Show/Boat: A River

 Show/Boat: A River
NYU Skirball Center
January 17, 2025 

Photo courtesy of Target Margin Theater

The Target Margin Theater production of Show/Boat: A River is billed as “a classic reimagined.”  What makes Show Boat a classic is the Jerome Kerns score with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.  With vocal arrangements by Dionne McClain-Freeney and orchestrations by Dan Schlosberg, the score is very well presented.  Director David Herskovits delivers a bare-bones interpretation, stripping the show of elaborate sets and costumes.  The script holds up very well, but the locations and time frame, which are key to the richness of the story, are missing.  The cast works as a tight ensemble, delivering the stark rhythms of Mr. Herskovits’ vision with magnificent vocal power.   

Photo courtesy of Target Margin Theater

Captain Andy (played by Steven Rattazzi) runs the Cotton Blossom, a showboat on the Mississippi River.  His stars, Julie (played by Stephanie Weeks) and her husband Steve (played by Edwin Joseph) are forced to leave the show when it is revealed they are a mixed-race couple, which is illegal at that time.  Captain Andy’s daughter, Magnolia (played by Rebbekah Vega-Romero) steps into the lead role.  She is paired with Gaylor Ravenal (played by Phillip Themio Stoddard), who Magnolia met by chance a few days earlier.  The love story between Ravenal and Magnolia spans the next few decades.  They share tenderness and develop a sense of dedication.  They also face disappointment and abandonment, yet persevere over time.

Alvin Crawford plays Joe and majestically delivers a solid rendition of “Old Man River” with heart.  The theme of the river rolling through the lives of these characters, leading them forward on their journey, runs strongly in this production, even without the set grounding us in the location.  

Stephanie Weeks & Rebbekah Vega-Romero
Photo courtesy of Target Margin Theater

The scene between Julie and Steve, when the Sherriff comes to arrest them for miscegenation, is powerful.  This scene is a vital turning point in the story.  It is key to understanding the caste system and racial discrimination of the period.  Stephanie Weeks and Edwin Joseph play this scene perfectly.  They are genuine in their commitment to one another, and portray a true belief in the value of their bond over any challenge they need to face.

There are many additional strong performances in this production, including Phillip Themio Stoddard, Rebbekah Vega-Romero, Caitlin Nasema Cassidy, and Temidayo Amay. 

Show/Boat: A River is playing at the NYU Skirball Center through January 26. 

Domenick Danza

A Wonderful World

 A Wonderful World
The Louis Armstrong Musical
Studio 54
January 13, 2025 

Photo courtesy of A Wonderful World

A Wonderful World is full of heart and soul.  Conceived by Andrew Delaplaine and Christopher Renshaw, this bold and vibrant musical tells the story of the life and career of Louis Armstrong.  It is brilliantly woven together, allowing the music and dance to viscerally convey the essence of the story.  The Audience is transported to New Orleans in the 1910s, Chicago in the 1920s, Hollywood in the 1930s, and New York in the 1940s.  The book, by Aurin Squire, offers succinct narration and dramatic scenes involving the characters.  Director Christopher Renshaw beautifully pulls it all together, especially Rickey Tripp’s amazing choreography and musical staging, which perfectly captures the time periods and magnificently elevates the emotion of the piece.  

James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong
Photo courtesy of A Wonderful World

