey Boys), FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN explores the improbable bond that forms between two drastically different and influential cultural icons. One a vibrant and audacious youth, the other a resentful and almost forgotten relic – together as they fight to form their public personas and shape their legacies amidst the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-1960s. This true story is as powerful and poetic as Clay himself while also humorous and irreverent like Fetchit's signature act. Finding commonality in contradiction, FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN examines the true meaning of strength, resilience and pride."
When? August '13 Where? New York Theatre Workshop Why? I have such respect for this theatre; and have had wonderful experiences to date, so I'm happy to take a chance on a new work from them! Well? Wow, I'm so glad I didn't miss this one!! Such an unexpected and fascinating story; drawn from history, yet timeless. The civil rights era of the '60s remains quite personal for me, as a child growing up in the Washington, DC area, and I welcome the opportunity as an adult, to understand the many human layers of this conflict that has not yet ended. The performance of Ray Fisher as Muhammed Ali is just not to be missed. He owns the stage, and made me feels as if I was seeing a fairly well-rounded portrayal of a man with many angles in real life. I remember the basic historical framework for the events in the story, and had some familiarity with the increasing visibility of the Nation of Islam brotherhood at the time, and the controversy surrounding it. The contrast of the self-images of the younger Ali with the equally defiant Stepin Fechit, and their willingness to use each other to advance their personal interests made for some surprising twists. Nikki M. James, Tony® Award winner for "Book of Mormon," was so appealingly complex as Sonji, the woman who married Cassius Clay after 40 days of knowing him, and then had to transform herself to be an acceptable companion, not just for him, but for the image of the movement as well. Des McAnuff (Tony® Award winning director)'s crisp, sharp direction gives the right amount of spareness; allowing the personalities of the characters/actors to tell the story. |
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What? From the show website: "The stars of screen and stage align as Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Tony Award® nominee Condola Rashad (Stick Fly) take on the roles of Shakespeare's legendary star-crossed lovers, ROMEO AND JULIET.
The most famous love story ever told returns to Broadway for the first time in 36 years in a stunning new production from five-time Tony® nominee David Leveaux. Jealousy. Prejudice. Betrayal. And the chance that true love could actually conquer all. That's ROMEO AND JULIET." When? August '13 Where? Richard Rodgers Theatre Why? I LOVE Condola Rashad, and can honestly say that I will go out of my way to see productions she's in; that this one happens to be "Romeo and Juliet" is just a bonus. And yes, Orlando Bloom got my attention too :). Well? Well, that was sexy! I seriously loved the interracial casting of the two families, and the use of African-inspired rhythms and dance during the Capulet festivities at which the lovers meet. Condola Rashad is simply luminous on stage...never mind spotlights, her facial expressions and eyes light the house on their own. She and Orlando Bloom are well-matched. I could have done with a little more articulation from Bloom, but his passionate recklessness was so compelling that I got the point :). Chuck Cooper as Juliet's father, and Brent Carver as Friar Laurence were also well-balanced in their respective bombast and lightness of being. I liked the staging overall, especially the stage entrances and exits of characters from the audience, and the use of the pier-like structure as the iconic "balcony." I did find the massive wall that dominates the stage sometimes dwarfed the actors unless they were climbing on it, which they did effectively, particularly as the play went on. As I've said several times, I enjoy non-traditional productions of Shakespeare's works, and this was definitely one I enjoyed! |
(photo courtesy of show website)
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