Kind Stranger… a memory play

 Kind Stranger… a memory play
The Dream Up Festival
Theater for the New City
August 24, 2025

Photo courtesy of Kind Stranger... a memory play

Kind Stranger… a memory play is part of The Dream Up Festival, now running at Theater for the New City.  It is a one-character play based on Tennessee Williams’ Memoirs.  Steven Simone-Friedland, who adapted and directed the piece, captures the voice and candor of Tennessee Williams.  He focuses on specific events in the life of the playwright, giving the audience a chance to get to know him in an informal manner.  The piece is charming and inspiring.  It is skillfully written and directed, and beautifully performed by Rick Simone-Friedland. 

We meet Tennessee Williams (played by Rick Simone-Friedland) as he is writing his memoir.  He admits it is an undertaking quite different from his theatrical projects.  It has a distinct goal and requires a new approach.  He goes on to share the events leading up to the opening of The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire.  He tells of the challenges he faced with The Rose Tattoo, and why he is most proud of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  He reveals his professional partnerships in these projects and how they sustained his work throughout the years.  He then shares about his long-time relationship with Frank Merlo, and how life changed after his passing.  Through all these stories, we gain a tender and personal insight into Mr. Williams’ thoughts and feelings. 

Rick Simone-Friedland as Tennessee Williams
Photo courtesy of Kind Stranger... a memory play

Rick Simone-Friedland is captivating and honest as Tennessee Williams.  He embodies the character’s rhythm and artistic perspective.  There is an ease to his portrayal, which warmly invites for the audience to develop a visceral understanding of the man. 

Steven Simone-Friedland expertly chose specific chapters from the memoir for this piece.  They center around the more well-known plays, giving the audience the opportunity to connect to the character.  The transitions are all smoothly written and seamlessly performed. 

Kind Stranger… a memory play is running through September 3.  If you are a Tennessee Williams fan, you will appreciate this work.  It is an excellent opportunity to get to know a different side of him.  Check the Theater for a New City website for the festival dates and times. 

Domenick Danza

Call Me Izzy

 Call Me Izzy
Studio 54
August 20, 2025

Photo courtesy of Call Me Izzy

Jean Smart delivers a brilliant performance in Call Me Izzy.  Playwright Jamie Wax crafted a beautifully rhythmic script with a character who is full of hope.  Director Sarna Lapine molded this piece with layers for Ms. Smart to explore in an intimate manner.  She invites the audience into her story, sharing her secrets and revealing her innermost desires. 

Isabelle (played by Jean Smart) decides at an early age she wants to be called Izzy, but only a few people do.  She performs a poem in a third-grade assembly, which opens the world of words to her.  She decides she wants to be a poet, and writes as often as she can.  She shares her notebook with her teacher, who buys her a book of verse to study.  When she turns nineteen, Izzy’s father marries her off to a man five years her senior.  They move to a trailer park, where he severely limits her social connections.  He does not allow her to write, so she does it secretly, keeping her notebooks hidden.  She befriends a neighbor behind her husband’s back, who takes her to the local library.  She pushes Izzy to join a writing class.  When Izzy wins a writing contest, her husband finds and burns all her notebooks.  She starts over, pushes against her husband’s abuse, and does not stop sharing her writing. 

Jean Smart as Izzy
Photo courtesy of Call Me Izzy

Jean Smart is warm and natural in the role of Izzy.  She commands the stage for 90 minutes.  Her
character is open and honest, yet holds back on sharing the physical and emotional damage her husband causes her.  The reveal of this abuse is powerful and jarring.  Ms. Smart’s portrayal of her character’s ability to rise up and move on is stunning. 

Call Me Izzy is playing at Studio 54 through August 24.  It is an emotional and inspirational story of creativity and perseverance.  Don’t miss Jean Smart in this role! 

Domenick Danza

Operation Mincemeat

 Operation Mincemeat
Golden Theatre
August 5, 2025

Photo courtesy of Operation Mincemeat

Operation Mincemeat is a boldly crafted, ingenious new musical.  The ensemble cast of five (David Cumming, understudy Jessi Kirtley, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone, and Zoë Roberts) play numerous roles, weaving together a complex and highly detailed story.  It has a fantastic score and a brilliantly comedic script.  Jenny Arnold’s choreography is sharp and witty.  Amid the fast pace, tight timing, quick costume changes, and heightened style, Director Robert Hastie skillfully transitions the energy to deliver sincere moments of touching humanity that give this raucous musical a truthful heart and soul. 

