Sally Spectre, The Musical

 Sally Spectre, The Musical
News of Spite Productions
30^th Street Theater
October 22, 2025

Photo courtesy of Sally Spectre, the Musical

Sally Spectre, The Musical is pure Halloween fun.  This show is an intriguing combination of macabre, dark, and silly humor.  Taking inspiration from Tim Burton, playwright / composer / lyricist David P. Johnson, created a story that haunts its audience and leaves them with a valuable message.  He and his co-director, Arden Teresa Lewis, have branded this musical with a consistent and sharp style that keeps the audience fully engaged.  The opening number eerily introduces the premise and sets the tone and pace for the show.  The cast boldly takes this well-crafted material and delivers strong and haunting performances.  Every ghoulish detail is brought together for a satisfying conclusion.  

Sally Spectre (played by Helen Floersh) has been dead for fifty years, but does not know it.  The hatchet that killed her when she was a child remains embedded in her head.  She is protected by Bartholomew, a toy soldier (played by Mykeal North).  He knows that “when the fool speaks reason,” the time is approaching for Sally to move on.  When Nero (played by Patrick Beckstead) starts talking sensibly, Bartholomew knows that time is fast approaching.  The Wraith (played by Bobby Bogner) arrives during the night to play Chinese checkers with Sally, causing Bartholomew to worry.  The Wraith calls upon his assistants, Gustave (played by Richard J. Piatt) and Mabel (played by Marie Scott) to get Bartholomew, Sally, and Winky (played by Patick Beckstead) on the same page.  The secret lies in the mirror that Sally is afraid to look into.

Helen Floersh, Mykeal North, & Patrick Beckstead
Photo by Garry Kluger, courtesy of Sally Spectre, the Musical

 Helen Floersh beautifully captures the youth and waif-like innocence that is perfect for Sally Spectre.  As her protector, Bartholomew, Mykael North is stoic and sturdy.  This is complemented by the characterizations of Patrick Beckstead, who plays one character with four personalities.  He transforms physically and vocally for each of these distinct roles. 

Bobby Bognar is ominous as The Wraith.  His witty sense of humor balances the darkness of his mysterious presence.  Richard J. Piatt and Marie Scott are constantly bickering as Gustave and Mabel, delivering hearty laughs despite their spine-chilling appearances.

Mykeal North, Marie Scott, Helen Floersh,
Patrick Beckstead, & Richard J. Piatt
Photo by Garry Kluger, courtesy of Sally Spectre, The Musical

Sally Spectre, The Musical was a winner of the Hurricane Season Playwrights Festival in 2008.  It went on to a workshop production at Theatre West in 2009.  In 2012 it was a finalist for the Richard Rogers Award.  This level of focused development is apparent in the quality of this production.  It is tight and consistent.  The production design by Marco Rivera spares no expense.  

Sally Spectre, The Musical is playing at 30^th Street Theater through November 1.  If you are in the mood for some spook-filled Halloween fun, this is the show to see. 

Domenick Danza

Italian American Reconciliation

 Italian American Reconciliation
The Flea Theater
October 18, 2025

Photo courtesy of Italian American Reconciliation

John Patrick Shanley’s rarely produced Italian American Reconciliation is beautifully brought to life at The Flea Theater.  Director Austin Pendleton has gathered an amazing cast to inject passion and perspective into Mr. Shanley’s writing.  The setting and time period ring with authenticity.  The cast captures the rhythms and timing in the dialogue.  It all flows naturally, building the tension and humor in each moment through the characters’ conflicting desires.

Aldo (played by Robert Farrior) tells the story of his best friend, Huey (played by Wade McCollum).  Huey is dating Teresa (played by Mia Gentile).  He is very much in love with her, but feels he needs to break up with her and get back with his ex-wife, Janice (played by Linda Manning).  He feels that when they divorced, she took a part of him, and he needs to get it back.  Huey has a plan and needs Aldo’s help.  Aldo agrees, but has a plan of his own to keep Janice and Huey apart, which he feels is best for both of them. 

Wade McCollum & Robert Farrior
Photo courtesy of Italian American Reconciliation

Robert Farrior opens the show as Aldo, directly addressing the audience.  The tone, pace, and humor of the play are immediately established.  He invites the audience in for the story he wants to tell, and informs them that it has a lesson.  He brings the lesson to a specific conclusion, after experiencing torment throughout the journey.  Mr. Farrior skillfully portrays this inner conflict, while maintaining the humor in Aldo’s perspective.  He brings vibrant life to all his scenes. 

Wade McCollum skillfully portrays the various levels of Huey’s character.  He is meek and broken with a lust for life that is trapped within.  Mr. McCollum finds moments to reveal this inner zeal and strength, keeping the audience connected to his plan to reconcile with his ex-wife.  Linda Manning’s Janice is dark and brooding with an explosive temper.  She reveals different sides of herself in scenes with Huey and Aldo, creating a full and complex character. 

