Birthday Candles

 
Birthday Candles
Roundabout Theatre Company
American Airlines Theater
March 29, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

How do you measure a life?  Through its celebrations?  Its loses?  Its accomplishments?  Its hardships?  Noah Haidle ponders that question in his play Birthday Candles.  The action takes place on the many birthdays of his main character, spanning almost one hundred years.  Director Vivienne Benesch finds the pearls in each of Mr. Haidle’s tender moments, and this stellar cast string them together to deliver a stunning theatrical experience.

It is Ernestine’s (played by Debra Messing) seventeenth birthday.  Her mother, Alice (played by Susannah Flood), teaches her how to bake her special birthday cake so part of her will live on in tradition.  Ernestine is distracted by her dreams of finding her place in the cosmos and auditioning for the role of King (Queen) Lear in her high school play, but she does learn how to bake the cake.  The action flows seamlessly into her eighteenth birthday.  Her neighbor, Kenneth (played by Enrico Colantoni), surprises her by coming to her party two hours early.  Ernestine is baking the cake as her mother taught her.  Kenneth asks Ernestine to the prom.  She turns him down and tells him to go home and return in two hours.  When Matt (played by John Earl Jelks) shows up early, Ernestine does not send him home, and she does accept his request to take her to the prom.  In an instant, it is eighteen years later.  Ernestine and Matt’s two teenage children (played by Christopher Livingston and Susannah Flood) are celebrating Ernestine’s birthday.  Ernestine is preparing the cake her mother taught her how to bake.  The story continues to flash forward, celebrating the joys, disappointments, and turning points of the coming years on each birthday in Ernestine’s long and abundant life.

Debra Messing, Christopher Livingston, & Susannah Flood
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

The cast plays numerous roles throughout the story as Ernestine’s children grow up and have children of their own.  Each distinct character weaves a pattern of love and connection.  Each birthday repeats tradition, sayings, gestures, and sentiment as the characters face the challenges and truths of the present year.  Debra Messing grows and blossoms as Ernestine.  She captures your heart the minute she enters and does not let go throughout the action of the play.  Her physicality shifts as her character ages and her heart expands.  She creates genuine and endearing relationships with each character in the story.  Susannah Flood, Enrico Colantoni, John Earl Jelks, Chrystal Finn, and Christopher Livingston all deliver authentic, heart warning performances.

Birthday Candles is a much needed reminder of what is important on this journey we call life.  It is playing at Roundabout’s American Airlines Theatre through May 29.  Go see it! 

Domenick Danza

To My Girls

 To My Girls
Second Stage
Tony Kiser Theater
March 24, 2022 

Photo Courtesy of Second Stage

JC Lee’s play, To My Girls, is delivering a brilliant balance of laughter and poignant moments at 2^nd Stage’s Tony Kiser Theater.  The play serves up a subtle and thought provoking commentary on the cultural evolution of social engagement.  The writing is witty and biting.  The action is fast paced and colorful.  The performances are big and bold. 

Curtis (played by Jay Armstrong Johnson) rents an Airbnb in Palm Spring to reunite with his friends after a long separation due to the pandemic.  He has a wild weekend planned, which includes making a video of them performing one of their old drag routines to boost his social media following.  First to arrive is Castor (played by Maulik Pancholy), who is thrilled to be spending time with his friends, but not the least bit interested in Curtis’ social media plans.  Jeff (played by Carman Lacivita) travels from NYC to join the group.  He starts in on how Curtis continually leads Castor on in thinking there is a chance for a more serious relationship.  Leo (played by Britton Smith) and his long-term boyfriend are late to arrive, so Bernie (played by Bryan Batt) fills in on the drag number during rehearsal.  When the boys go out that night, Castor comes home with a young, hot hook-up, Omar (played by Noah J. Rickets).  After Castor falls asleep, Curtis and Omar connect, which ignites Castor’s insecurities.  When Leo finally arrives, he announces that he and his boyfriend are breaking up because of Curtis’ selfish behavior.  Before the weekend is over, Curtis faces the truth of his actions and the effect they have on his circle of friends. 

The Cast of To My Girls
Photo courtesy of Second Stage

Jay Armstrong Johnson’s character of Curtis is the glue that holds this group of friends together, as well as the bomb that destroys them.  He creates a charming and flawed character, driven by the need to be the center of attention.  Maulik Pancholy delivers the laughs as Castor, yet also pulls the more serious scenes into focus.  All eyes are on him as he skillfully creates these distinct moments.  Carman Lacivita commands the stage from his first entrance, and does not drop his energy for a second.  He plays Jeff as an observer of the group, sharing his insight throughout the action of the play.  Bryan Batt brings an older perspective with his character of Bernie, making the other characters laugh, as well as think deeply about their choices.  Noah J. Rickets’ character of Omar bring the younger perspective to the story.  He infuses the action with envy, yearning, and an interesting sense of absurdity.  The character of Leo enters later in the course of the play.  Britton Smith rises to the challenge of making this character a part of the already established action, and brining it to the next level.