We are in England during World War II.  Hitler is planning to invade Sicily and enter into Italy.  British Intelligence is challenged with developing a plan to make Hitler believe the Allied Forces are taking over Sardinia.  If the Nazis shift their plan and invade Sardinia, the Allied Forces could move into Sicily and protect Italy from Nazi invasion.  The British Intelligence puts this challenge to their most respected agents.  They all submit a plan.  When one is chosen, they take quick action to move the plan forward.  They work out every minute detail and face unexpected obstacles. 

The Cast of Operation Mincemeat
Photo courtesy of Operation Mincemeat

This does not sound like an ideal plot for a raucous musical, but in the hands of the writing team (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts), it all comes together with amazing style.  The score is uplifting, and the lyrics are clever.  The characters are distinct, over the top, and empathetic.  Since this is based on historical facts, Act II gets complex.  The plan is almost foiled when an American pilot crashes his plane on the same date and one of the supervisors is suspected of being a double agent.  This all motivates the hijinks to get even more audacious. 

Photo courtesy of Operation Mincemeat

The essential part of the plan is for the body of a British pilot to be washed up on the shore of Spain, carrying a briefcase with the Allied Forces’ top-secret plan for taking over Sardinia.  This plot point keeps the action of the play cohesive through to the end.  The agents procure a body from the morgue, but its identity is unknown.  The characters carefully create a fictional identity for the deceased pilot, evidence of which will be found on the body by the Spanish authorities.  This adds vital credibility to their plan.  The need to identify the corpse is brought up numerous times, but the truth is held back.  This builds a tension that keeps the audience fully engaged throughout the story.

Operation Mincemeat is a unique musical, skillfully crafted and flawlessly performed.   It is playing at the Golden Theatre.  You MUST see it! 

Domenick Danza

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
The Drilling Company
July 17, 2025

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company,
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is two hours of pure joy.  This is their thirtieth year of presenting free summer Shakespeare on the Lower East Side.  Artistic Director Hamilton Clancy has gathered a phenomenal troupe this summer to continue his well-loved tradition.  They are a highly skilled combination of accomplished regulars and bold new faces. 

Egea (played by Lizabeth Allen) brings his daughter, Hermia (played by Miranda Reilly) to Duke Theseus (played by David Marantz) because of her disobedience.  Egea wants Hermia to marry Demetrius (played by Kaleb Baker), but Hermia wants to marry Lysander (played by Patrick Hart).  To make matters worse, Demetrius has been spending time with Helena (played by Lia Bonfilio), but he does not love her.  Theseus proclaims that Hermia must follow her mother’s orders or suffer the consequences.  Lysander and Hermia plan to flee to where Athenian law has no power, and marry there.  Helena hears of this plan and tells Demetrius.  Their paths cross in the forest on a midsummer’s night, where magic and mischief run wild. 

David Marantz, Una Clancy,
& Alessandro Colla

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot regulars, David Marantz and Una Clancy double as Theseus/Oberon and Titania/Hippolyta.  Their relationships in these roles are strikingly different.  They light a fire as Oberon and Titania, creating edgy, zealous characters.  Miranda Reilly, Patrick Hart, Lia Bonfilio, and Kaleb Baker are passionate and endearing as Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius.  Their timing is strong, and their chemistry is potent.  Lizbeth Allen has a strong presence as Egea.  Thammie Laine Quach, Jasmine Gonzales, and Aria Martinelli are mystical and beguiling as Mustardseed, Moth, and Cobweb. 

The Mechanicals are a striking group of actors.  Alessandro Colla and Evangeline Fontaine make their long-awaited comeback to Shakespeare in the Parking Lot.  Mr. Colla is fierce and untamed as Bottom / Pyramus, and Ms. Fontaine is commanding and precise as Peter Quince.  Adam Joy Sall delivers a meek and tender Robin Starling / Moon.  Basil Lvoff is grounded and composed as Snug / Lion.  Marion Stenfort portrays Snout / Wall with a musical flair.  Chris Martel is charming as Flute / Thisbe.  Their individual characters are strong and distinct.  Their comic timing is impeccable.  

Andy Rowell as Puck

Andy Rowell delivers a devilish Puck.  He grabs the audience’s attention from the minute he enters, and they willingly follow him on his magical adventure.  He develops a stunning rapport with Mr. Marantz’s Oberone.  The brightest newcomer to Shakespeare in the Parking Lot is Marie Claire as the Changeling.  

