Orlando

Orlando
Pershing Square Signature Center
Signature Theatre
April 27, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

The Signature Theatre production of Sarah Ruhl’s Orlando is a fantastic romp through the centuries.  Adapted from the Virginia Woolf novel of the same title in 2000, Ms. Ruhl chose to tell this story through narration, most of which comes directly from the original novel.  She utilizes a chorus of six actors, playing gender fluid characters, to keep the action moving.  With Taylor Mac in the lead role, the humor becomes equally matched with truthful moments of discovery and conflict.

Orlando (played by Taylor Mac) wants to be a poet.  The Queen (played by Nathan Lee Graham) adopts him, and makes him her own.  When Orlando falls in love with a Russian Princess (played by Rad Pereira), they run off together, or rather skate down the frozen River Thames.  The Princess abandons Orlando, who then meets the Archduchess (played by Lisa Kron), and experiences lust.  He quickly tires of her, and proclaims he want to return home.  After retiring to his bed, he emerges a woman. 

The cast of Orlando
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

On the journey home, Orlando discovers both the freedom and limitations of being a woman.  She meets the Archduchess again, only to find that she is a man.  He pursues Orlando, but does not succeed at wooing her.  Centuries pass, and Orlando yearns to be wed.  She meets Marmaduke (played by TL Thompson).   After they fall in love, they discover they are both male and female simultaneously.  Centuries pass again, taking Orlando into the twentieth century.  The present moment is filled with confusion that leads to understanding and acceptance. 

TL Thompson & Taylor Mac
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Will Davis stylistically directs this piece with a sharp eye on consistency, and a precise sense of timing, rhythm, and pace.  Scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado creates a sparce, imaginative atmosphere that is heightened by Oana Botez’s costumes.  The stage is empty most of the time, with detailed set pieces rolled on as needed, and magnificent drops flown in.  The costumes are also pieced together in an impressionistic manner, creating the illusion of the numerous time periods, while allowing for fast changes.

Orlando is playing at the Pershing Square Signature Center through May 12. 

Domenick Danza

Illinoise

 Illinoise
St. James Theatre
April 24, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Illinoise

Following a successful run at the Park Ave. Armory, Illinoise is now playing at the St. James Theatre.  It is a beautifully crafted and emotionally impactful full-length dance piece (running 90 minutes), which takes you on a visceral journey of friendship, love, loss, and healing through community.  The music and lyrics by Sufjan Stevens fully envelopes you, drawing you into the environment and action.  The choreography by Justin Peck tells the story of each character with clarity and wonder.  As your senses become fully immersed in the production, you connect to the characters, relate to their experiences, and heal along with them as they form a community of acceptance. 

Photo courtesy of Illinoise

We first meet Henry (played by Ricky Ubeda).  He is asleep with his boyfriend, Douglas (played by Ahmed Simmons).  Henry rises and leaves.  He feels heavy and burdened.  We are transported to a campfire in a forest, where a circle of friends meet and share their stories.  Henry arrives, and is reluctant to share.  When he finally does, he reveals how he lost his best friend, Carl (played by Ben Cook) to suicide.  His love for Carl runs deep.  After sharing, Henry feels lighter as he becomes one with the group.  He is welcome, and joined by Douglas.  

Photo courtesy of Illinoise

Director/Choreographer Justin Peck is a master at storytelling through movement and dance.  The performances are technically strong and emotionally moving.  Vocals by Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova, and Tasha Viets-VanLear are mesmerizing.  

Illinoise is playing on Broadway for a limited time.  You have until August 10.  Get a ticket right away! 

Domenick Danza

Macbeth (an undoing)

 Macbeth (an undoing)
Theatre for a New Audience
April 20, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience is presenting the U.S. premiere of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh production of Macbeth (an undoing).  Written and directed by Zinnie Harris, this dark and penetrating theatre piece sheds a new light on the bloody Shakespeare classic.  Large amounts of the Shakespeare text is intact and seamlessly blended with Ms. Harris’ brilliant dialogue.  More skillfully done is the way she transfers the well-known monologues and soliloquies to different characters.  This offers a new point of view to the piece, while challenging the audience’s perspective on any previous meaning and intention. 