Playwright JC Lee has represented three generations of gay men from various ethnic background to show the progression of change in the gay culture.  The play takes place present day, so the post-Trump and post-pandemic perspective of these characters adds a significant layer of awareness to their encounters.  Social media has created a new level of shallowness to the way they relate.  It takes earnest effort for them to connect on a sincerely personal level.  Mr. Lee offers a powerful sense of optimism as the characters acknowledge the bond in their friendship, despite the fact that they are seeing one another in a different light.  Even though their relationships are harmed by selfishness and insolence, they choose to not allow their hurt feelings to take control. 

The 2nd Stage production of To My Girls is playing at the Tony Kiser Theater through April 24.  It is full of laughs while delivering a strong dose of truth with a powerful punch. 

Domenick Danza

Garbageman

 Garbageman
Chain Theatre
March 17, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Keith Huff’s play Garbageman, now running at Chain Theatre, is packed with twists, turns, and unexpected surprises.  Director Greg Cicchino keeps the bold action moving at a brisk pace.  Each scene builds to a high point, propelling the action into the next unanticipated moment.  Set design by Richard Hoover and Kis Knekt is visually impactful, creating a bold metaphor for the boggled and cluttered minds of the characters.. 

Buddy Maple (played by Deven Anderson) needs to get his hands on a gun, so he drops in on his old friend from high school, Dan Bandana (played by Kirk Gostkowski).  Dan asks for an explanation.  Buddy tells the whole story, which starts with his becoming a Garbageman straight out of high school, and continues to when he was hired to work at a recycling plant.  It is there he finds a severed head, which he keeps in the trunk of his car.  Buddy goes on to tell of when he backed up his work vehicle and crushed the skull of a red headed little boy, whose father took revenge by putting Buddy’s son in a coma.  Buddy wants the gun so he can kill the red headed boy’s father.  This story motivates Dan to admit he wants to kill his ex-wife.  The two men become entwined by their rage and need for vengeance, but don’t seem to be able to follow though with their plans.  When Dan gets severely depressed, Buddy grows concerned he might be suicidal, or worse.  To cheer him up, Buddy suggests they drive to Washington DC for a rally on January 6.  What ensues is recorded and broadcast to the entire country. 

Deven Anderson & Kirk Gostkowski
Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Playwright Keith Huff offers a gripping perspective on the causes for rise of violent behavior in America.  He creates two characters drowning in despair and desperately seeking a way out.  The humor keeps the audience connected to the characters, yet allows them to distance themself from the action.  This gives them a chance to absorb the events that lead to the January 6 insurrection.  The final scene makes a strong statement on the harsh realities of America’s present state of mind.

Deven Anderson and Kirk Gostkowski develop an intriguing relationship between Buddy Maple and Dan Bandana.  The severity of their emotions becomes almost absurd at times, yet these two actors stay grounded in each moment, drawing the audience deeply into their reality.  They skillfully play the timing of the dark humor in Mr. Huff’s writing, keeping the action connected and the audience alert.

The Chain Theatre production of Garbageman has been extended through April 16.  The play delivers a bumpy ride, yet definitely one worth taking.  Visit their website (chaintheatre.org) and get a ticket today.  

Domenick Danza

Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival

 Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival
February 15, 2022
Program 1 – 6:00 PM
A Place for Us & For My Very Own 

Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Chain Theatre continues their Winter One Act Festival with riveting performance of new and unique plays.  The festival consists of nine different programs, including comedies, dramas, and musicals.  Each program is given four performance dates and one live stream date.  Program 1 showcases two strong pieces: A Place for Us, written and directed by Anthony M. Laura, and For My Very Own, written by Emma Lefkowitz and directed by Sarah De Baets.

In A Place for Us, playwright Anthony M. Laura explores alternate realities.  When Judith (played by Donna L. White) finds a bloody towel in her laundry basket, she questions her daughter, Hannah (played by Madison Murrah).  This adds to the already elevated level of stress between them, due to Judith’s infidelities.  Natalie, an unexpected visitor (played by Raina Silver) arrives, claiming she lives in their house.  Hannah befriends Natalie, against the strong warnings of her father, Vincent (played by Emerson A. Buchholz).  Natalie refuses to leave, and offers little detail to her life and history.  Even though her true identity remains a mystery, the family slowly begins to resolve their differences.

