The Counter

 The Counter
Roundabout at Laura Pels Theatre
Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre
October 16, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

The Counter is a touching new play by Meghan Kennedy.  It tells the story of two characters who take the time to reach out.  Ms. Kennedy’s dialogue is honest and direct.  Secrets are revealed.  Bonds are formed.  A shift takes place in the routines and expectations of the characters, causing an emotional release for both of them.  It shows how a small connection can make a big difference in a life.  

It is winter in a small upstate New York town.  Paul (played by Anthony Edwards) goes to the same diner for breakfast every morning.  He is served at the counter by Katie (played by Susannah Flood).  They noticed little things about one another, but keep their observations to themselves.  One morning, Paul breaks the routine by asking Katie to be his friend.  He shares a secret about himself, and asks Katie to do the same.  She hesitates, but eventually tells him about voice mails she has saved on her phone from a person she once dated.  After listening to one of them, Paul makes a request that shocks Katie, pulling her in deeper than she anticipated.  

Susannah Flood & Anthony Edwards
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Anthony Edwards and Susannah Flood create a genuine bond in this piece.  It slowly develops, then catapults to a point of no return.  Both actors stay attuned to each other throughout the play, delivering a rhythmic portrayal of connection and reliance.  The more they open up, the more we feel their desperate need.  Their commitment to their word is honorable, building trust that is life-changing for both of them.  

Amy Warren plays Peg, the town doctor.  She unexpectedly shows up at the diner one morning, craving coffee cake.  This brief scene is a turning point for the action.  It is well directed and beautifully performed.  With no words, she and Mr. Edwards show a deep level of intimacy.  This reveals a side of Paul that Katie had not seen before.  She urges Paul to act on his feelings.  He refuses, but later supports her with the same genuine care. 

David Cromer has done an excellent job directing this remarkable cast.  They all deliver captivating performances in this well-crafted play.  The Counter is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through November 7.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

The Roommate

 The Roommate
The Booth Theatre
October 12, 2024 

Photo courtesy of The Roommate

Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone are delightful in Jen Silverman’s play, The Roommate.  Their characters are complete opposites, and their energies bounce off one another brilliantly.  Director Jack O’Brien builds on the suspense in Ms. Silverman’s writing, allowing each moment to take the audience by surprise.

Sharon (played by Mia Farrow) is anxious to get to know her new roommate, Robyn (played by Patti LuPone), who drove for two days to get from the Bronx to Iowa City.  Sharon is an open book, telling Robyn all about her reading group and her son, who lives in Park Slope.  Robyn is a little more reserved, but does tell Sharon that she is a vegan and a lesbian.  The more Sharon pries, the more Robyn pulls away.  When Robyn reveals she has a daughter, Sharon feels they can share the challenges and disappointments of motherhood.  Sharon discovers something among Robyn’s belongings that concerns her.  She addresses it directly, only to be more intrigued when Robyn tells her the truth.  The life that Robyn has been running from is just the excitement Sharon craves. 

Patti LuPone & Mia Farrow
Photo courtesy of The Roommate

The transformation both characters undergo during their journey together is tangible.  Their bond gradually develops.  Sharon continually backs away, while Robyn’s aggressions and charms lure her in.  Ms. Farrow and Ms. LuPone play this game of cat and mouse beautifully.  Ms. Farrow varies her tactics, and Ms. LuPone avoids and defends.  Ms. Farrow’s persistence is sometimes tender and sometimes manipulative.  Ms. LuPone’s responses are often direct.  When that doesn’t work, she shuts down and leaves the room.  This back and forth is genuine and continuous, propelling the action at a brisk and natural pace.  When the table turns and Sharon takes control, Ms. Farrow blossoms with excitement, causing trepidation in Robyn.  Ms. LuPone plays this shift with sincerity, giving Sharon the closure she needs, while also allowing her to continue to discover herself. 

Don’t miss these two superstars in this excellent play!  The Roommate is playing at the Booth Theatre through December 15. 

