Romeo & Bernadette

 Romeo & Bernadette
Theater 555
June 25, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

Romeo & Bernadette is a funny and touching imagining of what happens if the poison Romeo drinks to kill himself at the end of Shakespeare’s classic play is merely a strong sleeping potion.  Mark Salzman’s book and lyrics are phenomenal.  He is strong and bold in his character development.  The music is adapted from classic Italian melodies.  The concept for the show is sharp and original.  Director/choreographer Justin Ross Cohen builds the action and punches every laugh in Mr. Salzman’s brilliant writing.  From the  minute the show starts you are brought into a dual layered plot.  Brooklyn 1960, and Verona 1596.  Both stories are driven by love and full of violent obstacles.

Nikita Burshteyn & Michael Notardonato
Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

    It is 1960 and we are watching the final scene of a Brooklyn Community Theatre production of Romeo & Juliet.  To prove his sophistication to his date (played by Ari Raskin), a Brooklyn Boy (played by Michael Notardonato) tells her that the story doesn’t end there. Romeo did not actually drink poison.  Instead he drank an extra strong version of the Friar’s sleeping position.  When Romeo (played by Nikita Burshteyn) revives, it is 1960.  He searches for Juliet in this new, modern world, and meets Bernadette Penza (played by Anna Kostakis).  She is on vacation in Verona, Italy with her parents, Camille (played by Judy McLane) and Sal (played by Carlos Lopez), who is a New York mob boss.  Romeo thinks she is Juliet, and follows her to Brooklyn, only to find that she is engaged to Tito Titone (played by Zach Schanne), who works for Bernadette’s father.  Tito puts a hit on Dino Del Canto (also played by Michael Notardonato), the son of Don Del Canto (played by understudy Charlie Marcus), who is Sal Penza’s rival.  Romeo saves Dino’s life during the hit attempt, so Dino vows to help Romeo find his love, Bernadette/Juliet.  When Don Del Canto hears of Romeos brave action, he adapts him as his second son.  The Del Canto’s find out that Romeo’s love is the daughter of their rival, and try to talk him out of searching for her.  Romeo doesn’t listen to them, and finds himself in the middle of another dangerous family dispute.

Judy McLane & Anna Kostakis
Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

The entire cast is outstanding.  They are fully in sync.  Their comic timing is excellent and their strong voices bring the emotional songs to beautiful fruition.  Nikita Burshteyn and Anna Kostakis have a lovely romantic connection as Romeo and Bernadette.  Michael Notardonato’s Dino Del Canto has a strong chemistry with his love interest, Donna Dubachek (played by Ari Raskin).  Most of the plot of these four characters progresses through song, and these four skilled actor/singers make the most of every moving and humorous moment.  Another powerful vocalist in the cast is Judy McLane.  Her portrayal of Camille Penza is bold, brassy, and hilarious.  There are equally strong performances by Charlie Marcus, Zach Schanne, Carlos Lopez, Viet Vo, and Troy Valjean Rucker, who plays numerous and distinct sidesplitting characters.

Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

Joseph Shrope’s costume design is outstanding.  The wardrobe is colorful, true to period, and perfect for each character.  The set, by Walt Spangler, is a simple and effective use of space and level.  The scaffolding design allows for numerous surprises when least expected.  

Romeo & Bernadette has just been extended through July.  Get a ticket right away while they last.  It is a unique, entertaining, and romantic adventure.  You don’t want to miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Hangmen

 Hangmen
Golden Theatre
June 18, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Hangmen

Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen is a compelling, well-structured piece of theatre.  It starts off with a hanging, which naturally grabs the audience’s attention.  The mystery builds throughout Act I, propelling the action forward.  The stakes are raised in Act II as assumptions are made and conclusions drawn before all the facts are revealed.  Director Matthew Dunster builds the tension in each scene, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, while bringing them to a clear understanding of Mr. McDonagh’s larger themes. 