Mia Gentile, Mary Testa, & Robert Farrior
Photo courtesy of Italian American Reconciliation

Mia Gentile plays Teresa with a strong sense of self-awareness, while also needing love and companionship.  These elements come into conflict when the decision she makes to break it off with Huey is turned around when he breaks up with her first.  Luckily, she has Aunt May to talk to.  Mary Testa plays this role to the fullest.  She offers advice and comfort, not only to Teresa, but also to Aldo.  Ms. Testa portrays this character with warmth and wisdom, while also maintaining an edge of skepticism, which magnifies the humor.

This play addresses the messiness of love and the need we all have for it.  It is structured and communicated in a way that is unique to John Patrick Shanley.  It is a beautifully passionate adventure. 

Italian American Reconciliation is playing at The Flea Theater through October 26. 

Domenick Danza

Liberation

 Liberation
James Earl Jones Theatre
October 14, 2025

Photo courtesy of Liberation

After a successful Off-Broadway run last winter, Liberation has moved to the James Earl Jones Theatre on Broadway.  Playwright Bess Wohl has outdone herself with this play.  She crafted a brilliant exploration into what drives the desire to instigate change and generate lasting impact.  Her characters all speak from the heart, addressing large social and political issues from intimate and personal perspectives.  Director Whitney White skillfully balances the voices, giving each character a platform to be heard.  The cast is phenomenal, creating moments of honest contact that nudges the audience into deep introspection. 

Lizzie (played by Susannah Flood) wants to tell the story of her recently deceased mother who, in 1970, started a women’s liberation group while living in Ohio.  Lizzie has a few unanswered questions about that work and experience, so she looks through her mother’s notebooks.  This transports her to the meetings in the basement basketball court of the local rec center.  Lizzie steps into her mother’s shoes and meets Margie (played by Betsy Aidem), Dora (played by Audrey Corsa), Celeste (played by Kristolyn Lloyd), Isadora (played by Irene Sofia Lucio), and Susan (played by Adina Verson).  They all share their stories, challenges, and trepidations.  Lizzie’s questions are not fully answered, so she contacts the women from the group who are still living.  Lizzie does not stop probing, finally digging into her mother’s choice to marry her father, which is more than she can handle on her own. 

Susannah Flood & Betsy Aidem
Photo courtesy of Liberation

The character of Lizzie directly addresses the audience at various times throughout the play.  This
personally engages the audience, keeping them fully connected to the action as it goes back and forth in time.  Susannah Flood does a remarkable job with this.  She befriends the audience, making them a part of how she tells the story.  She is fully present, emotionally exposed, and highly amiable.  

Photo courtesy of Liberation

Each of the characters is distinctly drawn, and this cast embodies every element of these specific and strong personalities.  Betsy Aidem is phenomenal as Margie.  As her character grows, she does not shed her cynical edge.  Audrey Corsa portrays the emergence of her character Dora with grace and confidence.  She truly blossoms through her participation in the group.  Kristolyn Lloyd is stoic and grounded as Celeste.  She bravely faces her challenges, yet is highly vulnerable when she lets down her guard.  Irene Sofia Lucio creates a lustful and vibrant Isadora.  As transparent as she presents herself, she is continually full of surprises.  Adina Verson is solid and fiery as Susan.  Her subtext is vivid and clear.  There are also powerful performances by Kayla Davion and Charlie Thurston.

Photo courtesy of Liberation

Most of the action of the play takes place in the 1970s and focuses on the women’s liberation
movement.  It directly speaks to who we, as a society, have become since then.  Our successes and our disappointments.  The play makes the point that our participation has value.  Great value.  Everyday value.  This is an important play. 

Liberation is playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre.  You must experience it for yourself.    

Domenick Danza

Truman vs. Israel

 Truman vs. Israel
Abzug and the Undressing of Truman
Theater at St. Clements
October 11, 2025

Photo by Darin Chumbley, PictureDLC 
Courtesy of Greenhouse Theater Center 

The Greenhouse Theater Center’s production of Truman vs. Israel is a unique glimpse into a specific slice of history.  Playwright William Spatz sets up a fictional meeting between Harry S Truman and Bella Abzug that fervently illustrates the conviction it takes to make bold and difficult decisions.  There is no going back and there cannot be any regrets.  Director Randy White uses this theme in the way the cast approaches their characters.  Strong and bold choices are made, heightening the emotional impact of the play. 

