Scene: September '13
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BETHESDAWhat? From the show website: "Diplomat Barry and his family have recently returned to Washington, D.C., after a mysterious scandal abroad. Wife Joy tries to work her networking magic and reinstate Barry as quickly as possible. She's also pulled strings and secured the kids into prestigious Sidwell Friends School. But Barry is dragging his feet, and seems unwilling to try to get his job back. The kids, too, are suffering both from their parents' fighting, and from the emotional wounds of their recent past in Bolivia, including Kevin's discovery that his father was involved with their maid. When Kevin finds out his sister Hildy is cheating on her boyfriend back in La Paz with an American, he runs away. The family tracks him down to the airport, where he's trying to return to La Paz, and all of the past and its secrets come to head in a violent clash between father and son."
When? September '13 Where? Page to Stage Festival/Kennedy Center, Washington DC Why? New work, new work, new work!! Well? It is such a compliment, in my mind, to be able to say that I've attended a reading and yet not felt as if I there was a lot missing because it isn't a full production. This kind of production confirms that the story is paramount. If there is good storytelling going on, a good part of the work is done successfully. I enjoyed the local flavor to this story combined with the universal family themes being addressed. Perceived betrayals, adolescent/parent challenges, romantic and familial love were all addressed with humor and respect for the characters. It was fun to have a talkback with the playwright after the show. Some of the questions/comments from the audience were of a practical nature; e.g., did the housekeeper speak English or not? Did the father actually have the affair?; and some were more ideological regarding the relationship of the siblings and their reactions, and whether the characters were likable. |
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SEPARATE ROOMSWhat? From the show website: "force/collision presents a work-in-progress reading of playwright Joe Calarco's new play Separate Rooms. Sex, death, booze and a mysterious woman in the closet as friends and lovers unite during a wake in a New York City apartment. Cast includes Tracy Olivera, Kimberly Gilbert, Thomas Keegan, Jenna Sokolowski, Evan Casey, and Tim Getman."
When? September '13 Where? Page to Stage Festival/Kennedy Center, Washington DC Why? New work! [see above :)] Well? Searing, intimate, intense; with characters that made me laugh, cry and feel real horror as the events unfolded. It continually amazes me that humor can be found in situations that are otherwise filled with human suffering; it's one of the most satisfying parts of using the stage to tell these stories. I feel as if I'm a part of the emotions being experienced just a few feet away from me. This was definitely another reading that left me satisfied despite the lack of staging, etc. I would like to see more of this one. |
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TORCH SONG TRILOGYWhat? From the show website: "Arnold Beckoff comes by his blues honestly; he knows what it is to long for love. Tired of trawling New York’s gay bar backrooms, and armed with fierce humor, Arnold faces commitment-shy men, a hostile world, and his formidable mother as he tries to find a family on his own terms. With biting wit and startling poignancy, Torch Song Trilogy illuminates a defiant romantic’s fight for intimacy and respect. First performed in 1981, Harvey Fierstein’s bittersweet comedy resonates with today’s questions about marriage, family, and self-acceptance in the gay community and beyond."
When? September '13 Where? Studio Theatre, Washington DC Why? A play I've always wanted to see. So happy to be introduced to it by the marvelous director, Michael Kahn of the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Well? THIS is the way I wanted to see this play. With fearless, vulnerable, brilliant acting, and directing that seamlessly wove the three acts together. Brandon Uranowitz is somehow nuanced and heartbreakingly transparent at the same time; and the three hour run-time allows for a depth I really appreciated. I find it impressive that, even after three hours, I was left wanting to see more, and know more about Arnold and his journey. |
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UNBROKEN CIRCLE (2nd time, first for friend)What? 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? September '13 Where? St. Luke's Theatre, NYC Why? I so loved this show, and wanted to see it again, and bring a friend! Well? Just as moving and well-acted as the first time! It's a story with many important layers about self-acceptance, truth-telling, family history and dynamics, growing up and love. For me, the conclusion that we can face what life hands us with the support of those who love us, and whom we love, is the hope in the midst of some painful moments. I continue to be impressed with James Wesley's writing, and was once again blown away by the performances of Suzanna Hay and Jennifer Simard. |
(photo courtesy of show website)
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AFTER THE REVOLUTIONWhat? From the show website: "The brilliant, promising Emma Joseph is primed to follow in the footsteps of her progressive political family. But when she discovers a troubling secret about her blacklisted grandfather, Emma must confront her family’s legacy, and her own path.
