Romeo & Bernadette

 Romeo & Bernadette
Theater 555
June 25, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

Romeo & Bernadette is a funny and touching imagining of what happens if the poison Romeo drinks to kill himself at the end of Shakespeare’s classic play is merely a strong sleeping potion.  Mark Salzman’s book and lyrics are phenomenal.  He is strong and bold in his character development.  The music is adapted from classic Italian melodies.  The concept for the show is sharp and original.  Director/choreographer Justin Ross Cohen builds the action and punches every laugh in Mr. Salzman’s brilliant writing.  From the  minute the show starts you are brought into a dual layered plot.  Brooklyn 1960, and Verona 1596.  Both stories are driven by love and full of violent obstacles.

Nikita Burshteyn & Michael Notardonato
Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

    It is 1960 and we are watching the final scene of a Brooklyn Community Theatre production of Romeo & Juliet.  To prove his sophistication to his date (played by Ari Raskin), a Brooklyn Boy (played by Michael Notardonato) tells her that the story doesn’t end there. Romeo did not actually drink poison.  Instead he drank an extra strong version of the Friar’s sleeping position.  When Romeo (played by Nikita Burshteyn) revives, it is 1960.  He searches for Juliet in this new, modern world, and meets Bernadette Penza (played by Anna Kostakis).  She is on vacation in Verona, Italy with her parents, Camille (played by Judy McLane) and Sal (played by Carlos Lopez), who is a New York mob boss.  Romeo thinks she is Juliet, and follows her to Brooklyn, only to find that she is engaged to Tito Titone (played by Zach Schanne), who works for Bernadette’s father.  Tito puts a hit on Dino Del Canto (also played by Michael Notardonato), the son of Don Del Canto (played by understudy Charlie Marcus), who is Sal Penza’s rival.  Romeo saves Dino’s life during the hit attempt, so Dino vows to help Romeo find his love, Bernadette/Juliet.  When Don Del Canto hears of Romeos brave action, he adapts him as his second son.  The Del Canto’s find out that Romeo’s love is the daughter of their rival, and try to talk him out of searching for her.  Romeo doesn’t listen to them, and finds himself in the middle of another dangerous family dispute.

Judy McLane & Anna Kostakis
Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

The entire cast is outstanding.  They are fully in sync.  Their comic timing is excellent and their strong voices bring the emotional songs to beautiful fruition.  Nikita Burshteyn and Anna Kostakis have a lovely romantic connection as Romeo and Bernadette.  Michael Notardonato’s Dino Del Canto has a strong chemistry with his love interest, Donna Dubachek (played by Ari Raskin).  Most of the plot of these four characters progresses through song, and these four skilled actor/singers make the most of every moving and humorous moment.  Another powerful vocalist in the cast is Judy McLane.  Her portrayal of Camille Penza is bold, brassy, and hilarious.  There are equally strong performances by Charlie Marcus, Zach Schanne, Carlos Lopez, Viet Vo, and Troy Valjean Rucker, who plays numerous and distinct sidesplitting characters.

Photo courtesy of Romeo & Bernadette

Joseph Shrope’s costume design is outstanding.  The wardrobe is colorful, true to period, and perfect for each character.  The set, by Walt Spangler, is a simple and effective use of space and level.  The scaffolding design allows for numerous surprises when least expected.  

Romeo & Bernadette has just been extended through July.  Get a ticket right away while they last.  It is a unique, entertaining, and romantic adventure.  You don’t want to miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Hangmen

 Hangmen
Golden Theatre
June 18, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Hangmen

Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen is a compelling, well-structured piece of theatre.  It starts off with a hanging, which naturally grabs the audience’s attention.  The mystery builds throughout Act I, propelling the action forward.  The stakes are raised in Act II as assumptions are made and conclusions drawn before all the facts are revealed.  Director Matthew Dunster builds the tension in each scene, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, while bringing them to a clear understanding of Mr. McDonagh’s larger themes. 

Photo courtesy of Hangmen

In the mid-1960s, capital punishment was abolished in England, except for those convicted of treason.  Harry (played by David Threlfall) conducted his final hanging on a man named Hennessy (played by understudy Sebastian Beacon), who was convicted of murder.  He proclaimed his innocence until the moment of his execution.  Two years later a stranger (played by Alfie Allen) enters Harry’s pub looking to rent a room.  He sweettalks Harry’s daughter, Shirley (played by Gaby French) into spend the day with him.  She is tired of her father and mother (played by Tracie Bennett) calling her a mope, so she goes off with him.  Syd (played by Andy Nyman), who was Harry’s assistant hangman, stops in the pub to warn Harry that a man he suspects killed a woman one year to the day of Hennessy’s hanging is in the area.  Syd convinces Harry that they hung the wrong man two years earlier.  It is now two year to the day after Hennessey’s hanging and Shirley has gone missing.  Syd meets up with Mooney, the stranger, later that night.  It is revealed that Syd sent him to the pub as a prank to get back at Harry for how he treated him when they worked together.  When Mooney tells Syd what he did with Shirley, Syd realizes he is over his head.  Moony returns to Harry’s pub, and Harry reverts to his old work habits.

Alfie Allen & David Threlfall
Photo courtesy of Hangmen

Playwright Martin McDonagh questions the validity of capital punishment based on the grey areas of the justice system.  The integrity of the hangmen are put to the test and laid bare for everyone to see. The action of the play is emotionally driven, and once taken, there is no going back.  Mr. McDonough makes us laugh at these dark realities so we can look at them with objective eyes.  This is a very powerful piece, leaving us to question our truths and previous understandings.   

Alfie Allen & Gaby French
Photo courtesy of Hangmen

Alfie Allen is mesmerizing as Mooney, the stranger who comes to town.  He is aptly described as “menacing,” yet never performs a violent act.  The full truth of his character is never revealed.  David Threllfall is strong and commanding as Harry.  He is a no-nonsense character who sees everything in black and white.  He is fully committed to his convictions.  Andy Nyman is neurotically funny as Syd.  His character instigates the action of the story, then freaks out when it gets more dangerous than he anticipated.  Gaby French is innocent and sympathetic as Shirley.  It is important that we care about this character, and Ms. French does an excellent job of capturing our hearts.  Tracie Bennett skillfully portrays the dichotomy in the character of Alice.  She is hard and cold, yet truly broken when her daughter goes missing.  The regulars at Harry’s pub, played by Jeremy Crutchley, Richard Hollis, John Horton, and Ryan Pope, have great physical and comic timing.  They add humor to the story and keep the action moving.   

Hangmen is one of Mr. McDonagh’s strongest works, and this production is superb. The scenic design by Anna Fleischle is a stunning use of space, level, and dimension.  Hangmen was scheduled for a limited run on Broadway, and closed on June 18.  

Domenick Danza

Hadestown

Hadestown
Walter Kerr Theatre
June 14, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Hadestown

Hadestown is a dark and haunting journey of love and trust.  The music, lyrics, and book by Anais Mitchell are brilliant.  Director Rachel Chavkin brings Ms. Mitchell’s unique creative voice to spectacular life.  The choreography by David Neumann is visceral and boldly drives the action forward.

Hermes (played by T. Oliver Reid) enters to tell the tragic tale of Orpheus (played by understudy Sayo Oni) and Eurydice (played by understudy Grace Yoo).  It starts with their meeting and instantly falling in love.  Orpheus is the son of the muse of epic poetry, and has an unfinished song to sing.  Eurydice urges him to finish the song.  He immediately asks her to marry him.  It is spring, so Persephone (played by Jewelle Blackman) returns from the underworld.  She is growing tired of her husband, Hades (played by Tom Hewitt), and enjoys her time away from him.  When Hades comes for her in the fall, Eurydice captures his eye.  She follows them back to Hadestown.  Orpheus travels to find her, and sings his finished song of love to release her from Hades grasp.  His is successful, but he is put to one final test. 

An Original Cast Photo
Photo courtesy of Hadestown

The music lures you into the story.  It creates another world, full of mystery and passion.  It is Hermes’ narration that keeps most of the story connected in Act I.  Once the characters journey to the underworld, the tale deepens as the stakes heighten.  The characters face their uncertainties and darker sides, and come out redeemed.  The end will shock and sadden you, yet hope is not lost. 

An Original Cast Photo
Photo courtesy of Hadestown

Sayo Oni and Grace Yoo have amazing chemistry as Orpheus and Eurydice.  Mr. Oni’s portrayal of Orpheus’ journey back from the underworld in Act II is emotionally focused and skillfully portrayed.  Jewell Blackman is playful and daring as Persephone.  She is intoxicating in her powers, and desperate for love.  Tom Hewitt has a commanding presence as Hades.  In Act II, when Orpheus sings his song of love for the release of Eurydice, Mr. Hewitt transforms his character and opens his heart.  Soara-Joye Ross, Jessie Shelton, and Kay Trinidad are beguiling and manipulative as the Fates, constantly singing in Orpheus’ head and making him doubt himself.

Hadestown won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2019.  Rachel Chavkin also won for Best Directors in a Musical, and Anais Mitchell won for her score.  Have you seen this show yet?  What are you waiting for?  Hadestown is playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre. 

Domenick Danza

…what the end will be

 …what the end will be

Roundabout Theatre Company

Laura Pels Theatre
June 10, 2022

Photo courtesy of
Roundabout Theatre Company

Playwright Mansa Ra’s …what the end will be is a tender story about family love, acceptance, and letting go.  His characters are truthful, honest, and relatable.  Under the direction of Margot Bordelon, poignant moments blossom out of stressful confrontations.  The Roundabout Theatre Company production is perfectly cast and beautifully realized.

Maxwell Kennedy (played by Emerson Brooks) spared no expense preparing his home for his father, Bartholomew Kennedy (played by Keith Randolph Smith), to move in as he faces the final stages of his cancer diagnosis.  Max’s partner, Charles (played by Randy Harrison), is not there to welcome him, but his son, Tony (played by Gerald Caesar), is overjoyed to see his grandfather.  Max and Tony realize what is ahead for them when the visiting nurse, Chloe (played by Tiffany Villarin), reviews Mr. Kennedy’s medication schedule.  When Tony’s boyfriend, Antoine (played by Ryan Jamaal Swain), is caught sneaking out of Tony’s room, he realizes it is time to come out to his father and grandfather.  “Well the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” proclaims Mr. Kennedy, who is deeply missing his partner, who passed away recently.  The fears and deep issues of these three men start to surface, yet due to the aggressive progression of Mr. Kennedy's illness, their time to face and resolve them is limited.  

Gerald Caesar & Emerson Brooks
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Mansa Ra sets up a unique premise with three generations of gay, black men.  The characters 
are all very well drawn out, with rich family histories and cultural roots that both unite and divide them.  They clearly share great love, yet their sense of acceptance is urgently put to the test.  Mr. Ra takes these characters to the breaking point, then creates a clear path for them to travel forward. 

Gerald Caesar & Keith Randolph Smith
Photo courtesy of
Roundabout Theatre Company

Emerson Brooks is stubborn and set in his ways as Maxwell Kennedy.  As his son, Tony, Gerald Caesar is both optimistic and aware of the limitations of his father’s expectations.  The scenes between these two gifted actors are complex and captivating.  Keith Randolph Smith is funny, free, and determined as Bartholomew Kennedy.  The character has accepted his fate, and Mr. Smith plays every moment with joy and conviction.  Randy Harrison portrays Charles as the voice of reason, wanting so much to keep the family together, yet has serious challenges to face in his relationship with Max.  Randy Jamaal Swain is a blast of vivid color and fresh air as Antoine.  He also shows the character’s serious, no-nonsense point of view.

…what the end will be is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through July 10.  It is a poignant and touching story, well directed, with a superb cast.  It will truly move you! 

Domenick Danza

The Minutes

 The Minutes
Studio 54
May 28, 2022 

Photo courtesy of The Minutes

Playwright Tracy Letts is very well known for bold, direct, in-your-face storytelling, yet The Minutes tops them all.  He crafted characters that are real.  You know them.  You like them.  You laugh at them.  You are them.  Mr. Letts structures this work so you follow these characters on their pursuit, yearning for the truth, until you find it.  Once you do, there is no going back.  

