The Cry of the Butterfly

 The Cry of the Butterfly
Theater for the New City
February 6, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Cry of the Butterfly

The Cry of the Butterfly is a beautifully written play by Nicca Ray.  It is full of raw emotion and stark reality.  Ms. Ray bravely tells the Hollywood story of her mother and father, their addictions, their infidelities, and their emotional inaccessibility.  Director Joe John Battista stages powerful cinematic moments that illustrate the relationships and heighten the emotional impact of story.  The cast skillfully portrays complex characters, who are suffering and searching for love and understanding. 

The play opens as a Podcast Host (played by Roger Gonzalez) is interviewing Nicca Ray (played by Mari Blake).  She has just published her book, Ray by Ray, which tells the story of her father and movie director Nicholas Ray (played by Tom Martin).  When the Podcast Host shifts his questions to a highly personal nature, Nicca refuses to answer and walks out.  This brings us back to the day her sister, Julie (played by Alexandra Laliberte), flew her across the country to celebrate the birthday of their mother, Betty (played by Penny Balfour).  Her daughters are concerned about their mother’s trance-like moments and emotional outbursts, but not having been together for a number of years, they push through as best they can.  All three women face their demons, but Betty has the roughest time.  The affair her husband had with James Dean (played by Michael John Gross) during the filming of Rebel Without a Cause created a severe rift in their marriage.  Nicholas never recovered from the sudden death of James Dean, which Betty has never fully accepted.  She faces this with urgency, as it is revealed that she recently received a diagnosis of terminal cancer. 

Alexandra Laliberte, Penny Balfour, & Mari Blake
Photo courtesy of The Cry of the Butterfly

Penny Balfour captures the essence of legendary movie star glamour as Betty.  She carries herself with grace, yet has a piercing directness.  Her ability to gloss over her daughter’s emotional experiences is juxtaposed by her skill at deeply cutting them down.  Mari Blake portrays Nicca with a stamina that comes from years of introspection and recovery.  Even though Betty pushes her buttons, she regains her strength and bounces back.  Alexandra Laliberte plays Julie with drive and moxie.  She has been witnessing her mother’s declining mental and physical health, and put great effort into bringing her sister in for this much-needed visit.  These three women are survivors, determined to keep moving, and these three actors portray them with grit and vigor.  Their scenes together are a constant battle for power, yet they each take on the role of caregiver when one of them is knocked down. 

Tom Martin, Michael John Gross, & Penny Balfour
Photo courtesy of The Cry of the Butterfly

Michael John Gross’ physical and vocal portrayal of James Dean is spot on.  His scenes with Penny Balfour are strong and impactful.  The stakes are high, the conflict is strong, and their connection is visceral.  Tom Martin plays Nicholas Ray with sleek elegance.  You can feel the power he has over Betty, and the love she feels for him.  It is ethereal and borderline psychotic.

The tone is set in the opening scene by Roger Gonzalez as the Podcast Host.  The audience expects the brutal truth, and that is exactly what is delivered.  The scenes between the three women are beautifully written and skillfully directed.  You can feel the isolation they are each experiencing as they relive their memories and try to connect.  They are all present in the room together, yet emotionally separate, incredibly alone, and yearning for connection. 

The Cry of the Butterfly is playing at Theater for the New City through February 22.  It is a uniquely structured and carefully crafted telling of a highly personal story. 

Domenick Danza

Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off

 Just Desserts
A Musical Bake-Off
AMT Theater
February 4, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off

Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off is a fresh new Off-Broadway musical with a poignant message.  The score, by Brad Ross, is lighthearted and fun.  The lyrics, by Barbara Campbell, dive deep into the backgrounds and motivations of the characters.  Director Tom Wallace magnifies the humor in Ms. Campbell's book, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.  Each cast member creates an identifiable character the audience roots for, even when they are suspected of foul play. 

The Jefferson County Fair Bake-Off is down to five finalists.  Mildred (played by Klea Blackhurst) is a four-time Bake-Off champion.  She is confident she will be taking the prize home again this year.  Emma (played by Tori Jade Lopez) was runner up last year.  She is young and has a bright future ahead of her, having just graduated from business school.  She is driven, focused, and dedicated.  Brandy (played by Lauren Nicole Sherwood) is no stranger to contests, having competed in beauty pageants her whole life.  This is, however, her first baking challenge, and she admits that she doesn’t like to cook.  Lou (played by JP Sarro) is a new resident of Jefferson County.  He is from Brooklyn and wants to open his own Italina restaurant.  Jean (played by Gina Lamparella) is a school nurse and doesn’t think she deserves to be in the finals.  She and Lou share an attraction that Brandy is continually egging on.  Zack (played by Michael Hunsaker) is the MC for the event, as well as the local weatherman.  He keeps the competition focused and moving, even though there are other places he’d rather be.  Each contestant has a lot at stake.  Some are willing to go further than others to take home to prize. 

