Play Comments by Albert Fried-Cassorla
Last updated: 5-1-19
***** = Loved it and recommend it **** = Enjoyed it *** = Decent ** = Dull * = Why did I bother?
2019
*****
The Power of Two! The Duck Variations by David Mamet and The Dumb Waiter by Haarold Pinter - April 6, 2019 at the Waterfront South Theatre in Camden, NJ. I especially loved The Duck Variations, a toure de force by Mamet, rifffing on two codgers reflecting on animals and life!
The Children’s March - Singing City
Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda - March 9, 2019 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre - Simply magnificent! What else can one say? Actually, a lot. I wrote an extensive review of this show, but I posted it on facebook, and facebook ate it!
****
Thomas Lloyd's Bonhoeffer at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church - (March 17, 2019 - A heartfelt musical tribute to a great martyr.
****
The Children’s March - Singing City Last night, (Feb. 24, 2019) we were treated to a great performance by singing city and several area school choirs. The libretto was by Charlotte Blake Alston, and the music by Andrew Bleckner, whom I was able to interview.The the story concerns the youth of Birmingham, also known at the time as "Bombingham." These children, led by adults, gave heroic resistance to the racist policies of Bull Connor and the reigning government.
*****
Awake and Sing by Clifford Odets - Quintessence Theatre Group - (Jan. 23, 2019). A great depression-era play that features a left-wing grandpa who helps a trouble grandson, amoongother issues. Grandpay Jacob wa played marvelously by Lawrence Pressman. A greaat discussion followed the show!
2018
*******
ALLADIN - 9 out of 10 Albert Stars
Aladdin (Disney musical at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, June 13- July 1, 2018 ) - This musical has much of the magic of the animated film verison, plus the special power that only a live performance can deliver.
Before you dismiss this as lowly Disney fluff, remember that Robin Williams' version of "Friend Like Me" is one of the greatest show tunes of all time. That is true even if it is not being sung by Williams. Also remember that "Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Howard Ashman" is a phrase that commands respect from any historian of the American musical. The third and indispensible element of this show's success is the star power of the lead figure playing the Genie, Michael James Scott. He is phenomenal in both energy and talent! Here, he reprises the role he played in the Broadway version of this show.
Enjoy his version of "Friend Like Me" here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOSRA5qZ4Qc
I give this musical only 9 out 10 stars because some of the show's tunes strike me as sappy-sentimental, such as "A Whole New World." But I must admit that despite my dispepsia, the song does match the magically positive atmosphere of the carpet ride sequence. Worth mentioning us that several issues beviled the production we saw, and the show had to stop repeatedly for technical reasons. But the cast and the audience were equally good-natured about these disruptions.
The Disney Effect is especially potent in the use of the magic carpet. It is a piece of stagecraft that uses no wires and that flies beautifully (physically and spiritually). Apparently, it does not use wires or drones or magnets. I have done my own reading on this and think I know the secret but will not reveal it here. Sorry! Meanwhile, here is a lovely video of the flying carpet scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbCHSXoBxWA
Go see it -- highly recommended by moi!
2017
**********
10 out of 10 Albert Stars
My Fair Lady by Lerner and Lowe. Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Loved this production at the Quintessence Theater in Germantown, Philadelphia. To me, the standout was Gregory Isaac as Henry Higgins. Of course, I am a fool for the score.They did a great job with just two pianos. A pity the run has ended. 'Tis my all-time favorite musical, ever since I saw it at age 13 with Meryl Camhi Annibale, courtest of Roberta Angel, who took us. We even saw star Margot Moser at her dressing room and she autographed our playbills!
*****
9 out of 10 Albert Stars
Deperate Measures by Peter Kellogg, Book and Lyrics and David Fried-man, music. This is a musical comedy about an outlaw who is rescued by his floozy girlfriend. It adapts Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. We saw this at the York Theatre Company. I loved it! The script is funny, the music catchy and the acting often hilarious. There were many standouts, but I thought Celia Hottenstein as Bella Rose was a wonderful comedienne whom I hope has a long and distinguished future. He is a rubber-faced talent, like a Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett.
Here is a link to an excerpt from the clvery tune: Just for You:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_QMqqLeOSs
An here is a more extended rereview that I agree with:
http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/reviews/desperate-measures_82607.html
*****
4 out of 10 Albert Stars
Peter Pan by Douglas Irvine based on stories by J.M. Barrie - At the Arden Theater in Philadelphia. Minus all the great music from the stage play starring Mary Martin and Cyril Richard. Too few actors. Almost zero music. But actors did their best.