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is playing Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 PM through August 2.  The parking lot is on the corner of Rivington & Norfolk.  Take the F Trian to Delancey.  Nothing says summer more than FREE outdoor Shakespeare, and no one does it better than the Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. 

Domenick Danza

Transgression

 Transgression
HERE Arts Center
July 14, 2025

Photo courtesy of Transgression

Terry Curtis Fox’s new play, Transgression, questions and explores the boundaries of an artist’s creative process.  His characters are all affected by the private discoveries made during the course of the play, giving a rich perspective on the severity of actions previously taken.  Director Avra Fox-Lerner sheds equal light on the sensitivity of each of these perspectives, allowing the audience to use their own moral compass to draw a conclusion. 

Gina (played by Jane Ives) finds a series of photos taken by her deceased husband, Norman (played by James Jelkin), a renown photographer, famous for his female nude portraits.  She immediately contacts Martin (played by Yuvai Boim), who is curating a retrospective of Norman’s work.  He confirms that the newly discovered photos are Norman’s best work and that the subject is an under-aged girl.  She is sleeping in all the photos, so it is unclear if Norman had her consent.  Martin sends out a press release to find this young woman.  She is now in her sixties, and wants the photos destroyed.  When Gina uncovers additional secrets Norman kept from her, she realizes Norman’s creative process crossed ethical lines. 

Susan Bennett & Yuvai Boim
Photo courtesy of Transgression

Jane Ives drives the action of the play in the character of Gina.  She makes the discoveries of her husband’s hidden work and, in the end, makes a crucial decision.  Ms. Ives goes deep to portray the inner conflict this character faces.  She plays numerous scenes with Yuvai Boim as Martin, who, as a museum curator, has a very different point of view of how to handle the newly discovered portraits.  He has a responsibility to share the work, where Gina feels betrayed and is concerned with how the photos reflect her husband’s immoral behavior.  This conflict plays very well, and these two actors use it to raise the stakes.  As Martin faces a personal crisis of his own, he forms a bond with Gina.  Ms. Ives and Mr. Boim portray every component of these multidimensional characters, fully engaging the audience in their emotional challenges.  

Susan Bennett shows her range by playing two very distinct roles.  First is the older version of Robin, the underage object of Norman’s nude portraits.  She subtly portrays the effect of the sexual abuse this character experienced, while also admitting to being a seducer.  This dichotomy gives her character extreme complexity.  After years of therapy, she is able to clearly articulate her feelings.  Ms. Bennett skillfully handles the challenge of this role with grace and confidence.  Her second role is Robin’s mother.  This is another highly complex character that Ms. Bennett pulls off beautifully. 

James Jelkin & Ivy Rose Cort
Photo courteys of Transgression

James Jelkin and Ivy Rose Cort play Norman and the young Robin.  Their chemistry is potent.  Robin is both Norman’s artistic muse and the object of his sexual desire.  These two actors instinctively play this multiplicity.  The dramatic question of the piece centers around the morality and legal ramifications of this relationship.  The writing in these scenes is intriguing, giving the audience a lot to absorb and think about.  They are sensitively directed, producing performances that are intimate and tender.

Transgression is playing at HERE Arts Center through August 2.  It is thought provoking subject matter, skillfully handled and excellently produced. 

Domenick Danza

Duke & Roya

 Duke & Roya
Lucille Lortel Theatre
July 9, 2025

Photo courtesy of Duke & Roya

Duke & Roya is a beautifully written and masterfully directed new play.  The story addresses the cultural difference of the characters as they share and expand their creative and political voices.  More importantly, it is about human connection and finding your true self in spite of the expectations placed upon you.  Playwright Charles Randolph-Wright has crafted a masterpiece.  Director Warren Adams focuses on the relationships of the four characters, their obstacles and triumphs, which keeps the action flowing smoothly.  The cast is extraordinary, delivering brilliantly truthful performances. 

The year is 1917.  Duke (played by Jay Ellis) is a famous American Rap artist.  He travels to Afghanistan to perform for the U.S. troops.  He meets Roya (played by Stephanie Nur), an Afghan translator.  She is independent and forthright, characteristics Duke has not found in the women he meets.  After the concert, Duke convinces her to take him on an adventure off the base.  It is prohibited and dangerous.  When there is a bombing in the tea shop where they stop to eat, Duke is injured.  This shines a light of suspicion on Roya.  Duke’s mother, Desiree (played by Noma Dumezweni), flies in from England to see him.  Roya’s father, Sayeed (played by Dariush Kashani), who is also a translator for the American forces, is very concerned about how this incident will affect his family. 

