Toni Stone

Toni Stone

Roundabout Theatre Company

Laura Pels Theatre

June 8, 2019

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Lydia Diamond develops a captivating storytelling style in her new play Toni Stone.  Director Pam MacKinnon collaborates with choreographer Camille A. Brown to generate momentum and build a tight and unified ensemble.  April Matthis is mesmerizing and genuine in the title role.  The audience gets to know this character through Ms. Diamond’s prolific and humorous writing.  Ms. Matthis delivers a superb portrayal.

Toni Stone (played by April Matthis) is the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro League.  The opening of the play is her onstage alone, telling how natural the weight of the ball feels in her hand.  As she is growing up, nothing gets in the way of her pursuing her interest in the game of baseball.  Her naiveite about social interaction is overcome by her extreme focus on the art of the game.  She memorizes stats of players from their baseball cards and repeats them over and over as she faces the challenges of playing in the Negro League.  The sexism and racism on the road during her playing career are rough, yet even more shocking is the jealousy and resentment from her own teammates.  Her story is found between, as she says, “the weight of the ball and the reach.”  It is an inspiring story of perseverance, determination, and self-awareness. 

April Matthis as Toni Stone
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Surrounding the main character throughout the show is an ensemble of her eight teammates.  These eight men play numerous characters in Toni Stone’s life.  These characters vary in race and gender.  This brilliant choice by Ms. Diamond illustrates the strength of a team and the value it played in building Ms. Stone’s integrity, both on and off the field.  These eight actors are all magnificent, creating distinct and complete characters.

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Toni and the players tell about the entertainment component of the Negro League, how they had to purposefully lose games when playing against white teams, and how they were refused rooms in hotels after spending long, tiring hours on the bus.  The final scene in Act I, choreographed by Camille A. Brown, depicts the team playing a game while clowning and performing as if in a minstrel show.  It is a stunning and effective way to show the degradation they all experienced in order to participate in a sport they were dedicated to play.  It is an impactful ending for Act I.

Toni Stone is a little-known American hero.  She broke barriers in professional baseball and lived life on her own terms.  Lydia Diamond does a spectacular job dramatizing her story.  The Roundabout Theatre Company production of Toni Stone is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through August 11.

Domenick Danza

The Parisian Woman

The Parisian Woman

Hudson Theatre

December 30, 2017

Photo courtesy of The Parisian Woman

Uma Thurman makes an impressive Broadway debut in The Parisian Woman.  Her presence is strong and her intentions carry each scene she is in, which is every scene in the play.  Beau Willimon’s script is set in present day Washington DC, and packs a number of direct and potent punches at the Trump administration.

Chloe (played by Uma Thurman) is married to Tom (played by Josh Lucas), a highly successful tax attorney who is being considered for a judgeship.  They are very adept at the Washington political game and their marriage is an open relationship.  When Tom confesses to her his motivations and truthful understanding of the good he can do if he is appointed, she decides to use her influence to help him.

Uma Thurman & Marton Csokas
Photo courtesy of The ParisianWoman

The plot has a few twists and surprises, and Ms. Thurman pulls them off glibly.  She beautifully plays the surface charm her character needs in her surroundings, and her deeper moments of truth are clear and genuine.  Josh Lucas is charming as her husband Tom.  Together they are a driving force.  Blair Brown is potent and grounded as Jeanette.  Phillipa Soo is eager and idealistic as Rebecca.  Marton Csokas is passionate as Peter.  He and Ms. Thurman share a few fiery moments that heighten the action of the story.

The play is well directed by Pam MacKinnon.  The set, designed by Derek McLane, stylishly establishes the locations and keeps the action smoothly moving from scene to scene.  The Parisian Woman is playing at the Hudson Theatre through March. 

Domenick Danza

The Qualms

The Qualms

Playwrights Horizons

July 3, 2015

Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

The Qualms by Bruce Norris takes an intense look at human nature, personal freedoms, and the need to compete, dominate, and submit.  It is a political and social encounter that is relevant, funny and, at times, awkward.  It forces you to look at those disconcerting moments and assess your deep-seated beliefs.

When Gary (played by John Procaccino) and Teri (played by Kate Arrington) met Chris (played by Jeremy Shamos) and his wife Kristy (played by Sarah Goldberg) on vacation, they invite them to a partner-swapping party they regularly host with two other couples.  As the party gets heated up, Chris gets uptight.  It gets ugly fast as everyone’s hot button issues are revealed and insecurities are enflamed.  The ensemble cast is sharp and tight.  Their timing is perfect and their characters are realistic and fully grounded.  Each has an individual moment of reveal that is genuine and true, and keeps the audience riveted.

Kate Arrington, Jerremy Shamos, and Sarah Golberg
in The Qualms at Playwrights Horizons
Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

Bruce Norris won the Pulitzer Prize for his play Clybourne Park.  The Qualms has the same rhythmic dialogue that packs a punch.  In this play he has written eight distinct characters who reflect different points of view.  This creates connection, debate, and engagement on numerous levels.  Director Pam MacKinnon finds each of these levels and magnifies their significance.  She has skillfully orchestrated the rise and fall of the action to create a naturalistic setting with humorous, realistic, and uncomfortable moments.  The open floor plan of the set by Todd Rosenthal allows the movement needed for the characters to take sides when the action builds.

The cast of The Qualms at Playwrights Horizons
Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

“Shit is complex,” states Gary blatantly in a philosophic moment of near the end of the play.  That sums it up in a heartbeat.  Bruce Norris truly knows how to encapsulate complex issues into a ninety minute script.

                           Domenick Danza