Nicole Cooper, Emmanuella Cole, Star Pender, & Liz Kettle
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Act I pretty much tells the Macbeth story, including the predictions of the Weird Sisters (played by Liz Kettle, Emmanuella Cole, and Star Penders), the murder of King Duncan (played by Marc Mackinnon), the crowning of Macbeth (played by Adam Best) as king, and the murder of Banquo (played by James Robinson).  Act II takes an unexpected turn as Macbeth descends into madness, and Lady Macbeth (played by Nicole Cooper) takes on the responsibilities of the crown.  She seeks out the Weird Sisters, who, we find, she has met with on numerous occasions.  Lady MacDuff (played by Emmanuella Cole) confesses to Lady Macbeth that her new born child is Banquo’s son.  Lady Macbeth orders the siege on MacDuff’s castle and the murder of Lady MacDuff.  She demands that the child, who is part of the original prediction, be brought to her.  She is told that the child has also been killed, which we find out later is not true.  Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s “undoing” comes directly from the prophecy that “no man born of woman shall harm Macbeth.”  The solemn tragedy is that not even in death can Lady Macbeth escape the haunting of her actions. 

Nicole Copper & Adam Best
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Ms. Harris’ re-telling of this tale is unique and bewitching.  The parts of the Shakespeare story that have been eliminated from Act I are shrewdly filled in and expounded upon in Act II.  Liz Kettle portrays Carlin, one of the Weird Sisters, Lady Macbeth’s servant, and also serves as the narrator for the opening of both acts.  She speaks directly to the audience, introducing the fact that this is a retelling of an old tale.  She then uses an electrical panel to change the lighting for the start of the show, establishing the fourth wall.  This device is taken to another level when the action builds to its climax.  Lady Macbeth uses the same electrical panel and echoes the words of the narrator to break the fourth wall when she is no longer in control of the action of the story.  This gives the audience a deeper insight into the character’s desperation and manipulative tactics.  

Laurie Scott, Nicole Cooper, Emmanuella Cole, Taqi Nazeer, & Adam Best
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

If you are a Shakespeare aficionado, and especially a Macbeth fan, this is a show you need to see.  It is
psychological, mysterious, and intelligent.  Lady Macbeth’s perspective is clear, and her voice is strong.  The relationship between her and Macbeth is expanded and intensified.  The cast is phenomenal, delivering performances that engage, shock, and mystify.  

Macbeth (an undoing) is playing downtown Brooklyn at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center through May 4.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Patriots

 Patriots
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
April 13, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Patriots

The Almeida Theatre production of Peter  Morgan’s play, Patriots, is mind blowing.  The writing is superb.  The cast is outstanding.  Director Rupert Goold keeps the action tight and concise, making the complicated story of Putin’s rise to power dramatic and accessible. 

Boris Berezovsky (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) is a wealthy and powerful businessman in Russia.  During this time, Boris Yeltsin (played by Paul Kynman) is president.  Russia was taking on a more democratic form of government, and large corporations had a strong influence.  Capitalism was on the rise, improving Russia’s presence in Europe and the west.  Berezovsky bought the national television station, and controls all new broadcasts.  After an attempt on his life, he becomes connected with Alexander Litvinenko (played by Alex Hurt), the government agent investigating the car bombing.  Berezovsky offers him a job as his personal security.  Out of loyalty to his country, Litvinenko refuses.  Roman Abramovich (played by Luke Thallon) approaches Berezovsky with a business proposition, promising a guaranteed increase in Berezovsky’s wealth and power.  When the government instructs Litvinenko to take out Berezovsky, he resigns his position and goes public with the plot.  

