Waterman

 Waterman
Thicket & Thistle
The Players Theatre
September 16, 2021 

Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

The company members of Thicket & Thistle have made an impressive name for themselves by producing original ensemble created theatre pieces.  Their current production, Waterman, is a hilarious and well-crafted musical.  Waterman far exceeds their previous projects, showing off their hard work and dedication to the developmental process.  This fine-tuned script contains colorful characters in a globally relevant story.  The production values are strong and the ending is surprising and thought provoking. 

The Water People are outraged over how the Land People are treating the oceans.  In hopes of resolving the situation, the Water People decide to send a half-fish / half-man secret agent, Waterman (played by Kyle Acheson), to gather information.  General B. Warren (played by Jonathan Foster) challenges Doctor Sciensfish (played by Julianna Wheeler), who created the Waterman, to achieve the mission’s objective in one week, or he will launch his Water Revolution.  While on his mission, Waterman falls in love with Ursula (played by Lindsay Zaroogian), the daughter of Captain (played by Sam De Roest) who owns Fishburger, the fast food joint that deep fries Water People and serves them to unsuspecting customers.  Ursula is torn between her love for Waterman and her need for her father’s money and acceptance.  The Waterman’s missions becomes compromised when Ursula makes her choice and breaks his human heart.  Doctor Sciensfish finds Waterman and reminds him of his commitment to the mission of saving the oceans.  If not for Captain’s misunderstood first mate, James (played by Rachel Rosenthal), Ursula and Waterman would not have a chance of reuniting.  As the one week time limit expires, General B. Warren’s Water Revolution explodes into action. 

Lindsay Zaroogian & Kyle Aheson
Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

This strength of this ensemble based company is evident in the chemistry between all the cast members and the consistency in the style and timing of the piece.  Kyle Acheson and Lindsay Zaroogian are amazing together as Waterman and Ursula.  They build a relationship that is touching, genuine, and hilarious.  Their characters are fully committed to their beliefs and driven by deep desires.  Sam De Roest and Rachel Rosenthal are evil and funny as Captain and James.  Their physical characterizations are vibrant and their comic rhythm is always perfectly in synch.  Jonathan Foster, Sarah Yeakel, Julianna Wheeler, and Will Watt all play more than one role.  They skillfully create distinct characters and bold moments that move this far-fetched and poignant story along to its stunning conclusion.

Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

It has been a delight to witness Thicket & Thistle grow as a creative company the past few seasons.  Waterman is a strong and well-crafted piece with sharp and unswerving tongue-in-cheek humor.  The score is unique and lively.  The lyrics are witty and reveal the deeper yearnings of the characters.  Director/choreographer Jonathan Foster has done remarkable work on this piece.  The action rises joyously and the staging is brilliantly comical.

Waterman is playing at The Players Theatre (115 MacDougal St.) through September 29.  Don’t miss this funny and poignant tale.  “Good night and calm waters.” 

Domenick Danza

Death Cruise

Death Cruise

Thicket & Thistle

Access Theater

July 26, 2019

Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

Thicket & Thistle is a vibrant ensemble driven theatre company that has a unique musical voice and a heart for storytelling.  Their skills are clearly displayed in their new show Death Cruise, now playing at Access Theater.  The company has worked for the past three years to develop this haunting, new musical, taking it from a short piece to a full-length entertainment.  The score is strong, written collaboratively by the company members.  Their trademark of tight harmonies, foot-stomping rhythms, hummable melodies, and character driven lyrics make this show something to see.

The Full Cast in Rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

Nate (played by Jonathan Eric Foster) boards a ship for a cruise of a lifetime.  Little does he know that a Seeker of Souls, Seth (played by Sam DeRoest), is looking to deflate his hopes and dreams in order to contract his soul to the devil.  Seth manipulates Nate’s first disappointment, which occurs when he finds out that the cruise is sparely attended and headed to the arctic, instead of someplace topical.  The next step in Seth’s plan is to have the crew members, Bailey (played by Lindsay Zaroogian), Judson (played by Kyle Acheson), Blaise (played by Joshua Stenseth), Juliette (played by Juliana Wheeler), and Quiet Craig (played by Titus Tompkins), reject and alienate Nate.  This is a relatively easy task since they are all absorbed in their own self-serving ideals.  Seth gets very close to achieving Nate’s soul, but something keeps rebounding the situation back in Nate’s favor.  Finally Seth turns up the heat and applies his roughest strategy.

Thicket & Thistle Company Memebers in Rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

This company delivers high caliber performances.  They work as a solid unit, while each having an opportunity to showcase their individual strengths.  The show builds in excitement as the characters face their greatest fears.  One stand-out number that represents their skill as an ensemble is staged where they exchange instruments while playing and singing.  It is performed with ease and dexterity, without missing a beat.

Death Cruise has been extended due to a sold-out opening weekend.  Go to  thicketnthistle.com or email them at info@thicketnthistle.com for dates and times of the extension.  Get your tickets before they sell out again!     

Domenick Danza

What’s Your Wish?

What’s Your Wish?

Thicket &Thistle

Access Theatre Space

February 26, 2016

Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

Thicket and Thistle celebrated a short run of their production of What’s Your Wish? at the Access Theater space on February 26 and 27.  You might have seen this show at the NY Fringe Festival in August 2016.  It is funny, bright, refreshing, and endearing.  This performance truly achieves the company’s mission to “strive to surprise and delight, to enchant and enlighten… to challenge audiences to break down the 4^th wall and meet the performers half way.” 

It is Nicholas’ sixteenth birthday.  He is very saddened that he did not get the car he wanted.  Instead he got an heirloom watch and an enchanted book.  Nicholas and his best friend, Brian, are sucked into the book when they reluctantly open it and begin reading.  The only way back to the real world is to go through the death forest and ask the Enchantress to grant their wish.  The show is a grown-up musical tale about friendship, truth, disappointment, and sacrifice. 

The cast of What's Your Wish?
Photo courtesy of Thicket & Thistle

The ensemble is amazing.  Kyle Acherson and Sam DeRoest have great chemistry and authenticity as best friends Nicholas and Brian.  Joshua Stenseth is charming and hysterical as Nicholas’ Step-Dad and Old Vern.  Corley Pillsbury doubles as Nicholas’ Mom and the Enchantress.  Both characters are playfully intense.  Lindsay Zaroogian shows her broad range as Nicholas’ younger, goth sister and the optimistic fairy.  Not only does each cast member play an instrument throughout the performance (guitar, flute, mandolin, accordion, and kazoo), but they are part of the creative team who collaboratively wrote and composed the show along with Director, Jonathan Eric Foster and Producer / Managing Director, Sarah George.  Mr. Foster’s directing and staging is sharp and witty. 

Unfortunately, this was a short, one-weekend run.  Check Thicket and Thistle’s webpage and Facebook page for upcoming performance dates of What’s Your Wish?  Keep your eyes on this company.  They are doing unique and great work! 

  

Domenick Danza