Persephone Palmer Steps Out

 Persephone Palmer Steps Out
Theater for the New City
June 20, 2025

Photo courtesy of Persephone Palmer Steps Out

Persephone Plamer Steps Out is a dark and mysterious depiction of a family’s dynamic, dominated by their cat, who creates the connections that both keep the family together and push them apart.  Playwright Caitlyn Waltermire skillfully embeds the myth of Persephone in the action of the play, creating a magical atmosphere that is full of strange surprises.  Director Natalie Thomas grounds the magical elements in realistic characters, guiding each actor in truthful portrayals of the relationships that drive the story. 

Connie Palmer (played by Zuhairah) spends most of her time at home alone with her cat, Persephone Palmer, aka Persie (played by Sophie Kelly-Hedrick).  When Connie’s husband, Herm (played by Guy Ventoliere) returns from work, they play with the cat, admiring her intelligence, then eat dinner together.  When their son, Joe (played by Alec Febbraro) comes home with his girlfriend, Stef (played by Jessalyn Charles), Persie scratches her, which angers Joe.  He disciplines her by spraying her with a water bottle.  Connie and Herm are permissive with Joe’s bringing Stef over, but when Joe introduces them to Paul (played by Diogo de Oliveira), they sense danger.  Percie, on the other hand, is very attracted to Paul, and openly shows her affection.  Paul lets himself into the apartment at night and connects with Percie on another level.  Percie begins to speak directly to him.  When Connie’s brother, Richard (played by Phil Oetiker) and his much younger wife, Lisa (played by Elizabeth Sherman) visit, Lisa feels a strange bond with Percie.  She unexpectedly returns a few nights later with Richard, after having too much to drink.  She tells about how she and Richard first met fifteen years earlier.  Strangely, Percie is fifteen years old.  In the final scene, Percie stands and puts on Connie’s coat.  She opens the door to leave the apartment.  Connie tries to stop her and admits she will not be able to survive without her. 

Guy Ventoliere, Sophie Kelly-Hedrick, & Zuhairah
Photo courtey of Persephone Palmer Steps Out

The cast is fully committed to their characters throughout the story, keeping the audience enthralled through the dark and magical unfolding of events.  In the world of this play, anything is possible.  The intelligence and personification of the cat, Percie, and her connection to the extended family are fully believable.  Their bonds are visceral, mythical, and hypnotically engaging. 

Sophie Kelly-Hedrick is mesmerizing as Persephone (Percie).  She is beguiling and bewitching.   The emergence of her human characteristics is gradual and excruciating.  She pushes the vocal expression from her cat-like physicality.  When her body slowly grows to a full standing position by the time she leaves the apartment, there is more ease in her physicality, as if she has achieved her full reality. 

Sophie Kelly-Hedrick & Diogo de Oliveira
Photo courtesy of Persephone Palmer Steps Out

Zuhairah and Guy Ventoliere create a truthful husband/wife relationship as Connie and Herm.  Connie suffers from anxiety, feeling trapped in the apartment, and Herm offers his support with humor and affection.  Their relationship is touching and genuine in this dark and mysterious world.  Alec Febbraro, Diogo de Oliveira, and Jessalyn Charles portray rebellious teens as Joe, Paul, and Stef.  Their angst is palpable.  Their urges are strong.  Their bond is genuine.  Elizabeth Sherman and Phil Oetiker deliver strong performances as Lisa and Richard.  You can tell right away that something is off in their relationship.  When the truth is revealed, it is disturbing and fathomable.  

Persephone Palmer Steps Out is playing at Theater for the New City until July 6.  It is a mystifying, mind-bending adventure.  

Domenick Danza

Gypsy

 Gypsy
Majestic Theatre
June 17, 2025

Photo courtesy of Gypsy

Audra McDonald puts her unique brand on the iconic role of Rose in the Broadway revival of Gypsy.  Director George C. Wolfe found the urgency that drives every scene.  All the characters are fueled by a primal energy, a yearning for their desires and deep seeded need.  It gives this production a cutting-edge nuance.  Camille A. Brown’s choreography is a truly new take on this Broadway classic.  The movements are fully grounded in character.  Her dances propel the action and enhance the story.  The cast and ensemble are phenomenal. 

Rose (played by Audra McDonald) is pushing her two young daughters, Baby June (played by Mila Jaymes) and Baby Louise (played by Kyleigh Vickers) into show business.  Rose believes that June has all the talent.  Louise works extra hard to back up her sister.  Rose steals from her father (played by Thomas Silcott) to follow her dream and build a full act for the girls.  When she is auditioning the act, she meets Herbie (played by Danny Burstein).  Rose convinces him to represent them, and he starts obtaining bookings on the vaudeville circuit.  Rose refuses to see that the girls are outgrowing the act.  June (played by Jordan Tyson) runs off with Tulsa, one of the dancers in the show (played by Kevin Csolak), leaving Louise (played by Joy Woods) to take over.  Rose builds a whole new act around Louise, but since vaudeville is dying, they wind up taking a booking in a burlesque house.  Rose gives in and decides to marry Herbie at the end of their contract.  When the star stripper does not show up for her number, Rose does what she does best.  She pushes Louise into the spotlight. 

Joy Woods, Audra McDonald, & Danny Burstein
Photo courtesy of Gypsy

Audra McDonald roars as Rose.  She is determined, protective, and fearless.  Danny Burstein brings a
new fire to the character of Herbie.  He and Ms. McDonald have amazing chemistry.  They are an equal match.  Their characters go head to head, and always find the balance that keeps them moving forward.  

The most challenging part of playing the role of Louise is portraying her transition from a tomboy into a young woman.  Joy Woods handles this with skill and grace.  She matures from one scene to the next, creating a gradual change that shows the passage of time as the action unfolds.  By the end of the show, she is a queen in her own right, and the audience has seen it unfold one moment at a time.  

Joy Woods & Audra McDonald
Photo courtesy of Gypsy

Jordan Tyson portrays June with feisty energy.  The character is fueled by frustration, caused by her mother’s expectation.  This plays very well against Ms. Woods’ Louise, who is always working to decelerate the conflict between June and Rose.  June’s decision to leave with Tulsa is hurtful to Rose, yet it is clear by Ms. Tyson’s portrayal that it is fully motivated by her anger toward her mother and made with total disregard for her feelings.

Gypsy is playing at the Majestic Theatre.  It is an energized revival with a stellar cast, who all deliver tremendous performances. 

Domenick Danza

The Imaginary Invalid

 The Imaginary Invalid
Red Bull Theater
New World Stages
June 14, 2025

Photo courtesy of Red Bull Theater

Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid is light, silly, and a lot of fun.  The Red Bull Theater production is sharp and stylistic.  Director Jesse Berger has gathered a diverse and stellar cast, who keeps the timing tight and evenly paced.  Their characters are clean and crisp.  The action drives the humor, and it all ends on a joyous high point. 

Argan (played by Mark Linn-Baker) is a hypochondriac.  To save on his doctor bills, he decides that his daughter, Angelique (played by Emilie Kouatchou) will marry Thomas Diafoirus (played by Russell Daniels), the son of one of his three physicians (all played by Arnie Burton).  Argan is unaware that Angelique has accepted the marriage proposal of Clèante (played by John Yi).  Argan’s maid, Toinette (played by Sarah Stiles) takes Angelique’s side on her decision to go against her father’s wishes.  This makes Argan decide to disinherit his daughter and leave all his money to his second wife, Bèline (played by Emily Swallow).  Toinette comes up with a plan to make Argan see the error in his decision before the lawyer, De Bonnefoi (played by Manoel Feliciano), who is also Bèline’s secret lover, notarizes Agran’s revised will. 

Mark Linn-Baker & Sarah Stiles
Photo courtesy of Red Bull Theater

From the very start of the show, Mark Linn-Baker captures the audience’s attention.  His comic timing
keeps them empathetic to his situation throughout the ninety-minute performance.  He has an excellent connection with Sarah Stiles.  Ms. Stiles’ portrayal of Toinette is dry and sarcastic, while Mr. Linn-Baker’s Argan is boisterous and demanding.  Together they drive the action.  Arnie Burton creates the roles of three different doctors.  His characters are daring and distinct.  His quick changes and comic delivery are highly entertaining.  Emilie Kouatchou and John Yi are perfect together as Angelique and Clèante.  Ms. Kouatchou’s character is determined and self-assured, while Mr Yi’s is flighty and self-absorbed.  Bold and hilarious performances are also delivered by Russell Daniels, Manoel Feliciano, and Emily Swallow. 

The Full Cast of The Imaginary Invalid
Photo courtesy of Red Bull Theater

Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation is skillfully crafted, merging Molière’s plot with present day references and clever lyrics to Broadway show tunes.  The scenic design, by Beowulf Boritt, draws the audience into Molière’s setting and time period with bright colors and a witty flair.  The costumes by Tilly Grimes are a perfect blend of period, character, and social commentary.

The Imaginary Invalid is playing at New World Stages through June 29.  You need to see this light and silly comedy.  Get a ticket before it closes! 

Domenick Danza

Ocean in a Teacup

 Ocean in a Teacup
Next Step Theatre Festival
Gural Theater
June 5, 2025

Photo courtesy of Ocean in a Teacup

The Next Step Theatre Festival is presenting Ocean in a Teacup, a new musical by Joel Krantz and Neil Selden.  The score is beautifully crafted.  It is based on a true story of one man’s spiritual journey during war time, which turns into a personal quest.  It is highly relevant in our present political atmosphere, dramatizing the courage required to make critical choices when facing fears and personal demons. 

It is World War II.  Thomas Henderson (played by Lukas Poost) declares he is a conscientious objector.  The draft board accepts his claim.  Instead of remaining safely at home, he decides to travel to India and work with the Red Cross.  Before leaving, he asks Julia Gordon (played by Selene Klasner) to marry him when he returns.  As the war rages, the Red Cross hospital is attacked.  Tom takes up arms to defend himself and his fellow medical workers.  This puts all his beliefs in question.  He leaves the Red Cross, but is incapable of returning home and facing Julia.  He turns to alcohol in an desperate effort to escape his actions.  Khogen (played by Levin Valayil), an ambulance driver whose life Tom saved when he chose to defend the Red Cross hospital, finds him and takes him to meet his teacher, Thakur (Played by Arif Silverman).  This puts Tom on the rough road to healing, which required a difficult change in his perspective.  When Julia travels to India to find Tom, he is forced to face his actions and fully commit to his choice. 

The cast of Ocena in a Teacup
Photo courtesy of Ocean in a Teacup

Lukas Poost delivers a strong performance as Thomas Henderson.  His journey is wrought by
tremendous inner conflict.  Mr. Poost skillfully portrays these battles.  Arif Silverman has a grounded presence as Thakur.  Levin Valayil is dynamic and outspoken as Khogen.  Selena Klasner has a few heartfelt solos as Julia Gordon.  She performs them flawlessly.  There are also impressive performance by Isha Narayanan, Brandon Grimes, and Shailen Patel Braun. 

Ocean in a Teacup is a big musical with a beautiful score.  It tells a valuable and relevant story.  This bare-bones festival production has an extremely skilled cast of seven with a well recorded orchestral track.  It deserves further development and a full-scale production.  This is the goal of the Next Step Theatre Festival.  It is a chance for playwrights and composers to showcase their work and assess the “next step” in the development process on the journey toward production.  For more information and the full listing of performances presented this month, go to NextStepTheatreFest.com. 

Ocean in a Teacup is playing at the Gural Theater (502 W. 53 St., NYC).  There are two more performance (June 7 & 8).  Don’t miss them. 

Domenick Danza

Prosperous Fools

 Prosperous Fools
Theatre for a New Audience
Polonsky Shakespeare Center
June 3, 2025

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

In the new play, Prosperous Fools, Taylor Mac leaves no stone unturned in the examination of today’s political landscape and its effect on the arts.  The commentary is direct, but more importantly, the audience is left with questions, placing a spotlight on every participant in our present day society, and highlighting everyone’s role in its obliteration. 

The action of the play surrounds a gala performance of a new ballet, created by the Artist (played by Taylor Mac).  The Philantrhopoid (played by Jennifer Regan) is the Artistic Director of the dance company, willing to sell her soul and every element of the production to please the gala’s two wealthy honorees (played by Jason O’Connell and Sierra Boggess).  One is a despised capitalist oligarch, and the other a beloved sponsor of needy children.  Everything spins out of control as basic facts, creative expression, and philanthropic endeavors are manipulatively spun into fake news and absurd outcomes.  The Artist realizes they sold out and that the Intern (played by Kaliswa Brewster) is more deserving of praise than any of the artists or honorees. 

The full cast of Prosperous Fools
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Taylor Mac’s writing is exceptionally focused.  Even when expounding on minute details, the main point is always vividly clear.  During one scene, seven genres of humor are illustrated, defining how a message can be successfully communicated and for which demographic they are most suitable.  When the Artist addresses the audience at the conclusion of the show, they wear the hat of the fool.  This is most appropriate, based on how the message is to be heard.  The audience now learns forward, listening carefully to how to process the play.  This intellectualizes the full experience.  Answers to these questions are not provided, nor is the audience led to one specific message.  These questions are for the audience to ponder and discuss. The perspective of what we witness and experience in our daily life shifts, as we consider these questions through the lens of the absurd action of the play.  The big picture changes.  The responsibility of our individual choices becomes clear. 

