Transgression

 Transgression
HERE Arts Center
July 14, 2025

Photo courtesy of Transgression

Terry Curtis Fox’s new play, Transgression, questions and explores the boundaries of an artist’s creative process.  His characters are all affected by the private discoveries made during the course of the play, giving a rich perspective on the severity of actions previously taken.  Director Avra Fox-Lerner sheds equal light on the sensitivity of each of these perspectives, allowing the audience to use their own moral compass to draw a conclusion. 

Gina (played by Jane Ives) finds a series of photos taken by her deceased husband, Norman (played by James Jelkin), a renown photographer, famous for his female nude portraits.  She immediately contacts Martin (played by Yuvai Boim), who is curating a retrospective of Norman’s work.  He confirms that the newly discovered photos are Norman’s best work and that the subject is an under-aged girl.  She is sleeping in all the photos, so it is unclear if Norman had her consent.  Martin sends out a press release to find this young woman.  She is now in her sixties, and wants the photos destroyed.  When Gina uncovers additional secrets Norman kept from her, she realizes Norman’s creative process crossed ethical lines. 

Susan Bennett & Yuvai Boim
Photo courtesy of Transgression

Jane Ives drives the action of the play in the character of Gina.  She makes the discoveries of her husband’s hidden work and, in the end, makes a crucial decision.  Ms. Ives goes deep to portray the inner conflict this character faces.  She plays numerous scenes with Yuvai Boim as Martin, who, as a museum curator, has a very different point of view of how to handle the newly discovered portraits.  He has a responsibility to share the work, where Gina feels betrayed and is concerned with how the photos reflect her husband’s immoral behavior.  This conflict plays very well, and these two actors use it to raise the stakes.  As Martin faces a personal crisis of his own, he forms a bond with Gina.  Ms. Ives and Mr. Boim portray every component of these multidimensional characters, fully engaging the audience in their emotional challenges.  

Susan Bennett shows her range by playing two very distinct roles.  First is the older version of Robin, the underage object of Norman’s nude portraits.  She subtly portrays the effect of the sexual abuse this character experienced, while also admitting to being a seducer.  This dichotomy gives her character extreme complexity.  After years of therapy, she is able to clearly articulate her feelings.  Ms. Bennett skillfully handles the challenge of this role with grace and confidence.  Her second role is Robin’s mother.  This is another highly complex character that Ms. Bennett pulls off beautifully. 

James Jelkin & Ivy Rose Cort
Photo courteys of Transgression

James Jelkin and Ivy Rose Cort play Norman and the young Robin.  Their chemistry is potent.  Robin is both Norman’s artistic muse and the object of his sexual desire.  These two actors instinctively play this multiplicity.  The dramatic question of the piece centers around the morality and legal ramifications of this relationship.  The writing in these scenes is intriguing, giving the audience a lot to absorb and think about.  They are sensitively directed, producing performances that are intimate and tender.

Transgression is playing at HERE Arts Center through August 2.  It is thought provoking subject matter, skillfully handled and excellently produced. 

Domenick Danza

Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg

Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg

Mind the Art Entertainment

HERE Arts Center

October 7, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Mind the Art Entertainment

You know you are in for something different when you walk into the theatre and are offered a shot of whiskey with your program.  Hence starts the Mind the Arts Entertainment production of Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg.  Christian De Gre has composed an intense score that creates a distinctive and compelling environment.  Book by Serrana Gay and lyrics by Joseph Reese Anderson weave a simple and intoxicating story line.  The cast is a powerful ensemble with fervent singing voices.

Chloe Fox & Tony Mowatt
Photo courtesy of Mind the Art Entertainment

The story opens in Williamsburg after “the event” as the day of the competition approaches.  The event caused all dreams to die and the escape by excessive whiskey drinking to begin.  The competition is how the Mayor of Williamsburg is chosen.  After heavy drinking, the one who remains standing is hailed “Whisky Pants,” the Mayor.  The present Mayor (played by Tony Mowatt) has reigned since the event took place.  His daughter (played by Michelle Ireton) is celebrating her sixteenth birthday.  Her innocent dreams are considered a problem by her father.  It is the arrival of a stranger (played by Charlie Tingen) that challenges everyone’s understanding of the power of their dreams.

The Cast of Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg
Photo courtesy of Mind the Art Entertainment

The production design by Ashley Solliman, Kate Marley, Christian De Gre, Brian Freeland, Christian Watanabe, R. Patrick Alberty, and Wes Shippee draws the audience into an obscure time and location.  This, juxtaposed by film images that start and end the show, evokes the turmoil and pain of the characters who are trapped in a mindset of escape and lack of belief in themselves and their dreams.  The pacing and staging keep the action flowing as the character progress on their journey toward a different perspective of their reality.

Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg is playing at HERE Arts Center (145 6^th Ave.) through October 28.  The concept is unique.  The performances are excellent.

Domenick Danza