Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow

Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow

The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space

August 15, 2019

Photo courtesy of MCC Theater

Playwright Halley Feiffer takes a highly effective look at Chekhov’s Three Sister in her unconventional adaptation.  Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow is dark, zany, and poignant.  The characters are truthful and clear mirrors of Chekhov’s characters.  Their yearning and despair is viewed through a lens of absurdity, which makes their loneliness and desperation that much clearer and more identifiable.  Through succinct timing and a heightened style, director Tripp Cullman skillfully unifies this magnificent cast of twelve to engage and enlighten the audience through laughter and self-contemplation.

Chris Perfetti, Tavi Gevinson, & Rebecca Henderson
Photo courtesy of MCC Theater

We are in a house on the Russian countryside in 1900.  Olga (played by Rebecca Henderson) goes on and on about how unattractive she is.  Irina (played by Tavi Gevinson) is selfishly focused on the fact that it is her birthday.  Masha (played by Chris Perfetti) is absorbed in her book.  They all long to return to Moscow, but can’t… but don’t know why… so they are unhappy.  Very unhappy.  Their brother Andrey (played by Greg Hildreth) plays the violin and aspires to study science and achieve greatness, but instead falls in love with a local girl, Natasha (played by Sas Goldberg), who the sisters consider to be a low-class whore.  Tuzenback (played by Steven Boyer) is madly in love with Irina, but she doesn’t give him the time of day.  He introduces the family to Veshinin (played by Alfredo Narciso), who becomes attracted to dark and brooding Masha.  She madly reciprocates, even though she is stuck in a loveless marriage with closeted Kulygin (played by Ryan Spahn).  They all want more out of life, but can’t get it… but don’t know why… so they are unhappy… but we see and understand, and laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Steven Boyer & Matthew Jeffers
Photo courtesy of MCC Theater

This entire cast is truly phenomenal.  Out of tightly timed high comedy scenes come genuine moments of hurt and sorrow, that are then topped off with a laugh.  Each character is truthfully drawn, carrying sincere hurt in their hearts.  These actors portray them in such a way that we distance ourselves from them in order to get a more precise view of who they are, which causes us to connect even stronger.  The humor is raucous.  The timing takes us out of the moment, then plunges us back into the darkness of their pain.  The play is skillfully written.  The production is masterfully conceived and directed.

Greg Hildreth & Sas Goldberg
Photo courtesy of MCC Theater

If you have not seen MCC’s new space on 53^rd St. and 10^th Ave, check it out as soon as you can.  The space is sharp, and offers a great opportunity for this company to step up and stand out.  This production is a sure sign that they will be doing just that.  Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow is playing at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space through August 17.  Time is running out, so get your ticket before it’s too late.

Domenick Danza

Significant Other

Significant Other

Booth Theatre

February 19, 2017

Photo courtesy of Significant Other

Joshua Harmon’s Significant Other is witty, charming and packs a surprising punch.  Directed by Trip Cullman, the Broadway production flows seamlessly through the obsessions and experiences of the main character and his close circle of friends.  The cast is tightly connected by honest relationships and crisp timing that keeps the audience entertained and engaged on the journey.

Jordan (played by Gideon Glick) is happy when his friend Kiki (played by Sas Goldberg) gets married.  She sets up their other close friend Vanessa (played by Rebecca Naomi Jones) at her wedding, and then she gets engaged.  Jordan’s friends continue to find time for him to work through his search for love and attraction with a workmate (played by John Behlmann).  It is when his BFF Laura (played by Lindsay Mendez) finds her soulmate, that Jordan realizes he is alone.  Only his grandmother (played by Barbara Barrie) gives him the advice that makes sense.

Photo courtesy of Significant Other

Gideon Glick is charming and quirky as Jordan.  His portrayal is just neurotic enough to be likable and funny… and identifiable.  He builds very different relationship with the three female friend characters.  Sas Goldberg is boisterous as Kiki.  Rebecca Naomi Jones is edgy as Vanessa.  Lindsay Mendez is heartwarming as Laura, the character who Jordan is closest with.  Barbara Barrie anchors the action of the play as Jordan’s grandmother.  Her timing is impeccable.  Her presence is grounded and strong.  The relationship she develops with Mr. Glick is tender, caring, and honest.

Barbara Barrie & Gideon Glick
Photo courtesy of Significant Other

Significant Other explores the realizations that occur when the lives of close friends change around us, leaving us feeling isolated and left out.  Although the characters are in their late twenties, there are identifiable realities in the play that ring true for all.

Domenick Danza