It is 1970.  We are in a rehearsal room where Louis Armstrong (played by James Monroe Iglehart) is rehearsing for a concert.  He tells his accompanist (played by Brandon Louis Armstrong) of his musical journey and how he met his four wives.  We jump back to New Orleans in the 1910s.  Louis marries Daisy Parker (played by Dionne Figgins).  She is a prostitute, but it doesn’t matter to Louis.  He is in love.  Louis takes a job playing music on a riverboat to earn money.  It is there that he learns to improvise and meld musical styles in collaboration with his band mates.  When one of his fellow musicians is lynched after being falsely accused of stealing, Louis decides he must move up north.  He follows his mentor, King Joe Oliver (played by Gavin Gregory) to Chicago, where he meets Lil Hardin (played by Jennie Harney-Fleming), who becomes his second wife.  They form their own band and go on tour after Louis refuses to play for members of the mob.  When the stock market crashes, Louie hears that Hollywood is hiring jazz musicians for the movies.  Lil does not want to go to California, so Louis goes alone.  He marries his third wife, Alpha Smith (played by Kim Exum), and makes his mark on the movies.  Louis becomes nationally known, yet is restricted in the roles he is offered.  He is advised by Lincoln Perry (played by Dewitt Fleming Jr.) to find his own style and get a white manager.  He finds that personal style in his smile, charm, and optimism.  When the Chicago mob catches up with him, Louis goes on tour again.  He follows Lincoln’s advice by contacting Joe Glaser (played by Jimmy Smagula) about representation.  Lucille leaves him, and he relocates to New York City.  Louis meets Cotton Club star, Lucille Wilson (played by Darlesia Cearcy).  They get married and Louis' career takes off under Joe’s management.  Lucille stays with Louis through infidelity and the hardships that follow after Louis makes a severe political statement over civil rights that keeps him from getting work.  He perseveres, never losing his smile and dedication to his music.

Photo courtesy of A Wonderful World

James Monroe Iglehart is outstanding in his portrayal of Louis Armstrong.  He has a powerful and charming presence, and his singing comes from deep in his soul.  He matures stylishly with the character, giving a strong sense of Louis Armstrong’s integrity and grit over the sixty-year timeline.  Mr. Iglehart creates genuine relationships with the four women who play his wives.  Dionee Figgins, Jennie Harney-Fleming, Kim Exum, and Darlesia Cearcy are all phenomenal in these roles.  Their distinct influence on Mr. Armstrong’s personal and professional life is rich and intriguing. 

The action moves fast, sometimes running quickly over important moments in the life of this iconic man.  This is an unfortunate drawback when telling an extensive story in a short two and a half hour time frame.  Luckily, the music and dance keep the audience emotionally connected to the journey of the characters. 

A Wonderful World is playing at Studio 54.  It is a joyous celebration of an amazing life.  Go see it! 

Domenick Danza

Eureka Day

 Eureka Day
Manhattan Theatre Club
The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
January 4, 2025 

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Jonathan Spector’s new play, Eureka Day, is full of laughs… until you realize that the laugh is on us.  It’s easy to pick a side in a dispute or debate, but what do you do when there is no chance of resolution or compromise?  The play starts off in a simple, pleasant, and welcoming atmosphere.  When a health crisis occurs among a group of young children, that agreeable environment quickly transforms into a political hotbed.  No one is willing to bend in their belief.  Mr. Spector creates rich backstories for these characters to keep the conflict truthful.  Director Anna D. Shapiro works with a stellar cast to build the tension and shift the tone as the action progresses.  

Eureka Day is a progressive private elementary school on the east coast.  Their executive board of parent volunteers meets regularly to maintain inclusivity and provide clear communicate to members of the school community.  The main governing rule for the committee is that full consensus is needed to change any school policy.  Don (played by Bill Irwin) guides the committee through every discussion, making sure all members voice their points of view.  Because of this, committee discussions tend to be lengthy.  Suzanne (played by Jessica Hecht) welcomes the newest member to the committee, Carina (played by Amber Gray), whose son is new to the school.  The more Suzanne invites Carina to participate, the more she cuts her off.  When an outbreak of mumps runs through the school, the unvaccinated daughter of Meiko (played by Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz) becomes ill.  Meiko is romantically involved with another committee member, Eli (played by Thomas Middleditch).  Their time together allowed her daughter to unknowingly pass the illness to Eli’s son, whose vaccine was ineffective.  While the school is on temporary quarantine, the committee holds a zoom meeting to give parents of the school community a chance to discuss the situation.  All hell unexpectedly breaks loose.  A consensus on how to proceed is not possible.  Change needs to take place, yet no one is willing to budge. 