It is the weekly Big Cherry City Council meeting, a closed session.  Mr. Peel (played by Noah Reid) missed the previous meeting to attend his mother’s funeral.  He is welcomed back by Mayor Superba (played by Tracy Letts), who offers his condolences.  Mr. Peel asks the other council members what he missed from the previous meeting, including inquiring about Mr. Carp, another city council member (played by Ian Barford), who is not in attendance.  Everyone avoids these questions.  When the meeting starts, it is noted that the minutes from the previous meeting have not been prepared.  Mr. Peel is the only one concerned about this.  He continually brings up the absence of Mr. Carp and the omission of the minutes, yet his queries are incessantly avoided.  When an issue on the table requires a reference to the previous meeting, the minutes, which the clerk, Ms. Johnson (played by Jessie Mueller), was directed not to copy or distribute, are forced to be read.  The truth about Mr. Carp’s sudden disappearance is revealed, leaving Mr. Peel to make a life changing decision. 

Tracy Letts & Noah Reid
Photo courtesy of The Minutes

Mr. Letts brilliantly asks the question, “What happened to Mr. Carp?” in the opening scene.  This
driving questions draws you into about sixty minutes of action where you meet the characters and find out about the not too enthralling business of the town of Big Cherry.  You are fully engaged.  Truly invested.  The pay off, when the questions is answered, is far beyond any expectation.  Mr. Letts then takes it even further, giving insight into who we are as a nation and why we allow ourselves to become indoctrinated into beliefs and disciplines beyond imagination. 

Photo courtesy of The Minutes

The cast works as one solid unit, with leaders and outliers clearly defined.  The names of the characters offers insight into Mr. Lett’s intention for each character, and each actor delivers that intent superbly.  Noah Reid is naive and optimistic as Mr. Peel, persistently digging for the answers.  Tracy Letts is stalwart and steady as Mayor Superba.  Jeff Still and Cliff Chamberlain are steadfast and stubborn as Mr. Assalone and Mr. Breeding.  Danny McCarthy and K. Todd Freeman engage in meaningless discourse as Mr. Hanratty and Mr. Blake.  Austin Pendleton and Sally Murphy distractingly deliver the laughs as Mr. Oldfield and Ms. Matz.  Blair Brown is along for the ride as Ms. Innes.  Jessie Mueller is no-nonsense as Ms. Johnson.  Ian Barford is determined and straightforward as Mr. Carp.  

If you see anything this season make it The Minutes.  There is a frightening level of truth in Mr. Lett’s depiction of this small town and the people who inhabit it. 

Domenick Danza

POTUS

 POTUS
Shubert Theatre
May 26, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Potus

POTUS is a raucous and sidesplitting look at the behind the scenes happening at the White House.  Playwright Selina Fillinger has written an over the top script filled with funny lines, physical comedy, truthful characters, and a hilarious premise.  Director Susan Stroman works this cast of brilliant performers into a frenzy.  The action rises as the stress builds and the laughter culminates to a one line ending that says it all.

During an international meeting, the President of the United States makes a sexist and derogatory remark about his wife, Margaret (played by Vanessa Williams).  Harriet, the President’s Chief of Staff (played by Julie White), and his Press Secretary, Jean (played by Suzy Nakamura), are frantically figuring out how to spin it.  Stephanie, the President’s secretary (played by Rachel Dratch), is trying to prevent Margaret from seeing the president and making the situation worse.  Meanwhile, it is discovered that the president had an affair with a young, blond woman, Dusty (played by Julianne Hough), who is now pregnant with his child.  Harriet invited her to the White House to quiet the incident.  In addition, the President pardoned his sister, Bernadette (played by Lea Delaria), who was serving a prison sentence for international drug dealing.  When a reporter (played by Lilli Cooper), is interviewing the First Lady, she overhears and records the conversations where all this dirty laundry is aired.  Mayhem ensues, as Jean takes Margaret’s phone containing the recordings, and an accident takes place that could put all their necks on the chopping block. 