Lauren Nicole Sherwood, Tori Jade Lopez, Klea Blackhurst, JP Sarro, & Gina Lamparella
Photo courtesy of Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off

Michael Hunsaker opens the show as Zack, the MC.  He is bold and energetic, setting the pace and humor that continues throughout the show.  Klea Blackhurst takes center stage, literally, as Mildred.  The character is a successful businesswoman who is very well known in the county.  She has a cold heart and is suspected of underhanded behavior.  When she reveals her personal story in Act II, she wins over her fellow contestants and every member of the audience. 

Lauren Nicole Sherwood grabs the audience’s attention from her first entrance as Brandy.  The character is openhearted and enthusiastic.  Ms. Sherwood portrays this with joy and vigor.  Tori Jade Lopez creates a multi-layered character with Emma.  She is sweet, cunning, naïve, and ambitious.  Ms. Lopez reveals these traits in the way she reacts and relates to the other characters, creating truthful moments that build a complete and genuine character. 

Gina Lamparella plays Jean as shy and unassuming.  The strength in her performance is in the subtlety of her portrayal.  She is underplayed and boldy resonant.  JP Sarro is gruff and gentle as Lou.  He and Ms. Lamparello have a tender connection, adding a sentimental layer to the over-the-top storyline. 

Be prepared to purchase sweets at the conclusion of the performance. The producers have invited some of the finest bakers to sell their creations in the lobby after the show.  For the matinee I attended, Rachel Cheng, a student from the Culinary Arts Program at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, sold two of her original recipe cookies.  The Lemon-Glazed Earl Grey Cookies are as enticing as they sound.  The Neapolitan Cookies are a delectable mixture of flavors.  She was supported in her successful venture by her fellow students from the Business Academy at John Dewey.  

Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off is playing at AMT Theater (354 W. 45 St.) through February 22.  It is a heartwarming and delightful production.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza

The Ladder

 The Ladder
IRT Theatre
January 31, 2026 

Photo courteys of The Ladder

Isaac Bryne’s play, The Ladder, tells the mythical tale of Theseus slaying the Minotaur.  Director Haley Rice beautifully builds the mystery and suspense in this well-crafted play.  The characters are often searching in the dark, causing the audience to lean in and listen, until the light reveals the object of their search and the desperation of the adventure.  The cast skillfully balances the heightened action with grounded emotion, engaging the audience in their individual journeys. 

When Theseus (played by James Jelkin) escapes the labyrinth after killing the Minotaur (played by Ken Orman), he has tall tales to tell.  He weaves a tale of bravery for Pirithous (played by Justin Senense), capturing his heart and loyalty.  He lures Ariadne (played by Lucy Turner) to a secluded island, only to desert her so as not to reveal how he broke his promise to her in the labyrinth.  King Ageus, Theseus’ father (played by Ken Orman), kills himself when he thinks his son is dead.  It is Persephone (played by Rebekah Rawhouser) who draws the true story out of Theseus by holding Pirithous hostage.  Even then Theseus holds back the full truth of his lustful rise to power. 

James Jelkin creates an egotistical Theseus with a blend of strength and humor.  It is the humor that makes this god-like figure a truthful and identifiable character.  Justin Senense is seductive and adversarial as Pirithous, capturing Theseus’ attention and affection.  Mr. Jelkin and Mr. Senense cleverly play at this masculine tug of war, developing a relationship based on need and convenience. 

Lucy Turner is beguiling as Ariadne.  There is a power in her self-assurance.  Theseus easily falls into her trap, only to betray her when he no longer needs her.  Ms. Turner dominates her scenes, even when she is fully defeated and confronted by Baccus (played by Justin Senense).  Mr. Senense brings an impish quality to the role of Baccus. 

Ken Orman plays a mighty King Ageus and a frightening Minotaur.  He has a majestic and commanding presence.   Rebekah Rawhouser is evil and manipulative as Medea, and fearsome and erotic as Persephone.  She is a true dynamo. 

Playwright Issac Byrne focuses on the story that each of these mythical characters holds within them.  These stories are explored as each character is introduced, giving the play a non-linear structure.  Mr. Byrne successfully delivers an ending that pulls all the loose ends together, and Ms. Rice affectively delivers it with amazing style.

The Ladder is playing at IRT Theatre (154 Christopher St., 3^rd floor) through Feb. 15. 

Domenick Danza