Domenick Danza

Our Town

 Our Town
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
September 28, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Our Town

Director Kenny Leon brings Thornton Wilder’s Our Town into the 21st Century.  His casting choices are purposeful and comprehensive.  His timing is compact and concise.  He trimmed down this three act classic to a one hour, forty-five-minute running time, with no intermission.  The action flows continuously, and the pace impacts the theme.  Even though a few of the quaint, defining moments are missed, Thornton Wilder’s words and philosophy ring with effortless sincerity, giving the audience timeless truths to contemplate.

Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly First Look

The play opens as the cast slowly assembles on stage singing a spiritual hymn that unites an extensive population.  The Stage Manager (played by Jim Parsons) silently enters.  As the cast disperses, he welcomes the audience, introduces the play, and describes the town.  He presents the characters, focusing on the Gibbs and Webb families.  Dr. Gibbs (played by Billy Eugene Jones) is returning from delivering twins on the other side of town, as Mrs. Gibb (played by Michelle Wilson) and their neighbor, Mrs. Webb (played by Katie Holmes), prepare breakfast for their families.  It is a day in the life of the residents of Grover’s Corners.  Time passes with ease and grace. 

Ephraim Sykes, Richard Thomas, & Zoey Deuth
Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly First Look

The action swiftly moves into the second act with the wedding of George Gibbs (played by Ephraim Sykes) and Emily Webb (played by Zoey Deutch).  The pace picks up.  The anticipation of this event is high and full of anxiety.  The Stage Manager takes us back a few years to the day that George and Emily discover that they are meant to be together for the rest of their lives.  This is a life changing moment for them.  We move forward to the nuptials, when Mrs. Soames (played by Julie Halston) proclaims that it is a beautiful wedding. 

Act III is where Thornton Wilder makes his statement about life and eternity.  It is in this act that every subtle detail from Acts I and II are profoundly seamed together.  The writing is poignant and touching.  The action is unexpected and reflective.  The journey might end here, but the experience continues to exist in perpetuity. 

Jim Parsons as the Stage Manager
Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly First Look

The hymn sung in the opening is “Braided Prayer” by Abraham Jam, which features prayers from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths.  Anyone knowing this play is aware that this is a new addition, and a brilliant one.  The audience is immediately pulled into an experience that extends beyond the scope of any previous production.  With interracial casting and the casting of a deaf actor playing Howie Newsome (John McGinty), the diversity of Our Town now reflects who we are as a nation.  The ease in which the characters communicate in sign language and live together as a united multiracial community speaks volumes.  This story has always been universal, and now, due to Mr. Leon’s vision, is fully inclusive.

Our Town is playing at The Ether Barrymore Theatre.  It is a new interpretation of a great American classic. 

Domenick Danza

Redeemed

 Redeemed
Contemporary American Theater Festival
59E59 Theaters
September 21, 2024 

Photo courtesy of
Contemporary American Theater Festival

Chisa Hutchinson’s play, Redeemed, starts off with a relatively simple and direct premise, then turns into a complex journey of manipulation and power.  Her characters are hyperaware of the other’s ploys, constantly anticipating the next move.  The dialogue is rich, requiring the audience to lean in and listen intently.  Director marcus d. harvey allows the power shifts to be clear, concise, and visceral.  The audience invests in the characters, tracking their efforts and eagerly awaiting the outcome.

Trevor (played by Doug Harris) is serving a prison term for a hate crime.  While in solitary, he is visited by the spirit of his victim.  This leads him on a journey of redemption.  He writes to Claire, the sister of his victim (played by Elizabeth Sun).  To Trevor’s surprise, she visits him.  He tells her of the discussion that took place between him and her deceased brother.  He shares the stories he was told of their family history, revealing facts that only she would know.  This angers Claire, who does not let her guard down.  Trevor then asks Claire, who is a publisher, to read a manuscript he has been working on, chronicling his redemption.  He feels it is his mission to transform the hateful thinking of white supremacy.  Claire sees this as a ploy to get her to influence his upcoming parole board hearing.  She returns for a second visit, after a copy of Trevor’s manuscript is anonymously delivered to her home mailbox.  She is moved by the sincerity of the writing, and drawn to the power of its content.  She offers Trevor a deal, putting herself in total control. 

Doug Harris & Elizabeth Sun
Photo courtesy of Contemporary American Theater Festival

Doug Harris portrays Trevor as vulnerable and empathetic.  Elizabeth Sun plays Clarie as angry and guarded.  Each of these characters have clear and strong objectives that drive the action.  As they shift their tactics, they reveal different aspects of their personalities.  Mr. Harris and Ms. Sun play each shift genuinely, exposing the deeper, more crucial needs of their characters.  They do not stop until they uncover all the information they need to achieve their objectives.  Their performances are captivating.

Playwright Chisa Hutchinson shines a light on white privilege, racial injustice, and the hatred we have become accustomed to in our present climate.  As both characters speak their minds and express their points of view, the audience gets a chance to objectify the emotions and process the conflict.  She does not conclude the play with a definitive outcome, allowing the audience to face their own sense of justice and redemption.  This is a prolific piece, expertly structured, and beautifully delivered. 

Redeemed is playing at 59E59 theaters through October 5. 

Domenick Danza

Job

 Job
The Hayes Theater
September 18, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Job

Job is a riveting and mind blowing experience.  Playwright Max Wolf Friedlich continually turns the tables on his two characters.  They shift power from moment to moment.  The use of Chekhov’s gun and the ticking clock keep the audience on the edge of their seats for the full eighty minutes.  Director Michael Herwitz builds the action by focusing on the specific needs of the characters, while allowing the bigger story to organically unfold.

Jane (played by Sydney Lemmon) has her first session with Loyd (played by Peter Friedman).  She had an emotional breakdown while on the job, and is required to see a therapist if she wants to return to work.  When Jane pulls a gun on Loyd, her mental condition becomes questionable.  As rattled as this makes Loyd, he takes control of the situation.  Jane willingly opens up, knowing Loyd has the power to grant her what she wants.  As the session progresses, Loyd unravels Jane’s traumas and fears.  Jane purposely does a bit of probing of her own, causing Loyd to reveal a few details about himself that spark her paranoia.  Or is it his dark truth? 

Peter Friedman & Sydney Lemmon
Photo courtesy of Job

Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon are perfectly matched in these roles.  They are both strong, fully present, identifiable, and empathetic.  It is important that the audience become invested in both of these characters, or the impact of their revelations will have no meaning.  These two actors deliver genuine performances.  They skillfully build their relationship based on the urgent need embedded in the writing.  Mr. Friedlich crafted touching and realistic backstories for both characters.  He saves these details for the moment where they have heightened impact, then uses it to recharge the action.  Everything connects and surges forward with powerful intensity.

Job is playing at The Helen Hayes Theater through October 27.  Get a ticket! 

Domenick Danza

Hurricane Season

 Hurricane Season
Vernal & Sere Theatre
Theatre Row
August 30, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Vernal & Sere Theatre

“Something must break when the hurricane blows,” is the closing line of Sawyer Estes’ play Hurricane Season.  This realization takes place after the characters return from a psychological and visceral journey, driven by unfulfilled desire. The action is continually intriguing, generating a strong shift in all their perspectives.  Under the direction of Mr. Estes, this cast of four is fully committed.  Their performances are physically demanding and emotionally engaging.  Erin O’Connor’s movement direction magnifies numerous moments in the play, keeping the action alive throughout the intermission and after the lights come up at the conclusion of the piece.

It is morning.  Anne (played by Melissa Rainey) is reading a newspaper, while her husband, Tom (played by Sam R. Ross) is on his laptop, waiting for the stock market to open.  Anne is overwrought by the violence going on around the world.  Closer to home is the impending hurricane season.  Tom is fully focused on his investments.  Anne longs for Tom’s attention, yet he is glued to his laptop.  There is a flash of a sexualized female figure.  Is Tom watching porn?  Anne looks over at the laptop.  A young man enters the picture.  Tom’s attention shifts to him, while Anne is mesmerized by the woman.  They are both swept away. 