Julie White & Suzy Nakamura
Photo courtesy of Potus

The fast pace and high energy of the show is set in the opening scene between Julie White and Suzy
Nakamura.  These two skilled actors successfully light the fuse, and everything accelerates from there.  The set, designed by Beowolf Boritt, is on a turn table that quickly spins to reveal various rooms in the White House.  This allows for immediate changes, seamless transitions, and a continual build in the pace and comic timing. 

The Full Cast
Photo courtesy of Potus

The cast is phenomenal.  Julie White is full of vim and vigor.  She is a powerhouse.  Suzy Nakamura is enthralling.  Her character is constantly throwing obstacles, forcing the action to rise.  Vanessa Williams is aggressive and domineering.  Her portrayal of the First Lady is multi-layered and frighteningly truthful.  Rachel Dratch creates a character full of insecurity and very different from the others.  She makes the most out of every moment she is on stage.  Julianne Hough is perky and innocent as the President’s mistress.  She jumps right into the mix of powerful women, and rises to the challenge.  Lea Delaria is a grounding force.  Her character is full of surprises, carrying a bag of tricks on her shoulder from which she pulls out every imaginable prop needed for each sticky situation. 

As funny as this play is, it packs a thoughtful and provocative wallop at the end.  Go see it!  It is everything you could imagine from this magnificent cast. 

Domenick Danza

Cyrano de Bergerac

 Cyrano de Bergerac
The Jamie Lloyd Company
BAM Harvey Theater
May 14, 2022 

Photo courtesy of BAM

Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac is magnificently re-envisioned by Playwright/Translator Martin Crimp.  This production, originally scheduled to run at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2020, is now running at the Harvey Theater.  Directed by Jamie Lloyd, this interpretation celebrates words: the power of the written word, the poetry in the rhythm of words, and the value of the spoken word.  This Olivier-winning production comes direct from London, and is not to be missed.

Cyrano de Bergerac (played by James McAvoy), a soldier, a poet, and a true romantic, is passionately in love with Roxanne (played by Evelyn Miller).  He has kept this secret hidden from her due to his ugliness.  He has an extremely large nose, which he is very sensitive about.  Anyone who comments on it is met with his vicious wrath.  When Roxanne falls in love with Christian (Eben Figueiredo), a new soldier in Cyrano’s regiment, she asks Cyrano to protect him.  Although brokenhearted, Cyrano agrees.  Christian, fully aware of Cyrano’s sensitivity, makes fun of his nose in full view of the other men in his regiment in order to prove his bravery.  Cyrano is about to pounce, when Christian’s name is revealed.  Cyrano befriends Christian out of loyalty to Roxanne.  He tells Christian of Roxanne’s love.  Christian explains that, when it comes to women, he is not good with words.  The two men enter a pact.  Cyrano will write letters to Roxanne and sign Christian’s name.  All goes well, until Christian realizes that it is Cyrano who Roxanne is truly in love with. 

James McAvoy as Cyrano
Photo courtesy of BAM & The Jamie Lloyd Company

This production is brilliantly staged in the style of spoke word performance.  In the opening scene the cast of eighteen line up on the stage and set the tone and rhythm for what is about to unfold.  They are a united ensemble.  They introduce the characters and the main story line.  Most of the dialogue/poetry throughout the play is direct address.  Therefore, the moments when the characters look directly at one another are amazingly powerful.  The relationships are strong.  The passion is visceral.  The poetry is enthralling. 

James McAvoy & Eben Figueiredo
Photo courtesy of BAM & The Jamie Lloyd Company

James McAvoy is commanding and charismatic as Cyrano.  Evelyn Miller is self-assured and demanding as Roxanne.  Eben Figueiredo is naive and arrogant as Christian.  Tom Edden is portentous and threatening as De Guiche. 

Cyrano de Bergerac runs at the BAM Harvey Theater through May 22.  Don’t let this unique and exciting production close without seeing it for yourself. 

Domenick Danza