Michael Stuhlbarg as Boris Berevosky
Photo courtesy of Patriots

Boris Yeltsin is re-elected president, and Berezovsky uses his influence to have someone he considers weak and controllable appointed as Prime Minister.  This man is Vladimir Putin (played by Will Keen).  When Yeltsin resigns, he appoints Putin to take his place.  Thinking they have their puppet in place, Berezovsky and his colleagues are content.  Putin wastes no time turning the tables on them all.  After Berezovsky broadcasts a truthful news story that makes Putin look bad, the tension rises between the two men.  Berezovsky leaves the country, joining Litvinenko in England, seeking political asylum.  They do what they can to start a new political party and remove Putin from power, but they no longer have influence. 

Will Keen as Vladimir Putin
Photo courtesy fo Patriots

The structure of this play is remarkable.  Playwright Peter Morgan sets up Boris Berezovsky as a wealthy oligarch, only interested in himself, his position, and his financial gain.  He is arrogant and disliked.  The villain.  Vladimir Putin is a weakling.  The underdog.  In Act II, Putin rapidly become the villain, and Berezovsky, who tries to take him down, becomes the sympathetic hero.  The dramatic action of the play revolves around the conflict between these two characters, and Michael Stuhlbarg and Will Keen are phenomenal.  Mr. Stuhlbarg commands the stage, continually making demands, and spouting threats.  He pointedly sets the tone and pace.  Will Keen masterfully portrays the transformation of Putin from a meek “yes man” to a decisive leader.  He takes the tone and pace set by Mr. Stuhlbarg and focuses it with laser beam precision.  

Alex Hurt as Alexander Litvinenko
Photo courtesy fo Patriots

There are equally strong performance by Luke Thallon (Roman Abramovich), Alex Hurt (Alexander Litvinenko), Ronald Guttman (Professor Perelman, Berezovsky’s teacher), and Stella Baker (Marina Litvinenko).  These characters all have very specific intentions at the start of the story.   As Putin takes control, their needs shift.  These actors skillfully and truthfully portray this stoic transformation with grit and caution.  

Patriots is playing for a limited engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.  It is a powerful play, excellently directed, and stunningly performed.  You must see it!  

Domenick Danza

Dali’s Dream

 Dali’s Dream
Gene Frankel Theatre
April 12, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Dali's Dream
Monli International Company LLS &
The  Onomatopoeia Theatre Company

Lisa Monde’s play, Dali’s Dream, is as surreal as a Dali painting.  The characters are intriguing.  The dialogue is intelligent and witty.  Ms. Monde is a true collaborator.  She directed this piece with Thomas R. Gordon, composed the original music, and choreographed the production with Dylan Vallier.  The images in the design and characterizations are strong and consistent throughout the production.  The staging and choreography are at times clever and other times enigmatic, diving deeply into the psyche of genius.    

Salvador Dali (played by Dyllan Vallier) requests a session with Sigmund Freud (played by John Higgins).  Dr. Freud discusses this meeting with his assistant, Adolf/Adolphina (played by Lisa Monde).  He decides to expose Dali to his patients at the asylum.  Frank (played by Seth Andrew Miller), Stein (played by Ryan Wasserman), Yin (played by Sondrine Bontemps), and Yang (played by Habin Kwak) are each suffering from different psychological disturbances.  Pierre/Eva/Euterpe (played by Mac Stevenson) escorts the patients in and out of their sessions, helping Adolf/Adolphina with their care.  Observing the patients gives Dali an insight into his own paranoia.  When Dr. Freud takes Dali back to his childhood memories, they reveal the origins of the surreal images in his work.  In a later discussion with Coco Chanel (played by Leslie Renee), Dali turns the table on Freud’s analysis, and puts himself in control of the outcome.  He questions Freud’s conclusion, believing he is a true genius who longs for madness. 

John Higgins & Dyllan Vallier
Photo courtesy of Dali's Dream
Monli International Company LLS &
The  Onomatopoeia Theatre Company

John Higgins portrays a grounded Freud amidst the wildly absurd surroundings.  Dyllan Vallier’s Dali is a heightened characterization.  This contrast beautifully builds the conflict, tension, and humor, driving the action and keeping the audience riveted.  Lisa Monde’s Adolf/Adolphina represents the androgynous images in Dali’s work.  She enters at unexpected times, raising the level of mystery in each scene.  Mac Stevenson delivers a strong performance as Pierre/Eva/Euterpe.  This multiple named role serve numerous purposes in the dream-like plot.  Ms. Stevenson captures the audience’s undivided attention and makes a lasting impression.. 