Erin Boswell & Melissa Rainey
Photo courtesy of Vernal & Sere Theatre

Anne travels to Amsterdam to meet the woman from the porn video.  Alex (played by Erin Boswell) and Anne are very much alike.  Mirror images, except for a scar that Alex has across her belly.  This is where she carries her trauma.  Anne yearns for that experience.

Tom travels to Los Angeles to meet Trevor (played by Pascal Portney), the young man from the porn video.  Trevor seeks a father figure, since he never knew his own.  Tom fits the profile perfectly, yet to be lovers is overwhelmingly alluring. 

Sam R. Ross & Pascal Portney
Photo courtesy of Vernal & Sere Theatre

Anne and Tom dive deeply into discovering the people they could have been, while Alex and Trevor search for who they long to be.  These four actors viscerally connect.  Their characters courageously peel back layers of promise and disappointment.  They each uncover their true need hidden beneath their superficial desires.  The writing is rich with conflict, giving these incredible actors strong intentions and powerful means to overcome every obstacle they find in their path.  They never stop moving forward, yet the outcome is nothing they ever anticipated.

This is a complex work, brilliantly conceived and masterfully staged.  It is a unique piece of theatre that needs to be experienced to gain its fullest impact.  The design team of this Vernal & Sere Theatre production are phenomenal collaborators, unifying sound, projection, lighting, and scenic elements to create a unique and encompassing atmosphere. 

Hurricane Season is playing at Theatre Row through September 7. 

Domenick Danza

Airport and the Strange Package

 Airport and the Strange Package
Great Cannonball Productions
Gene Frankel Theater
August 14, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Great Cannonball Productions

What if a package was handed to you by a stranger at the airport?  What do you do?  What happens next?  In Airport and the Strange Package, playwright Sean King dives into all the possibilities of that event.  The humor builds until the action turns serious.  In that moment the entertaining “what ifs” that Mr. King had been exploring shift to a darker, more dangerous outcome, which makes a clear and relevant political statement.

The digital clock on the wall of the airport terminal flashes 9:11.  An announcement is heard loud and clear to NOT leave your luggage unattended, and to NOT accept packages from people you don’t know.  A traveler (played by Michael Kishon) is talking to his wife on his cell phone.  As he gets up to board his flight to Delaware, a man in a trench coat hands him a package and tells him to put it in the overhead luggage rack of the plane.  The traveler immediately brings the package to the attention of a police officer (played by Peter Sullivan), who tells him to take it to the main security desk.  When he gets there, the Desk Sargeant (played by Joshua Boyce) gives the traveler forms to fill out.  By the time the forms are completed, a second Desk Sergeant (played by Peter Sullivan) is on duty.  He sends the traveler and the package to another security office.  There, two TSA officers, Stan (played by Kyle McIlhone) and Hule (played by John Daniel Meehan), interrogate the traveler, giving him reason to doubt the need for the high security measures.  Several blunders follow, proving that suspicion correct, and causing the need for sever measures to be taken. 

John Daniel Meehan, Michael Kishon, & Kyle McIlhone
Photo courtesy of Great Cannonball Productions

Michael Kishon sets the pace and tone for the play from the very top of the show.  He portrays the traveler as anxious and controlling during the initial phone conversation with his wife.  As the action builds, so does his nervousness.  His agitation swells into paranoia.  He gains control of himself.  He gives in.  Then the cycle starts all over again.  Kyle McIlhone and John Daniel Meehan have excellent comic timing as TSA agents Stan and Hule.  It is their continual banter that spirals Mr. Kishon’s reactions, keeping the energy up and the humor high.  Because of this, the serious moment that climaxes the action is a complete surprise, immediately shifting the tone of the play.  The ending speech by the TSA Director (played by Peter Sullivan) succinctly frames the political commentary.  Mr. McIlhone and Mr. Meehan take one final moment to end the play on a humorous note.

Director William Roudebush skillfully blends the humor, political commentary, and dark events into one seamless ninety-minute adventure.  This outstanding cast plays every moment for all they’re worth.  

Airport and the Strange Package is playing at the Gene Frankel Theater through August 25. 

Domenick Danza