8 of 10 Albert Stars
Red Herring by Michael Hollinger - At the Act 2 Theatre in Ambler. Entertaining farce.
9 out of 10 Albert stars!
Groundhog Day, the Musical
At the August Wilson Theatre, Manhattan, NY - Simply a great show on just about every level. The staging was especially spectacular. Not the ordinary translation of a successful movie to play, either. The subject matter, repeating days and time, lends itself to deeper exploration and philosphical thinking, which the book atttempts. Imaginative beyond expectations, constantly surprising. With Andy Karl, who was superb in a vary strenuous role. Barrett Doss, is also wonderful. It closes Sept. 17, 2017. Hope it reappears somewhere soon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Urv800Npoo
*****
9 out of 10 Albert stars!
Ah, Wilderness!
At East Lynn Theatre near Cape May. This show is a lovable wonder. It's mainly a comedy with 1906 sensibilities. The acting was fine, staging and direction superb. You get O'Neill without the hopeless drug addiction and intensely tragic alcoholism of, say, Long Day's Journey. A delightful evening of theatre. I tell ya, this dude O'Neill is gonna go places!
****
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare - at Camp Walnut
****
Into the Woods Jr. by Stephen Sondheim
**** = Enjoyed it
Betrayal by Harold Pinter - at Allens Lane Art Center Theatre - This was in a very intimte setting. Close to the actors, maybe 15 feet away. Excdellent performance!
-
**** = Enjoyed ii
Constellations by Nick Payne, performed at the Wilma Theater, Philadelphia, PA
This is a play told in unvconventional time, about a couple, who meet and do not get along, then meet and are attracted to each other; who experience various major life events... and then experience them with opposite outcomes. In other words, it is about multi-verses, where different eventualities are always possible.The acting was wonderful - by Sarah Gilko and Jered McLenigan, as directed by Tea Alagic.
2016
***** Frog and Toad at the Arden Theatre - a wonderful production, We enjoyed it as did our granddaaughter. Very clever songs!
****
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
This play, the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, was fabulous! What makes the play so exceptional is the staging. Amazing things happen in that box-like stage space, including doors that flip open, incredibly well time projections, trap doors, model trains, a disappearing corpse of a dog, the staircase that emerges from the wall, the subway platform and tunnel, and much much more. But if the characterization and plot had not also been excellent, all of the above would have been a distraction. It is at root a powerful story about an autism spectrum teenager dealing with an unstable family situation and other travails. No wonder when best play into 2015!Later we met old friend Doug Burke and had a splendid dinner together. Another great trip to Manhattan!
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****
"Rent" at the McGuffin Theatre, Plays & Players, Delancey St. Philadelphia - A fantastic performance by these mainly 14 & 15 year olds! Dynamic, powefrul, charming. I had forgotten how varied the music is.
My faves: Light My Candle and Seasons of Love.
It did not hurt that my newpher, Jesse Fried-Petersen did a standout performnce as Roger, the male lead. Bravo!
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****
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Improv at White Pines - at White Pines Productions, 1. Dueling Monologues - 2 actors facing the audience, concocting an integrated
story but not speaking directly to each other. 2. Scene 1 - Using food-related suggestions supplied from the
audience, 3 separate story lines were developed. These are added to in the
reprise section later. 3. Scene 2 4. Scene 3 5. Theater game 6. Scene 1, continued 7. Scene 2 continued 8. Scene 3 continued 9. Dueling Monologues, continued The
improvisations were always bright and inventive! Director Benjamin Lloyd does a great job
of encouraging and guiding this talented group. |
**
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The Secret Garden - at the Arden Theater, Philadelphia. Book
and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon, based on the novel by
Frances Hodgson Burnett, production co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and
Terrence J. Nolen. An interesting production, The audience loved
it. I did not. The songs were bombastic, cliched, overly
operatic, boring and inerminable, except for the Garden song and Wick.
