Peace for Mary Frances

Peace for Mary Frances

The New Group

The Pershing Square Signature Center

June 16, 2018

Photo courtesy of The New Group

Lily Thorne’s play, Peace for Mary Frances, chronicles the end of life journey and the toll it takes on a family.  The New Group production is sensitive and realistic.  Director Lila Neugebauer builds on the conflict in the family dynamic that is deeply embedded in Ms. Thorne’s complex characters.  Secrets are revealed and emotions collide, yet the main character finds her peace.

Mary Frances (played by Lois Smith) is nearing ninety years of age and requires oxygen and constant care, which she receives from her daughter, Fanny (played by Johanna Day).  Her other daughter, Alice (played by J. Smith-Cameron) believes that Fanny is incapable of caring for their mother.  When the doctor finds fluid in her lungs, Mary Frances, who wishes to pass peacefully in her sleep, chooses hospice care.  Alice convinces her mother to pay her living expenses so she can move in and supervise her care around the clock.  Their brother, Eddie (played by Paul Lazar), visits once a week to maintain his mother’s finances.  His sisters are angered when they find out their mother has been paying him to do this.  Adding to the stress of the situation is the presence of Alice’s two adult daughters (played by Heather Burns and Natalie Gold).  Their memories of their grandmother are loving, which differs from the angst in the relationship between Mary Frances and her daughters.  Mary Frances has visions of her dead husband, mother, and father-in-law as she makes her peace, yet she leaves behind a family in turmoil.

Lois Smith & J. Smith-Cameron
Photo courtesy of The New Group

The play has a slow and steady pace, especially in the second act.  Fueling the action is the conflict between the two sisters.  J. Smith-Cameron and Johanna Day go at each other full force in these roles.  The history of their relationship and the stress of the situation cause their emotions to flare up in an instant.  Their portrayal of this vulnerability is truthful and genuine.  Lois Smith is warm, brave, and gutsy as Mary Frances.  The way she treats her children reflects a lifetime of experiences and forgiveness, but includes, as she says, never forgetting.  She embraces her grandchildren and looks longingly into the eyes of her great grandbaby, maintaining a connection to life up to the very end.

Johanna Day, J. Smith-Cameron, & Heather Burns
Photo courtesy of The New Group

The set, designed by Dane Laffrey, is a split level masterpiece, showing the living room, kitchen, and back porch on stage right, and Mary France’s bedroom about a half a flight up on stage left.  It is constructed as if one wall of the house opened up so the audience could peer in on this family in crisis.  Lighting designer Tyler Micoleau makes brilliant use of track lighting, chandeliers, and table lamps to enhance the realism and sense of peeking in on the lives of the characters.

Lily Thorne’s play successfully reveals the stark truths of facing the end of life, its stress, fears, and deeply embedded emotion.  Peace for Mary Frances closed on June 17. 

Domenick Danza

The Beast in the Jungle

The Beast in the Jungle

Vineyard Theatre

June 15, 2018

Photo courtesy of Vineyard Theatre

The Beast in the Jungle, with music by John Kander and book by David Thompson, is now running at Vineyard Theatre.  Inspired by the Henry James novella, this “dance play” tells the romantic and tragic story of the missed opportunities for love.  Director/Choreographer Susan Stroman skillfully weaves realistic narrative with ballet and stylized movement to emotionally engage the audience in this dark tale.

John Marcher (played by Peter Friedman) advises his nephew (played by Tony Yazbeck) that if he truly loves his girlfriend, who just broke up with him because he cannot commit, he needs to run back to her, get on his knees, and ask her to marry him.  John Marcher tells his nephew the story of when he met May Bertram (played by Irina Dvorovenko) in Naples, and fell instantly in love with her.  It was the beast within him that compelled him to run from her as the mutuality of their feelings began to flourish.  This beast reared its ugly head again when they met by chance twenty years later.  It is not until sharing his story with his nephew that John faces his inner demons and is able to release them.

Irina Dvorovenko & Tony Yazbeck
Photo courtesy of Vineyard Theatre

Peter Friedman beautifully takes the audience through John Marcher’s story, facing the truth in the climax of the play.  Tony Yazbeck plays the young John Marcher as the story of his early years is told through dance.  Mr. Yazbeck is vulnerable and charming in this role.  His physical characterization and dance skills are strong and charismatic.  His transformation superbly reflects Mr. Friedman’s character.  Irina Dvorovenko is a beautiful match to Mr. Yazbeck.  She is an amazing dancer.  They connect and build a genuine relationship that carries the action of the story forward.

Photo courtesy of Vineyard Theatre

Susan Stroman uses an ensemble of six women to play numerous roles and create the setting and atmosphere of a beach in Italy, and English garden, and a New York City art gallery.  These six phenomenal dancers appear out of the darkness and create smooth transitions throughout the show.  They create the “beast” with a few simple and well-choreographed effects that evoke powerful images representing the main character’s deep-seeded fear.

John Kander’s score is lush and romantic.  Ms. Stroman’s choreography utilizes his rhythms and enhances the passionate swell in his score.  The Beast in the Jungle has been extended at Vineyard Theatre through June 24.  It is beautiful storytelling. 

