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

Someone Spectacular

 Someone Spectacular
The Linney Theatre
The Pershing Square Signature Center
August 7, 2024 

Photo courtesy of B3-A12 Productions

Doménica Feraud’s play, Someone Spectacular, is a bold and fearless journey through grief and pain.  It is a skillfully written ensemble piece.  Each of the six characters have a clear arc of self-awareness before arriving at a place of connection and acceptance.  Director Tatiana Pandiani finds each distinct beat of action that allows the focus to seamlessly shift from one character to the other.  This amazing cast dives deep into every moment, revealing their characters’ hopes, while facing overwhelming sorrow.

It's Wednesday night, and one by one the participants arrive for their group session.  When Beth, the counselor, is late, they are unsure of what to do.  Nelle (played by Alison Cimmet) is anxious to begin.  The grief over the loss of her sister provokes her to be abrupt and confrontational.  Jude (played by Delia Cunningham) is new to the group, and reluctant to start without Beth.  She had a miscarriage and does not know how to mourn the loss of her unborn son.  They take a vote and proceed.  Lily (played by Ana Cruz Kayne) wants to skip the check-in procedure and get right to the sharing.  Her grief over the death of her mother has left her exposed and angry.  Evelyn (played by Gamze Ceylan) also lost her mother, but is struggling with her feelings over their tumultuous relationship.  Julian (played by Shakur Tolliver) lost his aunt, who was a caring mother figure for most of his life.  Thom (played by Damian Young) lost his wife after thirty years of marriage.  Without Beth to create a safe space and guide them through their interactions, these six participants cross boundaries and push each other past their limitations.  They are all concerned about Beth’s absence, yet they use the time to face their feelings and strengthen their bond.  

Delia Cunningham, Gamze Ceylan, Ana Cruz Kayne, & Damian Young
Photo courtesy of B3-A12 Productions

The environment these actors create is full of anxiety and hostility.  That stress is broken by laughter from the audience.  The more the audience reacts this way, the more honest the events feel.  There are aspects of each of the characters that are highly unlikeable.  They tend to be impatient, direct, and, at times, cruel.  It is their vulnerability that makes them genuine and endearing.  They each expose their soft side when it is least expected, shifting the trajectory of the action.  As they share their personal goals, a glimmer of hope rises in each of them.  Their sincere support of one another is as bold and blatant as their expressions of anguish.  This is good acting under masterful directing.

Someone Spectacular is playing at the Pershing Square Signature Center through September 7.  It is a beautifully crafted play that you must experience first-hand. 

Domenick Danza

From Here

From Here
The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre
The Pershing Square Signature Center
August 2, 2024 

Photo courtesy of The Renaissance Theatre Company

The Renaissance Theatre Company production of From Here is funny, tender, and heartwarming.  The book, music, and lyrics are all by Donald Rupe.  The music is sweeping and moving.  The lyrics reveal the inner thoughts, fears, and emotions of the characters.  The book is a combination of direct address and realistic scenes that weave the characters together to tell a story of friendship, love, and community.  Under the direction of Donald Rupe, this amazing cast each create genuine characters who unite as one glorious ensemble.

The full cast of From Here
Photo courtesy of The Renaissance Theatre Company

The year is 2016, and we are in Orlando, Florida.  Daniel (played by Blake Aburn) is on the phone, leaving a voice mail for his mother.  She has not answered his calls since he came out to her a few months prior.  Daniel and his boyfriend, Michael (played by Jullien Aponte), go to a birthday party for their friend Jordan (played by Michelle Coben).  They meet their circle of friends at the gay bar, and, to Michael’s dismay, Daniel flirts with Ricky (played by Omar Cardona).  The next day, Daniel leaves another voice mail for his mother.  With great excitement, and a derisive jab, he tells her that Michael is planning to propose.  When Michael arrives, quite the opposite occurs.  He breaks up with Daniel.  When Daniel attends Jordan’s cabaret show later in the week, he not only runs into Michael with his new boyfriend, Jacob (played by Devin Skorupski), he also sees his mother (played by Becca Southworth).  Jordan invited her so she and Daniel could talk through their crisis.  Jordan also invited Ricky, and seats him next to Daniel.  Daniel’s life is full of chaos, insecurity, challenge, and disappointment.  He is unaware that he is surrounded by friends who will always have his back.  Then on June 12, 2016, there is a mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub, and everything changes.

Blake Aburn as Daniel
Photo courtesy of The Renaissance Theatre Company

Blake Aburn captures the audience’s attention the moment the lights come up on him at the top of the show.  His portrayal of Daniel is honest and genuine.  His singing voice is soothing and full of depth and emotion.  When he opens the heart of his character, we see his shortcomings, feel his hesitation, and laugh with his sharp wit.  Becca Southworth plays Daniel’s mother with backbone and grit, which is superseded by her love and dedication for her only son.  The transformation in the relationship between these two characters is heartfelt and healing.

Blake Aburn, Michelle Coben, Jullien Aponte, & Devin Skorupski
Photo courtesy of The Renaissance Theatre Company

Michelle Coben delivers the laughs as Jordan.  Jullien Aponte plays Michael with his full heart and soul.  Omar Cardona is solid as Ricky.  He passionate rendition of the song “Todo” introduces the theme of family, which resonates throughout the piece.  Justin Jimenez, Chris Keough, Kendall Leamy, Jerry Millings, Janine Papin, Dee Quintero, Devin Skorupski, and Kyle Ashe Wilkinson work together to create a powerful ensemble, whose presence and strength broadens that theme and embeds it in every aspect of this production.

From Here is playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center though August 11.  It is a poignant piece of musical theatre that illustrates how unity can rise from tragedy.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza