The Gardens of Anuncia

 The Gardens of Anuncia
Lincoln Center Theatre
at the Mitzi E. Newhouse
October 28, 2023 

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theatre

The Gardens of Anuncia, a new musical by Michael John LaChiusa, tells  the story of the early years in the life of Broadway Director/Choreographer Graciela Daniele.  Directed and co-choreographed by Ms. Daniele, the Lincoln Center Theatre production is tender, sensitive, beautifully staged, and skillfully performed.

Anuncia (played by Priscilla Lopez) is working in her garden, trying to decide the best place to bury the ashes of her Tia.  Her mind is flooded with memories of her younger years in Argentina.  Her father left at an early age, and her Mami (played by Eden Espinosa) brought them to live with Granmama (played by Mary Testa) and Tia (played by Andréa Burns).  These three women raise Anuncia with firm hands, strong wills, and open hearts.  When Younger Anuncia (played by Kalyn West) experiences pain in her feet, Mami enrolls her in ballet class to strengthen her arches.  A whole new world opens for Anuncia.  Tia teaches her to listen to the music and see the stories.  Granmama keeps her grounded, yet responds to life with a high level of dramatics.  When Anuncia gets a job dancing in Europe, Mami is happy she will escape the violence caused by the end of the Peron regime.  Anuncia does not want to leave her home.  She still holds the hurt of her father’s abandonment.  It is Tia who convinces her to go.  Now that Tia is gone, Anuncia is the last of the strong women in her family.  She realizes how much these three women will always be with her.

Eden Espinosa, Kalyn West, Mary Testa, & Andréa Burns
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theatre

Andréa Burns, Mary Testa, and Eden Espinosa are a powerful trio as Tia, Granmama, and Mami.  Their energies balance beautifully.  Their distinctive characters build as their backstories are revealed and the world of Anuncia’s upbringing becomes clear.  Priscilla Lopez and Kalyn West have a genuine bond as Older and Younger Anuncia.  Their movements often mirror one another.  They are physically and emotionally in sync throughout the story, giving us a visceral understanding of how the past is always present. 

There are also strong performances by Enrique Acevedo and Tally Sessions, who play all the male roles in the story.  Their Moustache Brothers are bold and funny.  Mr. Acevedo’s Granpapa is rough and heartwarming.  Mr. Sessions’ interpretation of The Deer is magical and humorous.  

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theatre

As Anuncia relives and changes her memories, she comes to a surprising conclusion of what she takes with her and what she has to leave behind.  It is an ending that leaves the audience feeling peaceful and comforted.  

The Gardens of Anuncia is playing at Lincoln Center Theatre’s Mitzi E. Newhouse through December 31. 

Domenick Danza

The Skin of Our Teeth

 The Skin of Our Teeth
Lincoln Center Theater
at the Vivian Beaumont
May 12, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

The Lincoln Center Theater production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth is big, bold, and brilliant.  Director Lileana Blain-Cruz shrewdly juxtaposes the character interpretations, keeping the tension, conflict, and humor building throughout.  The third act rings with truth and relevance, as the actor are costumed in Civil War era attire.  Additional material by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins allows the direct address comments by the character of Sabina to be relatable to today’s audience.  The cast of twenty-eight works together as a tight ensemble, bringing this 1942 Pulitzer Prize winning three-act play to dazzling life on the Vivian Beaumont stage.  

Act I opens on Sabina (played by Gabby Beans), the housekeeper to the Antrobus family, preparing for Mr. Antrobus (played by James Vincent Meredith) to return from work.  We meet Mrs. Antrobus (played by Roslyn Ruff) and their two children, Gladys (played by Paige Gilbert) and Henry (played by Julian Robertson).  They are the perfect family, except for the alarming secrets they keep very well hidden.  Their existence is threatened by the ice coming from the north, moving everything in its path, and leaving people frozen in their homes.  They reluctantly open their home to a group of refugees in need of shelter and warmth, who help keep the fire burning as the ice approaches.  The world as they know it about to end.  

Roslyn Ruff, Julian Robertson, Paige Gilbert,
& James Vincent Meredith
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Act II finds the Antrobus family in Atlantic City among mayhem and merriment, during the convention of the order of mammals.  Mr. Antrobus declares “Enjoy yourself!” as the message of the day, while a Fortune Teller (played by Priscilla Lopez) predicts destruction by a great storm.  As Mr. Antrobus breaks the news to Mrs. Antrobus that he is leaving her for Sabina, the rain begins.  Mrs. Antrobus allows Sabina to escape with the family on a huge boat with two of each animal species.  They are prepared to start over. 

Act III is dark.  The war has ended.  The Antrobus family and Sabina have survived.  Gladys has a baby.  Mr. Antrobus and Henry return from war in serious dispute.  It is time to rebuild, yet Mr. Antrobus is tired and disheartened.  It will take community effort to restore the safety of their home if mankind is to endure. 

Gabby Beans as Sabina
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

From the minute the curtain goes up, Gabby Beans grabs the audience’s attention, and keeps them fully engaged and gleefully entertained for the full three hours.  Her Sabina is high energy and animated.  The tone of her direct address is distinctly different, setting up not only the humor in Mr. Wilder’s writing, but clarifying the device he employs throughout the play to punctuate his important messages.

James Vincent Meredith and Roslyn Ruff are strong and fearless as Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus.  They are fully in sync, especially when their characters are in dispute.  Ms. Ruff skillfully plays Mrs. Antrobus’ staunch determination with charm and appeal.  Mr. Meredith portrays Mr. Antrobus as a blustery, self-assured intellectual.  

Priscilla Lopez as The Fortune Teller
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Paige Gilbert and Julian Robertson are wonderful as Gladys and Henry Antrobus.  Their characters have a strong arc during Act I and Act II, and show tremendous growth and maturity in Act III.  Mr. Robertson delivers a heartbreaking moment in Act III that is truthful and genuine.  

Priscilla Lopez is mysterious, charismatic, and daring as the Fortune Teller.  Her character leads the narration in Act II, and Ms. Lopez skillfully brings the action to its well needed climax.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of The Skin of Our Teeth is running at the Vivian Beaumont Theater through May 29.  Don’t miss this production! 

Domenick Danza

Grand Horizons

Grand Horizons

Second Stage Theater

The Helen Hayes Theater

December 29, 2019

Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

In Grand Horizons playwright Bess Wohl examines the need to be seen and acknowledged amid a “typical” family dynamic.  As the family matriarch expresses her feelings and voices her need, each family member ends up demanding all the attention.  The all-star cast delivers fine performances, illustrating the need for openness and honesty in family relationships.  Ms. Wohl’s characters are well crafted and fully developed.  Her plot packs a few fun surprises. 

The Cast of Grand Horizons
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

Nancy (played by Jane Alexander) and Bill (played by James Cromwell) silently prepare dinner.  They sit down, take a few bites, then Nancy calmly announces she wants a divorce.  Bill consents.  In the next scene we meet their sons, Ben (played by Ben McKenzie) and Brian (played by Michael Urie).  Brian is high strung and finds it hard to believe that after fifty years together his parents are not happily committed to the marriage.  Both sons feel they carry the weight of the responsibility for their aging parents.  Ben researched and put the money up for his parents to move into Grand Horizons, their retirement community.  Ben’s wife, Jess (played by Ashley Park), is eight months pregnant and utilizing her professional skills as a therapist to keep everyone calm and on track.  They are all trying to get their parents to move passed this dilemma.  Bill packs a van with his belongings and everyone seems to be going their separate ways, until Bill drives the van though the wall and into the kitchen.  Everyone is forced to face some unhappy truths.

Playwright Bess Wohl
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

Jane Alexander and James Cromwell fill their silent moments with rich subtext.  Their physicality speaks volumes, creating full characters with years of history between them.  Michael Urie is energetic and delivers the laughs, keeping the pace moving.  Ashley Park and Ben McKenzie have a great chemistry as expectant parents.  Each cast member gets a chance to shine as their character reveals a secret that unearths their long-denied need.  There are two sharp cameos by Priscilla Lopez and Maulik Pancholy. 

The Second Stage Theater production of Grand Horizons is playing at The Helen Hayes Theater through March 1.

Domenick Danza