Sorry. Lyrics were not particularly interesting, although the dialogue
and acting were good. Clever use of computer projections. But
more stage action and more intimate illuminating scenes between the actors
would have helped. Springtime's arrival was short-changed. |
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2016 ***** = Loved it and recommend it
NYC 4 - Blackbird Blackbird by David Harrower I saw this provocative play, a
revival from 2007, at the Belasco Theatre in But if you want to know NOTHING
about the play's plot, please stop reading now. The axis of the play is a
monstrous crime that the main character, Ray (played with fierce intensity by
Jeff Daniels, committed with a 12-year old, Uma
(played with equal intensity by Michelle Williams). As the play begins, Uma is now returning to confront Ray at his
workplace. She is hopping mad and
perhaps a bit insane. The story that unfolds is detailed, and
believable. The story has many
mini-climaxes and shifts of tone and intent. Plus it has a double-whammy
surprise, which of course I will not reveal. Now, about its being disturbing...
The playwright leads you to empathize with Ray, in my opinion. So you wonder: should we forgive him,
because he is a criminal who has served his time? How would people feel about a person
like this of they met him in person?
Those are the questions I wondered about. In many ways, these re the same
problems or questions that arise when reading or watching Nabokov's Lolita or Paula Vogel's play, How I Learned to Drive. Knowing there are predecessors does
not make it easier to sift and weigh. All of us in the audience were
wowed and amazed by this theatrical experience, despite eh above objections
or reservations. The play simply grabs you by the throat and does not let go
until 90 minutes later, when it ends (without intermission). An immediate
standing ovation occurred. I could barely see the actors because of the wall
of audience members on their feet in front of me. The actors at their curtain call were
seething and upset, still either in their roles... or just actors showing
their incredible involvement. The sound engineering was
wonderful, including a deep hum and rumble that I at first thought belonged
to some nearby heavy equipment.
And the lighting shifted the mood tremendously in ways I will not
say. The direction by Joe
Montello was superb, although One cannot easily parse out his influence form
the creativity of the actors. Actor Jeff Daniels is an wonderfully reflective artist, and a playwright in his
own right. For more very
interesting background on this play and his role, I would visit nytimes.com
and search for Ben Brantley's review and Jeff Daniels' own article. http://blackbirdbroadway.com/?gclid=COrbi_P23swCFU5ZhgodQ1YLKA ***** = Loved it and recommend it Sex with Strangers by Laura
Eason Philadelphia Theatre Company at
the This play is sometimes billed as a
comedy. I see it more as a drama
with many comic moments. You care
about the characters and want to see what becomes of them; as opposed to
wanting to be entertained by as many hijinx as
possible. The play was intelligently
staged. Ms. Rhinehart
showed so many emotions at various turns -- her face was a stage in itself.
And Mr. Coffman was jittery, quick-witted and natural. Ms. Eason's script is
tight and charming. The ending is
remarkable - no give-aways here! Many of us also enjoyed chatting with
Ms. Rhinehart after the show. She was so happy to
be in Philly and complemented our attentive audience. And she had such a good
read of her Olivia character, both on stage and off. Unfortunately, the
play's run in Philly has ended.
But look for works by Ms. Eason and these talented actors, plus
director David Saint. Visit: http://www.fried-cas.com/creative/ Twelfth Night by William
Shakespeare EDISON
HIGH students attend TWELFTH NIGHT! Thirty
students from The trip took place on May 5th, 2016. It was arranged by
English Teacher Mrs. Emily Cohen, and was a great success. Students were very
attentive and were exposed to something almost entirely new for many of them
-- a live play. The production by the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre was
nothing short of fantastic, and I say so for many reasons. Although the
language is often dense and archaic, this company under the direction of
Carmen Khan made it delightful for our audience of high-schoolers. There
was much madcap humor, innovative costuming, cute props, acrobatics, sword
fighting, astute and inappropriate acting, love, Slapstick and philosophy.
All of which made for an intoxicating farrago of theatre. Plus, we were
treated to an after-show meeting with the director and the actors for
Q&A. The Theatre Company even prepared beautiful, colorful programs for
students. Teachers were given a larger program, complete with many teaching
tools. We all took public transportation, boarding four buses adroitly and
all staying together with good discipline and high spirits. Ms.