Stephanie Nur & Jay Ellis
Photo courtesy of Duke & Roya

Jay Ellis and Stephanie Nur light a fire in their first scene together.  It sparks and smolders, taking the
action of the play to its tender conclusion.  Mr. Ellis portrays Duke as pompous and privileged in the first few scenes, while Ms. Nur plays Roya as aloof and guarded.  The differences in their upbringing and lifestyles are vast.  As Duke chips away at Roya’s defenses, she challenges his self-awareness.  This continues throughout the play.  Their connection is genuine and breathtaking.  It is fascinating to watch the transformation this relationship causes in their characters.  

Jay Ellis & Noma Dumezweni
Photo courtesy of Duke & Roya

There is a great cultural divide between the characters of Sayeed and Desirees.  Dariush Kashani and Noma Dumezweni skillfully portray this in the relationships they have with their very independent and determined adult children.  They unexpectedly find common ground, then openly express disappointment with their children’s actions.  They push them to accept responsibility.  This seems like an impossible task to impose on a self-centered Rap star, and a severe demand to place on a young Afghan woman.  These parent/child relationships strengthen through the events of the story because they are grounded in mutual love and respect.

The action of the story takes these four characters on a journey toward self-awareness and cultural understanding.  They are all pushed to their limits, facing their inherent flaws and cultural restrictions.

Duke & Roya is playing at the Lucille Lortel Theatre through August 23.  It is a must see!  

Domenick Danza

Joy

 Joy
Laura Pels Theater
June 30, 2025

Photo courtesy of Joy

The Off-Broadway production of Joy, now playing at the Laura Pels Theatre, is an uplifting new musical.  It is based on the life of Joy Mangano and her book Inventing Joy: Dare to Build a Brave & Creative Life.  It was also a 2015 movie starring Jennifer Lawrence.  The music and lyrics by Annmarie Milazzo are spirited and energetic.  The book by Ken Davenport is sharp and witty.  Joshua Bergasse’s choreography is clever and precise.  Director Lorin Latarro finds the comic timing and pace to keep the show moving, and, most importantly, she finds the heart. 

Joy (played by Betsy Wolfe) is a single mother doing the best she can, which never seems to be enough.  Her mother, Toots (played by Jill Abramovitz), never gets off the couch, and has not left the house in over two years.  Her father, Rudy (played by Adam Grupper), is divorced from her mother, living in her basement, and dating Lorraine, an old friend of hers from high school (played by Jaygee Macapugay).  Her ex-husband, Tony (played by Brandon Espinoza), is a could-have-been band singer, also living in her basement.  Her young daughter, Christie (played by Honor Blue Savage), is angry that her mother seems to always put her last, even though she is always first in her thoughts.  When Joy loses her job, she gets an idea for improving a common household tool… the mop.  Unlike all her other ideas, she takes bold moves on this one.  She draws up a design and makes a prototype from objects she has around the house.  No one in her family believes in her, but she is motivated to make life better for her daughter.  She has a dream, and defies all odds to achieve it. 

Betsy Wolfe
Photo courtesy of Joy

Betsy Wolfe is endearing as Joy.  She has the audience’s full attention from the moment she enters, and engages every emotion throughout the story.  The character is far from perfect, but the audience roots for her every step of the way.  Her singing voice rings with drive and emotion.  She creates a powerful relationship with Honor Blue Savage, who plays her daughter Christie.  Ms. Savage portrays the teenage angst perfectly.  Her disappointment in her mother is fierce, and Ms. Wolfe meets that with unrelenting determination.  As the plot progresses, Christie steps up to support her mother.  Ms. Savage plays this moment with genuine love and admiration. 

Jill Abramovitz portrays Joy’s mother, Toots, with a cynical edge that provides the laughs.  In the second act, when the chips are down, she delivers a heartfelt song.  The audience understands where that cynicism comes from.  Her character is redeemed, as are all Joy’s family members when they support her in her darkest hour.  

The cast and ensemble are phenomenal in this well-crafted, jubilant new musical.  The small stage of the Laura Pels Theater feels expansive and alive.  Joy is playing for a limited time, running through August 17.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza