Himself & Nora

Himself & Nora

Minetta Lane Theatre

June 26, 2016

Photo Courtesy of Himself & Nora

Himself &Nora is a new musical about the love affair between James Joyce and Nora Barnacle.  With book, music, and lyrics written by Jonathan Brielle, the show poetically portrays the romance, passion, commitment, and emotional abuse in the long term relationship between these two individuals.  The two main actors are extraordinary.  The ensemble of three fills the stage with the presence and vocal power of a cast of twenty.  Director Michael Bush finds just the right the pace to create a seamless story that engages all the senses.  He allows this brilliant cast to develop their characters and build relationships that tells a story of longing, fervor, and devotion.

Matt Bogart as James Joyce
Photo courtesy of Himself & Nora

Matt Bogart embodies the character of James Joyce with commanding physicality.  He grows from an adolescent dreamer into a confident artist with astounding awareness of detail.  Whitney Bashor is powerful and bold as Nora.  Her presence demands attention when she enters in scene one, and keeps you riveted throughout the show.  It takes a strong actor to portray the woman who inspired James Joyce, was his true love, and tolerated his emotional distance and inflated sense of “himself.”  Ms. Bashor is perfectly cast to bring this amazing woman to the stage and match Mr. Bogart’s visceral interpretation.  Her singing is superb, as is Mr. Bogart’s.  These two actors ignite one another’s passion and yearning.  The story follows the characters’ exile from Ireland in hopes of escaping the restrictive weight of the Irish Catholic Church.  Together their journey takes them to Italy and Paris, where Joyce painstakingly develops his authentic writing style.

Lianne Marie Doss & Michael McCormick
Photo courtesy of Himself & Nora

The ensemble plays numerous roles including James Joyce’s parents, children, and publisher.  Zachary Prince is remarkable as the hometown Irish Priest, who is ever present, creating the inner conflict that haunts Joyce throughout his life.  Mr. Prince also delivers a touching portrayal of Joyce’s son, Giorgio.  Lianne Marie Dobbs is heartbreaking as Joyce’s daughter, Lucia, comical as Harriet Weaver, and energetic as determined publisher, Sylvia Beach.  Her range is phenomenal.  Michael McCormick is endearing and rough as Joyce’s father, and, just when the audience needs a laugh, is riotous as Ezra Pound.  These three actors physically and vocally create distinct, engaging characters and relationships.  They are skillfully versatile and keep the action of the play moving forward with tremendous verve.

Whitney Bashor & Matt Bogart
Photo courtesy of Himself & Nora

Scenic design, by Paul Tate dePoo III, is a unit set with moveable window frames, tables, chairs, and benches that serve numerous purposes.  Director Michael Bush utilizes these pieces to keep the flow of action seamless.  The design is simple, solid, and effective, and depicts the settings of Ireland, Italy, and Paris during the time period.  Lighting designer Jason Lyons skillfully enhances the setting with depth, warmth, and humor.

Himself & Nora is an amazing telling of “the greatest love story never told.”  It is playing at the Minetta Lane Theatre through September.  Go see it!  The cast is remarkable.  The score is unique and breathtaking.  The production is moving and inspiring.  It will make you want to read (or reread) Ulysses and give you a deeper understanding of The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.   

Domenick Danza

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof

The Broadway Theatre

June 11, 2016

Photo courtesy of Fiddler on the Roof

The revival of Fiddler on the Roof currently running at The Broadway Theater is magnificent!  How can one of the most profound musicals ever written interpreted by visionary director Bartlett Sher be anything less?  I can’t be, so when it is peppered with the lustful choreography of Hofesh Shechter and performed by a phenomenal cast, it becomes an exceptional work of theatre that should not be missed.  Every moment in this production is genuine and full of hope and humanity.

Danny Burstein makes the role of Tevye his own.  His timing and vocal qualities are like no other interpretation.  His Tevye is an everyman - simple, hardworking, flawed, struggling to live with dignity, and balancing his beliefs in a changing world.  Every one of his gestures reveals his deeper needs.  His vocal intonations expose his exasperation and softer side.  He proficiently connect one moment to the next to create an identifiable character who is both respectful and respected.  Jessica Hecht does the same with the role of Golda.  She forcefully plays a stern wife and mother with a tender understanding and soft heart.  She falls to the floor with grief, then stands strong to complete her daily chores.  Together they portray how a traditional lifestyle is built, which includes a significant amount of flexibility, persistence, and foolery.

Melanie Moore, Alexandra Silber, & Samantha Massell
Photo courtesy of Fiddler on the Roof

Alexandra Silber (as Tzeitel) and Adam Kantor (as Motel) are magical together.  Samantha Massell (as Hodel) and Ben Rappaport (as Perchik) set the stage on fire.  Melanie Moore (as Chava) and Nick Rehberger (as Fyedka) are idealistic, willful, intelligent, and passionate.

