The Tragedy of Coriolanus

The Tragedy of Coriolanus
Theatre for a New Audience
Polonsky Shakespeare Center
February 8, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

The Theatre for a New Audience production of The Tragedy of Coriolanus is strikingly relevant.  Director Ash K. Tata sets this Shakespeare classic in “just after now.”  With the action including retribution by a powerful leader, the manipulation of the voice of the people, and war for personal gain, it is easy to see history repeating itself over centuries.  The cast works as a phenomenal ensemble, some playing numerous roles, all heightening the urgency with each consecutive scene.  

McKinley Belcher III as Coriolanus
Photo courtey of Theatre for a New Audience

Caius Martius (played by McKinley Belcher III) is victorious in the Roman siege of the Volscian city of Corioles, single handedly defeating Tullus Aufidius (played by understudy Shirine Babb).  He is hailed a hero and given the name Coriolanus.  When he returns to Rome, his pride causes him to lose favor with his citizens.  His mother, Volumnia (played by Roslyn Ruff) counsels him on how to calm the situation.  Menenius Agrippa (played by Jason O’Connell) pushes him to make a public appearance, where his temper gets the best of him.  After Sicinius Velutus (played by William Demeritt) and Junius Brutus (played by Zuzanna Szadkowski) cunningly manipulate the voice of the people, Coriolanus is banned from Rome.  He travels back to the city of his heroic battle to form an alliance with Tullus Aufidius and seek retribution on the city of his birth. 

Meredith Garretson, Emma Ramos, McKinley Belcher III,
Merlin McCormick, & Roslyn Ruff
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

There are outstanding performances from every member of this cast.  McKinley Belcher III is a mighty Coriolanus, fearlessly filled with pride and courageously ready to defend his title.  Roslyn Ruff is powerful as Volumnia.  She proudly shows her adoration for her son, then shamelessly kneels to him to beg his return to Rome.  She commands the stage when Virgilia, Coriolanus’ wife (played by Meredith Garretson), his son, Martius (played by Merlin McCormick), and Valeria (played by Emma Ramos) try to convince Coriolanus to retreat in his attack on Rome.  It is a brilliantly director and masterfully performed scene, resolving the main conflict in the second act, while unknowingly setting Coriolanus up for his demise.

Due to sudden illness, understudy Shirine Babb went on as Tullus Aufidius with only one day of rehearsal.  She carried pages from her script and delivered a brilliant performance.  She was fully present in every scene, confronting Coriolanus in battle and meeting him head to head as an ally.  She and Mr. Belcher were evenly matched in strength and presence, building tension and raising the stakes. 

The Tragedy of Coriolanus is playing at Theatre for a New Audience’s Polonsky Shakespeare Center in downtown Brooklyn through March 1.  It is a spectacular production, maintaining the high standard of quality set by this magnificent company. 

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

Fairview

Fairview

Theatre for a New Audience

Polonsky Shakespeare Center

July 11, 2019

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Pulitzer Prize winning Fairview turns the table on the audience in order to give them a different perspective on race in this country.  Director Sarah Benson and Choreographer Raja Feather Kelly collaborate with skillful precision, layering this amazing production with meticulous detail that creates a profound effect.  In true Brechtian style, the audience is encouraged to questions their percepton and see the familiar through a different perspective.  Going a step further, the audience is drawn into becoming an active participant, gaining an understanding of the clear and profound message of the playwright.

Charles Browning, Heather Alicia Simms, & Roslyn Ruff
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

At first we watch the story of a wealthy, suburban black family as they prepare for the birthday celebration of their matriarch.  Beverly (played by Heather Alicia Simms), is nervously preparing the dinner.  Her husband, Dayton (played by Charles Browning), teases and supports her, while pretending to have forgotten to pick up the root vegetables needed for the dinner.  In comes Beverly’s high maintenance and gossipy sister, Jasmine (played by Roslyn Ruff), pushing buttons and raising Beverly’s stress level.  Beverly and Dayton’s teenage daughter, Keisha (played by Mayaa Boateng), returns from her basketball practice and asks her Aunt Jasmine to help her convince her mother to allow her to take a year off before starting college.  Amid the hectic craze, the lights focus in on Keisha for a serious, pensive moment.  The stress of the evening is all too much for Beverly.  She faints from the overstimulation.

Mayaa Boateng as Keisha
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

During the next section of the play we hear a discussion on race.  The question is asked, “If you could choose, which race would you be born into?”  While this voice-over dialogue is being heard, the previous scene reruns silently.  The precise timing allows for a different insight into the characters we thought we knew.  Our observations are filtered through the dialogue being heard.

The third section of the play is wildly absurd, yet the playwright remains in complete control of the voices and images that make her audience question their individual perception.  The full cast brilliantly leads an unsuspecting audience to a complete and brutal reversal of reality.  None of this would be possible if not for the total trust you place in the character of Keisha.  Ms. Boateng is truthful, warm, and endearing in this monumental role.

Playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury
Photo courtesy of Berkeley Rep

Soho Rep’s Fairview is playing downtown Brooklyn at Theatre for a New Audience through August 11.  There are no words that can explain the impact of this production.  It boldly takes the concept of Brecht’s “epic theatre” forward into the 21^st century.  You need to be there yourself to fully experience, understand, and be a part of its impact.

Domenick Danza