Domenick Danza

Love & Intrigue

Love & Intrigue

Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg, Russia

BAM Harvey Theater

June 9, 2018

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Academy of Music

The Maly Drama Theatre’s production of Love & Intrigue is being presented at Brooklyn Academy of Music.  Direct from St. Petersburg, Russia, this German play by Friedrich Schiller has been translated into Russian by Nikolay Liubimov.  The play runs two hours and twenty minutes without intermission, and is performed with English subtitles.  Directed and adapted by Lev Dodin, the production is brilliantly conceived and passionately performed.

President Von Walter (played by Igor Ivanov) arranged for his son Ferdinand (played by Danila Kozlovsky) to marry Lady Milford (played by Ksenya Rappoport).  Frustrating the President’s selfish plan for this political marriage is the fact that Ferdinand has fallen in love with Luise Miller (played by Elizaveta Boyarskaya), the daughter of a common and poor music teacher.  The President’s secretary, Wurm (played by Igor Chernevich), comes up with a plan to destroy the relationship between Ferdinand and Louise, and gain the virtuous Louise’s affections for himself.  The plan successfully destroys Ferdinand’s trust and the lives of Louise’s family, but not the love between them.

Photo courtesy of BAM Harvey Theater &
 Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg, Russia

If this story sounds familiar it’s because it is the play on which Giuseppe Verdi based his opera, Luisa Miller.  Much like in that work, the play draws a clear distinction of societal class structure.  Since playwright Friedrich Schiller was also a philosopher, the play makes a strong statement about how the freedom to love from the heart is more powerful than arrangements of love for political purposes and social gain.  In this production this theme is physically and emotionally illustrated through the characters of Luise and Lady Milford.  Ksenya Rappoport portrays Lady Milford as smooth and cunning, seducing her way into positions of power.  Elizaveta Boyarskaya’s portrayal of Louise is genuine and strong, confidently standing on her integrity and true to her word.

Photo courtesy of BAM Harvey Theatre &
Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg, Russia

Igor Ivanov’s character of President Von Walter is commanding, determined and unwavering.  Igor Chernevich plays Wurm as weak and conniving, deceitfully earning his place in society.  These are the men who win in the end, yet it is a tragic defeat for virtue and truth.  Danila Kozlovsky is bold, romantic, and passionate as Ferdinand.  He is willing to give up his inheritance and position for love, yet his fragile ego overwhelms his better judgement. 

This production is romantic, poetic, and vigorous.  It will draw you in and play on your emotions.  Love & Intrigue is playing at BAM Harvey Theater through June 16.

Domenick Danza

Skintight

Skintight

Roundabout Theatre Company

Laura Pels Theatre

June 2, 2018

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Joshua Harmon’s new play, Skintight, is currently being produced by Roundabout Theatre Company.  The play makes profound statements about beauty, aging, and acceptance.  The characters are uniquely drawn and skillfully developed.  By creating characters in a wide range of ages, Mr. Harmon is able to present multiple points of view on his theme.  Director Daniel Aukin finds the rhythm of each character and uses the variations to build the conflict in the story.

Idina Menzel & Eli Gelb in rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Jodi (played by Idina Menzel) makes a surprise visit to her world famous fashion designer father, Elliot Isaac (played by Jack Wetherall), on his seventieth birthday.  She knows her father does not like surprises, but she is in need of quality family time because her ex-husband just became engaged to a twenty year old.  She proclaims her disgust in his obsession over youth and beauty.  She then meets her father’s twenty year old boyfriend, Trey (played by Will Brittain).  The conflict rises when Jodi’s twenty year old son, Benjamin (played by Eli Gelb) arrives.  At first his spoiled, privileged attitude puts everyone on edge, until his attraction toward Trey creates a bigger problem.

The character of Elliot Isaac has a beautifully written monologue near the end of Act II that speaks of love and his attraction to Trey.  Jack Wetherall openly delivers it with sincerity and heart.  Idina Menzel portrays his daughter Jodi’s unacceptance of this explanation of “love” with powerful passive resistance.  She calls it “lust” and speaks of seeking the deeper joys in life.  Her character’s inability to accept her own aging is clearly reflected in her distaste for her father’s choices.

The Director, Cast, & Playwright of Skintight
Photo by Walter McBride
Courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Will Brittain plays Trey as a man comfortable in his own skin.  This is beautifully juxtaposed by Eli Gelb’s portrayal of Benjamin’s awkward self-consciousness.  These two actors build the multilayers of their characters through Mr. Harmon’s well-crafted dialogue, revealing their intention and desires.  Act I ends with a cliff hanger as these two actors create a true moment of connectedness that is interrupted by the character of Elliot Isaac.

The split level set by Lauren Helpern is elegantly designed.  It illustrates the heightened sense of style on which the main character built his empire.  It also enhances the theme of the power in the attraction to beauty.  Jess Goldstein further carries this ideal in her costumes, which magnificently complement the color and line of the set.

Skintight is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through August 26.  The writing is excellent.  The characters are intriguing.  The themes are clear, bold, and relevant.

Domenick Danza