Photo courtesy of A Place for Us

Playwright Anthony M. Laura structured his play in short scenes.  This heightens the tension and mystery throughout the piece.  Each scene suspends the reality further, while grounding the characters in realistic actions.  It is the careful balance of this dichotomy that keeps the audience engaged, while continually questioning the levels of truth.  The final scene delivers a solid answer to Judith’s discovery of the bloody towel in the opening scene, yet opens the door to possibilities for Hannah’s continued journey. 

The cast fully commits to the realistic traits of their characters.  Their objectives are strong and clear, building genuine conflict.  This gives the audience a compelling story to follow, while the alternate realities unfold.  Madison Murrah effectively portrays Hannah as a confused and conflicted teenager.  Donna L. White builds an authentic mother relationship with her that is riddled with conflict.  Emerson A. Buchholz plays the father with humor and wisdom.  Raina Silver is enigmatic as the unexpected visitor.     

For My Very Own takes a humorous and effective look at white privilege.  Anne (played by Maya Kate Frueh) is looked over for a promotion at the Center, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to changing social policy.  She admits to her co-worker, Ines (played by Hannah Deale), that she is ready to sacrifice her white privilege to prove her dedication to making change.  She connects with Nora (played by Hadas Brown), who is starting a movement to adopt homeless people and place them in pods for support.  Anne takes her commitment too far, and ends up needing more help that she was ever able to offer in the first place. 

Playwright Emma Lefkowitz’s writing has a sharp wit and biting tongue, which serves her theme of white privilege very well.  Director Sarah De Baets guides this cast of skilled actors to deliver the powerful punch Ms. Lefkowitz’s play sets out to do.  Maya Kate Frueh plays the self-serving, righteous white woman with total conviction and bold humor.  Hannah Deale makes the side remarks that keep the far-fetched actions reality based.  Hadas Brown adds the intellectual, analytical point of view to the over the top actions.  Brian Mendoza plays a reporter who adds an outsider perspective to the story. 

Program 1 has one more showing on February 18 at 8:00 PM.  Go to the Chain Theatre website (www.chaintheatre.org) to get tickets for their final performance.  While there, check out the other one-act programs.  The festival runs through February 25 at 312 West 36 St. (4^th floor).  Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.  The Winter One Act Festival continues to build Chain Theatre’s reputation for presenting quality theatre.  Don’t miss out.  Get a ticket today! 

Domenick Danza

The Music Man

Meredith Willson’s The Music Man

Winter Garden Theatre

February 9, 2022

Opening Night!

Photo Courtesy of The Music Man

The revival of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man opened on Broadway, spreading joy and delight to a full house at the Winter Garden Theatre.  Director Jerry Zaks did what he does best.  He took a Broadway classic, shined it up, injected it with life, and gave us a chance to look at it with fresh eyes.  Warren Carlyle’s choreography is exuberant.  It will get your heart beating faster.  The cast of forty-five skilled performers brilliantly works as one.  Their energy lifts the sprits and opens the hearts of every member of the audience.

When Professor Henry Hill (played by Hugh Jackman) gets off the train at River City, Iowa, his main goal is to swindle money out of the locals, then move on.  He sells marching band uniforms and instruments, with a promise to organize a boys band.  His plan is to get out of town as soon as the uniforms and instruments arrive, leaving them with no ability to play a single note.  One obstacle Professor Hill does not expect to face in River City is librarian and music teacher, Marion Paroo (played by Sutton Foster).  When Professor Hill’s connection with Marion’s younger brother, Winthrop (played by Benjamin Pajak), causes him to open up and start talking for the first time in two years, she realizes that, although Professor Hill does not intend to fulfill his promise to deliver a boys band, he does deliver on her dream. 

Hugh Jackman, Benjamin Pajak, & Sutton Foster
Photo courtesy of The Music Man

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are amazing together.  Sparks fly as their strengths play off one
another.  The tension and attraction never stops building.  Ms. Foster’s Marion is tough and stoic.  She does not go in for games or day dreaming.  As she looks at her brother changing when he is with Professor Hill, you can feel her heart open.  She does not lose her toughness when she allows herself to be charmed by the Professor.  She thinks through her plan and remains committed to her beliefs.  Mr. Jackman’s Harold Hill is shifty, cunning, and glib.  He is pure swindler, with charm and a golden tongue.  He has no doubt in his main objective, to take the locals for as much money as possible.  The moment it hits him that Marion sees more in him than he ever saw in himself is a genuine transformation.   

