Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival

Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival

February 5, 2022

Program 2 – 5:00 PM

Amorality Play & Every Other Weekend

Program 5 – 8:00 PM

Stuck & Maybelle…Unfiltered

Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Chain Theatre kicked off its Winter One Act Festival on February 4.  The festival consists of nine different programs, including comedies, dramas, and musicals.  Each program is given four performance dates and one live stream date.  Program 2 (February 5 at 5:00 PM) includes Amorality Play by Laura Clare Browne and Lauren Dietzel, directed by Samantha Mushin, and Every Other Weekend written and directed by Joseph Sexton.  Program 5 (February 5 at 8:00 PM) includes Stuck, book & lyrics by Danielle Koenig, music by Julio Vaquero, directed by Irvin Mason, and Maybelle… Unfiltered written and directed by Horace Turnbull.  The opening weekend shows great promise for what is ahead, reaffirming the high quality of work you can expect from Chain Theatre.  

Program 1:

Laura Clare Browne and Lauren Dietzel’s Amorality Play is a present day take on the medieval morality play.  Some Dude (played by Seann Morgan) is visited by Death (played by Laura Clare Browne).  He has ten minutes to review the value of his life before she takes him.  Death allows him to consult with his Conscience (played by Anna Rudegair) and his Vice (played by Ethan Marble) before making his decision about spending eternity in heaven or hell.  Yes, it is his decision.  After reviewing his Virtues and Sins (played by Kaitlyn Rose Rabocse), he is unable to judge himself, so Death leaves it up to the audience to decide. 

Director Samantha Mushin uncovers the timing and humor embedded in Ms. Dietzel and Ms. Browne’s writing.  The cast delivers the laughs with enough punch to give the audience a chance to ponder the deeper message of the work. 

Every Other Weekend examines a woman’s right to choose.  Playwright Joseph Sexton directed his own work, taking his characters on a journey toward a clearer understanding of their situations and personal power. 

Melissa (played by Johnette Janney) is excited about her weekend trip with her friend Ellen (played by Sarah B. Denison).  When Melissa asks Ellen to pull the car over because she is feeling sick, Melissa knows something is up.  Ellen admits she is pregnant and not planning on going through with it.  Melissa is supportive, yet it is clear Ellen is uncertain about her decision.  Through the course of their car ride, Ellen talks through her choices and becomes stronger about the decision she needs to make.  

Ms. Denison and Ms. Janney are equally paired in these roles.   Their camaraderie is natural and motivates sincere discourse.  Mr. Sexton uses effective dramatic devices to reveal the inner thoughts of his characters, giving depth and heart to their development and journey. 

Program 5: 

Photo courtesy of Stuck &
Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival

Stuck is a futuristic musical comedy.  Julio Vaquero’s score is fun and memorable.  Danielle Koenig’s book and lyrics are witty and engaging.  This is a promising creative team, well worth keeping an eye on. 

Paul (played by Sara James) has a simple and monotonous job.  It consists of pulling a lever, all day, every day.  Paul dreams of being a super hero, but isn’t.  While at work, Paul is visited by Mad Max Paul (played by Madison Wechsler), who is Paul from the future, returning to convince Paul to stop pulling the lever and push the button to save the world from a future of war and fear.  Just as Paul is about to push the button, Unlucky Paul (played by Jamie Shapiro) appears, who is Paul from the future after Mad Max Paul convinces Paul to push the button.  As the name reveals, Unlucky Paul’s life did not turn out so well, and has returned to convince Paul not to give in to Mad Max Paul’s pressure to push the button.  Save the world or save yourself?  What is Paul to do?

This 20-minute musical is quality work on every level.  Director Irvin Mason hits the ball out of the park.  The cast is excellent.  The humor is exaggerated.  The stakes are high.  The theme is strong. 

Maybelle… Unfiltered by Horace Turnbull takes place in 1977.  It follows Maybelle (played by Trena B. Real) as she takes calls during her late night radio show.  Maybelle listens to numerous callers (all played by Scout Ford and Aja Downing).  They reveal their problems, sorrows, and achievements.  Maybelle offers advice, sometimes firmly and sometimes with kindness.  The music is a soulful mix of 1970’s style tunes, all written and composed by Mr. Turnbull.  The cast captures the sound of the times with their lush and luxurious voices. 

Chain Theatre’s Winter One Act Festival is running through February 25 at 312 West 36 St. (4^th floor).  If this opening weekend is a sign of what’s ahead in this festival, it is sure to be an exciting month.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.  Check out their website (www.chaintheatre.org) to choose a program and purchase tickets.  Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to experience fresh, upcoming voices in NYC theatre.  

Domenick Danza