macbitches

 macbitches
Chain Theatre
August 25, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Sophie McIntosh’s macbitches is a stark look at the inner world of an undergrad acting program.  Ms. McIntosh uses this microcosm of a societal structure to reveal how people fall into and accept the norms forced upon them in order to fit in.  The balance of power is clearly understood.  When the unraveling begins, the characters lose all sense of themselves.  This Chain Theatre world premiere production is skillfully directed by Ella Jane New.  She breaks the action down into short, clear beats, then allows them to effortlessly build to a dramatic frenzy.

Morgan Lui, Caroline Orlando, Laura Clare Browne, & Marie Dinolan
Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

When Hailey, a freshman (played by Marie Dinolan), is cast as Lady Macbeth in the Drama Department’s fall production of “The Scottish Play,” the upper class students are taken by surprise.  Piper, a sophomore (played by Laura Clare Browne), invites her to a small gathering to celebrate.  Rachel (played by Carline Orlando), who is a senior, is handling her disappointment remarkable well.  Lexi, a junior (played by Natasja Naarendorp), is livid over the casting decision.  Cam (played by Morgan Lui) is also a junior, and slowly falling into a depression over the situation.  As they drink and share their drama school stories with Hailey, each one reveals the darker side of their experiences.  After Hailey tells about her final call back with the director, Rachel and Lexi decide to pull a prank on her.  The prank backfires when Rachel reveals a secret she has been keeping from Lexi for the three years of their friendship.  Blood is spilt and “what is done cannot be undone.”

Caroline Orlando, Morgan Lui, Natasja Naarendorp, 
Laura Clare Browne, & Marie Dinolan
Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

These women are perfectly cast and delicately build their distinctive characters moment by moment.  Laura Claire Brown plays Piper’s optimism with genuine vulnerability.  She reveals her character’s insecurities in an intimate moment with Morgan Lui’s Cam.  These two actors have a strong connection.  They portray opposite characteristics, yet their bond is genuine and captivating.  Marie Dinolan delightfully portrays Hailey as a naïve freshman wanting to fit in.  Her comic timing is excellent.  She has a few bold moments that shift the action of the play.  This keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, waiting for the other shoe to drop.  From the opening moment of the show, Natasja Naarendorp is on fire.  This is juxtaposed by Caroline Orlando’s cool and calm portrayal of Rachel.  At the climax of the story, Rachel loses all control and Lexi cracks under the stress.  It is a powerful scene that takes the audience by surprise.  These two skilled actors successfully deliver an impactful ending that takes the entire story to another level.

Morgan Lui & Laura Clare Browne
Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Sophie McIntosh creates characters who have learned how to smoothly relate on the outside, while carrying hurt and secrets on the inside.  Her writing is funny and dark.  Chain Theatre delivers the high quality we have come to expect from their productions.  macbitches is playing through September 10.  Get a ticket right away.  Performances are selling out.

Domenick Danza

Gatsby: An American Musical

 Gatsby: An American Musical
Woodstock Playhouse
August 20, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Woodstock Playhouse

The Woodstock Playhouse ended its 2022 Summer Season with a staged reading of Gatsby: An American Musical.  Adapted by Daniel Landon, with music and lyrics by Lawrence Rosen, this new musical has tremendous potential.  Director/Choreographer Randy Conti expanded on the expected stage reading model by including dance, costumes, props, and minimal sets.  Because of this, he delivered a valuable developmental experience for the creative team, as well as for audience members.  The talented cast brought new life to these classic characters.

Photo courtesy of Woodstock Playhouse

It is summer of 1924.  Nick Carraway (played by Ian C. Weber) moves from the Midwest to Manhattan for a new job.  He rents a cottage on Long Island to escape the city heat.  While there, he looks up his cousin, Daisy Buchanan (played by Zoe Maroko).  Nick attends a dinner party at Daisy’s mansion with her husband, Tom (played by JT Atwood) and Jordan Baker (played by Tassy Kirbas).  Nick later receives an invitation to a party from his landlord, Jay Gatsby (played by Caleb Miofsky).  At that party, Gatsby asks Nick to arrange a meeting between him and Daisy.  Nick discovers that Daisy and Gatsby were previously acquainted.  This meeting rekindles a romance that brings disaster for both of them.

