Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival

Provincetown Tennessee Williams 12^th Annual Theater Festival – Day 2

The Gnadiges Fraulein

Texas Tech University

Ten Blocks on the Camino Real

National Theatre of Ghana

Pericles

Die-Cast

September 23, 2017

Photo courtesy of Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival

I was able to attend the Provincetown Tennessee Williams 12th Annual Theater Festival for only two of the four days.  During that time I was able to see five shows and a lecture on Tennessee Williams.  The experience was revitalizing and inspiring.  On my second day I encountered a broader variety of theatre companies from different points on the map.

The Gnadiges Fraulein
Photo courtesy of Texas Tech University

The Texas Tech University production of The Gnadiges Fraulein was absurd, fast paced, bawdy, and highly disturbing.  Director Jef Hall-Flavin found the pace, style, and timing to keep the audience amused, allowing Tennessee Williams’ darker themes of unrequited love and self-deprivation to creep in and change the tone for a potent ending.  Rachel Hirshorn and Anthea Thompson had great chemistry as Molly and Polly.  Francine Segal was haunting as Fraulein.  The production design was comical and over the top, while the color scheme of black, white, and shades of gray added a layer of seriousness that allowed for a smooth transitioned into the darker ending.

Ten Blocks on the Camino Real
Photo courtesy of The National Theatre of Ghana

Hurricane Jose lightened up so the National Theatre of Ghana’s production of Ten Blocks on the Camino Real was able to be played outdoors as scheduled.  Director David Kaplan’s rendition of this challenging Tennessee Williams play was grounded in the cultural colors and rhythms of Ghana, transforming the emotional challenges of the main character, Kilroy (played by Isaac Flagbor) into a mystical and spiritual journey.  The cast of eleven worked as a solid ensemble filling the open, outdoor space with energy, transporting the audience into the world of the play.

Pericles
Photo courtesy of Die-Cast

Shakespeare’s Pericles was presented by Die-Cast, a new company out of Philadelphia.  The show was staged on a life size model of a clipper ship on the second floor of the Provincetown Library.  Director Brena Geffers used striking ensemble movement and resilient breath work to weave the tale of this lesser known Shakespeare work.  The cast played multiple roles lead by Keith Conallen as Pericles, Chris Anthony as Gower, and Hannah Van Sciver as Marina.

This was my first time attending the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, and I am already looking forward to next year.  The variety of theatre professionals and artists presenting high quality work clearly defines the magnitude of vision and expertise of this organization.  If you have not attended in the past, I recommend checking out their website (http://twptown.org/) for upcoming news. 

Domenick Danza

Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival

Provincetown Tennessee Williams 12^th Annual Theater Festival – Day 1

Sweet Bird of Youth

Hamlet

Abrahamse & Meyer Productions

September 22, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival 

The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Twelfth Annual Theater Festival celebrated the work of American Playwright Tennessee Williams along with classic works of William Shakespeare from September 21 through 24.  The festival brought together artists and companies from South Africa, Ghana, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.  Despite the remnants of hurricane Jose, the atmosphere was dynamic and the sense of community and creativity was enveloping.  On my first day of the festival I attended a lecture on Tennessee Williams and experienced two productions by an astounding theatre company from South Africa.

Sweet Bird of Youth
Photo courtesy of Ride Hamilton

Directed by Fred Abrahamse, the Abrahamse and Meyer Productions rendition of Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth was mesmerizing.  Bold choices were made by every cast member.  Marcel Meyer was heart breaking as Chance Wayne.  Fiona Ramsay was captivating as Princess Kosmonopolis.  All the female roles, with the exception of Princess Kosmonopolis, were cast as men.  This made a strong statement on the power structure within the family of Boss Finley and emphasized the tragic demise of the main character.  The story line of white supremacy in Williams’ writing is relevant to our present day political situation, and shines a valuable light on the objectives and motivations of supreme dominance.

Hamlet
Photo courtesy of Abrahamse and Meyer Productions

Abrahamse & Meyer Productions also presented Hamlet during the festival.  The production was riveting.  The cast of six male actors filled the stage with unqualified magnitude, creating genuine relationships and passionate moments.  Marcel Meyer’s Hamlet was profound and powerful.  Director Fred Abrahamse’s interpretation of the ghost of Hamlet’s father was truly brilliant.  When the ghost appears, he possesses Hamlet and speaks through him.  This jaw dropping scene defines Hamlet’s “madness.”  His father speaks through Hamlet again in the scene with Gertrude (played by Callum Tilbury).  When Gertrude witnesses this “possession,” she fully understands the level of her son’s descent, and chooses to transition  her loyalty.

Hamlet
Photo courtesy of Abrahamse and Meyer Productions

Traveling from Cape Town, South Africa, Abrahamse & Meyer Productions is a frequent participant in the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.  They are an amazing company.  Not only did they successfully tackle these two monumental pieces, but they were performed back to back with a short two hour break.  Fred Abrahamse was mingling after both performances, discussion his vision for these two outstanding productions and gathering audience feedback.  The accessibility of the work, scope of artistic vision, and high quality acting makes this company well worth knowing.   

Domenick Danza