After serving as President of the United States, Harry S Truman (played by Willy Falk) brings a defamation lawsuit against a NY journalist.  Truman’s law firm sends Bella Abzug (played by Helen Laser) to his home in Independence, Missouri to review the case.  Her main objective is to get him to drop the charges.  The law firm is concerned that the trial will prove the journalist’s statements correct.  These concerns are verified when President Truman tells Bella Abzug that Jews are not allowed in his home.  Don Muller, Ms. Abzug’s assistant (played by Matt Caplan), has an agenda of his own and contradicts her when she consults with President Truman.  This puts her on guard.  When Mr. Muller interviews Eddie, President Truman’s longtime friend and neighbor (played by Mark Lotito), these concerns are magnified.  It is the discussion of President Truman’s decision to not support or arm Israel that leads Mr. Muller to take action that no one anticipated. 

Willy Falk, Helen Laser, & Matt Caplan
Photo by Darin Chumbley, PictureDLC
Courtesy of Greenhouse Theater Center

The writing is full of facts about decisions that President Truman made while in office, including the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan and the support of the state of Israel.  The tensions in the scenes where these facts are discussed are high, giving the events a sense of urgency.  Even though they took place in the past, they have lasting effects.  The characters of President Truman and Bella Abzug are highly complex and known to most audience members.  Willy Falk and Helen Laser successfully take on this challenge, humanizing these historic figures.  Their strengths and flaws are equally portrayed.  They have strong beliefs in equality and justice, while both being stubborn, boisterous, and forthright.  

Willy Falk, Matt Caplan, & Helen Laser
Photo by Darin Chumbley, Picture DLC
Courtesy of Greenhouse Theater Center

Matt Caplan portrays Don Muller with equal complexity.  The difference is that his character is fictional.  He has a gripping and heartbreaking backstory.  When it is revealed, the motivation for his unexpected action is clearly justified.

The character of Eddie is both a help and a hinderance to the case Ms. Abzug is building.  Since he and President Truman were friends from an early age and served in the military together, Eddie has witnessed his bravery and heard his anti-Semitic and racist remarks.  These scenes are vital in painting a vivid portrait of President Truman.  Mark Lotito plays these scenes with total honesty, having great respect for his friend while seeing past his flaws and upbringing. 

Truman vs. Israel is playing at Theater at St. Clements through January 4.  It is a timely play, offering historic facts as a framework to better understand the present. 

Domenick Danza

The Glitch

 The Glitch
The Jerry Orbach Theater
at The Theater Center
October 5, 2025

Photo courtesy of The Glitch

Kipp Koenig’s play, The Glitch, explores the unbounded capabilities of AI and the limitless power of human emotion.  The story stretches the imagination by creating a logical world where the events are fully believable.  Director Mark Koenig works with a skilled cast to ground the fantastic elements of the story in reality by creating truthful moments and honest relationships. 

Wyatt (played by Sunny Makwana) developed an AI program that can create holographic images of parents’ future children.  His partner, Wendy (played by Jacquie Bonnet), enters DNA data and additional detailed information to initiate the program.  Their AI counselor, Aurora (played by Amilia Shaw), generates scenarios for the future parents to interact with their AI child.  The purpose is to support and prepare them in their decision-making process.  When Client #10, Amy (played by Danielle Augustine), comes in for her first face to face session, Wyatt recognizes her from his childhood.  Aurora senses their connection and reprograms the data to manipulate an outcome she believes is in Client #10’s best interest.  Wendy and Wyatt are unaware that Aurora has the capability to adjust data without them.  They all find themselves in a situation they are unable to control. 

Photo courtesy of The Glitch

Wyatt is playful and impulsive, while Wendy is focused and logical.  Sunny Makwana and Jacquie Bonnet portray this dichotomy perfectly.  It is established in the opening scene, and is essential in keeping the action moving throughout the play.  Danielle Augustine plays Amy’s many layers beautifully.  She lies and stretches the truth in her earlier scenes to protect herself.  Each layer of this protection is stripped away in her scenes with Aurora, until she has to face the truth about herself in the final scene with Wyatt.  Ms. Augustine and Mr. Makwana play this moment tenderly.  After the amazingly cold and mechanical voice Amilie Shaw uses as Aurora, the human emotion shared between Amy and Wyatt is highly effective. 

Hanna Rose Doherty as Hailey 
Photo courtesy of The Glitch

Hannah Rose Doherty plays the AI holograph of Hailey, Amy’s future daughter.  As the data used to create the character is altered, so does the personality traits of the AI.  Ms. Doherty wonderfully  handles these transitions, creating a believable combination of automation and humanity.

The understanding of technological advances that Mr. Koenig implements in his writing heightens the credibility of the fanatical elements the play.  The skepticism we all have about the power of AI is feasible.  Mr. Koenig keys into this fear and makes a strong statement about how the power of human emotion is far stronger than anything AI can provide. 

The Glitch is playing at The Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center thought November 2. 

Domenick Danza