Kendra Ursta, an English teacher, helped by
chaperoning and by guiding the teens. As a volunteer teacher, had been able
to assist a few days earlier by coming in to do a mini-teaching session on
the plot and characters. And chaperoning them (I say this sincerely!) was a
delight. Most of these students are A-level, and many are noted writers whom
I know from my English and Drama Classes, Poetry Slams and via their writings
in the Edison Literary Journals. It was a pleasure to be among them again. Thank
you, Mrs. Cohen for making this beautiful day possible! **** The Hard
Problem A play by Tom
Stoppard (Please also see the
endnote about my plays) 8 out of 10 Albert
stars At the Playing until February 6,
2016 Tom Stoppard is
known for his brainy and challenging plays, such as Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern are Dead and This one is no
exception. Ostensibly, the play is about the so-called hard problem of
consciousness. That is, is the mind completely material? If not, then what
else is it? Stoppard writes
witty, literary dialogue that keeps you hopping and following the action. The characters are interesting and
have relatively clear motivations. However, this play hardly dealt at all
with "the hard problem," a topic which I find an interesting field
of study. But this being drama, one has to make allowances! The main arc of the
story is about a young woman's desire to succeed at an institute where they
are studying the hard problem, and about the various challenges and
depredations she faces. Consciousness is hardly talked about at all. On the
other hand, we are treated two important sub-plots about these questions: ·
Is it justifiable to falsify data to advance one's career? · Should children be used as pawns in career ladder climbing games? And there is an
important sexual – romantic subplot, as well. This is still a heady
brew, and it generally keeps theatergoers' interest alive. The production I
saw at the Wilma theater in Enhancing the show are creative uses of simple white props and draperies, plus the very artistic use of a saxophone player during musical interludes to create a pensive mood. So while not great, in my opinion this play provides an entertaining evening in the theater for those willing to pay close attention. Oh,
about another playwright! 🤓 My
two plays, Ariadne in Elkins and doesn't quick? are still set for Feb 20
at White Pines in Thanks!
-- Albert
2015 ***** The Metamorphoses - Arden Theatre - Magnificent production. The
best! See my Facebook review. **** The Book of Mormon - Forrest Theatre **** This Is the Week That Is - Good political show, 1812 Productions, At
Play & Players 2014 **** This Is the Week That Is - Good political show, 1812 Productions, At
Play & Players ***** Matilda (on Broadway) - Wonderful! At the Shubert Theatre **** Gemini by Albert Inaurrato - funny gay coming
out family comedy with pathos/ 2013 ***** Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang
- at the Golden Theater Assassins by Talley's Folly by Lanford Wilson - Awake and Sing by Clifford Odets, Waterfront South Theatre, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, 2012 Hairspray - music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Oct. 19 at the Media Theatre, media,
PA with Tamara Anderson as Motormouth Maybelle. Clean House
by Sarah Ruhl - by MN Players / Spotlight Theatre, 3 Wishes -
by Ari Flamingo - Walking Fish
Theatre - B. Someday Productions - with Michelle Pauls
- a Fringe Festival show New
Jerusalem -New Jerusalem, The
Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Love Is here
To Stay - a George and Ira
Gershwin musical review or Musicale, Bristol Riverside Theatre - Singers
included Philip Chaffin, Melissa Joy Hart (standout), Lauren Rooney, Annette
Michelle Sanders and Keith Spencer. A song I did not know from this review,
and which I enjoyed was "Do, Do, Do." Reasons to
be Pretty - Neil LaBute - Endgame by Samuel Beckett's, (movie on Youtube) The Zoo
Story by Edward Albee (movie on Youtube) Long Day's
Journey Into Night by Eugene
O'Neill (movie on Youtube) with Jack Lemmon, Kevin
Spacey, others Time Stands
Still, by Donald Margulies, Act
II Theater Anything
Goes - with Joel Gray, Stephen
Sondheim Theater, Broadway, Sylvia - Act II Theater, Ambler, PA 2011 Phantom, ***** My Wonderful Day -
by Alan Ayckbourn - June 17,
2011 (our anniversary!) at the **** Art - by Yazmina Reza - at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA. With Tony Braithwaite, Ian Merrill Peakes & Peter Pryor. Directed by Bud Martin. Very enjoyable comedy-drama about three men, their friendship, and a work of art that comes among them. **** Let Me Down Easy -
by Anna Deveare Smith - at the Million Dollar Quartet -
by Colin Wescott and Floyd Mutrux
- at the Nederlander Theater in **** The Glass Menagerie -
by **** An Empty Plate in the
Cafe du Grand Boeuf - by Michael Hollinger
- at the Old Academy Players in East Falls, PA - An amusing comedy about a
man who is jilted by his intended... and who owns a restaurant where he
intends to have his final meal. A
nicely done, spirited production! Shows: 2010 Fela! - Broadway, NYC - Uncle Vanya by Anton
Chekhov - at the