Seth Andrew Miller, Ryan Wasserman, Sondrine Bontemps, and Habin Kwak each have a solo spot in Act II.  They shine as the characters of Frank, Stein, Yin, and Yank share their psyche with Dali.  Each actor delivers a truthful and inspiring moment, deepening the understanding of the statement the playwright/director is making about Dali’s genius and paranoia.  Leslie Renee is charming and bold as Coco Chanel.  Her character brings a sense of social standing/snobbery to Dali’s journey.    

Dali’s Dream is a unique experience, meshing the interpretation of artistic achievement with psychological analysis.  The production is running at the Gene Frankel Theatre through April 27. 

Domenick Danza

Water for Elephants

 Water for Elephants
Imperial Theatre
April 10, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants is an amazing new Broadway musical.  The book, by Rick Elice, is a strong and romantic adaptation of Sara Gruen’s novel.  The music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. are whimsical and energetic.  The choreography by Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll is truly spectacular.  Director Jessica Stone skillfully weaves all these elements together into one flawless production with a brilliant cast who deliver inspiring performances.

Mr. Jankowski (played by Gregg Edelman) escapes his nursing home to spend an afternoon at the circus.  He lingers as the workers pack up.  Charlie and June (played by Paul Alexander Nolan and Isabelle McCalla) offer to call him a cab.  He begins to tell about his days with the Benzini Brothers Circus.  June asks if he was there for the 1931 stampede, and we are transported back to when a young Jacob Jankowski (played by Grant Gustin) hops a train after both his parents are killed in a car accident.  To his surprise, it is a circus train.  Camel (played by Stan Brown) offers him one day of work for one day of food before he moves on.  Jacob meets Marlena (played by Isabelle McCalla) who is nursing her injured show horse.  Jacob, who was studying to be a vet, give her advice on how to care for the animal, who is suffering more than Marlena realizes.  When Marlena’s husband, August (played by Paul Alexander Nolan), who also runs the circus, sees that Jacob can help with the animals, he offers him a job.  After the horse is put down due to its injury, August needs a new star attraction.  Jacob finds Rosie, an elephant, and August buys her for the circus.  While training Rosie, Marlena and Jacob grow close.  This begins a journey that bonds them, creating turmoil for the Benzini Brothers Circus and all its employees. 

Paul Alexander Nolan, Isabelle McCalla, & Grant Gustin
Photo courtesy of Water for Elephants

The show is brilliantly conceived, bringing the older character, Mr. Jankowski, in and out of the action of the story with his younger version, Jacob.  These two actors, Gregg Edelman and Grant Gustin,  are fully in sync, allowing for this convention of time to flow smoothly.  This is also accomplished with the dual casting of Isabelle McCalla as both Marlena and June, as well as the roles of both August and Charlie played by Paul Alexander Nolan.  These two actors make subtle changes in their physicality as they transition to the different time periods.  This meshing in the storytelling keeps the action moving at a sharp pace, and emotionally connects the audience to the characters. 

Isabelle McCalla & Grant Gustin
Photo courtsy of Water for Elephants

The staging and choreography are phenomenal.  The dancing seamlessly blends with the circus stunts.  The ensemble is breathtaking, achieving amazing feats with the greatest of ease.  There is a lot going on in each scene, keeping the audience fully alert throughout the show.  It is visually stunning and emotionally riveting.  One outstanding highlight is the song “Easy”, where a trapeze artist gracefully and mournfully flies over the audience to portray the suffering of Marlena’s injured horse.  Another is the acrobatic depiction of the “red lighting” of Camel and Walter in Act II.

Water for Elephants is sure to be nominated for numerous Tony Awards this spring.  It is a joyous and entertaining show with a touching story and truthful, amiable characters.  It is a remarkable production!  Get your tickets as soon as you can.  

Domenick Danza