Days to Come

Days to Come

Mint Theater Company

Theatre Row

Photo courtesy of Mint Theater Company

Lillian Hellman’s 1936 drama, Days to Come, is receiving a high quality Off-Broadway revival by Mint Theater Company.  The play contains strong social themes that were powerful to the time period in which it was written, and relevant to our present day political climate.  As quoted in the dramaturgical notes in the program: In Days to Come Lillian Hellman “attempted to develop a theme common to all her plays, that the world we live in is the sum total of the acts of each individual in it.  Ignorance, dishonesty, and cowardice in personal live affect social events.”  This production, directed by J. R. Sullivan, keeps the audience actively engaged, while successfully portraying Ms. Hellman’s compelling theme.

When his factory workers go on strike, Andrew Rodman (played by Larry Bull) under the advice of his lawyer and friend, Henry Ellicott (played by Ted Deasy), hire a group of strike breakers lead by Sam Wilke (played by Dan Daily) to resolve the growing problem.  Andrew is unaware of the violence these men normally use to achieve their objective, but Henry is knowledgeable about the service they are paying for.  Leo Whalen, the strike organizer (played by Roderick Hill), coaches the leader of the factory workers, Thomas Firth (played by Chris Henry Coffey), to keep the men calm and not fight back when instigated.  When Andrew’s wife, Julia (played by Janie Brookshire), ventures where she does not belong, the violence erupts to the point of no return.

Larry Bull & Chris Henry Coffey
Photo courtesy of Mint Theater Company

The cast fully embodies the style and pace of the time period.  The social norms and protocols are clearly set in place at the top of the show, so when the group of outsiders comes in to break the strike, the disruption is visceral.  The cast of eleven is exceptional.  They play off one another very well, allowing Lillian Hellman’s dialogue to flow naturally.  Janie Brookshire, Larry Bull, Chris Henry Coffey, Dan Daily, Ted Deasy, and Roderick Hill create strong-willed characters driven by clear objectives.  Mary Beacon, Betsy Hogg, Kim Martin-Cotton, Geoffrey Allen Murphy, and Evan Zes add fuel to the fire, building the conflict in the action, while adding some well needed humor.

Photo courtesy of Mint Theater Company

This is my first experience with Mint Theater Company, and I intend to return for future productions.  Mint Theater's mission is to find and produce “worthwhile plays from the past that have been lost or forgotten… (and) create new life for these plays through research, dramaturgy, production, publication, readings, and a variety of enrichment programs.”  Days to Come is playing at Theatre Row through October 6.  Be sure to see it.

Domenick Danza

Straight White Men

Straight White Men

Second Stage Theater

The Helen Hayes Theater

Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

In Straight White Men Playwright Young Jean Lee takes an honest and severe look at the demographic in the title.  The Second Stage Theater production, now running on Broadway with an all-star cast, brings the humor and bravado to the surface so that when the cold truth hits, it packs a powerful punch.  Director Anna D. Shapiro allows the strength of the relationships to build the underlying conflict of each scene until it cannot be contained any longer.  When the harsh reality lies stark and hurtful in front of us, we are left with a deep feeling of compassion.

Jake (played by Josh Charles) and Drew (played by Armie Hammer) are home for the Christmas holiday.  Their older brother Matt (played by Paul Schneider) is living with their father, Ed (played by Stephen Payne).  The three brothers relive their competitive youth, teasing, bullying, wrestling, and quickly moving onto the next point of contention.  They reminisce about the lessons in social justice they were taught by their late mother.  The four men are all enjoying their holiday reunion until Matt breaks down crying during dinner.  Drew tries to address it.  Jake gives him space.  Ed denies it.  They finally join forces to help their sullen family member, and end up causing more harm than good.

Stephen Payne, Josh Charles, Armie Hammer, & Paul Schneider
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

The skill level and chemistry of this cast is truly amazing.  Josh Charles and Armie Hammer have a tight connection as middle and younger brothers.  They are constantly calling each other “assholes” and eagerly live up to that title every minute.  Their cajoling, no matter how out of hand it gets, is always filled with love and respect.  As the family patriarch, Stephen Payne keeps his boys in check.  He is filled with warmth and admiration for all three of his sons.  Paul Schneider reveals the dark and pensive side of his character, but has no trouble joining in with the “asshole” antics of his younger brothers.  The tables turn on the fun when it is revealed how the competitive values engrained in these men can also cause them to turn their backs on one another in time of need.  Josh Charles, Armie Hammer, and Stephen Payne play these moments with powerful conviction.  They sincerely believe their words and actions come from a deep care and devotion toward their family member.  Paul Schneider creates a strikingly genuine moment of hurt and confusion as the reality of his abandonment sinks in.  This is the startling moment where playwright young Jean Lee shows the price of being raised as “straight white men.”  Director Anna D. Shapiro brilliantly leads us to this impactful understanding with every instant and action of the production.