Mr. Landon chooses to end Act I with the meeting of Daisy and Gatsby, leaving the audience to wonder about the history of these two characters.  Act II opens with a scene between Daisy and Jordan, where those questions are quickly answered.  The rest of Act II moves at a brisk pace, due to strong rising action.  The climax scene is impactful and effectively crafted. 

Me & my family at our annual
Woodstock excursion.

The cast builds strong relationships, engaging the attention of the audience and creating an aura of mystery.  They all make the most of every moment, creating characters that are true to the time period.  Outstanding performances were delivered by JT Atwood, Tassy Kirbas,  Allie Hill, McKenzie Tipton, Lex Hummell, and Isabelle Grace.  

Woodstock Playhouse has a long history of presenting quality, fun summer theatre for the whole family.  This developmental reading utilized their skills to give Daniel Landon and Lawrence Rosen a strong opportunity to get their work on its feet and in front of an audience.  With some fine tuning, Gatsby: An American Musical is sure to be a great success when fully produced. 

Domenick Danza

Funny Girl

 Funny Girl
August Wilson Theatre
August 13, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Funny Girl

The Broadway revival of Funny Girl is going through major changes this summer.  Julie Benko is beautifully carrying the show forward.  She embraces the role of Fanny Brice and grows with her throughout the story.  From youthful insecurity to magnetic stardom, Ms. Benko fully captures the heart of the character.  Her voice is strong and expresses the emotional range needed to fully engages the audience.  Under the direction of Michael Mayer, the production is bright and evenly paced.  The tap choreography, by Ayodele Casel, is stylistic and sharp. 

The story starts at the end.  Fanny Brice (played by Julie Benko) is a Ziegfeld star.  She is in her dressing room getting ready to open a new show.  She is anxiously waiting for her husband, Nick Arnstein (played by Jeremiah James, understudy).  Her nervousness brings her thoughts to the start of her career.  She is a young Jewish girl from Brooklyn with big dreams.  Her mother (played by Jane Lynch) believes in her, yet her mother’s two friends (played by Toni DiBueno and Debra Carona) have their doubts.  While appearing in a Vaudeville act, she befriends the choreographer, Eddie Ryan (played by Jared Grimes).  He works overtime with her to prepare for the show.  After the opening night performance, she meets Nick Arnstein, who recognizes her as the star she is.  Fanny falls in love at first sight, but does not meet up with Nick for another year.  By that time she is working for Florenz Ziegfeld (played by Peter Francis James).  Fanny and Nick start a romance that changes both their lives in ways neither of them expected. 

Julie Benko as Fanny Brice
Photo courtesy of Funny Girl

Jeremiah James and Julie Benko work well together as Nick and Fanny.  Sparks fly in the scene when they first meet.  Their hearts open when they sing “People."  Their characters mature as their relationship develops.  The final scene, when Nick returns, is their finest.  It is grounded and sincere.  Fanny is left with a decision to make.  Ms. Benko digs deep to portray the courage Fanny musters to move forward.  It is a powerful moment.  We understand how she become the comic legend she was born to be. 

Toni DiBueno, Debra Cardona, and Jane Lynch make a great trio.  Their comic timing succinctly creates the Jewish Brooklyn community of Fanny’s upbringing,  It has a consistent feeling of home every time the story return to them. 

Jared Grimes & Julie Benko
Photo courtesy of Funny Girl

Jared Grimes shines as Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s friend and choreographer who supports her on her rise to stardom.  His character is bold and enthusiastic.  His tap dancing is phenomenal.

Funny Girl is sure to transform with the casting changes that are coming in the next month.  No matter which cast you see, the story of Fanny Brice is sure to inspire you. 

Domenick Danza