To My Girls

 To My Girls
Second Stage
Tony Kiser Theater
March 24, 2022 

Photo Courtesy of Second Stage

JC Lee’s play, To My Girls, is delivering a brilliant balance of laughter and poignant moments at 2^nd Stage’s Tony Kiser Theater.  The play serves up a subtle and thought provoking commentary on the cultural evolution of social engagement.  The writing is witty and biting.  The action is fast paced and colorful.  The performances are big and bold. 

Curtis (played by Jay Armstrong Johnson) rents an Airbnb in Palm Spring to reunite with his friends after a long separation due to the pandemic.  He has a wild weekend planned, which includes making a video of them performing one of their old drag routines to boost his social media following.  First to arrive is Castor (played by Maulik Pancholy), who is thrilled to be spending time with his friends, but not the least bit interested in Curtis’ social media plans.  Jeff (played by Carman Lacivita) travels from NYC to join the group.  He starts in on how Curtis continually leads Castor on in thinking there is a chance for a more serious relationship.  Leo (played by Britton Smith) and his long-term boyfriend are late to arrive, so Bernie (played by Bryan Batt) fills in on the drag number during rehearsal.  When the boys go out that night, Castor comes home with a young, hot hook-up, Omar (played by Noah J. Rickets).  After Castor falls asleep, Curtis and Omar connect, which ignites Castor’s insecurities.  When Leo finally arrives, he announces that he and his boyfriend are breaking up because of Curtis’ selfish behavior.  Before the weekend is over, Curtis faces the truth of his actions and the effect they have on his circle of friends. 

The Cast of To My Girls
Photo courtesy of Second Stage

Jay Armstrong Johnson’s character of Curtis is the glue that holds this group of friends together, as well as the bomb that destroys them.  He creates a charming and flawed character, driven by the need to be the center of attention.  Maulik Pancholy delivers the laughs as Castor, yet also pulls the more serious scenes into focus.  All eyes are on him as he skillfully creates these distinct moments.  Carman Lacivita commands the stage from his first entrance, and does not drop his energy for a second.  He plays Jeff as an observer of the group, sharing his insight throughout the action of the play.  Bryan Batt brings an older perspective with his character of Bernie, making the other characters laugh, as well as think deeply about their choices.  Noah J. Rickets’ character of Omar bring the younger perspective to the story.  He infuses the action with envy, yearning, and an interesting sense of absurdity.  The character of Leo enters later in the course of the play.  Britton Smith rises to the challenge of making this character a part of the already established action, and brining it to the next level.

Playwright JC Lee has represented three generations of gay men from various ethnic background to show the progression of change in the gay culture.  The play takes place present day, so the post-Trump and post-pandemic perspective of these characters adds a significant layer of awareness to their encounters.  Social media has created a new level of shallowness to the way they relate.  It takes earnest effort for them to connect on a sincerely personal level.  Mr. Lee offers a powerful sense of optimism as the characters acknowledge the bond in their friendship, despite the fact that they are seeing one another in a different light.  Even though their relationships are harmed by selfishness and insolence, they choose to not allow their hurt feelings to take control. 

The 2nd Stage production of To My Girls is playing at the Tony Kiser Theater through April 24.  It is full of laughs while delivering a strong dose of truth with a powerful punch. 

Domenick Danza

Scotland, PA

Scotland, PA

Roundabout Theatre Company

The Laura Pels Theatre

September 14, 2019

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Michael Mitnick and Adam Gwon’s new musical, Scotland, PA, is making its premier at Roundabout Theatre Company.  It is based on the movie of the same title, which is based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth.  It is wickedly funny, as it follows the underdog hero’s rise to the top, then brutally dramatic as he tragically falls.  Director Lonny Price maintains the balance of humor and severity in this multi-layered story.  He guides the cast to build a wide range of characters and deliver skillful performances.