Amber Gray, Bill Irwin, & Chelsea Yakura-Kurts
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

This cast is phenomenal, creating broad humor out of politeness hesitation, and forced considertion.  It is clear what the characters intend to say, yet they never let themselves.  The comic timing in their holding back is impeccable.  They put great effort into establishing an environment of inclusivity and respect, but it is full of nothing more than projection, assumption, and judgement.  This effectively makes the situation comical.  The laughs build to a high crescendo during the zoom meeting, then the tone abruptly shifts when the dispute hits a wall.  The humor continues as the characters speak directly, but it becomes more biting.  The way they resolve the issue is a bit of a surprise, yet what is ahead for them will prove even more challenging. 

Eureka Day is playing at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.  It has been extended through February 2.  This play offers a unique opportunity to take a focused look at ourselves.  Go see it and find out how far you’re willing to go for your convictions.  

Domenick Danza

A Shift of Opinion

 A Shift of Opinion
Theater for the New City
January 2, 2025 

Photo courtesy of A Shift of Opinion

Playwright Vadim Astrakhan pays homage to Jacob Schiff in his play A Shift of Opinion.  By telling the story of this Jewish American philanthropist, we see the powerful effect one man can have when he uses his influence and wealth to make positive change.  Director Joe John Battista gathered a strong cast to portray well known personalities from American history, all of whom were contemporaries of Jacob Schiff.  This story is relevant to our present-day politics and atmosphere of hate.  History repeats itself, yet if stories such as this are not told, we remain in the dark.

In 1903, a pogrom took place in czarist-era Russia, destroying a Jewish community and killing 49 residents.  When Jewish New York banker Jacob Schiff (played by Michael Donata) hears the news, he is outraged.  He immediately meets with his friend, President Theodore Roosevelt (played by Roger Gonzalez), who writes a letter to Russian leadership.  Unhappy with Russia’s response, Jacob meets with another friend, William Randolf Hearst (played by Michael Meth), who informs him of the impending war between Japan and Russia.  Jacob sees this as an opportunity to take down the Russian czar.  He meets again with President Roosevelt, who allows Jacob to individually fund the Japanese army, leaving the United State out of the conflict.  Japan is triumphant, yet it is not until the Russian Revolution in 1917 that the imperial government is overthrown.  In 1920, US Congressman Albert Johnson (played by Andrew Ryan Perry) pushed for strong anti-immigration legislation, prohibiting immigration from Asia and imposing quotas on the number of immigrants entering the United States from easter and southern Europe.  This had a disastrous effect on the Jewish community.  By this time, Jacob Schiff had passed away. 

Michael Donato as Jacob Schiff
Photo courtesy of A Shift of Opinion

Michael Donato solidly portrays Jacob Schiff as a determined man of high principles.  He is steadfast in his beliefs, which includes that the United States is a Zion for the Jewish people.  He did not support the development of a Jewish nation, for which his colleague, Nathan (played by Alex Notkin), tries to seek his financial support.  Towards the end of his life, Jacob changes his view on that possibility.  This “shift of opinion” is evidence of his ability to change his fervent convictions based on events in present time.

Some of the more humorous scenes are between Mark Twain (played by John Barilla) and O. Henry (played by Brian Sheppard).  These two characters voice their perspectives on Jewish culture, and freely share their opinions on Jacob Schiff’s philanthropic activities.  Mr. Sheppard is bold and daring in his physicality and characterization of O. Henry, while Mr. Borilla is witty and biting as Mark Twain.  Michael Meth’s stoic portrayal of William Randolph Hearst keeps these scenes grounded in fact, highlighting Jacob Schiff’s contribution to historic events.   

Other strong performances are delivered by Christian Neal as librarian Bella Greene, Roger Gonzalez as President Theodore Roosevelt, Andrew Ryan Perry as Jack London and Congressman Johnson, Shuhei Kinoshita as Baron Takahashi, and, with impressive presence and command, Alex Notkin as Ambassador Cassini. 

A Shift of Opinion is playing at Theater for the New City through January 5. 

Domenick Danza