The Glass Menagerie

The Glass Menagerie

Masterworks Theater Company

Off Broadway - 47^th Street Theater

May 16, 2015

Photo courtesy of
Masterworks Theater Company

MasterworksTheater Company, in the first production of their inaugural season, has mounted Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.  Director Christopher Scott found the rhythm, poeticism, and soul of Tennessee Williams.  The cast brings to life these well-known characters with vivacity, charm, and inner conflict.  This production encapsulates the depth and complexity of this Tennessee Williams’ classic script.

I saw last season’s Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie with Cherry Jones and Zachary Quinto.  It was breathtaking and mesmerizing.  It did, however, lack one important element, and that was the disdain that Tom feels towards his mother that drives him to desert Laura.  Richard Prioleau’s Tom, in Masterwork’s production, portrays that visceral element with clarity and verve.  Saundra Santiago’s Amanda has a mother’s determination and the Southern gift of gab that pushed every button in her son’s emotional armor.  Together these two actors set the stage on fire. 

Saundra Santiago as Amanda, Doug Harris as Jim, Richard Prioleau as Tom
Photo courtesy of Masterworks Theater Company

Olivia Washington portrays Laura with the emotional disability that the character’s being "crippled" represents.  Doug Harris gives Jim, the Gentleman Caller, the conservative façade and shallow respect that lures Laura out in the open.  Together they are magic.

The scenic design, by Campbell Baird, is simple and effective.  Lighting design, by Joyce Liao, and original music and sound design, by Brett Macias, satiates a very small stage with larger than life moments.

Saundra Santiago as Amanda & Richard Prioleau as Tom
Photo courtesy of Masterworks Theater Company

Masterworks Theater Company is dedicated to producing “great plays and musicals that every young person should have an opportunity to see.”  Their intention is to “present these high quality productions at reasonable prices for schools, colleges, and families.”  With this show as an example of what is to come, I have very high expectations and look forward to their upcoming A Midsummer Night’s Dream in June.

The Glass Menagerie plays Off Broadway at the 47^th Street Theater through May 30.  Go see it and experience the true essence of Tennessee Williams.  

Domenick Danza

John & Jen

John & Jen

Keen Company
The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row

Sunday, February 15, 2015

John & Jen is the second production I have seen at Keen Company this season.  The first was Lee Blessing’s A Walk in the Woods with Kathleen Chalfant and Paul Niebanck.  Expertly directed by Keen’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Silverstein, these productions have made me a big fan and follower of Keen Company.

Kate Baldwin and Conor Ryan in John & Jen
Photo courtesy of Keen Company

John & Jen is a heartfelt, two-character musical by Andrew Lippa (music and book) and Tom Greenwald (lyrics and book).  It tells the story of John and Jen, a brother and sister, how close they were growing up, how they grew apart, and how love and fears of letting go transfer through a generation.  I purposely do not want to tell any more about this unique musical so you can experience the journey first hand.  Personally, I was carried back to memories of my relationship between me and my youngest brother, and how that has transferred down to my young nephew.  It is clearly relatable story that should not be missed. 

Jen is magnificently played by Kate Baldwin.  I saw her in the Broadway production of Big Fish last season.  She was marvelous in that as well.  John is tenderly played by Conor Ryan.  He was previously seen in the Public Theatre production of The Fortress of Solitude.  Their chemistry is magical as we watch their characters grow up before our eyes.  Their transformation from childhood through puberty into adolescence and then young adulthood is seamless and magically crafted.

Director Jonathan Silverstein is gifted at finding the moments where the growth in the relationships between the characters intimately moves the action forward and allows the audience to ride through the story.  The musical staging is by Christine O’Grady.  Her movement fills the space and develops the characters with care, precision, and detail.

The set, by Steven C. Kemp, is a mixture of geometric structures that are utilized in various and imaginative ways.  It works very well as a unit set for this story that travels through decades of time and numerous settings.  It is painted in dark and intense colors that, unfortunately, do not allow the space to illuminate with the range of emotion the play spans.  Josh Bradford’s lighting is very well done, but hindered by the darkness of the set structures.

John & Jen is sure to be well received.  Go see it!  I am looking forward to returning to Keen Company for their next production.

Domenick Danza

Welcome to My Blog

I go to the theatre for the catharsis.  Defined as the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.  It’s the origins of theatre that harkens back to the ancient Greeks.  Simply put, when communing with an audience through a common experience, we change or grow… and heal.  This can be as small a change as laughing and feeling good after a bad day, or the deeper emotional healing that comes from relating to a character and experiencing their journey through darkness into light and freedom.  Whether it be a the music, dance or the playwriting, on Broadway, Off Broadway, in Times Square, the Village, or Brooklyn, being part of the theatre community as a teacher, artist, and audience member gives me joy and grounding.

This is why I go to the theatre, and it is from this point of view that I write each posting and share my experiences.

Domenick Danza