Kate Bornstein, Armie Hammer, and Ty Defoe
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

Kate Bornstein and Ty Defoe play “Person in Charge 1” and “Person in Charge 2.”  They have a curtain speech at the top of the show that is not part of the original script.  It clearly frames the action of the play and sets the audience up in the proper perspective.  They also move the actors into place during the scene changes with an omniscient presence.  This well-crafted concept is pushed even further with the actual frame around the proscenium that includes a brass name plate stating the title of the play.  This design, by Todd Rosenthal, clearly sets the audience up as observers of something in a museum art exhibit, as if we are watching something from the past, classic and outdated.  These are brilliant devices that pop the themes of Young Jean Lee’s potent writing.

Straight White Men is playing at the newly renovated Helen Hayes Theater through September 9.  It is a powerful production, boldly written, beautifully directed and expertly preformed.

Domenick Danza

SpongeBob SquarePants, The Broadway Musical

SpongeBob SquarePants

The Broadway Musical

Palace Theatre

Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

Tina Landau has taken the one-dimensional characters and elementary humor of a popular Nickelodeon cartoon and transformed it into a Broadway spectacular.  SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical is over the top fun!  Book writer Kyle Jarrow creates story arcs for each character as they hilariously struggle to achieve their goal.  The phenomenal cast personifies these under water creatures with strong physical and visual support by costume designer David Zinn and hair and wig designer Charles G. LaPointe.  The set, by David Zinn, explodes off the stage of the Place Theatre with imaginative shapes and vibrant color.

Danny Skinner, Ethan Slater, & Christina Sajous
Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

SpongeBob (played by Ethan Slater) starts his day at Bikini Bottom like any other.  We meet his friend Patrick Star (played by Danny Skinner), the cranky Squidward (played by Gavin Lee), Sandy Cheeks, the squirrel (played by Christina Sajous), Eugene Krabs, owner of the Krusty Krab where SpongeBob works (played by Brian Ray Norris), and his daughter Pearl (played by Jai’ Len Christine Li Josey).  They are all happy to face the day ahead, except Squidward of course.  Suddenly the ground shakes and there is a special report that a large and dangerous volcano, Mount Humungous, is ready to erupt and inevitably destroy Bikini Bottom.  Everyone goes into hysterics and is ready to follow the diabolical scheme of Sheldon Plankton (played by Wesley Taylor) and Karen the Computer (played by Catherine Ricafort) to flee for their lives, while unknowingly become hypnotized and under their power.  It is up to SpongeBob, Sandy, and Patrick to save the day.

Gavin Lee as Squidward
Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

The outstanding vocal characterizations and physical timing of the cast is fascinating.  It keeps the audience engaged throughout the show.  Ethan Slater is a phenomenon.  His amazing vocal range is only surpassed by his physical strength and dexterity.  Gavin Lee skillfully embodies the curmudgeonly Squidward.  He masterfully becomes one with his four-legged costume.  You can’t help but love and root for this downtrodden creature.  Danny Skinner is loveable as Patrick.  Christina Sajous is energetic and sharp as Sandy.  These four performers have a strong connection and genuine chemistry that builds as they face their outlandish and believable challenges.

Jai'Len Christine Li Josey as Pearl
Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

Jai’ Len Christine Li Josey is outstanding as Pearl.  She has a strong presence and powerful singing voice.  Brian Ray Taylor is a bold Eugene Krab, creating conflict and thankfully seeing the error of his ways in the end.  Wesley Taylor and Catherine Ricafort are positively evil.  Due to their amazing teamwork, their self-serving plan is raucously carried out with wicked detail and credible precision.   

SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical is scheduled to close on September 16.  With choreography by Christopher Gattelli and a score composed by a long list of famous musicians, Tina Landau has created a wild and crazy fun night of imaginative theatre.  You have only a few weeks left to experience it.  Don’t miss out!

Domenick Danza

Swan Song

Swan Song

New York Theater Festival

Summerfest

Hudson Guild Theater

August 6, 8, 11, 2018

Photo courtesy of Swan Song

Swan Song, a new play by Dan Kavulish, is part of the New York Theater Festival’s Summerfest.  The play tackles the highly emotional task of caring for an aging parent in the later years of their life.  As Stage Manager, I have been watching this piece grow over the rehearsal period.  Mr. Kavulish’s writing is full of inner conflict and rich subtext.  Director Justin Bennett’s thorough approach and clear vision are infusing the performance with layers of detail and emotion.

Philip (played by Steve Humphreys) faces unresolved conflicts in the relationship with his mother (played by Rebecca Hoodwin) while she transitions from her assisted living situation to one of skilled nursing, where she will receive round the clock care.  Memories of his deceased brother, the seventeen year estrangement from his family, and his mother’s denial of his homosexuality flood in as he gives his mother the time and attentions she needs and deserves in her final months.

Steve Humphreys and Rebecca Hoodwin rise up together in these roles as their characters’ bond supersedes their conflicts.  They create genuine moments together, fueled by pain and devotion. 

Swan Song is playing a Hudson Guild Theater (441 W. 26 St., between 9^th & 10^th Ave.) on Monday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 8 at 9:00 PM and Saturday, August 11 at 6:00 PM.  To purchase tickets go to newyorktheaterfestival.com/swan-song/.  Tickets will also be available at the door before the performances.  See you there!

Domenick Danza