Latin History for Morons

Latin History for Morons

Studio 54

December 29, 2017

Photo courtesy of Latin History for Morons

John Leguizamo grabs your attention and does not let go for one hour and forty-five non-stop, energetic minutes in his latest Broadway show, Latin History for Morons.  After a successful run at Berkeley Rep and The Public Theater, John Leguizamo is selling out Studio 54, and has extended his Broadway engagement through February.  Mr. Leguizamo’s tell it like it is style is wickedly funny and full of moments that give you pause to ponder the truth and poignancy in the humor.

As in all John Leguizamo one-man shows, he reveals a slice of his life.  In this one, his fourteen year old son is being bullied at school.  John does some research in order to give his son pride in his Latin heritage.  This uncovers, for John, some of the source of his own “ghetto rage,” but does not give his son the courage to face his challenges at school.  It is not until his son makes a speech at his eighth grade graduation that John realizes the effect of his efforts.

Photo courtesy of Latin History for Morons

Mr. Leguizamo takes on the characterization of numerous roles, including his wife, his son, his daughter, his therapist, and countless figures from history.  He weaves together the historic facts about the Incas, the Aztecs, their European conquerors, and a Civil War transvestite General.  He carries these stories forward to illustrate their repeated 20th century patterns, and even further into the present day political situation.  Not only does he make a strong statement on the treatment of indigenous populations throughout history, he also makes a poignant point of how to create a deep sense of self-esteem in our younger population.

John Leguizamo is a truly master at his craft.  Latin History for Morons is playing at Studio 54 through February 25.  Get your tickets right away.  

Domenick Danza

John Lithgow: Stories By Heart

John Lithgow: Stories By Heart

Roundabout Theatre Company

American Airlines Theatre

December 23, 2017

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Why do we love to listen to and tell stories?  This is the questions John Lithgow asks during the opening section of his one man show presented by Roundabout Theatre Company.  In John Lithgow: Stories By Heart the well-known actor and storyteller reveals all the sides of his personality we have come to admire over the years.  He is warm, funny, tender, boisterous, genuine, and daring.

Mr. Lithgow shares with his audience the story of his father, an exuberant man, full of life.  His father produced and directed all of Shakespeare’s plays in the course of his career.  He founded Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, OH.  Mr. Lithgow and his three siblings had a rough childhood, changing school often, yet it was full or stories, joy, and enthusiasm.  He shares two stories his father told during their childhood.  They are not age-appropriate bedtime stories, but when acted out with imagination and characterization, they become stunningly memorable.  The Haircut by Ring Lardner takes up most of the first act, and Uncle Fred Flits By by P.G. Wodehouse is performed during the second.  The poignant part of the performance is when Mr. Lithgow returns the recitation of the stories to his aging father during a period of poor health.

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

John Lithgow’s skills are masterful.  His vocal and physical characterizations are distinct and change instantaneously.  His heart fills the American Airlines Theatre and touches everyone in it.  The show, directed by Daniel Sullivan, is simple and touching.  John Lithgow: Stories By Heart is playing through March 24.  It is a unique and personal experience.      

Domenick Danza

M. Butterfly

M. Butterfly

Cort Theatre

December 16, 2017

Photo courtesy of M. Butterfly

I saw the original production of M. Butterfly in 1988 with B.D. Wong.  It was spellbinding.  When I read that Julie Taymor was directing it for a Broadway revival, I was intrigued.  I was interested in seeing how she would interpret it and bring David Henry Hwang’s script into the 21st century amid a different political environment.  I am very happy I got to see the production on its closing weekend.  It was different, a lot more stark and realistic.  It did not have the captivating flow of the premier production, yet it packed a potent social/political statement.

When French Diplomat, Rene Gallinard (played by Clive Owens) is stationed in China, he meets the “most perfect woman.”  A performer in the Chinese Opera, Song Liling (played by Jin Ha), is the Madam Butterfly of Rene’s idealistic dreams.  Renee is taken for a fool in many ways.  Not only is Song Liling a spy for the revolution, gathering top secret information from Rene, but she is also a man.

Jin Ha as Song Liling
Photo courtesy of M. Butterfly

Clive Owens portrayal of Rene Gallinard is honest and genuine.  He addresses the audience directly and tells his story with such a calm demeanor that we buy into his delusion.  We believe as he believes, and see what he tells us as his truth.  Jin Ha plays the feminine Butterfly flawlessly.  He interrupts Rene’s story a few times with the factual accounts of being blackmailed and tortured into gathering information for the communist party, then swiftly transitions back into his feminine mystique.  Together they create a highly intimate moment at the end of Act I.  Their confrontation scene near the end of Act II does not rise as much as it could, yet the final moment of the play is truly impactful.

