Illyria

Illyria

The Public Theater

November 25, 2017

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

Illyria is an intimate look at the artistic yearnings and sense of community that motivated Joseph Papp and his friends to begin the Shakespeare Festival and later build what is now The Public Theater.  Playwright and Director Richard Nelson creates a captivating atmosphere where we, as an audience, gain access to personal conversations in rehearsal rooms, around the dinner table, and after a closing night performance.  The personal conflicts among the characters keeps the action flowing as we gain insight into the sensitivity, ambition, commitment, and vision of these men and women who shaped the New York City cultural landscape.

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The year is 1958 and Stuart Vaughan (played by John Sanders) is auditioning actors for a production of Twelfth Night for the free Shakespeare Festival in Central Park.  His producer, Joe Papp (played by John Magaro) wants to cast his wife, Peggy (played by Kristen Connolly), in the role of Olivia.  Stuart wants to cast a young actress, Mary Bennett (played by Naian Gonzalez Norvind) in the role.  This opens a can of artistic conflict between the two men, which includes the fact that Joe feels betrayed because Stuart has accepted a job with Phoenix Theater and is hiring most of their friends and company members.  In the next scene the battle between the Parks Department is unraveled.  The concept of presenting free Shakespeare in the park becomes a negotiating issue for everyone except the artists committed to presenting it.  The final scene takes place in the Central Park at night, where we gain a visceral understanding of what it at stake for all involved, especially Joe Papp.

John Magaro as Joe Papp
Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The cast is an amazing ensemble, subtly playing off one another’s breath and glances.  The play is calm, quiet, and wonderfully naturalistic.  The audience becomes fully absorbed in the intimacy of the relationships.  This is a very tight group of friends who are bonded by artistic and creative experiences.  Sitting in The Public Theater for this performance offers an astounding perspective.  You gain a renewed appreciation for the beliefs and ideals on which Joseph Papp built the institution that has become not only a cultural pillar in the City of New York, but a model for artistic excellence across the country.

Illyria is running at The Public Theater through December 10.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza

Describe the Night

Describe the Night

Atlantic Theater Company

Linda Gross Theater

November 24, 2017

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

The New York premier of Rajiv Joseph’s play Describe the Night is presently in previews at Atlantic Theater Company.  It explores the phenomenon of how perception can become reality, and how facts can easily be replaced by fabrications that become acceptable truths.  Mr. Joseph’s writing is luminous and engaging.  The action of the play spans the years from 1920 through 2010.  It follows the events connected by Isaac Babel, considered one of Russia’s greatest writers of his time, and Nicolai Yezhov, who was closely associated with Stalin and became the chief of the Soviet Police from 1936-38.  Their fabricated truths are linked to the plane crash in 2010 that killed the President, First Lady, and virtually every top member of Poland’s government and military.

Danny Burstein & Zach Grenier
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

In 1920 Isaac Babel (played by Danny Burstein) meets Nicolai Yezhov (played by Zach Grenier).  They are both Soviet Soldiers.  Isaac is writing in his journal, describing the night, and teaches Nikolai how easy it is to tell a believable lie.  Fast forward to the plane crash of 2010, where Mariya, a journalist (played by Nadia Bowers), urgently needs to rent a car to flee the Soviet Police investigation of the events leading up to the crash.  Feliks, the car rental agent (played by Stephen Stocking), gives her his truck to escape unnoticed.  He passes on to her an old journal that was given to him by one of the victims of the plane crash before she died.  This is the journal belonging to Isaac Babel.  The play goes back and forth in time and follows the hand to hand journey of this journal, covered in truth, lies, perceptions, and falsities, from its start in 1920 until it gets into the hands of Vova (played by Max Gordon Moore), the man from St. Petersburg, who is on his way to be one of the most powerful men in the world.

Max Gordon Moore & Nadia Bowers
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

The cast is superb in bringing clarity and life to the brilliant writing of Mr. Joseph’s play.  Every scene is driven by characters who are rich and real.  Danny Burstein and Zach Grenier juxtapose their characters with traits, physicality, and vocal rhythms that give visceral vigor to every scene they share.  Tina Benko is charming and heartbreaking as Yevgenia, the wife of Nicholai Yezhov.  The chemistry between her and Mr. Burstein is tangible.  Their connection is honest and genuine.  Nadia Bowers is powerful as Mariya.  She shows her range by also playing Mrs. Petrovna.  Max Gordon Moore’s character of Vova grows from an unassuming, eager government employee to a manipulative and aggressive official.