Lantern Theatre. I liked the acting, but strangely
Chekhov was rather boring. Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry - at Stagecrafters
- An enjoyable family drama. **** Avenue Q -
musical at the **** Any Given Monday by Bruce Graham - Comedy at Act II Playhouse. Entertaining and good, rewarding evening.? *** Rodgers and Hammerstein are Dead - by Philadelphia Joke Initiative at the Latvian Theater. Inventive riffs on a Peruvian hot dog seller. **** Next to **** Fallen Angels - by Noel Coward. April 16, 2010. Super-witty and fun show, a delightful comedy from the 1920's.. **** Scapin
- by Moliere. January, 2010. Funny comedy with puppets. **** Idiot Savant - by Richard Foreman - February, 2010. The Public Theater. Not for everyone, but strange and entertaining as well as cacophanous! 2009 **** Doubt - by John
Patrick Shanley at People's Light and Theater
Company in **** I Love You, You're
Perfect, Now Change
- by ??? at
Dutch Country Players, **** August: 2004 **** The Producers -
by Mel Brooks - At the Merriam Theater in
***** Anna in the Tropics - by Nilo Cruz - Story about a lector (played well by Jimmy Smits) or reader who comes to a cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. He believes in literature and romance, but this proves disruptive to the men of the shop and inspiring to the women. This play, which won the Best Play Pulitzer Prize for 2003, has much poetry and promise. But it does not reach a dramatic crescendo or realize its considerable potential. Still, despite these complaints, I enjoyed the characters, situation, ambience, acting and writing.
2003 ***** Top Dog / Underdog - by Suzan-Lori Parks at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Reviewed by Albert Fried-Cassorla This is a brilliant tale of two African-American brothers whose parents
have split off and whom now live together in a rooming house. The play won
the Pulitzer for Best Drama of 2001. Parks has a gift for creating colorful,
interesting characters. One is named Lincoln, who plays Abraham Lincoln at an
arcade, where he gets shot repeatedly. This is comical and ironic, though
it's certainly requires a leap of faith to believe that Booth is a schemer who wants to master the game of 5-Card Monty, at which
his brother used to excel. But his brother gave it up due to an associate
being murdered in connection with playing this street game-scam. The story is
about ego, the lack of ego-strength, closeness and antagonism of the brothersl, and their hard fight to maintain a scap of pride when everyhing
else seems to be falling apart. Seth Gilliam played
*** Iphiginia and Other Daughters -
by Ellen McLaughlin, at Each character in this play is at times compelling. But the eveing has too many long disquisitions and is someties hard to follow. I would encourage the author, if asked (and nobody has!) to rework this play with less leaden dialog, more arch and interesting dialog (of which it does already have some), and more interesting stage action. **** Kaiju Big Battel - At the Electric Factory. NOT for everybody, and NOT high-brow, to say the least. This is a campy, messy, loud fun-filled romp, where Japanese monsters and "hereoes" fight each other in a cage, accompanied by tumulutuous cheering from the crowd. Played as comedy with melodrama. Performance art, lots of spraying liquids, mayhem. Fun! To get an idea of what we saw, visit www.kaiju.com. Enter, then click on the videocassette icon (6th symbol down on the left). Then view Kaiju Rampage NY.
**** It tells the story of the group with words, photos and song. Denny Doherty
tells the story of the group in a personal fashion, providing integumentary tissue between the songs. The anecdotes are
moving. Like many folk groups and individuals, they suffered poverty while
cutting their musical teeth in The beauty of the show lies in the exceptional harmonic beauty and style of John Phillips' arrangements. That is what I love, and having those harmonies wash over me was sensational! I especially loved the first song, Dedicated to the One I Love. It begins softly, achingly, and builds from there. Creeque Alley has some of the most amazing and clever lyrics of any pop song ever written. The movies, clips and stories all weave together into a beautiful evening. One reviewer wrote the Denny Doherty only tells his side of the story. Excuse me? Whose side is he supposed to tell? His stories are ot particularly self-flattering. He presents himself as booze-addled, and not up to loving Mama Cass because she was "too much woman for him to handle." He sounds embarrassed when he says it, sounding as though he missed a major opportunity. The stories are excellent... but it's the beautiful music that means everything. By the way, the amazing rock photography of Henry Diltz adorns the back wall and provides the perfect backdrop. Best related Mamas and the Papas sites: http://www.mamasandpapasmusical.com - All about the current musical. http://dredd.aaahosting.net/MamasPapas.html - a great resource http://www.psycho-jello.com/creeque/ another great resource http://www.creequealley.com/- all about analyziung the lyrics of one great song with wonderful lyrics, "Creeque Alley."