Director Darko Tresnjak finds the right balance for this piece so the audience can hook into the humor and understand the metaphor.  The cast broadly plays the absurdity, but never goes too far over the top.  The choreography by Austin McCormick is stunning and clever. 

Prosperous Fools is playing at Theatre for a New Audience through June 29.  It is a riveting experience. 

Domenick Danza

Lunar Eclipse

 Lunar Eclipse
2^nd Stage Theater
The Pershing Square Signature Center
May 31, 2025

Photo courtesy of 2nd Stage Theater

Donald Margulies’ new play, Lunar Eclipse, is now running Off-Broadway.  It is an intimate two-hander, filled with deep sentiment that lingers long after the play is over.  Mr. Margulies structured the piece to parallel the stages of a lunar eclipse.  Director Kate Whoriskey shapes the emotions in the dialogue to gently draw the audience in.  Reed Birney and Lisa Emery are wonderful together.  Their connection is honest, innate, and effortless. 

George (played by Reed Birney) is sitting in the middle of a field in the dead of night, crying.  When a car pulls up and headlights illuminate his emotional state, he quickly pulls himself together.  It is his wife, Em (played by Lisa Emery), who has come to keep him company.  It is George’s ritual to watch the lunar eclipse, and she brought supplies to get them through the cold night.  Em tells George she saw him crying when she drove up.  He denies it at first, then finally opens up.  George admits that he misses their newly deceased pet dog.  They reminisce about all the dogs they have had on the farm over the years, all of whom have been buried in the field where they are sitting.  He also tells Em that he is awake in the middle of the night worried about the state of the world, and is having trouble remembering everyday details.  She makes light of his getting older.  They talk about their inability to have children and the challenges they faced adopting.  George tells Em that he knows how and when they are both going to die. 

Photo courtesy of 2nd Stage Theater

As in all Donald Margulies plays, the rhythm of the dialogue flows naturally, which offers visceral insight into the relationship of the characters.  They poke and tease, lose their patience, shut down, then selfishly blurt out their feelings.  What is different in this piece is the location.  A farm in western Kentucky requires a different pace and ease than Ms. Margulies’ earlier plays, and it works beautifully.  The audience sits back and absorbs the revelations in the dialogue. 

In the final scene George and Em are transported back in time to the night they ventured out to the field to watch their first lunar eclipse together.  They are young and hopeful.  They have their whole lives ahead of them.  This scene perfectly frames the couple’s reflections during the previous scenes.  Their journey has just begun and, knowing where it takes them, we understand the importance of appreciating every moment. 

Lunar Eclipse is playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center through June 22.  It is a touching and intimate play.  Go see it. 

Domenick Danza

Moulin Rouge! The Musical!

 Moulin Rouge!
The Musical!
Al Hirschfeld Theatre
May 28, 2025

Photo courtesy of Moulin Rouge! the Musical!

The Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! is an extravagant, larger than life musical.  It engages all the senses.  The book, by John Logan, far exceeds the story of the Buz Luhrmann movie.  Sonya Tayeh deserves every award she won for her choreography when the show opened in 2019, including the Tony.  The set and costumes are spectacular.  Director Alex Timbers connected every detail to deliver an emotional and passionate journey that has lasting impact. 

Christian (played by Jordan Fisher) travels from Ohio to Paris to find his voice as an artist and composer.  He meets Toulouse-Lautrec (played by André Ward) and Santiago (played by Pepe Muňoz), who are working on a musical about their bohemian lifestyle.  They take Christian to the Moulin Rouge, where they hope to get their show produced.  Their plan is to meet the club’s star, Satine (played by Solea Pfeiffer) and present the show to the owner, Harold Zidler (played by Austin Durant).  Satine confuses Christian for The Duke of Monroth (played by Andy Karl), who Zidler expects Satine to charm in order to get money to keep the club afloat.  When Satine falls in love with Christian, she puts the future of everyone at the Moulin Rouge at risk.  

Photo courtesy of Moulin Rouge! The Musical!

The cast is amazing, and the ensemble is phenomenal.  Solea Pfeiffer is powerful as Satine.  Jordan Fisher delivers a naive, passionate, and vulnerable Christian.  André Ward is outstanding as Toulouse-Lautrec.  His character is wise, charming, and determined.  Andy Karl is demanding and controlling as The Duke of Monroth.  Austin Durant portrays Harold Zidler as pompous and pushy, with a genuine soft spot in his heart for Satine.  Their energies meld as the journey of their characters transport the audience to 1899 Paris. 

Moulin Rouge! won ten Tony Awards in 2020, including Best Musical.  It is playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  It is a must see production, full of truth, beauty, freedom, and love. 

Domenick Danza