  

Clive Owens & Jin Ha
Photo courtesy of M. Butterfly

The revival of M. Butterfly closed on December 17, earlier than anticipated.  Mr. Hwang's script is still relevant after nineteen years.  The production had a few flaws, yet I was well worth seeing.

Domenick Danza

The Children

The Children

Manhattan Theatre Club

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

December 9, 2017

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Lucy Kirkwood’s play The Children asserts a powerful message of responsibility.  Produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club in conjunction with Royal Court Theatre, this three character play asks a number of mind boggling “what if” questions.  Director James Macdonald builds the tension and suspense with subtle glances and shifts in timing and tone, which brings Ms. Kirkwood’s daring script to a shocking conclusion.

Rose (played by Francesca Annis) drops in on her old friends Hazel (played by Deborah Findlay) and her husband Robin (played by Ron Cook) for a surprise visit.  All three are retired nuclear physicists who worked together in the local power plant.  There was a recent nuclear explosion that has put the whole county in grave danger.  Since the disaster, Hazel and Robin have been living in a small cottage on the outskirts of the danger zone.  The purpose of Rose’s return is to gather the group of scientists who built the plant, knowing its weaknesses and impending dangers, and repair the damage in order to make it safe for the children and the future.

Ron Cook, Deborah Findlay, & Francesca Annis
Photo courtesy of Royal Court Theatre

All three actors are amazing.  They keep you on the edge of your seat by gradually revealing their characters’ wants and fears.  Francesca Annis’ character of Rose is a mysterious myriad of secrets.  Deborah Findlay’s Hazel is a stoic force, eager to speak her mind.  Ron Cook’s rendition of Robin is outgoing, charming, and quietly brave.  Their chemistry is genuine and their timing is spot on. 

Ms. Kirkwood’s play speaks to a generation.  It asks them to do what is needed in order to leave the world in as good, if not better, condition than it was given to them.  Isn’t it everyone’s responsibility to clean up after themselves?  How can you expect a different outcome from repeating the same behavior decade after decade?  The Children asks these questions on an individual as well as a global level.  This amazing play, direct from the Royal Court Theatre, will be running at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through February 4.  See it for yourself.   

Domenick Danza

Illyria

Illyria

The Public Theater

November 25, 2017

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

Illyria is an intimate look at the artistic yearnings and sense of community that motivated Joseph Papp and his friends to begin the Shakespeare Festival and later build what is now The Public Theater.  Playwright and Director Richard Nelson creates a captivating atmosphere where we, as an audience, gain access to personal conversations in rehearsal rooms, around the dinner table, and after a closing night performance.  The personal conflicts among the characters keeps the action flowing as we gain insight into the sensitivity, ambition, commitment, and vision of these men and women who shaped the New York City cultural landscape.

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The year is 1958 and Stuart Vaughan (played by John Sanders) is auditioning actors for a production of Twelfth Night for the free Shakespeare Festival in Central Park.  His producer, Joe Papp (played by John Magaro) wants to cast his wife, Peggy (played by Kristen Connolly), in the role of Olivia.  Stuart wants to cast a young actress, Mary Bennett (played by Naian Gonzalez Norvind) in the role.  This opens a can of artistic conflict between the two men, which includes the fact that Joe feels betrayed because Stuart has accepted a job with Phoenix Theater and is hiring most of their friends and company members.  In the next scene the battle between the Parks Department is unraveled.  The concept of presenting free Shakespeare in the park becomes a negotiating issue for everyone except the artists committed to presenting it.  The final scene takes place in the Central Park at night, where we gain a visceral understanding of what it at stake for all involved, especially Joe Papp.

John Magaro as Joe Papp
Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The cast is an amazing ensemble, subtly playing off one another’s breath and glances.  The play is calm, quiet, and wonderfully naturalistic.  The audience becomes fully absorbed in the intimacy of the relationships.  This is a very tight group of friends who are bonded by artistic and creative experiences.  Sitting in The Public Theater for this performance offers an astounding perspective.  You gain a renewed appreciation for the beliefs and ideals on which Joseph Papp built the institution that has become not only a cultural pillar in the City of New York, but a model for artistic excellence across the country.