**** To me, the essence of the musical is not the music. It is the story, wrapped perhaps in a swam of music, which escalates, rolls, and carries. This is a story of fighting oppression, early tragedy, paternal love, and more. It must be heretical to say the music does not count as much... but like Miss Saigon, it is the tale that tells. Nobody sings a Les Miz tune, as great a show and experience as it is.
**** Losers tells a humorous tale of a middle-aged couple trying to get
romantic, even while the woman';s
mother is upstairs and pounding the floor with a stick to disrupt them and
get attention. The couple "does something" to keep her at bay. Very
funny and entertaining. Directed by Michael Brophy.
Plays through March 2, 2003 at the Lantern Theater Company, St. Stephen's
Theater, 10th and
***
**** Lastly, "Why I Live at the P.O." is a delightful riff about a
woman who cannot abide by her eccentric and spiteful relatives, and who
decides to move out. Kemper is marvelous as this churlish, witty character,
and her portrayal is filled with laughs. Martha Kemper teaches theatre and
directs plays at
2002 **** Just a few plot elements... Character Millicent Jordan plans a dinner party and has trouble finding appropriate guests. Her husband has heart and business problems. Her daughter is in love with actor Larry Renault, a has-been actor modeled on John Barrymore, whom the authors knew. Those are just a few of the spicy ingredients! Many more make it a heady stew. What happens and how it happens, I won't say. It's witty,
well put together and a dynamite night in the theater. The
**** Fuente Overjuna by
Frey Felix Lope de Vega - At the at the Minor
Latham Theater of Barnard College,
**** Reviewed by Albert Fried-Cassorla This is a stunning dramatic adaptation of the novel by C.S. Lewis of the same name, as adapted by Tony Lawson. The subject matter is man's temptations into evil, and the desire of "the devil" to make process succeed.
As the play proceeds, various concepts are introduced and explored in intensely dyspeptic and dramatic fashion. These include notions of marriage love, Puritanism and more. Along the way, the story's narrative is interrupted by a different sort of story - highly intense scenes between Screwtape and his assistant, Toadpile, played by Monica Moran. These scenes are a total delight, with insane, over-the-top acting, dancing, S & M, fighting, fire-eating and more. They are a must-see! The staging is highly imaginative, with projections screens and props used to good advantage to enliven the sometimes abstract thoughts expressed. If there is a caveat, it is that you will need to work in order to follow some of the lengthier discursive sections of monologue. Like a Shakespeare play, you can't expect to just sit there and let the language wash over you. Attending to it brings great rewards. |
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*****
Don't Make Me Look Too Psychotic by Bruce Pachtman.
At Society Hill Playhouse in
I was an "audience leader," which meant that Bruce, who found a
kindred spirit in me, asked me to give responses, such as, "Should I do
this, Albert?" Did I say the right thing, Albert?" Should I wear the
short pants with the suit?" (No!)
Even apart from such audience participation, the writing, comedy, acting and
story-telling meld to make an excellent evening. That's probably why it played
for 68 weeks in
*****
The Fantasticks - Book and lyrics by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt. Performed at the Hedgerow Theatre through March 10th. 2002. - Since its beginning as a short play performed at Barnard College in 1959, The Fantasticks has expressed a certain uniquely charming, naïve view of love, hurt and wisdom. It has defined its own theatrical style - the bare but poetic ambience that is not austere but is in fact rich.
The play has been beautifully interpreted in the current production at the
Hedgerow Theatre in
This is the story of two lovers, Matt and Luisa, and their scheming fathers. A
character named El Gallo acts as the agent of wisdom, who provokes teases and
torments. El Gallo, played with young Robert Goulet-like
style by Brad Little, also gets to sing the musical's best known number,
"Try to Remember." The tune itself is bittersweet, which captures the
flavor of the evening.