A bold and moving play from the Award-winning author of 4000 Miles (The New York Times - Outstanding Playwright), staged by the director of Body Awareness and the recent benefit hit, Love, Loss, and What I Wore." When? September '13 Where? Theatre J, Washington, DC Why? I first discovered that I loved Amy Herzog when I saw "4000 Miles" at Lincoln Center in '12. I cemented that love with "Belleville" at NYTW earlier this year. The chance to see her first play makes me very happy. Well? I find Amy Herzog's characters to be fascinating and unexpected. This play was no exception. Although the context of the story is political, at its core it is a family study; family dynamics in truth-telling, parent-child relationships when children and parents are adults at the same time. I thought the staging was effective in handling several characters and simultaneous stories, and I loved the chemistry between Megan Anderson as the blindsided daughter to Peter Birkenhead's defensive, wounded father. |
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JUNGLE BOOKWhat? From the show website: "From the imagination of Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Candide) comes a captivating new musical adaptation of a timeless favorite. The jungle springs to life in a kaleidoscopic song-and-dance-filled production that chronicles young Mowgli's adventures growing up in the animal kingdom. Based on Rudyard Kipling's time-honored tales and featuring music from the classic Disney film (including "I Wanna Be Like You" and "The Bare Necessities"), this ravishing world premiere will enchant audiences of all ages."
When? September '13 Where? Huntington Theatre, Boston MA Why? It's a new musical, imagined by a director whose work I loved on last season's "Metamorphoses" at Arena Stage. I'm always intrigued by stage adaptations of stories that present challenges for staging, and this is one of those! Well? It's official; I'll go to see whatever Mary Zimmerman puts on stage! Her Jungle Book is absolutely delightful, lush and charming! From the inventive costumes (no puppets in this one; it's all about the human interpretations :)), to the lovely treatment of the score, I was smiling the whole time. It's definitely Baloo's show though. As portrayed by Kevin Carolan, he has all the languid, huggable humor and appeal of his animated alter ego. His relationship with Mowgli is believable, and I thoroughly enjoyed his chemistry with Bagheera as well. Andre DeShields' King Louie was just the right amount of jazzy evil, and the ensemble who portrayed the various other denizens of the jungle deserved their standing ovation for the many wonderful moments they gave us. Nehal Joshi, in particular, was a stand out, and I'm looking forward to seeing him at Arena Stage in DC in this season's "Mother Courage." |
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WOMEN OR NOTHINGWhat? From the show website: "A new play about two women so desperate to have a child that one of them will even sleep with a man. Who the man is, what he thinks is going on, what the women think about what he thinks, and what the mother of one of the women reveals about her own colorful past—it all defies belief. Why then does it all make sense?
Atlantic welcomes back legendary filmmaker/playwright Ethan Coen with the world premiere of his first full-length play. Directed by David Cromer, the acclaimed director of Our Town, Tribes and The Adding Machine." When? September '13 Where? Atlantic Theater Company, NYC Why? The playwright, the director, the theater and the cast! Well? This was a rather odd play; not in an unpleasant way, but rather in how unexpected it all was. The lesbian couple trying to start their family, and struggling with which approach to take (artificial insemination or the actual involving of a known male partner), has a banter that's entertaining but off-putting at the same time. I especially liked Halley Feiffer (Gretchen) as the one in the pair that is the catalyst for the tryst that she hopes will result in a predictably good offspring. Susan Pourfar (Laura), who I loved in Tribes, was necessarily brittle, yet hilarious as well. But the real treat for me in this production was Deborah Rush as Laura's impossible-to-deter, bulldozer of a mother. Her pathology is the coldly clear focus of Act II, and I was completely fascinated by the character, the actor and the impact her presence had on everyone else. There were some valleys in the action that I found distracting, and it's rather abrupt ending was clearly confusing to the audience members, who weren't sure whether this was indeed the end. I noticed Halley and Susan exchanging wry laughter as the lights came up for the bows, so they clearly realized the issue. All in all, I enjoyed the show, and found it memorable and substantive. |