Photo courtesy of Hangmen

In the mid-1960s, capital punishment was abolished in England, except for those convicted of treason.  Harry (played by David Threlfall) conducted his final hanging on a man named Hennessy (played by understudy Sebastian Beacon), who was convicted of murder.  He proclaimed his innocence until the moment of his execution.  Two years later a stranger (played by Alfie Allen) enters Harry’s pub looking to rent a room.  He sweettalks Harry’s daughter, Shirley (played by Gaby French) into spend the day with him.  She is tired of her father and mother (played by Tracie Bennett) calling her a mope, so she goes off with him.  Syd (played by Andy Nyman), who was Harry’s assistant hangman, stops in the pub to warn Harry that a man he suspects killed a woman one year to the day of Hennessy’s hanging is in the area.  Syd convinces Harry that they hung the wrong man two years earlier.  It is now two year to the day after Hennessey’s hanging and Shirley has gone missing.  Syd meets up with Mooney, the stranger, later that night.  It is revealed that Syd sent him to the pub as a prank to get back at Harry for how he treated him when they worked together.  When Mooney tells Syd what he did with Shirley, Syd realizes he is over his head.  Moony returns to Harry’s pub, and Harry reverts to his old work habits.

Alfie Allen & David Threlfall
Photo courtesy of Hangmen

Playwright Martin McDonagh questions the validity of capital punishment based on the grey areas of the justice system.  The integrity of the hangmen are put to the test and laid bare for everyone to see. The action of the play is emotionally driven, and once taken, there is no going back.  Mr. McDonough makes us laugh at these dark realities so we can look at them with objective eyes.  This is a very powerful piece, leaving us to question our truths and previous understandings.   

Alfie Allen & Gaby French
Photo courtesy of Hangmen

Alfie Allen is mesmerizing as Mooney, the stranger who comes to town.  He is aptly described as “menacing,” yet never performs a violent act.  The full truth of his character is never revealed.  David Threllfall is strong and commanding as Harry.  He is a no-nonsense character who sees everything in black and white.  He is fully committed to his convictions.  Andy Nyman is neurotically funny as Syd.  His character instigates the action of the story, then freaks out when it gets more dangerous than he anticipated.  Gaby French is innocent and sympathetic as Shirley.  It is important that we care about this character, and Ms. French does an excellent job of capturing our hearts.  Tracie Bennett skillfully portrays the dichotomy in the character of Alice.  She is hard and cold, yet truly broken when her daughter goes missing.  The regulars at Harry’s pub, played by Jeremy Crutchley, Richard Hollis, John Horton, and Ryan Pope, have great physical and comic timing.  They add humor to the story and keep the action moving.   

Hangmen is one of Mr. McDonagh’s strongest works, and this production is superb. The scenic design by Anna Fleischle is a stunning use of space, level, and dimension.  Hangmen was scheduled for a limited run on Broadway, and closed on June 18.  

Domenick Danza

Hadestown

Hadestown
Walter Kerr Theatre
June 14, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Hadestown

Hadestown is a dark and haunting journey of love and trust.  The music, lyrics, and book by Anais Mitchell are brilliant.  Director Rachel Chavkin brings Ms. Mitchell’s unique creative voice to spectacular life.  The choreography by David Neumann is visceral and boldly drives the action forward.

Hermes (played by T. Oliver Reid) enters to tell the tragic tale of Orpheus (played by understudy Sayo Oni) and Eurydice (played by understudy Grace Yoo).  It starts with their meeting and instantly falling in love.  Orpheus is the son of the muse of epic poetry, and has an unfinished song to sing.  Eurydice urges him to finish the song.  He immediately asks her to marry him.  It is spring, so Persephone (played by Jewelle Blackman) returns from the underworld.  She is growing tired of her husband, Hades (played by Tom Hewitt), and enjoys her time away from him.  When Hades comes for her in the fall, Eurydice captures his eye.  She follows them back to Hadestown.  Orpheus travels to find her, and sings his finished song of love to release her from Hades grasp.  His is successful, but he is put to one final test. 

An Original Cast Photo
Photo courtesy of Hadestown

The music lures you into the story.  It creates another world, full of mystery and passion.  It is Hermes’ narration that keeps most of the story connected in Act I.  Once the characters journey to the underworld, the tale deepens as the stakes heighten.  The characters face their uncertainties and darker sides, and come out redeemed.  The end will shock and sadden you, yet hope is not lost. 

An Original Cast Photo
Photo courtesy of Hadestown

Sayo Oni and Grace Yoo have amazing chemistry as Orpheus and Eurydice.  Mr. Oni’s portrayal of Orpheus’ journey back from the underworld in Act II is emotionally focused and skillfully portrayed.  Jewell Blackman is playful and daring as Persephone.  She is intoxicating in her powers, and desperate for love.  Tom Hewitt has a commanding presence as Hades.  In Act II, when Orpheus sings his song of love for the release of Eurydice, Mr. Hewitt transforms his character and opens his heart.  Soara-Joye Ross, Jessie Shelton, and Kay Trinidad are beguiling and manipulative as the Fates, constantly singing in Orpheus’ head and making him doubt himself.

Hadestown won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2019.  Rachel Chavkin also won for Best Directors in a Musical, and Anais Mitchell won for her score.  Have you seen this show yet?  What are you waiting for?  Hadestown is playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre. 

Domenick Danza

…what the end will be

 …what the end will be

Roundabout Theatre Company

Laura Pels Theatre
June 10, 2022

Photo courtesy of
Roundabout Theatre Company

Playwright Mansa Ra’s …what the end will be is a tender story about family love, acceptance, and letting go.  His characters are truthful, honest, and relatable.  Under the direction of Margot Bordelon, poignant moments blossom out of stressful confrontations.  The Roundabout Theatre Company production is perfectly cast and beautifully realized.

Maxwell Kennedy (played by Emerson Brooks) spared no expense preparing his home for his father, Bartholomew Kennedy (played by Keith Randolph Smith), to move in as he faces the final stages of his cancer diagnosis.  Max’s partner, Charles (played by Randy Harrison), is not there to welcome him, but his son, Tony (played by Gerald Caesar), is overjoyed to see his grandfather.  Max and Tony realize what is ahead for them when the visiting nurse, Chloe (played by Tiffany Villarin), reviews Mr. Kennedy’s medication schedule.  When Tony’s boyfriend, Antoine (played by Ryan Jamaal Swain), is caught sneaking out of Tony’s room, he realizes it is time to come out to his father and grandfather.  “Well the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” proclaims Mr. Kennedy, who is deeply missing his partner, who passed away recently.  The fears and deep issues of these three men start to surface, yet due to the aggressive progression of Mr. Kennedy's illness, their time to face and resolve them is limited.  

Gerald Caesar & Emerson Brooks
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Mansa Ra sets up a unique premise with three generations of gay, black men.  The characters 
are all very well drawn out, with rich family histories and cultural roots that both unite and divide them.  They clearly share great love, yet their sense of acceptance is urgently put to the test.  Mr. Ra takes these characters to the breaking point, then creates a clear path for them to travel forward. 

Gerald Caesar & Keith Randolph Smith
Photo courtesy of
Roundabout Theatre Company

Emerson Brooks is stubborn and set in his ways as Maxwell Kennedy.  As his son, Tony, Gerald Caesar is both optimistic and aware of the limitations of his father’s expectations.  The scenes between these two gifted actors are complex and captivating.  Keith Randolph Smith is funny, free, and determined as Bartholomew Kennedy.  The character has accepted his fate, and Mr. Smith plays every moment with joy and conviction.  Randy Harrison portrays Charles as the voice of reason, wanting so much to keep the family together, yet has serious challenges to face in his relationship with Max.  Randy Jamaal Swain is a blast of vivid color and fresh air as Antoine.  He also shows the character’s serious, no-nonsense point of view.

…what the end will be is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through July 10.  It is a poignant and touching story, well directed, with a superb cast.  It will truly move you! 

Domenick Danza