Because this is a show with a philosophy, one that is soft-pedaled but
always present, it does not drift into ultra-sweet storytelling land. The story
may still be too sweet for some, though not for me. I saw it in the 1970's in
***
Noonday Demons and Other Distractions by Peter Barnes - At the Red
Lantern Theater,
2001
***
Girls on the Rocks: A Mermaid's Tale by Martha McDonald - At the
Painted Bride Art Center,
Martha McDonald is a performance artist who uses a team's talents to assemble her shows (or lt least this one). This one-hour presentation is all about sirens in history and art, across many cultures. McDonald sings Monteverdi and Handel and Purecell melodies in an operatic style and is very ocnvincing in creating an historic mood. She wears an evening dress and fan as she sings, and a string wuartet accompanies her sometimes -- at other times a trio of male singers. Female dancers act as sister sirens in some scenes. What I liked the best was her acting a siren on the rocks (a prop she sat on), while 50' wide video projection splashed huge scenes of waves crashing al about. It felt like the ocean was indoors! Quite remarkable.
As I said about preferring a story... I think all of McDonald's innovative techniques and evocative mod creations could find a home within a central tale, such as perhaps that of Ulysses. That would tie things together and I think make the evening more fulfilling. But I am probably a lone voice in that regard.
*
Museum by Tina Howe. At
*****
Noises Off by Michael Frayne at the Hedgerow Theatre through August 11, 2001
Reviewed by Albert Fried-Cassorla
This is a great, classic farce presented with zest, full of charming caricatures moving at a breakneck pace. It's worth seeing -- a truly hilarious night at the theater.
Like the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera only set at a British theater, this play races on from one absurd situation to another. Or rather, you might see five concurrent bits of craziness followed by nine more in an ever-escalating torrent!
The crazy characters and motivations are all provided: the two-timing lover and director played by Tony Braithwaite; an actor who continually questions his character's motivational logic played by Paul Kuhn; the trysting lovers, the eccentric housekeeper played by Susan Wheel (who just about steals the show!); the drunken burglar portrayed by theatrical renaissance man Zoran Kovcic, and more.
In the first of the play's three acts, we see a troupe performing on the front of a two-story stage with oft-ascended stairs and umpteen slamming doors. After the first intermission we now observe the action from the back of he same set, literally flipped 180 degrees on castors. We are let in on the hilarious behind-the-scenes fights between actors. And it's a good place to be!
The final act is presented frontally again, and the "slapstickery" and comedy keep getting crazier and more frenetic.
As a playwright, I was amazed at the sheer mechanical complexity shown by Frayne in tracking so many shenanigans, and making it all come together with wit and aplomb.
Artistic Director Penny Reed and the cast are to be commended for a bravo performance. This is an evening of laughter that's well worth the trip to Malvern. Visit www.hedgerowtheatre.org for more information.
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Albert Fried-Cassorla is a playwright and
****
The Myster of Irma Vep
by Charles Ludlam, presented by Brat Productions, in
downtown
***
Outside the Box, including Agamemnon by Aeshylus,
adapted by Tony Harrison; Dick Whittington and His Cat Adapted by
****
Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw
- The Lion Theater, St. Mark's Church,
The first half was filled with witty chatter and character delineation. Perhaps too many characters were introduced, it seemed that many have two names. This makes it a bit harder than it ought be to know "who's on first."
The relative lightness of the first three scenes constituting Act I does allow one prepare one for the death-dealing evil of the ecclesiastic church in later scenes. The church recoils as it defends itself against the imagined threat of Joan. For she claims to be in direct touch with God -- Joan hears voices that inspire and guide her. She pays no heed to the authority of the church. So her blasphemy lies simply in ignoring officialdom, not in leading an active rebellion against it. But this proves sufficient for her undoing.
Shaw's powers of language and dramaturgy are at their zenith in the play's
sixth and last major scene, but for a modest epilogue. The fire of hared comes
to the fore. Joan, as you may recall, wore a knight's armor and led French
troops to victory at the siege of
Adding to the luster of this particular performance were the grandeur of the St. Marks church's interior, and the beauty of the four-part harmonies displayed by an a capellla group, which sand chants by Dufay and Josquin de Pres. Lovely!
On a personal note, I felt the impact of this ignominious chapter of
Catholic history in the record of Inquisition during the same or following
period. The play occurs in he 1430's and the Inquisition was in 1492. My
ancestors were exiled from Cazorla,
I enjoyed Saint Joan. The language occasionally gets too full of itself, and it demands great concentration. But in the end, your attention is well-rewarded.