Gabriel: A Polemic

Gabriel: A Polemic

The Drilling Company

North of History

March 10, 2018

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

In her play, Gabriel: A Polemic, playwright C. Denby Swanson exuberantly explores the concept of free will.  The Drilling Company production, now running at North of History, invites the audience into Ms. Swanson’s well developed debate by gathering us around the dinner table with the characters.  The intimate setting, honest performances, and precise direction beautifully blend to make a highly engaging experience.  Director Hamilton Clancy builds the conflicts in Ms. Swanson’s skillful writing with the volatility, faith, and genuine affection that the characters have within their hearts.

Susan (played by Jane Bradley) invites her sisters in faith, Brenda (played by Rachel A. Collins) and Jennifer (played by Brandi Varnell), to Christian Sabbath dinner.  Her topic for discussion is free will.  More specifically: Did the Virgin Mary have free will when Angel Gabriel announced to her she was with child?  Jennifer adamantly quotes the bible to answer Susan’s question.  Brenda has a naive faith in Jennifer’s citations.  Susan is clearly experiencing a crisis of faith.  Six month earlier, she had a miscarriage and continually brings up the hurtful fact that all three of them are unable to bear children.  When Louise (played by Elaine Ivy Harris) arrives, who has been absent from their sisterhood for a number of months, she is pregnant and unmarried.  The four women face their fears, doubts, and resentments as their debate gets personal and heated.

Jane Bradley, Brandi Varnell, Rachel A. Collins, & Elaine Ivy Harris
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Jane Bradley portrays Susan with a dexterous balance of cynicism and hope.  Her actions are fueled by a deep longing for support, understanding, and forgiveness.  The reveal of the specific cause of her crisis is genuine and heartbreaking.  Elaine Ivy Harris is honest and open as Louise.  She is vulnerable in her opening monologue, then skillfully transitions her demeanor when confronted by her sisters at the dinner table.  This creates a clear and emotional arc for her character.  Brandi Varnell’s Jennifer is resolute and impassioned.  She vehemently takes on Susan’s challenge and has no trouble judging Louise’s situation.  Ms. Varnell takes the character to her breaking point.  She finally waivers, but never fully relinquishes her point of view.  Rachel A. Collins’ portrayal of Brenda is fresh and trusting.  When the character finally breaks out of her passive exterior toward the end of the play, we see the depth of her optimism, dedication, and true belief. 

Playwright C. Denby Swanson
Photo courtesy of C. Denby Swanson

C. Denby Swanson wrote four extraordinary characters.  They are intelligent, zealous, and complex.  Mr. Clancy keeps the action focused so you can appreciate the polemic (a passionate, strongly worded, and often controversial argument) from all sides.  Gabriel: A Polemic is playing through March 26 at North of History (445 Columbus Ave., between 81^st and 82^nd St., NYC).    Get your tickets on smarttix and be prepared to have your point of view challenged.

Domenick Danza

All’s Well That Ends Well

All’s Well That Ends Well

The Drilling Company

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

July 15, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

You must see The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of All’s Well That Ends Well.  Director Karla Hendrick has masterfully condensed this Shakespeare comedy down to an enthralling two hours without an intermission.  The show is clear, concise, bold, intelligent, and funny.  Ms. Hendrick’s understanding of pace and timing brought this superb cast to perform as a well-knit ensemble.  Once again, The Drilling Company Shakespeare in the Parking Lot reigns as the best outdoor Shakespeare experience in the city.

Anwen Darcy & Michael Bernstein
Photo courtesy of Shakespeare int he Parking Lot

When Helena (played by Anwen Darcy) is parted from Bertram (played by Adam Huff), she confesses to his mother, the Countess (played by Elowyn Castle) that she is in love with him.  Helena travels to France to find him.  She plans to use the herbs and remedies she inherited from her father to heal the King (played by David Sitler), and in return request he marry her to the man of her choosing.  She is successful in her plan, yet when she chooses Bertram, he is reluctant due to her lower social status.  This calls for another, more cunning plan to change his mind.

Mary Linehan & Elowyn Castle
Photo courtesy of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

Anwen Darcy and Adam Huff are excellent as Helena and Bertram.  Their chemistry and attraction is strong.  They play the push/pull of Shakespeare’s comic love extremely well.  Mary Linehan reigns as LaVatch, servant to the Countess.  She captures your attention and flirts with your emotions.  She is equally matched by Michael Bernstein as Parolles.  His is bold and energetic.  The scenes they have together are scintillating.  Another amazing duo is Eric Paterniani and Jarrod Bates.  They play numerous roles and are always together.  Their characterizations and comic timing are impeccable.  Elaine Ivy Harris creates a strong willed Diana whose free spiritedness brings the lovers, Helena and Bertram, together in the end (Oops!  Spoiler alert… but this IS a Shakespeare comedy).

Photo courtesy of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

All’s Well That Ends Well runs for one more weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 20-22, at 7:00 PM) at the Clemente Cultural & Educational Center Parking Lot.  Check the website for directions (shakespeareintheparkinglot.com). The Drilling Company’s summer season also includes Henry VI Part 3 from July 27 – Aug. 12 at the Parking Lot, and Twelfth Night and The Tempest at Bryant Park.  All these shows are FREE.  Make a plan to see them all!

Domenick Danza

As You Like It

As You Like It

The Drilling Company

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

July 11, 2015

Photo courtesy of
The Drilling Company

There is only one thing better than free outdoor Shakespeare in New York City, and that is free outdoor Shakespeare produced by The Drilling Company and performed in the middle of a New York City parking lot.  As You Like It marked the opening of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot’s twentieth season and was greeted with an enthusiastic audience reaction.  The Drilling Company consistently and successfully creates an intimate performing venue in an open, public space where everyone can experience and appreciate the poetry of classic theatre.

Artistic Director Hamilton Clancy is an expert in making Shakespeare accessible in this informal setting.  He has gathered together an extremely skilled ensemble of sixteen actors who bring heart and soul to this venture.  Highlights are Jane Bradley’s Rosalind paired with Ahmed A. Kouddous’ Orlando, and matched by Elaine Ivy Harris’ Celia.  Scott Baker delivers a touching Seven Ages of Man Speech, while Bill Green depicts tenderness in the manservant Adam.  Alessandro Colla and Hayley Louise Simmonds are both vibrant as Touchstone and Audrey.  Eric Paterniani will

The cast of As you Like It
Photos courtesy of The Drilling Company

make you laugh as both LeBeau and William.  Brandon Reilly’s idealistic Silvius plays well against Rachel Collins’ vivacious Phoebe.  All in all, the cast is astounding.

For those of you who have experienced Shakespeare in the Parking Lot before, you need to know they have changed locations.  The new parking lot is behind The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center (located at 114 Norfolk Street - east side of Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets).  As You Like It runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 PM through July 25, followed by three weeks of Macbeth.  The Drilling Company is also

Shakespeare in the parking Lot
Photo courtesy of Eric Paterniani

producing Romeo & Juliet at Bryant Park from July 17 through August 2.  All performances are FREE!  Take advantage of these great opportunities to see quality work by a quality company.

Domenick Danza