The entire cast is superb, building unique characters and creating a small, uptight town that allows themselves to blossom.  The orchestrations, by Jonathan Tunick, keep Meredith Willson’s score running full steam ahead from the minute the curtain goes up.  The dance numbers feature the younger cast members.  Their skills are astonishing.  Their energy is vibrant.  

Get a ticket for The Music Man and be prepared to have your spirits lifted! 

Domenick Danza

Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival

Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival

February 5, 2022

Program 2 – 5:00 PM

Amorality Play & Every Other Weekend

Program 5 – 8:00 PM

Stuck & Maybelle…Unfiltered

Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Chain Theatre kicked off its Winter One Act Festival on February 4.  The festival consists of nine different programs, including comedies, dramas, and musicals.  Each program is given four performance dates and one live stream date.  Program 2 (February 5 at 5:00 PM) includes Amorality Play by Laura Clare Browne and Lauren Dietzel, directed by Samantha Mushin, and Every Other Weekend written and directed by Joseph Sexton.  Program 5 (February 5 at 8:00 PM) includes Stuck, book & lyrics by Danielle Koenig, music by Julio Vaquero, directed by Irvin Mason, and Maybelle… Unfiltered written and directed by Horace Turnbull.  The opening weekend shows great promise for what is ahead, reaffirming the high quality of work you can expect from Chain Theatre.  

Program 1:

Laura Clare Browne and Lauren Dietzel’s Amorality Play is a present day take on the medieval morality play.  Some Dude (played by Seann Morgan) is visited by Death (played by Laura Clare Browne).  He has ten minutes to review the value of his life before she takes him.  Death allows him to consult with his Conscience (played by Anna Rudegair) and his Vice (played by Ethan Marble) before making his decision about spending eternity in heaven or hell.  Yes, it is his decision.  After reviewing his Virtues and Sins (played by Kaitlyn Rose Rabocse), he is unable to judge himself, so Death leaves it up to the audience to decide. 

Director Samantha Mushin uncovers the timing and humor embedded in Ms. Dietzel and Ms. Browne’s writing.  The cast delivers the laughs with enough punch to give the audience a chance to ponder the deeper message of the work. 

Every Other Weekend examines a woman’s right to choose.  Playwright Joseph Sexton directed his own work, taking his characters on a journey toward a clearer understanding of their situations and personal power. 

Melissa (played by Johnette Janney) is excited about her weekend trip with her friend Ellen (played by Sarah B. Denison).  When Melissa asks Ellen to pull the car over because she is feeling sick, Melissa knows something is up.  Ellen admits she is pregnant and not planning on going through with it.  Melissa is supportive, yet it is clear Ellen is uncertain about her decision.  Through the course of their car ride, Ellen talks through her choices and becomes stronger about the decision she needs to make.  

Ms. Denison and Ms. Janney are equally paired in these roles.   Their camaraderie is natural and motivates sincere discourse.  Mr. Sexton uses effective dramatic devices to reveal the inner thoughts of his characters, giving depth and heart to their development and journey. 

Program 5: 

Photo courtesy of Stuck &
Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival

Stuck is a futuristic musical comedy.  Julio Vaquero’s score is fun and memorable.  Danielle Koenig’s book and lyrics are witty and engaging.  This is a promising creative team, well worth keeping an eye on. 

Paul (played by Sara James) has a simple and monotonous job.  It consists of pulling a lever, all day, every day.  Paul dreams of being a super hero, but isn’t.  While at work, Paul is visited by Mad Max Paul (played by Madison Wechsler), who is Paul from the future, returning to convince Paul to stop pulling the lever and push the button to save the world from a future of war and fear.  Just as Paul is about to push the button, Unlucky Paul (played by Jamie Shapiro) appears, who is Paul from the future after Mad Max Paul convinces Paul to push the button.  As the name reveals, Unlucky Paul’s life did not turn out so well, and has returned to convince Paul not to give in to Mad Max Paul’s pressure to push the button.  Save the world or save yourself?  What is Paul to do?

This 20-minute musical is quality work on every level.  Director Irvin Mason hits the ball out of the park.  The cast is excellent.  The humor is exaggerated.  The stakes are high.  The theme is strong. 

Maybelle… Unfiltered by Horace Turnbull takes place in 1977.  It follows Maybelle (played by Trena B. Real) as she takes calls during her late night radio show.  Maybelle listens to numerous callers (all played by Scout Ford and Aja Downing).  They reveal their problems, sorrows, and achievements.  Maybelle offers advice, sometimes firmly and sometimes with kindness.  The music is a soulful mix of 1970’s style tunes, all written and composed by Mr. Turnbull.  The cast captures the sound of the times with their lush and luxurious voices. 