Director Bartlett Sher delivers a production where everyone on stage viscerally understands the needs of the villagers of Anatevka.  They address one another directly and austerely, with no sense of apology.  They literally clutch and cling to one another, as they do to their beliefs.  That is truly all they have and what they know to value.  Hofesh Shechter’s choreography is the true highlight of the show.  Every stomp and footstep connects to and comes deeply from the earth.  Every shoulder shake and arm raise reaches longingly to God.  The zest for life of the characters is expressed and portrayed through the way they gesticulate, spin and pulsate.  Even as they depart Anatevka, they stomp and reach, signifying the longevity of their existence.

Danny Burstein as Tevye
Photo courtesy of Fiddler on the Roof

At the start of the prologue, the image of the fiddler rises up from the floor of the stage and disappears into the fly space.  At the end of the prologue, he floats through the air wearing a purple coat, depicting the images from the well-known Chagall paintings.  This is an inspired production that must be experienced.  It will re-inforce your value of life.  L’Chaim!

Domenick Danza

The Drilling Company's Summer Shakespeare Season

Much Ado About Nothing

Bryant Park

June 4, 2016

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

You know the summer is finally here when you find yourself sitting in Bryant Park watching the first production of The Drilling Company’s summer Shakespeare season.  Then it starts to rain.  Yes, the closing night performance of Much Ado About Nothing was rained out about half way through Act II.  The disappointment was high as everyone ran for cover because the production was magical.  Artistic Director Hamilton Clancy is the master of outdoor Shakespeare.  He is a skilled director with a keen insight for how to keep the pace moving, and a focused instinct for great casting. 

McKay Carpenter & Anwen Darcy
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Before it started to rain, the stage was overflowing with enchantment and vitality.  Mary Linehan (as Hero) and Andrew Gombas (as Claudio) were a charming, romantic couple.  The chemistry between McKay Carpenter (as Benedict) and Anwen Darcy (as Beatrice) was fiery and dazzling.  Eric Paterniani’s physical characterization of Conrad was boldly inventive and humorous.  Michael Bernstein’s comic timing delivered a playful Borachio.  Drew Valins created a strong Don Pedro.  Brandon Reilly was charming and endearing as Don John. 

The rain might have prevented the last chance I had to see Much Ado About Nothing, but The Drilling Company has four additional productions coming up this summer.  As You Like It (July 21 - 23) and Measure for Measure (September 1 - 18) will be at Bryant Park.  This marks their third summer partnering with Bryant Park Presents.  Shakespeare in the Parking Lot will celebrate its 21^st year with A Midsummer Night’s Dream (July 7 – 24) and The Merchant of Venice (July 28 – August 14) at the Clemente Cultural Center parking lot (114 Norfolk Street).  All performances are FREE, and are sure to be great experiences.  Check out their website for performance times and details, and enjoy the best summer Shakespeare New York has to offer.  

 

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Domenick Danza

The Father

The Father

Theatre for a New Audience

May 29, 2016

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience is presently running Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and Strindberg’s The Father in rep at their downtown Brooklyn theatre.  The intention of this project is to illustrate these two classic playwrights’ opposing points of view over the battle of the sexes.  Under the bold and daring direction of Associate Artistic Director Arin Arbus, these two productions share the same superb cast.  The production of The Father is riveting.  Ms. Arbus strongly dramatizes Strindberg’s account of the manipulative and domineering role a woman can play in a marriage, and the overbearing control she can have over the family patriarch.

John Douglas Thompson
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

The Captain (played by John Douglas Thompson) is fighting with his wife, Laura (played by Maggie Lacey), over what is best for their daughter, Bertha (played by Kimber Monroe).  When Laura, in a desperate attempt to win, puts into question Bertha’s paternity and her husband’s sanity, the outcome is devastating.

John Douglas Thompson delivers a stellar performance in the title role.  His character possesses strengths that make him a leader, and insecurities that make him vulnerable.  He blends these juxtaposed traits in a naturalistic way that allows the character to be identifiable and genuine.  Maggie Lacy is invincible as his wife, Laura.  She is determined and, at times, cruel, yet in the end reveals the honest motivations of her character, which makes her susceptible and empathetic.  Kimba Monroe is extraordinary as their daughter, Bertha.  She is a skilled, young actress with depth and honesty that seizes attention each moment she is on stage.  Other outstanding performances are Laurie Kennedy as Margaret, Nigel Gore as Doctor Ostermark, and Jesse J. Perez as the Pastor.

Maggie Lacey & John Douglas Thompson
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience raises the bar for greatness with every production.  Their standards are high.  Their directors are brilliant.  Their casting is impeccable.  A Doll’s House and The Father run in rep through June 12.  Don’t miss out on this theatrical event. 

I have only seen “The Father,” and welcome comments from anyone who has seen this director’s interpretation of “A Doll’s House.”

Domenick Danza