It is 1975 in Scotland, Pennsylvania.  Mac (played by Ryan McCartan) is constantly pitching innovative ideas to his boss, Duncan (played by Jeb Brown).  Mac and his wife, Pat (played by Taylor Iman Jones), have been working in Duncan’s restaurant since high school.  After more than twelve years, Pat wants more.  She convinces Mac to rob the restaurant.  The voices in his head (played by Alysha Umphress, Wonu Ogunfowora, and Kaleb Wells) make him feel like he can achieve anything, so he agrees.  Mac and Pat set up their alibi by attending a party their friend Banko (played by Jay Armstrong Johnson) is throwing.  Duncan fights back during the robbery and is unexpectedly killed.  Mac and Pat remove all evidence and think they’re in the clear, until Detective Peg McDuff (played by Megan Lawrence) shows up asking questions.

Ryan McCartan & Taylor Iman Jones in Rehearsal
Photo courtesy ot Roundabout Theatre Company

Act II is full of all the dark intrigue and psychological intricacies of Shakespeare’s tale.  It also contains some haunting melodies, “Clairvoyant” being the strongest.  Ryan McCartan and Taylor Iman Jones effectively carry the tale all the way to its tragic ending.  Their portrayals of Mac and Pat are genuine and complex.  You root for them to succeed and are understanding when events turn dark and out of their control.  As they fall deeper into their own selfishness and make desperate decisions to hide from their guilt, you know their downfall is inevitable.

The Full Cast of Scotland, PA
Photo courtesy fo Roundabout Theatre Company

Jay Armstrong Johnson is outstanding as Banko.  His comic timing is perfect.  His character is sincere, simple, and caring.  He delivers a strong and unique performance.

Scotland, PA is dark and funny.  If you like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, you will laugh at the inside jokes and outlandish setting and situation.  The show is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through December 8.  Check it out! 

Domenick Danza

Fire and Air

Fire and Air

Classic Stage Company

February 16, 2018

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

In Fire and Air, playwright Terrance McNally tells the passionate story of the relationship between Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev and Vaslav Nijinsky during the years of the Ballet Russes.  The Classic Stage Company production is designed and directed by John Doyle, who masterfully interprets Mr. McNally’s brilliantly crafted play about these complex and truthful characters.  The cast is strong and bold.  The story is accurately told.

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Sergei Diaghilev (played by Douglas Hodge) spots a young Vaslav Nijinsky (played by James Cusati-Moyer) during a performance.  Diaghilev nurtures and molds him into one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20^th century.  Diaghilev’s passion and vision for creating a new form of Russian ballet with his company, Ballet Russes, is matched only by his obsession for his new protégé.  When the company has financial trouble, Diaghilev turns to his cousin Dmitry “Dima” Filosofov (played by John Glover) to help him with the finances.  He and Dunya, Diaghilev’s nurse since childhood (played by Marsha Mason), provide emotional support for Diaghilev when Nijinsky marries Romola de Pulszky, a dancer in the corps de ballet.  Diaghilev dismisses Nijinsky and turns his attention to Leonid Massine (played by Jay Armstrong Johnson), another young dancer in his company, yet he is never able to let go of his deep feelings of love and obsession for Nijinsky.

Douglas Hodge & James Cusati-Moyer
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Douglas Hodge creates a giant with his portrayal of Diaghilev.  He is exuberant, flamboyant, and larger than life.  His character’s passion for creating art thunders from deep within his soul and vibrates throughout the theater.  His deep need for love, attention, and admiration pervades his every action.  James Cusati-Moyer is mysterious and cunning as Nijinsky.  He has a commanding physicality and a fiery presence.  Together these two actors honestly portray a tumultuous relationship that is based on need and longing.  Their distance magnifies their attraction.  Their aspirations are magnetic.

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

John Glover is glorious as Dima.  Marsha Mason is solid and grounded as Dunya.  Their portrayals of the lifelong relationships to Diaghiliev create a sense of family that frames his boldness with a sense of reality, candor, and care.  Jay Armstrong Johnson creates a naive youth in the character of Leonid Massine that is an excellent juxtaposition to Nijinsky’s understanding of the control, exploitation, and abuse that Diaghilev is capable of.

The story of Diaghiliev, Nijinsky, and the Ballet Russes has been written about and told numerous times and in various media.  Terrance McNally’s rendition of the story is clear, concise, and emotionally driven.  It gives us pause to reconsider the value of art in our society.  John Doyle’s vision for the play is beautifully executed.  The cast is truly amazing.  Fire and Air is running at Classic Stage Company through March 2.  Check it out! 

Domenick Danza