Chain Theatre’s Winter One Act Festival is running through February 25 at 312 West 36 St. (4^th floor).  If this opening weekend is a sign of what’s ahead in this festival, it is sure to be an exciting month.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.  Check out their website (www.chaintheatre.org) to choose a program and purchase tickets.  Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to experience fresh, upcoming voices in NYC theatre.  

Domenick Danza

Prayer for the French Republic

 Prayer for the French Republic
Manhattan Theatre Club
NY City Center Stage I
January 29, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Joshua Harmon has raised the bar on excellence with his new play, Prayer for the French Republic.  The story tracks the lineage of a Jewish family in France to show how hatred and fear have been passed down through time.  His characters are victims of antisemitism and experience the political situations that cause such behavior.  The writing is multi-layered and inspired.  Large, vital themes sweep through the action, connecting the characters and relationships through the generations.  Director David Cromer keeps the action connected in this three hour play (don’t worry, it has two intermissions) that spans seventy-two years.  The skilled cast brings truthful dimension to Mr. Harmon’s compelling characters, emotionally motivating the audience to engage on their own personal journey toward awareness and self-reflection.

Francis Benhamou, Jeff Seymour, Yair Ben-Dor, & Betsy Aidem
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

It is 2016 in Paris, France.  When Daniel (played by Yair Ben-Dor) is badly beaten on his way home from work, his mother, Marcelle (played by Betsy Aidem), blames it on his wearing his yarmulke in public.  This is not the first time this has occurred, and Marcelle believes Daniel’s wearing his yarmulke makes him a target.  His sister, Elodie (played by Francis Benhamou) holds very strong political ideals, and supports her brother on his convictions.  Daniel’s father, Charles (played by Jeff Seymour), starts to see how the aggression against Jews is accelerating in Paris, making it unsafe for his family to remain there.  He grows fearful, and decides he wants to move them to Israel. 

Nancy Robinette and Kenneth Tigar
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The time shifts to 1944.  We meet Irma and Adolphe Salomon (played by Nancy Robinette and Kenneth Tigar).  When a Nazi officer came to their apartment to arrest them, he was turned away by their doorman.  They safely remained in Paris throughout World War II.  Their son, Lucien (played by Ari Brand), escaped with his family to Poland, where they were arrested and placed in concentration camps.  He and his son, Pierre (played by Peyton Lusk), are the only surviving members of that family.  They return to Paris at the end of the war to unite with Irma and Adolphe.  Pierre is Marcelle’s father. 

Ari Brand, Kenneth Tigar, Nancy Robinette, & Peyton Lusk
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Mr. Harmon creates two important characters to keep the audience connected to this expansive story, which contains an intense amount of political information.  The character of Patrick, Marcelle’s brother (played by Richard Topol), acts as a narrator, providing detailed direct address on the lineage of the family and facts about the history of antisemitism.  Patrick is humorous in his direct address, yet antagonistic in his scenes with the family.  This is a well-balanced character, and Mr. Topol does him great justice.  Molly (played by Molly Ranson) is a distant American cousin of Marcelle.  While studying abroad in France, Marcelle invites Molly to her home in Paris to get acquainted.  Molly’s first visit is the same night Daniel is beaten.  The audience sees the brutality and political situation in Europe through her eyes.  As Molly injects herself into the struggles of this family, the audience is given the opportunity to do the same, with a shared, American point of view.  Molly is both naïve and educated, which is reflected in how her comments agitate the family’s conflicts.   

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The skillful way Mr. Harmon builds his characters and crafts his dialogue gives the audience opportunity for self-reflection.  Molly’s distance from her Jewish faith combined with Irma and Adolphe Salomon’s ability to silently stay under the Nazi’s radar give the audience pause to reflect on how we hide our true identities in order to survive.  Lucien’s unwillingness to share his experiences in Poland with his mother informs us as to how vital truths do not get passed down through the generations.  Within this family there is constant conflict, yet a resilient bond that keeps them united.  They pull strength from their ancestors, and gain purpose for moving forward toward survival.  The connection through the generations is profound.  This is brilliantly constructed and gives the audience a vital insight into the themes Mr. Harmon is communicating in this play.                          

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Prayerfor the French Republic is stunning.  The cast is outstanding.  The play is simply brilliant.  It is playing at NY City Center Stage I through February 27.  Get a ticket right away!  

Domenick Danza