Days to Come

Days to Come

Mint Theater Company

Theatre Row

Photo courtesy of Mint Theater Company

Lillian Hellman’s 1936 drama, Days to Come, is receiving a high quality Off-Broadway revival by Mint Theater Company.  The play contains strong social themes that were powerful to the time period in which it was written, and relevant to our present day political climate.  As quoted in the dramaturgical notes in the program: In Days to Come Lillian Hellman “attempted to develop a theme common to all her plays, that the world we live in is the sum total of the acts of each individual in it.  Ignorance, dishonesty, and cowardice in personal live affect social events.”  This production, directed by J. R. Sullivan, keeps the audience actively engaged, while successfully portraying Ms. Hellman’s compelling theme.

When his factory workers go on strike, Andrew Rodman (played by Larry Bull) under the advice of his lawyer and friend, Henry Ellicott (played by Ted Deasy), hire a group of strike breakers lead by Sam Wilke (played by Dan Daily) to resolve the growing problem.  Andrew is unaware of the violence these men normally use to achieve their objective, but Henry is knowledgeable about the service they are paying for.  Leo Whalen, the strike organizer (played by Roderick Hill), coaches the leader of the factory workers, Thomas Firth (played by Chris Henry Coffey), to keep the men calm and not fight back when instigated.  When Andrew’s wife, Julia (played by Janie Brookshire), ventures where she does not belong, the violence erupts to the point of no return.

Larry Bull & Chris Henry Coffey
Photo courtesy of Mint Theater Company

The cast fully embodies the style and pace of the time period.  The social norms and protocols are clearly set in place at the top of the show, so when the group of outsiders comes in to break the strike, the disruption is visceral.  The cast of eleven is exceptional.  They play off one another very well, allowing Lillian Hellman’s dialogue to flow naturally.  Janie Brookshire, Larry Bull, Chris Henry Coffey, Dan Daily, Ted Deasy, and Roderick Hill create strong-willed characters driven by clear objectives.  Mary Beacon, Betsy Hogg, Kim Martin-Cotton, Geoffrey Allen Murphy, and Evan Zes add fuel to the fire, building the conflict in the action, while adding some well needed humor.

Photo courtesy of Mint Theater Company

This is my first experience with Mint Theater Company, and I intend to return for future productions.  Mint Theater's mission is to find and produce “worthwhile plays from the past that have been lost or forgotten… (and) create new life for these plays through research, dramaturgy, production, publication, readings, and a variety of enrichment programs.”  Days to Come is playing at Theatre Row through October 6.  Be sure to see it.

Domenick Danza

The Traveling Lady

The Traveling Lady

La Femme Theatre Productions

Cherry Lane Theatre

June 17, 2017

Photo courtesy of
La Femme Theatre Productions

La Femme Theatre Productions is currently presenting Horton Foote’s The Traveling Lady at Cherry Lane Theatre.  Director Austin Pendleton successfully captures the pace and tone of Mr. Foote’s “small Texas town” in 1950.  The cast authentically portrays heartfelt camaraderie, Bible belt values, and compassion that is appropriate for the characters and time period.  The scenic and lighting design by Harry Feiner create an atmosphere that is warm, comfortable, and inviting.

Georgette Thomas (played by Jean Lichty) arrives at a new town with her six year old daughter, Margaret Rose (played by Korine Tetlow).  They are there to meet her husband Henry (played by PJ Sosko), who is being released from the penitentiary.  Slim Murray (played by Larry Bull) and his sister Clara Breedlove (played by Angelina Fiordellisi) take them in while Henry tries to secure a house for them.  When Henry reverts to his troublesome behavior, the journey for Georgette and Margaret Rose takes an unexpected detour.

Lynn Cohen, Karen Ziemba, & Angelina Fiordellisi
Photo courtesy of La Femme Theatre Productions

The women of this small Texas town have long time solidarity.  Except for the aging Mrs. Mavis (played by Lynn Cohen), who holds a few secrets, they know everything about one another and the comings and goings of all their neighbors.  Lynn Cohen, Angelina Fiordellisi, Karen Ziemba, and Jill Tanner create true believable relationships between these women, which sets the tone for the whole play.  Jean Lichty genuinely portrays the stranger coming into this group with warmth and sincerity.  The chemistry between her character (Georgette) and Larry Bull’s character (Slim) is subtle and clear.  Their connection keeps the action of the play flowing forward.  PS Sosko is energetic and honest as Henry Thomas.  His character is fallible and empathetic.

  

Photo courtesy of Cherry Lane Theatre

If you are a fan of Horton Foote, you will definitely enjoy this production.  It will capture your heart and take you back to simpler times.  The Traveling Lady is playing at Cherry Lane Theatre through July 16.

Domenick Danza

Nora

Nora

Cherry Lane Theatre

December 7, 2015

Photo courtesyj of Cherry Lane Theatre

The Cherry Lane Studio Theatre is the ideal location for the dark and intimate production of Nora, a stage version of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, by Ingmar Bergman.  With audience on three sides in that small venue, everyone is able to obtain an up close and personal connection to the characters and their challenges.  The play is set in the time period of Ibsen’s original script, yet the location is not specified.  The subordinate role women play, although spoken about, is not portrayed through action.  We also do not see Nora interacting with her children.  Therefore, Nora’s decision to leave her husband and children at the end of the play is not as risky, shocking, or impactful as intended by Ibsen.

Jean Lichty and Todd Gearhart
Photo courtesy of Cherry Lane Theatre

Jean Lichty and Todd Gearhart are focused and thoughtful as Nora and Torvald.  Their relationship is strong, yet this adaptation lacks the playful “doll” aspect that is the basis for their attraction and marriage.  When Nora’s act of forgery is revealed, Torvald’s self-preserving reaction is clear and in the moment.  We do not, however, see Nora come to any realization in that scene.  Bergman holds off on Nora’s confrontation with her husband until later that night.  While he lies naked in bed, she awakens him, fully dressed, ready to leave.  Torvald is confused by her decision to walk out on him and the children.  He claims he is willing to change, yet she is unrelenting.  Torvald is victimized by her decision.  This feeling is heightened by director Austin Pendleton’s staging.  At the end of the play, Torvald is seated on the bedroom floor, naked and wrapped in a blanket from the bed. 

  

Jean Lichty and Larry Bull
Photo courtesy of Cherry Lane Theatre

The portrayals of Christine Linde and Nils Krogstad, by Andrea Cirie and Larry Bull, are dark and formal.  The sadness they carry due to their life experiences weighs heavy on them both.  The combination of this with their strong, palpable chemistry creates an intriguing storyline.

The hardship and despair in the lives of all the characters is evident and skillfully portrayed.  By the end of the play they are all cleansed of the guilt of their secrets and shame.  If this is Bergman’s intention, it is well directed and performed.  A journey to awakening, such as Nora’s, needs to have some sense of hope, awakening, and continuity.  Unfortunately, Bergman’s adaptation has stripped Ibsen’s play of those moments, leaving behind nothing more than a dark journey of loss and despair.

Domenick Danza