Illyria is running at The Public Theater through December 10.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza

Describe the Night

Describe the Night

Atlantic Theater Company

Linda Gross Theater

November 24, 2017

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

The New York premier of Rajiv Joseph’s play Describe the Night is presently in previews at Atlantic Theater Company.  It explores the phenomenon of how perception can become reality, and how facts can easily be replaced by fabrications that become acceptable truths.  Mr. Joseph’s writing is luminous and engaging.  The action of the play spans the years from 1920 through 2010.  It follows the events connected by Isaac Babel, considered one of Russia’s greatest writers of his time, and Nicolai Yezhov, who was closely associated with Stalin and became the chief of the Soviet Police from 1936-38.  Their fabricated truths are linked to the plane crash in 2010 that killed the President, First Lady, and virtually every top member of Poland’s government and military.

Danny Burstein & Zach Grenier
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

In 1920 Isaac Babel (played by Danny Burstein) meets Nicolai Yezhov (played by Zach Grenier).  They are both Soviet Soldiers.  Isaac is writing in his journal, describing the night, and teaches Nikolai how easy it is to tell a believable lie.  Fast forward to the plane crash of 2010, where Mariya, a journalist (played by Nadia Bowers), urgently needs to rent a car to flee the Soviet Police investigation of the events leading up to the crash.  Feliks, the car rental agent (played by Stephen Stocking), gives her his truck to escape unnoticed.  He passes on to her an old journal that was given to him by one of the victims of the plane crash before she died.  This is the journal belonging to Isaac Babel.  The play goes back and forth in time and follows the hand to hand journey of this journal, covered in truth, lies, perceptions, and falsities, from its start in 1920 until it gets into the hands of Vova (played by Max Gordon Moore), the man from St. Petersburg, who is on his way to be one of the most powerful men in the world.

Max Gordon Moore & Nadia Bowers
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

The cast is superb in bringing clarity and life to the brilliant writing of Mr. Joseph’s play.  Every scene is driven by characters who are rich and real.  Danny Burstein and Zach Grenier juxtapose their characters with traits, physicality, and vocal rhythms that give visceral vigor to every scene they share.  Tina Benko is charming and heartbreaking as Yevgenia, the wife of Nicholai Yezhov.  The chemistry between her and Mr. Burstein is tangible.  Their connection is honest and genuine.  Nadia Bowers is powerful as Mariya.  She shows her range by also playing Mrs. Petrovna.  Max Gordon Moore’s character of Vova grows from an unassuming, eager government employee to a manipulative and aggressive official.

Danny Burstein, Zach Grenier, & Tina Benko
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Playwright Rajiv Joseph and director Giovanna Sardelli conquer a huge subject matter that is tightly interwoven with clear themes that are relative to every audience member.  The Atlantic Theater Company production of Describe the Night is running at the Linda Gross Theater through December 24.  The play has many layers that will keep you thinking.  See it with someone with whom you can have a deep, detailed discussion, or be prepared to do as I did and engage the person next to you during the two intermissions.   

Domenick Danza

Man to Man

Man to Man

Brooklyn Academy of Music

2017 Next Wave Festival

BAM Fisher (Fishman Space)

November 11, 2017

Photo courtesy of BAM 2017 Next Wave Festival

Man to Man is a one character play presented by Brooklyn Academy of Music as part of the 2017 Next Wave Festival.  This German work, written by Manfred Karge, has been translated into English by Alexandra Wood.  Based on a true story, the play begins before the rise of the Nazi Party and ends after the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Directed by Bruce Guthrie and Scott Graham, the production originated at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2015, transferred to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and now can boast a sold out run at Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Photo courtesy of BAM 2017 Next Wave Festival

Following the death of her husband, Ella (played by Maggie Bain) takes on his identity in order to earn a living as a crane operator.  She buries him with her own name on his headstone, and takes his job as a crane operator.  She is torn between her desire to become a mother and her need to survive independently.  With the outbreak of the war it becomes difficult to go undiscovered, so she joins the Nazi army.  After the war, she continues to live secretly as a man, yearning to connect to her true self.

Maggie Bain is remarkable in this powerful piece of theatre.  Her physical strength, dexterity, and intensity are captivating.  She climbs the walls of the set, suspends herself from the ceiling, and creates tender moments of deep, personal longing.  Her vocal skill shows great range as she portrays numerous characters who come in contact with Ella on her journey. 

Photo courtesy of MAN 2017 Next Wave Festival

The video design (by Andrzej Goulding) and lighting (by Rick Fisher) are  mesmerizing.  The shadows cast on the walls by the actor transform into images of people in Ella’s story as well as her private desires.  They blend synchronistical and give a clear understanding of the main character’s loneliness and isolation.  

Man to Man is a unique and moving experience.  Unfortunately, this production ran at BAM’s Next Wave Festival for a very limited (November 7 – 11).  Keep your eyes peeled for video showings or additional bookings.  

Domenick Danza