Danny Burstein, Zach Grenier, & Tina Benko
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Playwright Rajiv Joseph and director Giovanna Sardelli conquer a huge subject matter that is tightly interwoven with clear themes that are relative to every audience member.  The Atlantic Theater Company production of Describe the Night is running at the Linda Gross Theater through December 24.  The play has many layers that will keep you thinking.  See it with someone with whom you can have a deep, detailed discussion, or be prepared to do as I did and engage the person next to you during the two intermissions.   

Domenick Danza

Man to Man

Man to Man

Brooklyn Academy of Music

2017 Next Wave Festival

BAM Fisher (Fishman Space)

November 11, 2017

Photo courtesy of BAM 2017 Next Wave Festival

Man to Man is a one character play presented by Brooklyn Academy of Music as part of the 2017 Next Wave Festival.  This German work, written by Manfred Karge, has been translated into English by Alexandra Wood.  Based on a true story, the play begins before the rise of the Nazi Party and ends after the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Directed by Bruce Guthrie and Scott Graham, the production originated at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2015, transferred to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and now can boast a sold out run at Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Photo courtesy of BAM 2017 Next Wave Festival

Following the death of her husband, Ella (played by Maggie Bain) takes on his identity in order to earn a living as a crane operator.  She buries him with her own name on his headstone, and takes his job as a crane operator.  She is torn between her desire to become a mother and her need to survive independently.  With the outbreak of the war it becomes difficult to go undiscovered, so she joins the Nazi army.  After the war, she continues to live secretly as a man, yearning to connect to her true self.

Maggie Bain is remarkable in this powerful piece of theatre.  Her physical strength, dexterity, and intensity are captivating.  She climbs the walls of the set, suspends herself from the ceiling, and creates tender moments of deep, personal longing.  Her vocal skill shows great range as she portrays numerous characters who come in contact with Ella on her journey. 

Photo courtesy of MAN 2017 Next Wave Festival

The video design (by Andrzej Goulding) and lighting (by Rick Fisher) are  mesmerizing.  The shadows cast on the walls by the actor transform into images of people in Ella’s story as well as her private desires.  They blend synchronistical and give a clear understanding of the main character’s loneliness and isolation.  

Man to Man is a unique and moving experience.  Unfortunately, this production ran at BAM’s Next Wave Festival for a very limited (November 7 – 11).  Keep your eyes peeled for video showings or additional bookings.  

Domenick Danza

Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide

Conquest of the Universe

or When Queens Collide

La Mama

Experimental Theatre Club

November 4, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of La Mama

Charles Ludlam’s Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide is now running in the East Village at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club.  Director Everett Quinton recreates this Ridiculous Theatrical Company production with bawdy humor and raucous sexual innuendo.  The play is structured with parallels to Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine the Great and contains direct references to William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Titus Andronicus. 

Everett Quinton & Geraldine Dulex
Photo courtesy of Theo Cote & La Mama

The play opens with Tamberlaine, President of the Earth (played by Grant Neale), conquering Mars and capturing Bajazeth, King of Mars (played by Lenys Sama), and Zabina, Queen of Mars (played by Everett Quinton).  Tamberlaine goes on to conquer Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn, enslaving their leaders.  When Zabina is murdered, her brother Cosroe (also played by Everett Quinton) unites with the imprisoned leaders of the universe to plot revenge.

Grant Neale as Tamberlaine
Photo courtesy of Theo Cote & La Mama

The cast is largely made up of veteran members of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company.  Everett Quinton embodies the timing and rhythm that makes Charles Ludlam’s work relevant and alive.  Grant Neale is broad and commanding as Tamberlaine.  Lenys Sama is bold as Bajazeth.  Geraldine Dulex is titillating as Venus.  Beth Dodye Bass is powerful as Natolia, Queen of Saturn.  Over the top performances are delivered by the entire cast, especially Shane Baker, John Gutierrez, and Sommer Carbuccia.

This production of Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide celebrates the cutting edge experimental theatre of Charles Ludlam and The Ridiculous Theatrical Company.  If you have not experienced it before, this is your chance.  It is running at La Mama through November 19. 

Domenick Danza